Kevin Rudd attacks Murdoch press over 2007 election, forgets we gave him our vote
Dennis Shanahan reports on Kevin Rudd’s energy legacy in The Australian, yesterday:
Electricity customers face an extra burden of between $3.8 billion and $7.5bn in “windfall” subsidies for renewable power generators in the next decade because of the stroke of a pen in the last months of Kevin Rudd’s prime ministership.
And the kraken awakes. The former Labor prime minister on Twitter, yesterday:
I’m launching my book today that deals with the impact of Murdoch on the deterioration of Australian democracy, and they run this. #classic
I'm launching my book today that deals with the impact of Murdoch on the deterioration of Australian democracy, and they run this. #classic pic.twitter.com/D3FVgiU9x6
— Kevin Rudd (@MrKRudd) October 22, 2017
Rudd certainly has a lot to say about the coverage of the 2007 federal election by this august organ’s parent company in his new book, Not for the Faint-hearted, released today:
True to the Murdoch newspaper and Howard government form guide … The Murdoch press continued with its breathless reporting …
We gave him a hard time in 2007? We gave him our endorsement. The Australian’s editorial, November 23, 2007:
Mr Rudd has spoken of recapturing some of the reform zeal of the Hawke and Keating years … We recognise that no change is free of risk, but we recommend a vote for Mr Rudd.
Rudd hated News’s coverage of his time at a strip joint in New York. Rudd’s memoir, yesterday:
Sure enough … I was hit with the full barrage of Murdoch front-page headlines, screaming RUDD’S STRIP CLUB SHAME and DRUNK RUDD CAN’T RECALL STRIP CLUB …
And our investigations into his multi-millionaire wife’s business dealings. Not for the Faint-hearted, continued:
The Murdoch press stalking her as if she was a criminal … This was a type of McCarthyism; where once a charge is made, then published and sensationalised, it becomes legitimate to publish any subsequent charge …
Didn’t stop our sister paper The Daily Telegraph from endorsing him. November 23, 2007:
The Daily Telegraph believes Kevin Rudd should be the next prime minister … we now believe Mr Howard has reached his use-by date …
As did Brisbane’s The Courier-Mail, November 23, 2007:
Kevin Rudd is a man for his time … he has the support of The Courier-Mail, only the second endorsement we have given federal Labor since the newspaper was established 74 years ago.
And the Northern Territory News, November 23, 2007:
A vote for Mr Howard would be a vote for more of the same. And, let’s be honest, the same has been pretty good. Having said that, a vote for Mr Howard would, in effect, be a vote for Peter Costello. On balance, we endorse Mr Rudd and Labor …
Turns out none of our support was good enough for Rudd. Not for the Faint-hearted, continued:
The government and Murdoch-land would have been pleased with their handiwork …
If all our newspapers shared the same line, why did the Herald Sun endorse John Howard? They probably had a point really … November 23, 2007:
In saying so, we put performance ahead of potential, achievement ahead of promise, certainty ahead of uncertainty. Mr Rudd has not made a compelling case for change.