The Guardian 15 February, 2006
Editorial
Big money honours its own
This week, (Friday, February 17) and at taxpayers' expense, a memorial to Kerry Packer is to
be held in the Sydney Opera House. Like flies attracted to a dead carcass the memorial
service will be attended by a galaxy of film stars, other big businessmen and women,
politicians of both Liberal and Labor ilk, sportsmen and women, etc, etc.
The Howard Government has set up a hotline for those who want to confirm their
attendance at this event. The hotline has an address set up by the Department of the Prime
Minister and Cabinet. The Australian, owned by Packer rival Rupert Murdoch, politely says
that the "public response [on the hotline] has not been overwhelming".
Forests of trees have been soiled as pages and pages have been written in glowing tribute
by those who stand in awe of Kerry Packer's wealth and his ability to outwit his rivals and
do a "deal" always intended to add to his obscene wealth. He is said to have accumulated
an empire of publications, TV channels, gaming outlets and landed interests with a net
worth of $6.9 billion.
Did he accumulate this by his work manufacturing something worthwhile at a factory bench
or in a sweatshop, by making some addition to science or to culture? Not a bit of
it.
First of all, he inherited an empire already accumulated by his media magnate father. All
Kerry has done is to add to it by his shrewd business "deals" and by using smart
accountants to minimise his contribution to tax revenue. This ability to minimise his
contribution to the common wealth of the country has not stopped the Howard Government
from underwriting this public memorial. Such is the lack of morality of the Howard
Government and those who will come along to "honour" this hero of the big business
community.
"What about his contribution to sport?" some will say in his defence? The truth is that he
realised that sport could be bought and brought into the homes of Australian families by
using his TV network and media publications and that he would make pots of money in the
process.
From all accounts, Kerry Packer was rude, overbearing and ruthless in dealing it out to
anyone who stood in his way or who questioned his course of action and his business
interests.
His political interests were naturally conservative having been brought up in a family in
which the head of the family advocated the "killing of 500 Negroes" as a means of stopping
the black liberation movement in the United States in the 1960s.
Kerry Packer did not hesitate to use ownership of "his" media empire to influence
Australian politics, becoming an open advocate for the Howard Government.
This is the reality that those who prattle about "freedom of speech" and "a free press" like
to ignore. Australia has allowed a media dynasty owned and controlled by the Packer family
to build up — father Frank, Kerry and now James. None of these individuals, who have
enormous influence over the minds of the community, have been elected. They can make or
unmake governments, rattle the nationalist can and send the young children of workers off
to war, advocate the idea that lower wages are good for workers, that the new industrial
relations laws are in Australia's economic interests and so on. There is nothing democratic
about this!
It is this truth that progressive Australians and those who want to change the capitalist
system have to face and defeat. The Packers, the Murdochs, the Howards (and the
Beazleys) will fight to the death to oppose any real political advance in Australia whether it
be some relatively minor social reform calling for more childcare centres, a free health
service, or even the objective teaching of history in schools. They also oppose the
progressive advances being made by a number of countries overseas. These are seen as a
threat and as an example that Australians might get to know about and (heaven forbid!)
even follow.
That's why The Guardian is such an important media, despite its all too small
circulation, as it provides an alternative news and information source always championing
the interests of the working people. Your continued support is essential.