Sky News presenter Piers Morgan a surprise guest at Sydney Opera House dinner
International commentator and Sky News presenter Piers Morgan was a surprise guest at the Sydney Opera House on Wednesday.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fearless international commentator and new Sky News presenter Piers Morgan was a surprise guest at a power-packed dinner to celebrate the broadcaster’s 25th anniversary on Wednesday night.
The dinner for more than 100 of Australia’s biggest movers and shakers at Bennelong Restaurant inside the Sydney Opera House was also attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his wife Jenny and News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch and his wife Sarah.
Sky News Australia chief executive Paul Whittaker, who co-hosted the event with Broadcasting News Corp Australia chief executive Siobhan McKenna, said: “From our humble beginnings in 1996 to now, 25 years on, as we gear up to cover our 10th Federal Election, I’m proud to say … we are the country’s unrivalled leader in political news coverage.
“I believe now – more than ever – our commitment to journalism, and vigorous and uncensored debate, is vital,” he said.
A key element in that debate will come from Morgan, whose new global show will launch on Sky News in the coming months. He vowed to not pull any punches with his guests.
“I’ll be calling out extremists from all sides, not just in Australia but anywhere – and especially those who think cancel culture’s a great idea and want to compel us all to lead their own dreary joyless lifestyles,” he said.
Despite still believing that “Marmite wipes the floor with Vegemite” he was confident the show, which will also air in the UK and US, will translate perfectly into compulsive viewing for Australian audiences.
“I do currently identify as a larrikin, and know my koalas from my possums and my bludgers from my bogans,” he said. “I’m good mates with Shane Warne, so if there are any linguistic issues, I’ll get him to help me. He’s always had a fruity command of the English language.”
Former newspaper editor Morgan, 56, made global headlines with his views on new royal Meghan Markle and has a strong message for Australian republicans.
“Be careful what you wish for,” he warned. “The Queen has proven for 70 years what a magnificent asset the British Monarchy can be to any country, and how reassuring it can be to have such a politically impartial figurehead. No president, aside from Nelson Mandela, has come close to having her global popularity.”
And he also marked the cards of politicians at the dinner, including Labor leader Anthony Albanese, treasurer Josh Frydenberg and NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, that his show would reflect the concerns of all Australians as the country emerges from the pandemic.
In this year’s federal election he said he believes “Australians will want to elect the leader who they believe will move most swiftly to restore all freedom rights lost during the crisis, and who will be strong on national security.”
Guests at the dinner, who also included News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller, Harvey Norman executive chairman Gerry Harvey and chief executive Katie Page, Crown chief executive Steve McCann and The Daily Telegraph and The Sunday Telegraph editors Ben English and Mick Carroll, were entertained by X Factor winner Isaiah Firebrace.
Also attending were former Prime Ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard, Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys, AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.
Join the conversation
‘Give us our land rights’: Thorpe’s screaming spray at the King
Controversial senator Lidia Thorpe has fired a broadside at King Charles III just moments after he concluded an address at Parliament House in Canberra.
Read more
Man denied bail after alleged weapons supply
A Coffs Harbour man stands accused of supplying pistols, shotguns, rifles and a pump action shotgun and being found with cash and drugs. Here’s what happened in court.
Read more