A joker, a skeleton, a pirate … and Rupert Murdoch

An ironic column in the Guardian of Rupert Murdoch’s recent speech on multiculturalism and Australia:

Murdoch’s argument had three steps – a toolkit, he said, to keep Australia prosperous. In fact, to lead the world. Number one: promote Australian values, such as equality of opportunity, the church, strong relations with allies, “real multiculturalism”. Number two: embrace migrants, those who “understand and share our values”, “intelligent university graduates”. Number three: turn Australia into “the world’s disruptive economy”; innovate through creativity, champion the young, embrace the internet and mobile technology…..

And then it ended. In a room packed with chief executives and politicians, he characteristically berated the elites. “We must be egalitarian, not elitist,” he said. “We must be victors, not victims.” …

The contradictions were stark though. Murdoch’s argument itself was elitist: migration is OK, but only for those with skill, no mention of those in need; multiculturalism, but only with Australian values at the heart; innovation and creativity, but in the spirit of boy scouts, girl guides and the church.

A joker, a skeleton, a pirate … and Rupert Murdoch | Media | theguardian.com.