Petition puts pressure on Murdoch operations in Australia
A record-breaking petition calling for a royal commission into the Murdoch media empire has been presented to federal parliament.
Malcolm Turnbull (left) supported a petition calling for an inquiry into the influence of Rupert Murdoch (right). (Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
More than half a million Australians signed the online petition launched by former prime minister Kevin Rudd.
Another former prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, publicly supported the petition.
The pair believe Australia is on the American path to deep division unless Rupert Murdoch’s hyper-partisan media operations are kept in check.
However, serving politicians will ultimately decide how to respond to the petition.
Petitions committee chair Ken O’Dowd was impressed with the number of Australians engaging with parliament and democracy.
O’Dowd told parliament on Monday the top paper petitions in Australian history related to community pharmacies and beer prices.
-AAP
