So we’re delighted to seeRebekah Brooks – the Murdoch family-owned News UK chief executive who resigned at the time of the hacking scandal at theNews of the World – on these shores and still a shining light at the court of new kingLachlan Murdoch,who is also in Sydney this week.
Rebekah Brooks.Bloomberg
Brooks,for the record,said in a 2011 statement about the hacking that occurred when she was editor of the now-defunct paper:“I feel a deep sense of responsibility for the people we have hurt and I want to reiterate how sorry I am for what we now know to have taken place”. She was acquitted of a raft of criminal charges arising from the affair.
So anyway,Rebekah and Lachlan have been ensconced at News Corp’s local headquarters in Surry Hills where an announcement of mass sackings is expected as they chop $65 million in costs from the Australian operation.
It’ll be some comfort to the company’s foot soldiers,who have good reason to fear for their jobs – with News’ tabloids reportedly in the gun – that Murdoch family favourites will live their best lives,come what may.
We gave News Corp reps a shout on Thursday,who referred us to their colleagues in the UK,but no on-the-record comment about Brooks was forthcoming.
DIVINE RIGHT
Former prime ministerScott Morrison,who is busy promoting his book in the US,is also having a grand old time fraternising with the MAGAverse. First there was his meeting withDonald Trump,and the book launch with Trump’s vice-presidentMike Pence,and former lackeysKellyanne ConwayandMike Pompeo.
But we’ve been more intrigued by some of Scomo’s more under the radar media appearances. As well as a photo-op with TV personalityDr Phil in Dallas,the former PM spruiked his book on a podcast with Fox News hostShannon Bream(aptly titledLivin’ the Bream),and delivered a unique perspective on his ascension to the prime ministership in 2018.
Australian observers might recall how Morrison and his henchmen furiously worked the numbers to ensure he triumphed overMalcolm TurnbullandPeter Duttonduring the Liberal Party’s week of chaos.
In Scotty’s recollection,it was more of a passive thing. He told Bream he wasn’t actively seeking to become PM,and instead,simply answered God’s call.
“The members of your caucus,if you like,can change who the leader is any given Tuesday. And that happened,and this was not what we’d anticipated,and you find yourself thrust into this role,” Morrison told Bream.
“You don’t get to choose the time at which you’re called on to lead,it sort of chooses you,and you decide whether to step up or step off,and I chose the former,” he said.
“When I say ‘called’,what I mean is,in that moment,I just felt I needed to be obedient.”
Too bad he didn’t extend that obedience to Turnbull.
SELECTION RACE
This weekend,the NSW Liberals will gather to preselect the party’s Senate ticket for next year’s federal election. And because it’s the NSW Liberal Party we’re talking about,the seemingly sensible option of putting recently promoted senatorsHollie HughesandAndrew Braggin the top two spots on the ticket is far from a settled outcome.
While Hughes is likely to land the top spot,Bragg,a leading moderate,is facing a stiff challenge from conservativeJess Collins,a research fellow at the Lowy Institute,meaning he could drop into the less secure third place.
You can sense Bragg might be in a bit of trouble because people keep circulating video outtakes of him saying words too rude for our family-friendly column,the type of language nobody uses in a civilised place like Parliament House.
Meanwhile,Collins’ push has gotten a few high-profile backers. Her candidate brochure lists written endorsements from federal shadow treasurerAngus Taylor,and more surprisingly,former treasurer and ex-ambassador to the United StatesJoe Hockey.
Hockey,who’s now running his business from Washington DC,a continent away from the factional skulduggery which has engulfed his party,was once a leading figure for the Mods. Now,he’s backing a candidate who could diminish the faction’s representation in the next Liberal party room.
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