Sky is the limit as Piers Morgan enjoys freedom
Piers Morgan says it’s been ‘strange’ to see us in various states of lockdown, given our reputation as a ‘freedom-loving’ nation.
British broadcaster Piers Morgan says it’s been “strange” to see Australia in various states of lockdown over the past two years, given its international reputation as a “freedom-loving” nation.
“You’re a great country full of my kind of people – no-nonsense straight talkers who call it like it is and don’t appreciate being told how to lead your lives,” he said, ahead of a gala dinner in Sydney to mark the 25th anniversary of Sky News Australia.
“It’s definitely been a very strange time to see Australia locked down with such draconian restrictions on freedom for two years. Getting into the country has been harder than it was for our old British convicts.”
Morgan, who will host a prime time show on Sky News Australia in coming months, was among more than 100 dignitaries at the network’s anniversary dinner on Wednesday night.
Other guests included Prime Minister Scott Morrison and wife Jenny, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, former prime ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott, News Corp co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch and wife Sarah Murdoch, News Corp Australasia executive chairman Michael Miller, Herald & Weekly Times chairwoman Penny Fowler and Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany.
Harvey Norman executive chairman Gerry Harvey and CEO Katie Page also attended, as did Crown boss Steve McCann, Business Council of Australia CEO Jennifer Westacott, Racing NSW supremo Peter V’landys, AFL chief Gillon McLachlan and NRL counterpart Andrew Abdo.
The dinner, at Sydney’s Bennelong restaurant, was hosted by Broadcasting News Corp Australia CEO Siobhan McKenna and Sky News Australia boss Paul Whittaker.
Morgan’s new show will be syndicated through News Corporation (publisher of The Australian) and will be broadcast to the US through Fox Nation and in Britain through News UK’s talkTV.
Morgan, a former UK newspaper editor and talk show host, offered his views on the looming federal poll.
“I think it’s going to be a very close election,” he said.
“Morrison clearly damaged himself badly over the bushfires fiasco – voters always want to see their leaders lead in a crisis, not go to the beach – the badly executed early vaccine rollout, and the parliament #MeToo scandal.
“But I think he’s otherwise shown pretty good leadership during the pandemic, with most Australians now vaccinated, the death toll commendably low, and restrictions now finally being lifted again. So, he has a chance to ride this new wave of optimism, and of course, the crisis in Ukraine will also give him a chance to show his leadership skills on the foreign stage.
“He needs to present a clear vision for post-pandemic Australia to the electorate, and focus more on laying down a Morrison doctrine of things he wants to achieve for the country, rather than looking like he’s constantly doing stuff to please people.
“People-pleasers rarely end up pleasing people.”
Sky News Australia began broadcasting on February 19, 1996, becoming Australia’s first 24-hour news channel. The network now reaches more than nine million Australians each month.
Its 25th anniversary gala dinner was to be held last year, but was postponed due to Covid.
We should never have hired ‘activist’ Lattouf: Buttrose
Former ABC chair Ita Buttrose has declared Antoinette Lattouf an activist who was ‘critical of Israel’ and should never have been hired by the public broadcaster, in a feisty Federal Court appearance.
Tough ad market smashes Seven West Media profit
The Kerry Stokes’ backed media company is hurting from a tough advertising market and the impact from major sporting events but there are positive signs on the horizon.