Murdoch deal with Abbott

[Matilda]

2. Oh, it makes sense to me.

Murdoch would definitely want something, and he's tried before to get control of Radio Australia, but it didn't go down well with the Labor backbenchers, and if my memory is right, it was Rudd who stepped in and put a stop to it.

Of course, the Abbott deal would also knock on the head any hopes that Malcolm Turnbull would have of regaining the leadership before the election, because I don't believe he would do such a deal, and Murdoch would make sure that his man would stay in place.

Think back to the ascent of Tony Blair - he was backed by Murdoch, and I think Murdoch's price was war with Iraq. There was no logical reason for Blair to back Bush on that escapade, but Murdoch wanted it, because he said the price of petrol would come down. I can't prove that of course, but nobody has ever come up with a good reason for Britain to have invaded Iraq, and that it was Murdoch's doing is the only thing that makes sense.