Australian Politics Forum - Not minister for right wing communications

Fit of Absent Mindeness

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Not minister for right wing communications
Mar 4^th, 2014 at 2:51pm

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/malcolm-turnbull-not-minis...''

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has taken aim at conservative critics in his own party and the media, telling Parliament he is not "the minister for right-wing communications."

Mr Turnbull has been criticised by conservative commentators, and some Liberal MPs, for appearing to criticise News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch and his publications in a Friday speech launching The Saturday Paper newspaper in Sydney. The Saturday Paper is being published by progressive property developer Morry Schwartz, who also publishes The Monthly.

Mr Turnbull, a moderate, has previously angered conservative colleagues by voicing support for carbon pricing and same-sex marriage.

During the speech Mr Turnbull quipped to Mr Schwartz: "You are not some demented plutocrat pouring more and more money into a loss-making venture that is just going to peddle your opinions."
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While many took this to be a reference to Mr Murdoch, Mr Turnbull later said he was referring to US newspaper baron William Randolph Hearst.

Mr Turnbull also mocked Mr Murdoch's The Australian newspaper, saying "there is nothing too small in terms of the deficiencies of the nation ... for them to focus on."

Addressing critics of his speech, Mr Turnbull, who is currently considering changes to media ownership laws, told parliament on Monday that he would not play favourites among media companies.

"Those who think that this Liberal minister should be like Senator Conroy and seek to persecute or suborned or bully those who do not agree with him have got it completely wrong—they are wrong in principle and they are wrong in practice," he said.

"They apparently would like me to be - just as Senator Conroy was the minister for left-wing communications or the minister for communications that agree with the Labor Party - the minister for right-wing communications or communications that agree with the Liberal Party.

"I am the minister that seeks to ensure that we have the freest and most diverse media we can possibly manage. I am the minister that wants to take away the barriers to competition wherever I can so that as many voices can speak out as possible, and whether they are left or right is of no concern to me in my capacity as the Minister for Communications."

A conservative Liberal MP said "we have our own demented plutocrat in the Liberal Party. Turnbull is a protected species who uses his wealth and status in the media to advance arguments that have no currency in the Liberal Party."

Will he be asked to leave the Coalition shortly?

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Putting the n in cuts

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adelcrow Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 20133 everywhere Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #1 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 2:55pm Naughty boy...Big Mal should know that its Rupert that keeps him and the rest of the Abbotts Family in a job Never bite the hand that feeds you Mal
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Peter Freedman Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 5275 Wellington Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #2 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:11pm Mal is being truthful and to hell with the consequences. Foolhardy? Well, maybe. But bluddy brave.
Back to top	God grant me the patience to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and, above all, the wisdom to tell the difference. IP Logged

Fit of Absent Mindeness Gold Member Offline We need more fits of absent mindedness Posts: 1622 Brisbane Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #3 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:14pm I do respect him - most of the time - for not caring about towing the party line. Of course it has the added benefit of pissing other more conservative members of the Coalition off.
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woody2014 Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 2044 NTH EAST VIC Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #4 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:15pm Peter Freedman wrote on Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:11pm: Mal is being truthful and to hell with the consequences. Foolhardy? Well, maybe. But bluddy brave. Why's he being brave? Please explain in your own words bloody hell
Back to top	THE DUMB LEFTIES ON THIS BOARD DONT KNOW IF THERE WINDING THEIR ARSE OR SCRATCHING THEIR WATCH IP Logged

Peter Freedman Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 5275 Wellington Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #5 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:21pm He's telling the truth and damn the consequences. That's not brave?
Back to top	God grant me the patience to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and, above all, the wisdom to tell the difference. IP Logged

woody2014 Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 2044 NTH EAST VIC Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #6 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:23pm Peter Freedman wrote on Mar 4^th, 2014 at 3:21pm: He's telling the truth and damn the consequences. That's not brave? WHAT consequences ?
Back to top	THE DUMB LEFTIES ON THIS BOARD DONT KNOW IF THERE WINDING THEIR ARSE OR SCRATCHING THEIR WATCH IP Logged

St George of the Garden Gold Member Offline http://tinyurl.com/n 3o8m2x Posts: 9809 Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #7 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 10:37pm He is careful to carry out Murdoch’s wishes by destroying the NBN—at huge cost to the nation.
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gizmo_2655 Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 16010 South West NSW Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #8 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 10:55pm AND no minster for 'left wing communications' either...
Back to top	"I just get sick of people who place a label on someone else with their own definition. It's similar to a strawman fallacy" Bobbythebat IP Logged

rabbitoh08 Gold Member Offline Australian Politics Posts: 1528 Gender:	Re: Not minister for right wing communications Reply #9 - Mar 4^th, 2014 at 11:47pm His speech was pretty funny. He clearly referred to William Randolph Hurst - but all the Murdoch employees (i.e.. the government) assumed he was talking about Murdoch. Nice job Mal.
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