Lachlan Murdoch hails Australia-US alliance amid ‘generational realignment’

Australia’s ties with the United States have never been more critical in the face of a rising China and geopolitical disruption in Ukraine and the Middle East, Lachlan Murdoch says.

‘The alliance between America and Australia has been enduring because it is grounded in shared cultural values,’ says Lachlan Murdoch, right, pictured with Rupert Murdoch. Picture: Jenna Bascom Photography

Australia’s alliance with the United States has never been more critical in the face of a rising China and geopolitical upheaval in Ukraine and the Middle East, says Lachlan Murdoch, co-chair of News Corp and executive chairman and CEO of Fox Corporation.

Mr Murdoch said strong American global leadership in tandem with Australia’s regional leadership in the Pacific was essential to meet the challenges of a new geopolitical era.

“We are entering another generational realignment (and) this upheaval is both geopolitical and cultural,” Mr Murdoch told a 75th anniversary dinner of the American Australian Association in New York.

“From Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to Hamas’ horrific attack on Israel, to China’s encroaching influence into the Pacific, there are clear echoes of past, dangerous times,” he said. “We ignore these echoes at our peril. Navigating this will require clear vision, great courage, and political will. Also astute diplomacy.”

Mr Murdoch praised the Albanese government for its handling so far of balancing the competing priorities of its closest ally, the United States, with its largest trading partner, China.

“But this will become more difficult with time,” he said. “As China seeks to displace America as the regional superpower and create networks of influence to secure its dominance, and diminish our own national sovereignty, Australian and American alignment is critical. This cannot be overstated.”

Mr Murdoch said regional leadership, such as what Australia was providing in the Pacific was necessary but American leadership was “an absolute prerequisite for success”.

“Thankfully, the alliance between America and Australia has been enduring because it is grounded in shared cultural values. We are both liberal democracies who cherish individual freedoms and free markets,” he said.

“As the world becomes more uncertain, the alliance becomes more essential.”

Mr Murdoch said the strength of the Australian-American alliance lay in its longevity, its deep cultural connections and its bipartisan nature.

“We are nations made up of first peoples and immigrants. Young, optimistic, and multicultural. “We have fought together in every major war since 1918, 105 years ago,” he said.

“Democrats and Republicans in America, Labor and Liberals at home; all major parties recognise and value our close relationship.”

Mr Murdoch said this was the key to making “groundbreaking initiatives”, such as the AUKUS security and defence partnership.

“AUKUS was made possible only because of the shared values and duly earned trust established between us over many decades,” he said.

The alliance was greater than any individual leader and was anchored in politics, military connections, commerce, investment, education, media and tourism, among others.

“Ultimately, the Australian and American relationship is about people – this is the key to its longevity and constant renewal,” he said.

The AAA, the premier business, cultural and education forum between Australia and the US was founded in 1948 by Mr Murdoch’s grandfather, Sir Keith Murdoch, to promote co-operation and understanding between the countries.

Sir Keith saw the need, 75 years ago, for an organisation that would help bind the two countries together in the uncertain years after World War II.