‘For our future’s sake, we must stick close to the US’, says Rupert Murdoch

Australia needs to ‘stick close’ to the US in order to maintain its strategic advantage in defence and its economic strength, Rupert Murdoch says.

Chairman emeritus of News Corp and Fox Corporation Rupert Murdoch.

Australia needs to “stick close” to the US in order to maintain its strategic advantage in defence and its economic strength, Rupert Murdoch says.

In an interview on Sky News on Monday night to mark The Australian newspaper’s 60th anniversary, Mr Murdoch said Australia must continue to foster its close ties with the US in order to safeguard the nation’s future.

Now the chairman emeritus of News Corp and Fox Corporation, Mr Murdoch told interviewer Paul Whittaker – a former editor-in-chief of The Australian newspaper and current chief executive of Sky News Australia – that the US was Australia’s greatest ally.

Whittaker asked Mr Murdoch: “What do you think Aus­tralia needs to do to maintain its sovereignty in terms of defence and economic policy?”

“No question, it’s got to stick close to America. You know, it’s all moving pieces and you can’t predict everything, but we’ve got to get America right,” Mr Murdoch said.

“There’s no alternative to having a strong, vibrant America.”

Whittaker questioned Mr Murdoch on China, and asked whether the world was entering “a new Cold War, with China the main threat”.

“I hope not. Will they invade Taiwan? We’re not going to defend Taiwan. That’s clear, it’s American policy,” Mr Murdoch said.

Whittaker: “You don’t think America will defend Taiwan?”

Mr Murdoch: “No.”

Whittaker: “Even though President Joe Biden has indicated that they may?”

Mr Murdoch: “No, they walked that back … they’ve got the greatest fighting force in the world. You’ve got to move them thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean to go there. If you put aircraft carriers, the Chinese can sink those with one rocket. No, I don’t think so.”

Mr Murdoch cited Ronald Reagan as the greatest US president of the past 60 years, and lauded his foreign policy. “The greatest force was a man totally underestimated, Ronald Reagan. They said, ‘What’s your foreign policy?’ “He said ‘We win, they lose’. And that’s exactly what happened. The Soviets fell apart.”

Asked about his legacy, Mr Murdoch said he hoped journalism would survive and thrive: “Keep fighting for freedom of the press, freedom of expression for everybody, not just us. And that this will contribute, and be seen to contribute, to a better society.”

As for whether The Australian would be around in another 60 years in some form, Mr Murdoch said: “In some form, absolutely. Well, that’s up to us.”

The Australian: 60 Years of News – now available to stream at SkyNews.com.au or download the Sky News Australia app