Extract from ABC News
Malcolm Turnbull has accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of working as "a team" with News Corp newspapers and Sky TV.
Key points:
- The former PM says Scott Morrison is "cleaving very closely" to the Murdoch press
- A petition calling for a royal commission into media diversity has more than 500,000 signatures
- Tony Abbott says he "never" leaked details of Cabinet discussions to News Corp
The former prime minister has joined Kevin Rudd in backing a petition for a royal commission into media diversity and the role of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, which they both believe is a malevolent and partisan force in Australian political life.
In his recent memoir Mr Turnbull accused Mr Murdoch of bringing his prime ministership down.
"Morrison, I think, has determined not to suffer the same fate I did from the right of the Liberal Party in the Murdoch press," he told 7.30.
"So Morrison is cleaving very closely to the Murdoch press, and they are backing him up.
"They're not holding him to account for failings, and they're criticising his opponents. And yeah, they're operating like a team."
'News Corp is now essentially propaganda'
While the petition has more than 500,000 signatures, it has failed to secure a royal commission so far. Instead, the Greens will hold a Senate inquiry.
"The critical thing, you have to recognise that News Corp is now essentially propaganda. It's a political organisation that employs a lot of journalists," Mr Turnbull said.
Kevin Rudd concurs.
"Whereas once the Murdoch press would generally lean conservative, but see it [as] in its interest to give the other side of politics a half a go, in the last decade, it's simply been wall-to-wall propaganda on behalf of the Liberal National Party ... And [in the US it's become] propaganda for the far-right Republican Party," Mr Rudd said.
"Well, enough is enough."
'Extraordinary access' claim rejected by Abbott
Malcolm Turnbull believes the relationship between the prime minister's office and the Murdoch media was even closer under the man he succeeded.
"Tony Abbott operated almost in a partnership with News Corp," he said.
"Their reporters, their editors had access to Cabinet decisions before they were taken, in fact, reported Cabinet decisions having been taken when in fact that [sic] turned out they hadn't been, so there was extraordinary access."
Mr Abbott declined an interview with 7.30, but released a statement describing the allegations as "baseless smears".
"Unlike some, as Prime Minister, I never leaked out of Cabinet or backgrounded against colleagues," he wrote.
"To me, this is dishonourable and a betrayal of the solidarity that should exist within a political party with a shared commitment to the people it represents.
"I make the general point that Australia needs more media outlets and more media diversity; but won't otherwise respond to baseless smears or dignify a hatchet job."
Turnbull talked with Murdoch 'a lot' as PM
By his own recollection, Mr Turnbull has known Rupert Murdoch in one way or another for 40 years.
Despite being able to get the media baron on the phone, he was unable to convince him to call off the attacks on his leadership when it mattered.
"I used to talk to him a lot, actually," he said.
"I couldn't understand this bitter campaign against me from Sky News and from some of his newspapers, particularly The Australian ... he'd say 'They don't have many viewers' or 'The Oz (The Australian) doesn't have many readers,' and he'd always obfuscate it.
"But the reality is I thought it was crazy."
Mr Turnbull believes Mr Murdoch wanted "to install" Peter Dutton as prime minister, and he failed.
When asked if that showed Mr Murdoch wasn't "all-powerful", Mr Turnbull replied: "It shows you his influence is considerable."
When approached for an interview, Prime Minister Scott Morrison's office directed 7.30 to the Communications Minister's office. A spokesman declined to comment publicly ahead of the Senate inquiry.
News Corp declined 7.30's request for an interview and did not respond to written questions.
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