1 00:00:10,614 --> 00:00:15,294 Speaker 1: You're listening to a Muma Mea podcast. Mumma Mea acknowledges 2 00:00:15,334 --> 00:00:18,174 Speaker 1: the traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast 3 00:00:18,214 --> 00:00:19,054 Speaker 1: is recorded on. 4 00:00:21,894 --> 00:00:22,094 Speaker 2: Hi. 5 00:00:22,214 --> 00:00:23,174 Speaker 3: I'm Claire Murphy. 6 00:00:23,214 --> 00:00:26,614 Speaker 1: This is Mumma MIA's daily news podcast, The Quickie. The 7 00:00:26,734 --> 00:00:30,054 Speaker 1: Murdock's real life succession drama has been playing out in 8 00:00:30,094 --> 00:00:32,534 Speaker 1: a court in Nevada this past couple of weeks, with 9 00:00:32,574 --> 00:00:35,134 Speaker 1: the decision set to be handed down any day now 10 00:00:35,294 --> 00:00:38,334 Speaker 1: as to who'll have the controlling vote in the family trust. 11 00:00:39,014 --> 00:00:41,974 Speaker 1: Will it be the three against two win for Lachland's siblings, 12 00:00:42,454 --> 00:00:45,654 Speaker 1: or will Rupert and his successor lockdown full control of 13 00:00:45,654 --> 00:00:49,294 Speaker 1: the media empire that has influenced conservative narratives in the 14 00:00:49,374 --> 00:00:50,854 Speaker 1: US political landscape. 15 00:00:51,094 --> 00:00:52,254 Speaker 3: We'll get into the case. 16 00:00:52,054 --> 00:00:54,054 Speaker 1: Next, but before we do that, here's the letters from 17 00:00:54,054 --> 00:00:57,854 Speaker 1: the Quickie newsroom. Thursday, September twenty six. New data from 18 00:00:57,934 --> 00:01:01,254 Speaker 1: consumer group Choice has found the grocery prices have increased 19 00:01:01,294 --> 00:01:04,414 Speaker 1: at Woolworths, gone down at Cole's, while Aldi remains the 20 00:01:04,494 --> 00:01:07,294 Speaker 1: cheapest place to do your weekly shop. The data shows 21 00:01:07,294 --> 00:01:09,894 Speaker 1: slight changes in the cost of groceries in the June quarter. 22 00:01:10,254 --> 00:01:13,654 Speaker 1: The average basket of fourteen common household items came in 23 00:01:13,654 --> 00:01:16,374 Speaker 1: at sixty eight dollars thirty seven At Woolly's, up three 24 00:01:16,414 --> 00:01:19,134 Speaker 1: dollars forty four on the quarter prior. The price came 25 00:01:19,174 --> 00:01:21,934 Speaker 1: down two dollars thirty at Coals at sixty six dollars 26 00:01:21,974 --> 00:01:25,214 Speaker 1: twenty two, and at Aldi that basket cost is fifty 27 00:01:25,254 --> 00:01:28,134 Speaker 1: dollars seventy nine, down from fifty one to fifty one. 28 00:01:28,534 --> 00:01:31,094 Speaker 1: The Choice reports are funded by the federal government, who 29 00:01:31,094 --> 00:01:34,454 Speaker 1: began following the trend of grocery prices after reports from 30 00:01:34,454 --> 00:01:38,734 Speaker 1: consumers alleging price gouging by the big chain supermarkets. Almost 31 00:01:38,734 --> 00:01:41,774 Speaker 1: one in every three suburbs across Australia now have a 32 00:01:41,854 --> 00:01:45,374 Speaker 1: median house or unit price above one million dollars. The 33 00:01:45,374 --> 00:01:48,414 Speaker 1: core Logic report found a record portion of homes across 34 00:01:48,454 --> 00:01:51,574 Speaker 1: four thy eight hundred suburbs and now in the seven 35 00:01:51,614 --> 00:01:54,894 Speaker 1: figures at twenty nine point three percent. That's up from 36 00:01:54,974 --> 00:01:58,494 Speaker 1: fourteen point three percent before the pandemic, and even higher 37 00:01:58,534 --> 00:02:00,334 Speaker 1: than the start of last year when it was twenty 38 00:02:00,374 --> 00:02:04,014 Speaker 1: one point three. Sydney, Brisbane and Perth recorded the biggest 39 00:02:04,054 --> 00:02:07,174 Speaker 1: jump in seven figure suburbs, with that number expected to 40 00:02:07,254 --> 00:02:10,014 Speaker 1: go up despite the pace of growth starting to ease. 41 00:02:10,454 --> 00:02:13,494 Speaker 1: President Joe Biden says there's a possibility of all out 42 00:02:13,494 --> 00:02:15,854 Speaker 1: war in the Middle East, but there's also the chance 43 00:02:15,974 --> 00:02:19,894 Speaker 1: Israel's conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon can be settled. President 44 00:02:19,934 --> 00:02:22,374 Speaker 1: Biden has been working to calm tensions in the now 45 00:02:22,454 --> 00:02:25,374 Speaker 1: nearly year long war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, 46 00:02:25,614 --> 00:02:29,094 Speaker 1: which has now expanded across another border to include airstrikes 47 00:02:29,134 --> 00:02:32,974 Speaker 1: in Lebanon against the Iranian backed Hezbola group. Speaking to 48 00:02:33,134 --> 00:02:36,214 Speaker 1: ABC's The View, President Biden says they're still in play 49 00:02:36,254 --> 00:02:39,294 Speaker 1: to have a settlement that will fundamentally change the whole region, 50 00:02:39,614 --> 00:02:43,094 Speaker 1: pushing for a two state solution, saying he openly disagrees 51 00:02:43,174 --> 00:02:46,454 Speaker 1: with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Nettnawhu on the issue. He 52 00:02:46,494 --> 00:02:49,854 Speaker 1: says once ceasefires in the region are secured, then attention 53 00:02:49,974 --> 00:02:53,254 Speaker 1: can be turned to the controversial West Bank Secret Lives 54 00:02:53,254 --> 00:02:56,254 Speaker 1: of Mormon Wive Style. Whitney Levitt has admitted her husband 55 00:02:56,334 --> 00:02:59,334 Speaker 1: refuses to watch the show because of the impact it's 56 00:02:59,334 --> 00:03:02,734 Speaker 1: had on her mentally and emotionally. Speaking to Tay and 57 00:03:02,814 --> 00:03:05,894 Speaker 1: Taylor Lautner on their podcast The Squeeze, Whitney says her 58 00:03:06,014 --> 00:03:09,014 Speaker 1: husband refuses to watch the show to create a healthy 59 00:03:09,014 --> 00:03:11,614 Speaker 1: boundary for them, but she did watch it once and 60 00:03:11,654 --> 00:03:14,854 Speaker 1: told him everything that happened. She now has regrets about 61 00:03:14,894 --> 00:03:16,694 Speaker 1: doing the show, saying it put her in a very 62 00:03:16,774 --> 00:03:19,294 Speaker 1: dark place which made it hard to watch it back, 63 00:03:19,374 --> 00:03:21,454 Speaker 1: saying some of the decisions she made were not given 64 00:03:21,494 --> 00:03:24,134 Speaker 1: the context they needed for the viewer to understand why. 65 00:03:24,454 --> 00:03:26,854 Speaker 1: Whitney says she has no hard feelings against the other 66 00:03:26,934 --> 00:03:29,774 Speaker 1: Mom Top crew and is still close with Taylor and Macy, 67 00:03:30,094 --> 00:03:32,734 Speaker 1: saying she wishes them the best for future series, making 68 00:03:32,814 --> 00:03:35,374 Speaker 1: it seems like she may not appear in season two. 69 00:03:35,734 --> 00:03:37,094 Speaker 3: That's What's happening in the world today. 70 00:03:37,134 --> 00:03:40,214 Speaker 1: Next, the Murdoch media empire is on the line in 71 00:03:40,254 --> 00:03:43,134 Speaker 1: a high stakes court case happening in the US. 72 00:03:42,934 --> 00:03:45,894 Speaker 3: Right now who will be the true successor? 73 00:03:58,814 --> 00:04:02,734 Speaker 1: In scenes reminiscent of the wildly popular TV show Succession, 74 00:04:03,054 --> 00:04:05,654 Speaker 1: a court case has been underway in the US, hitting 75 00:04:05,694 --> 00:04:09,014 Speaker 1: sibling against sibling in a battle for control of one 76 00:04:09,014 --> 00:04:12,974 Speaker 1: of the world's most influential media conglomerates. At the center 77 00:04:13,014 --> 00:04:15,774 Speaker 1: of this family feud are the four eldest children of 78 00:04:15,894 --> 00:04:20,614 Speaker 1: media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. The dispute revolves around Rupert's decision 79 00:04:20,694 --> 00:04:25,134 Speaker 1: to amend the family trust, effectively ensuring that his chosen heir, Lachlan, 80 00:04:25,374 --> 00:04:29,174 Speaker 1: retains control of NewsCorp and Fox Corporation. If you're not 81 00:04:29,214 --> 00:04:31,814 Speaker 1: across who the major players are in this saga, let 82 00:04:31,814 --> 00:04:37,494 Speaker 1: me introduce you to the Murdoch family tree. Rupert, We're 83 00:04:37,534 --> 00:04:41,334 Speaker 1: all pretty much across, but first up is Prudence MacLeod 84 00:04:41,534 --> 00:04:45,414 Speaker 1: at sixty six. She's Rupert's eldest child from his first marriage. 85 00:04:45,574 --> 00:04:47,894 Speaker 1: She's a beneficiary of the family trust and sits on 86 00:04:47,934 --> 00:04:50,894 Speaker 1: the boards of The Times Newspapers Limited in the UK. 87 00:04:51,054 --> 00:04:51,774 Speaker 3: And News Corp. 88 00:04:52,094 --> 00:04:54,614 Speaker 1: But other than that, she's never really expressed a desire 89 00:04:54,614 --> 00:04:56,854 Speaker 1: to hold a role in the family business other than 90 00:04:56,894 --> 00:04:58,934 Speaker 1: a short stint as a researcher at the News of 91 00:04:58,934 --> 00:05:02,694 Speaker 1: the World many years ago. She's a very private woman, 92 00:05:02,814 --> 00:05:05,174 Speaker 1: and rolling up to the court this past week dressed 93 00:05:05,174 --> 00:05:08,134 Speaker 1: in what can only be described as quiet luxury in 94 00:05:08,214 --> 00:05:12,534 Speaker 1: her blacked out window sa Prue, who very rarely gives interviews, 95 00:05:12,734 --> 00:05:14,974 Speaker 1: is known to be more of a straight shooter, once 96 00:05:15,014 --> 00:05:17,614 Speaker 1: telling a reporter that she hates going on the fancy 97 00:05:17,694 --> 00:05:20,534 Speaker 1: yacht cruises with her siblings because they're also much taller 98 00:05:20,574 --> 00:05:23,494 Speaker 1: and cheaker than she is. She grew up with Elizabeth 99 00:05:23,574 --> 00:05:26,334 Speaker 1: Laughlin and James, her step siblings, but has felt like 100 00:05:26,374 --> 00:05:29,694 Speaker 1: the outsider, and after a nineteen ninety seven press conference 101 00:05:29,734 --> 00:05:33,094 Speaker 1: where Rupert commented that he had three children, seeming to 102 00:05:33,134 --> 00:05:36,454 Speaker 1: forget about her altogether, Prue says this is the biggest 103 00:05:36,534 --> 00:05:41,254 Speaker 1: row she's ever had with her father. Fifty six year 104 00:05:41,294 --> 00:05:44,854 Speaker 1: old Elizabeth Murdock, Rupert's eldest child from his second marriage, 105 00:05:44,974 --> 00:05:48,214 Speaker 1: has had a successful career in television production. She was 106 00:05:48,214 --> 00:05:50,454 Speaker 1: the founder of Shine Group, which was later sold to 107 00:05:50,454 --> 00:05:53,654 Speaker 1: her father's company. She's remained quite close with her dad, 108 00:05:53,694 --> 00:05:56,254 Speaker 1: despite the family fracture with her brother James and the 109 00:05:56,294 --> 00:05:59,654 Speaker 1: difference of political positions. She gave an interview in twenty 110 00:05:59,654 --> 00:06:02,374 Speaker 1: twelve with the Post McTaggart where she claimed the Murdocks 111 00:06:02,494 --> 00:06:03,854 Speaker 1: are not as dramatic as we think. 112 00:06:04,014 --> 00:06:06,334 Speaker 4: Everyone wants to have a lex the idea of a soap opera, 113 00:06:06,374 --> 00:06:09,574 Speaker 4: and the reality is really not that we are. 114 00:06:09,574 --> 00:06:11,614 Speaker 3: Actually are a very close family. 115 00:06:12,054 --> 00:06:14,494 Speaker 2: I love my brothers, I love my sisters, and we're 116 00:06:15,094 --> 00:06:16,214 Speaker 2: We're a normal family. 117 00:06:16,974 --> 00:06:19,414 Speaker 1: She also says that the succession plan for when Rupert 118 00:06:19,494 --> 00:06:21,934 Speaker 1: passes is not something that her and her siblings have 119 00:06:21,974 --> 00:06:22,774 Speaker 1: ever discussed. 120 00:06:23,094 --> 00:06:27,654 Speaker 2: I think we all feel as children of the founder, 121 00:06:27,774 --> 00:06:30,654 Speaker 2: we care passionately about the future of the company and 122 00:06:30,934 --> 00:06:32,494 Speaker 2: very responsible for the future of. 123 00:06:32,414 --> 00:06:35,334 Speaker 3: The company in that founder way. 124 00:06:35,934 --> 00:06:40,294 Speaker 5: But in terms of executive succession, no, yeah, that's. 125 00:06:40,174 --> 00:06:40,814 Speaker 3: Up to the board. 126 00:06:43,654 --> 00:06:46,574 Speaker 1: You might be more familiar with Lachlan Murdoch, the fifty 127 00:06:46,614 --> 00:06:49,614 Speaker 1: three year old who's married to former Ossie model Sarah Murdoch. 128 00:06:49,814 --> 00:06:53,414 Speaker 1: He's Rupert's eldest son. Now he's been groomed for many 129 00:06:53,494 --> 00:06:56,254 Speaker 1: years as the heir apparent and currently serves as a 130 00:06:56,254 --> 00:06:59,374 Speaker 1: CEO of Fox Corporation and co chairman of News Corps. 131 00:06:59,534 --> 00:06:59,734 Speaker 3: Now. 132 00:06:59,734 --> 00:07:02,734 Speaker 1: That's despite Lachlan at one stage saying he didn't want 133 00:07:02,774 --> 00:07:05,614 Speaker 1: this life, choosing back in two thousand and five to 134 00:07:05,694 --> 00:07:08,654 Speaker 1: instead live a quieter existence here in Australia running his 135 00:07:08,694 --> 00:07:12,374 Speaker 1: own business in down Under. Earlier this year, though, Lachlan 136 00:07:12,454 --> 00:07:14,734 Speaker 1: did an interview on the sixty year anniversary of The 137 00:07:14,774 --> 00:07:18,254 Speaker 1: Australian Newspaper where he told Paul Kelly that he speaks 138 00:07:18,254 --> 00:07:20,574 Speaker 1: to his dad daily, still thinks of himself as an 139 00:07:20,574 --> 00:07:23,694 Speaker 1: Australian and believes that if it wasn't for publications like 140 00:07:23,814 --> 00:07:27,054 Speaker 1: his certain voices would be non existent In the political 141 00:07:27,054 --> 00:07:30,734 Speaker 1: and cultural debates, debates that are critical to community and society. 142 00:07:31,294 --> 00:07:34,054 Speaker 1: David Armstrong, the former editor in chief of The Australian, 143 00:07:34,134 --> 00:07:37,614 Speaker 1: told Australian Story that Lachlan has grown to be more 144 00:07:37,614 --> 00:07:39,814 Speaker 1: in line with his father's ideology over the years. 145 00:07:40,014 --> 00:07:43,174 Speaker 2: There's a general thing amongst serious newspapers in the nineties 146 00:07:43,894 --> 00:07:47,774 Speaker 2: a dropped an approach which was economically conservative and socially progressive. 147 00:07:48,334 --> 00:07:51,694 Speaker 2: I think at some point Lochlin became a bit annoyed 148 00:07:52,214 --> 00:07:53,854 Speaker 2: at the socially progressive part. 149 00:07:54,134 --> 00:07:56,054 Speaker 3: Would I just ask Lachlan a question, please? 150 00:07:56,374 --> 00:07:59,534 Speaker 2: People like Lachlan become more conservative as they get older, 151 00:07:59,774 --> 00:08:03,054 Speaker 2: and they don't notice that they've changed their views. 152 00:08:04,854 --> 00:08:07,574 Speaker 1: The younger brother, James Murdock, who is now fifty one, 153 00:08:07,974 --> 00:08:11,094 Speaker 1: was once considered the success but after stepping away from 154 00:08:11,134 --> 00:08:13,934 Speaker 1: the company in twenty twenty, citing what he says were 155 00:08:13,974 --> 00:08:18,334 Speaker 1: disagreements over certain editorial content published by the family's newspapers 156 00:08:18,614 --> 00:08:22,134 Speaker 1: and certain other strategic decisions, he since distanced himself from 157 00:08:22,174 --> 00:08:25,014 Speaker 1: the family business. He resigned from the news Corp Board 158 00:08:25,054 --> 00:08:28,134 Speaker 1: and is seemingly estranged from his father. He didn't attend 159 00:08:28,134 --> 00:08:31,134 Speaker 1: his dad's ninetieth birthday celebrations a few years ago, and 160 00:08:31,174 --> 00:08:33,814 Speaker 1: he and wife Catherine have been openly against many of 161 00:08:33,814 --> 00:08:36,494 Speaker 1: the decisions made in coverage through the last US election 162 00:08:36,854 --> 00:08:39,534 Speaker 1: and on climate issues, and have questioned the merger between 163 00:08:39,574 --> 00:08:43,054 Speaker 1: News Corp and Fox News. In twenty nineteen, James made 164 00:08:43,054 --> 00:08:45,854 Speaker 1: it very clear to Vanity Fair that he also does 165 00:08:45,934 --> 00:08:48,574 Speaker 1: not watch that TV show. Some shows that you know 166 00:08:48,654 --> 00:08:49,774 Speaker 1: you're just never going to watch. 167 00:08:49,894 --> 00:08:54,974 Speaker 2: So do you want to name one now? 168 00:08:55,334 --> 00:08:57,974 Speaker 1: Seriously, everyone wants to know whether you're watching Succession. 169 00:08:58,174 --> 00:09:00,454 Speaker 3: We know the answer is nope. 170 00:09:00,494 --> 00:09:03,614 Speaker 1: The Murdoch media empire has its roots here in Australia. 171 00:09:03,694 --> 00:09:06,414 Speaker 1: Rupert started in the business after he inherited a small 172 00:09:06,454 --> 00:09:10,774 Speaker 1: Adelaide newspaper from his father in nineteen fifty two. Over 173 00:09:10,814 --> 00:09:14,854 Speaker 1: the decades, he's expanded to become a global powerhouse, acquiring 174 00:09:14,894 --> 00:09:17,494 Speaker 1: major outlets like The Times in London, Fox News in 175 00:09:17,534 --> 00:09:20,374 Speaker 1: the US, and The Wall Street Journal. But in September 176 00:09:20,454 --> 00:09:22,534 Speaker 1: last year, at the ripe old age of ninety two, 177 00:09:22,974 --> 00:09:26,054 Speaker 1: Rupert Murdoch finally announced his retirement from the boards of 178 00:09:26,094 --> 00:09:29,534 Speaker 1: both Fox Corporation and News Corps. This move would mark 179 00:09:29,574 --> 00:09:31,854 Speaker 1: the end of an era for the media mogul who'd 180 00:09:31,894 --> 00:09:36,094 Speaker 1: shaped global news and entertainment for over seven decades. Former 181 00:09:36,094 --> 00:09:38,774 Speaker 1: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had exposed that pms of the 182 00:09:38,814 --> 00:09:41,454 Speaker 1: past had had to make good with Rupert or they 183 00:09:41,494 --> 00:09:44,894 Speaker 1: wouldn't win elections for Donald Trump. Their support was key 184 00:09:44,934 --> 00:09:47,494 Speaker 1: in his twenty sixteen election win. The way in which 185 00:09:47,494 --> 00:09:50,294 Speaker 1: they reported the aftermath of the twenty twenty election made 186 00:09:50,294 --> 00:09:53,334 Speaker 1: it clear they still supported the former president, the election 187 00:09:53,454 --> 00:09:56,374 Speaker 1: tampering allegations leading to a lawsuit from the voting machine 188 00:09:56,374 --> 00:10:01,694 Speaker 1: company Dominion. Upon his retirement, Rupert named Lachlan as his successor. 189 00:10:02,054 --> 00:10:04,294 Speaker 1: The decision was seen as the culmination of years of 190 00:10:04,334 --> 00:10:07,374 Speaker 1: speculation about who would take the reins of the Murdock empire. 191 00:10:07,694 --> 00:10:09,294 Speaker 3: Lachlan's appointment as CEO of. 192 00:10:09,254 --> 00:10:12,734 Speaker 1: Fox Corporation in twenty nineteen and his consistent alignment with 193 00:10:12,774 --> 00:10:16,414 Speaker 1: his father's vision and political leanings were likely what contributed 194 00:10:16,454 --> 00:10:22,214 Speaker 1: to his selection. Last year, when the succession speculation was 195 00:10:22,254 --> 00:10:25,614 Speaker 1: at its peak, we spoke to author and journalist Patty Manning, 196 00:10:25,694 --> 00:10:28,014 Speaker 1: who's been reporting on the Murdocks for many years and 197 00:10:28,054 --> 00:10:30,974 Speaker 1: who were next month launch a new podcast called Murdoch's 198 00:10:31,054 --> 00:10:33,654 Speaker 1: Endgame Now. He told us that the way in which 199 00:10:33,694 --> 00:10:36,374 Speaker 1: the Murdoch Trust is set up with Rupert holding four 200 00:10:36,454 --> 00:10:38,934 Speaker 1: votes and the other four older children one each. He 201 00:10:39,014 --> 00:10:42,014 Speaker 1: and Lochlan combined can currently control the company with their 202 00:10:42,054 --> 00:10:46,094 Speaker 1: five votes, but if Rupert dies, that leaves each sibling 203 00:10:46,254 --> 00:10:49,654 Speaker 1: with one controlling vote each, and that potentially looks like 204 00:10:49,694 --> 00:10:53,334 Speaker 1: three against one if the others align against Lochlan. Patty 205 00:10:53,374 --> 00:10:55,254 Speaker 1: told us that at one stage the other three did 206 00:10:55,294 --> 00:10:58,254 Speaker 1: consider giving up their share, but have since changed their mind. 207 00:10:58,734 --> 00:11:02,734 Speaker 4: The siblings, who had at one point considered selling out 208 00:11:02,734 --> 00:11:05,134 Speaker 4: of the business altogether because they didn't agree with the 209 00:11:05,174 --> 00:11:07,534 Speaker 4: way it was being run by Rupert and Lachlan, they 210 00:11:07,854 --> 00:11:11,134 Speaker 4: no longer are interested in so they are determined to 211 00:11:11,174 --> 00:11:14,334 Speaker 4: reassert control of the business. And I was told they 212 00:11:14,334 --> 00:11:16,374 Speaker 4: are determined to do it in a way that promotes 213 00:11:16,414 --> 00:11:20,294 Speaker 4: and enhances democracies around the world, rather than undermining them, 214 00:11:20,294 --> 00:11:23,294 Speaker 4: and I think that's a statement that's pregnant with significance. 215 00:11:23,854 --> 00:11:25,654 Speaker 1: He also told us that that could lead to a 216 00:11:25,694 --> 00:11:29,054 Speaker 1: moment where the siblings challenge Lachlan to change the way 217 00:11:29,094 --> 00:11:32,574 Speaker 1: in which News Corp. And Fox Corporation report on politics 218 00:11:32,614 --> 00:11:33,454 Speaker 1: and climate change. 219 00:11:33,454 --> 00:11:37,974 Speaker 4: In particular, you can easily see a scenario where Lachlan 220 00:11:38,454 --> 00:11:42,934 Speaker 4: finds himself being urged by his siblings to bring Fox 221 00:11:43,174 --> 00:11:47,014 Speaker 4: News in particular back towards the middle of the highly 222 00:11:47,014 --> 00:11:50,254 Speaker 4: polarized political debate in America, and. 223 00:11:50,174 --> 00:11:55,174 Speaker 1: That is where we find ourselves right now. Hearing to 224 00:11:55,254 --> 00:11:58,454 Speaker 1: determine control of the Murdoch Global Television and Publishing Empire 225 00:11:58,574 --> 00:12:01,454 Speaker 1: concluded earlier this week in a Reno, Nevada court room. 226 00:12:02,094 --> 00:12:05,134 Speaker 1: The ongoing legal battle stems from Rupert's attempt to amend 227 00:12:05,214 --> 00:12:08,854 Speaker 1: the family trust to solidify Lachlan's control over News Corp. 228 00:12:08,894 --> 00:12:12,654 Speaker 1: And Fox Corporation. The move was met with resistance from James, 229 00:12:12,654 --> 00:12:16,534 Speaker 1: Elizabeth and even the mostly quiet prudence the siblings, citing 230 00:12:16,574 --> 00:12:21,214 Speaker 1: ideological differences, especially regarding climate change coverage and political stances, 231 00:12:21,614 --> 00:12:24,974 Speaker 1: business strategy concerns, with disagreements about the future direction of 232 00:12:25,014 --> 00:12:28,894 Speaker 1: the company, including potential mergers or acquisitions, and the fact 233 00:12:28,894 --> 00:12:31,494 Speaker 1: that the trust is being changed to obviously favor Lachlan 234 00:12:31,654 --> 00:12:34,574 Speaker 1: over the rest of them. Rupert needed to prove that 235 00:12:34,614 --> 00:12:37,374 Speaker 1: these changes are being implemented in good faith and for 236 00:12:37,414 --> 00:12:40,414 Speaker 1: the benefit of all the beneficiaries, not just Lachlan. 237 00:12:41,174 --> 00:12:44,414 Speaker 3: So did he, Patty. 238 00:12:44,534 --> 00:12:46,414 Speaker 1: When we spoke to you last year, you predicted that 239 00:12:46,454 --> 00:12:48,654 Speaker 1: something like this was coming for the Murdoch family. Has 240 00:12:48,694 --> 00:12:50,814 Speaker 1: it unfolded in the way that you would have expected. 241 00:12:51,454 --> 00:12:56,094 Speaker 4: Oh, absolutely not, Clare. It's basically been a shock because 242 00:12:56,294 --> 00:12:58,494 Speaker 4: at the time that my book came out, and I 243 00:12:58,614 --> 00:13:01,894 Speaker 4: was being guided and I wrote that there was the potential, 244 00:13:01,894 --> 00:13:06,014 Speaker 4: once Rupert died, for Lachlan's three more moderate siblings to 245 00:13:06,254 --> 00:13:10,094 Speaker 4: roll him on the Murdoch family Trust, effectively out voting three. 246 00:13:10,294 --> 00:13:12,174 Speaker 4: And I was being told at the time that the 247 00:13:12,214 --> 00:13:15,134 Speaker 4: book came out by people close to Lachlan, that's fanciful, 248 00:13:15,574 --> 00:13:18,174 Speaker 4: not going to happen. And anyway, Rubert's in good health, 249 00:13:18,294 --> 00:13:20,374 Speaker 4: and he might live for another decade. Even at the 250 00:13:20,414 --> 00:13:23,654 Speaker 4: age of ninety three. He looks surprisingly good. But fast 251 00:13:23,694 --> 00:13:27,214 Speaker 4: forward a year or two, and sure enough, the scenario 252 00:13:27,374 --> 00:13:30,494 Speaker 4: that I was writing about in the book is very 253 00:13:30,574 --> 00:13:33,534 Speaker 4: much on the minds of Rupert and Lochlan Murdock, and 254 00:13:33,734 --> 00:13:36,854 Speaker 4: so they have been trying to kind of forestall that 255 00:13:37,414 --> 00:13:40,734 Speaker 4: possibility by going to court effectively to change the terms 256 00:13:40,734 --> 00:13:43,454 Speaker 4: of the Modok family Trust. And no, I had no 257 00:13:43,854 --> 00:13:48,014 Speaker 4: idea that we would eventually see the Murdocks, all of them, 258 00:13:48,454 --> 00:13:52,214 Speaker 4: the four oldest children and Rupert trunneling in and out 259 00:13:52,254 --> 00:13:56,694 Speaker 4: of a courtroom in Nevada to thrash out this family dispute. 260 00:13:56,734 --> 00:13:58,694 Speaker 4: But if it wasn't for that report by The New 261 00:13:58,774 --> 00:14:00,894 Speaker 4: York Times, the whole world would not have known about 262 00:14:00,894 --> 00:14:03,894 Speaker 4: the existence of these proceedings at all because they's totally sealed. 263 00:14:04,214 --> 00:14:07,894 Speaker 1: Well, that's the irony here, is that this decision, which 264 00:14:07,974 --> 00:14:11,774 Speaker 1: can impact the fate of journalists across the globe, journalists 265 00:14:11,774 --> 00:14:13,734 Speaker 1: have been shut out of Why has it been such 266 00:14:13,734 --> 00:14:14,494 Speaker 1: a secret of affair? 267 00:14:14,494 --> 00:14:17,014 Speaker 4: Do you think My understanding, and I'm not a lawyer, 268 00:14:17,014 --> 00:14:20,094 Speaker 4: of course, is that Nevada is the most secret of 269 00:14:20,134 --> 00:14:22,734 Speaker 4: the jurisdictions in the United States when it comes to 270 00:14:23,174 --> 00:14:26,454 Speaker 4: family law and family trusts, And that's why so many 271 00:14:26,494 --> 00:14:30,014 Speaker 4: trusts are registered there, and that's why the Murdock family 272 00:14:30,054 --> 00:14:33,974 Speaker 4: trust is registered in Nevada. They've got otherwise no corporate 273 00:14:34,094 --> 00:14:38,454 Speaker 4: business being there, so that's why they're there. And there's 274 00:14:38,494 --> 00:14:41,574 Speaker 4: an organization, as it turns out, called out Nevada judges, 275 00:14:41,614 --> 00:14:45,454 Speaker 4: which had some success trying to open up Nevada's courts 276 00:14:45,854 --> 00:14:50,254 Speaker 4: to more media. You get cameras in more media reporting, 277 00:14:50,454 --> 00:14:53,254 Speaker 4: but they haven't actually run a family trust case, and 278 00:14:53,294 --> 00:14:55,814 Speaker 4: they're trying to open this one up. But so far, 279 00:14:56,214 --> 00:14:59,454 Speaker 4: the Nevada judge has decided that the proceedings should be 280 00:14:59,534 --> 00:15:03,054 Speaker 4: kept secret because what is being thrashed out here are 281 00:15:03,094 --> 00:15:07,174 Speaker 4: the inner workings of the Murdoch family and their own 282 00:15:07,734 --> 00:15:11,414 Speaker 4: succession and the murder are united in one thing, which 283 00:15:11,454 --> 00:15:14,014 Speaker 4: is to say that they should be able to keep 284 00:15:14,014 --> 00:15:20,094 Speaker 4: these proceedings closed, because why should commercial rivals like CNN 285 00:15:20,334 --> 00:15:24,374 Speaker 4: or the New York Times be able to report on 286 00:15:24,574 --> 00:15:28,334 Speaker 4: and access the most sensitive kind of negotiations inside the 287 00:15:28,414 --> 00:15:32,214 Speaker 4: Murdoch family. They've argued that it would be like Fox 288 00:15:32,334 --> 00:15:36,934 Speaker 4: News or News Corporation applying for access to the private 289 00:15:37,294 --> 00:15:40,134 Speaker 4: details of the Salzburger family, for example that runs the 290 00:15:40,254 --> 00:15:43,494 Speaker 4: New York Times. But they're appealing to the Nevada Supreme 291 00:15:43,534 --> 00:15:46,094 Speaker 4: Court or those media organizations. They're saying that it is 292 00:15:46,134 --> 00:15:48,494 Speaker 4: in the public interest, and you know, just it's one 293 00:15:48,494 --> 00:15:52,294 Speaker 4: of those cases where objectively it is interesting to the public. 294 00:15:52,414 --> 00:15:54,054 Speaker 4: You know, there is a hell of a lot of 295 00:15:54,214 --> 00:15:56,414 Speaker 4: interest in this case and what might happen, because the 296 00:15:56,454 --> 00:16:00,254 Speaker 4: implications are quite significant, not just in America but globally. 297 00:16:00,654 --> 00:16:03,294 Speaker 1: I think pretty much everything the Murdocks do is of 298 00:16:03,374 --> 00:16:07,294 Speaker 1: interest to the broader public considering their history. But you 299 00:16:07,374 --> 00:16:09,454 Speaker 1: haven't been able to see inside the court, Patty, but 300 00:16:10,454 --> 00:16:12,734 Speaker 1: we're really interested to know what the dynamic has been 301 00:16:12,854 --> 00:16:16,174 Speaker 1: like as they've kind of arrived and left the courtroom, 302 00:16:16,254 --> 00:16:20,254 Speaker 1: because in what seems to be a real united front, 303 00:16:20,294 --> 00:16:23,974 Speaker 1: the other three siblings, Prough, James, and Elizabeth have all 304 00:16:24,054 --> 00:16:27,254 Speaker 1: really been showing that they are united in making sure 305 00:16:27,254 --> 00:16:29,174 Speaker 1: that this trust change does not go ahead. 306 00:16:29,814 --> 00:16:32,174 Speaker 4: Yeah, that's right. So to understand it, you have to 307 00:16:32,214 --> 00:16:35,174 Speaker 4: sort of just a couple of basics about the Murdock 308 00:16:35,254 --> 00:16:38,534 Speaker 4: family trust. The terms were set when Rupert divorced his 309 00:16:38,614 --> 00:16:41,374 Speaker 4: second wife, Anna. So they've been married for thirty years 310 00:16:41,694 --> 00:16:46,614 Speaker 4: and they had three kids, Liz, Lachlan and James, and 311 00:16:47,094 --> 00:16:50,894 Speaker 4: Rupert already had an older daughter from his first marriage 312 00:16:51,134 --> 00:16:54,574 Speaker 4: to Patucia Booker. Her name is Prudence. So when Anna 313 00:16:54,694 --> 00:16:58,774 Speaker 4: divorced Rupert in nineteen ninety nine, and he had taken 314 00:16:58,854 --> 00:17:02,934 Speaker 4: up at that point with Wendy Gent, she was furious 315 00:17:03,014 --> 00:17:05,614 Speaker 4: she had made a substantial contribution to the growth of 316 00:17:05,614 --> 00:17:11,054 Speaker 4: the empire herself, and also determined that no future children 317 00:17:11,294 --> 00:17:15,694 Speaker 4: of Rupert and Wendy would inherit control of the media empire. 318 00:17:16,214 --> 00:17:19,294 Speaker 4: So the structure that was left was a trust which 319 00:17:19,374 --> 00:17:23,094 Speaker 4: has eight votes, Rupert has four, and the four elder 320 00:17:23,294 --> 00:17:27,134 Speaker 4: children have one each. When Rupert dies and his votes expire, 321 00:17:27,694 --> 00:17:30,974 Speaker 4: that leaves an instability in the empire because you have 322 00:17:31,174 --> 00:17:36,374 Speaker 4: a four way tussle for control. That's when the scenario 323 00:17:36,534 --> 00:17:40,494 Speaker 4: of a three to one vote against Lachlan arise. Now 324 00:17:40,694 --> 00:17:43,534 Speaker 4: it's only by trying to amend the trust to give 325 00:17:43,894 --> 00:17:48,174 Speaker 4: Lachlan the same unassailable control that Rupert has enjoyed that 326 00:17:48,374 --> 00:17:53,414 Speaker 4: Rupert has galvanized his other three children, you know, prou 327 00:17:53,654 --> 00:17:56,574 Speaker 4: Liz and James to oppose him. You know. Here, we're 328 00:17:56,654 --> 00:17:59,774 Speaker 4: reliant on the New York Times reporting from July the 329 00:17:59,814 --> 00:18:04,214 Speaker 4: original story, although yeah, I did interview Jim Ruttenberg, the 330 00:18:04,254 --> 00:18:07,454 Speaker 4: writer at large four the Times who broke that story 331 00:18:07,614 --> 00:18:09,254 Speaker 4: in my Australian story the other day. 332 00:18:10,374 --> 00:18:14,134 Speaker 5: Lachlan's known to never drop a grudge, and I've heard 333 00:18:14,174 --> 00:18:18,854 Speaker 5: over and over again that if Lachlin decides somebody has 334 00:18:19,214 --> 00:18:21,814 Speaker 5: christ him, that person is off his list. 335 00:18:22,414 --> 00:18:25,814 Speaker 4: We're reliant on the Times reporting of this forty eight 336 00:18:25,854 --> 00:18:29,774 Speaker 4: page cell document, but it seems to detail that when 337 00:18:30,214 --> 00:18:34,934 Speaker 4: Rupert unveiled this proposal to his children, it did not 338 00:18:35,054 --> 00:18:39,214 Speaker 4: go down well, especially with Liz who was swearing and 339 00:18:39,254 --> 00:18:42,014 Speaker 4: angry and rejected it completely. 340 00:18:41,934 --> 00:18:45,014 Speaker 1: Which is interesting because Elizabeth is well, from what we know, 341 00:18:45,374 --> 00:18:47,934 Speaker 1: still quite close to her father despite sort of all 342 00:18:47,974 --> 00:18:50,014 Speaker 1: of the family rumblings in the background, Like James and 343 00:18:50,134 --> 00:18:52,574 Speaker 1: him maybe not on such great terms, but Liz and 344 00:18:52,614 --> 00:18:54,574 Speaker 1: Rupert seem to be on pretty good footing. 345 00:18:54,974 --> 00:18:58,094 Speaker 4: Yes, she had been the peacemaker. So Lachlan and James 346 00:18:58,134 --> 00:19:01,454 Speaker 4: have been slugging it out for years, and they're politically opposed. 347 00:19:01,654 --> 00:19:05,094 Speaker 4: James is a Democratic supporter and his wife Catherine is 348 00:19:05,134 --> 00:19:09,774 Speaker 4: a staunch climate activist that just endorsed Carmela Harris and 349 00:19:09,854 --> 00:19:13,774 Speaker 4: taken potshots at Fox News and News Corporation and their 350 00:19:13,774 --> 00:19:18,654 Speaker 4: coverage of climate change race. The hostility between James and Rupert, 351 00:19:18,734 --> 00:19:20,734 Speaker 4: James on the one hand and Rupert and Lachlan on 352 00:19:20,774 --> 00:19:23,654 Speaker 4: the other, has deep seated by now. It's been going 353 00:19:23,654 --> 00:19:26,534 Speaker 4: on for years since. Actually the bulk of the Empire 354 00:19:26,614 --> 00:19:29,694 Speaker 4: was sold to Disney back in twenty nineteen and James 355 00:19:29,814 --> 00:19:32,134 Speaker 4: was left without a role in the Empire and then 356 00:19:32,214 --> 00:19:34,934 Speaker 4: quits the board of News Corporation in twenty twenty. But 357 00:19:35,094 --> 00:19:42,254 Speaker 4: what wasn't really appreciated was what position the sisters would take. 358 00:19:42,774 --> 00:19:45,694 Speaker 4: You know Liz has been seeing the beginning of last year, 359 00:19:45,734 --> 00:19:48,494 Speaker 4: for example, at the Super Bowl with Rupert and Lachlan 360 00:19:48,574 --> 00:19:51,894 Speaker 4: and Elon Musk of all people, and you know, had 361 00:19:51,934 --> 00:19:55,974 Speaker 4: been off cruising when Rupert remarried with him and with Lachlan, 362 00:19:56,174 --> 00:19:58,534 Speaker 4: you know, she was certainly keeping her views to herself. 363 00:19:58,694 --> 00:20:01,094 Speaker 4: She was trying to make peace between the two brothers. 364 00:20:01,654 --> 00:20:05,854 Speaker 4: And then she gets this proposal to effectively entrench Lachlan 365 00:20:05,894 --> 00:20:08,814 Speaker 4: and make his position unassailable at the relative expense of 366 00:20:08,854 --> 00:20:11,654 Speaker 4: her own vote on the trust. And it's given it 367 00:20:11,694 --> 00:20:15,134 Speaker 4: to her at five minutes before midnight, and she rejects 368 00:20:15,134 --> 00:20:17,414 Speaker 4: it out of hand and is forced into a position 369 00:20:18,414 --> 00:20:23,454 Speaker 4: where she James and Crewe are fighting their father and Lachlan, 370 00:20:23,694 --> 00:20:28,494 Speaker 4: and both sides of lawyered up heavily, and it's expected 371 00:20:28,534 --> 00:20:31,734 Speaker 4: that whoever loses will appeal, and so this could drag 372 00:20:31,774 --> 00:20:34,254 Speaker 4: on for months, if not years. 373 00:20:34,894 --> 00:20:37,214 Speaker 1: Can we kind of see Rupert's point of view here? Though, 374 00:20:37,294 --> 00:20:39,454 Speaker 1: I know that you know, everyone paints him as this 375 00:20:39,494 --> 00:20:42,134 Speaker 1: big sort of monster man who controls the universe, But 376 00:20:42,814 --> 00:20:45,814 Speaker 1: when we come to business, he understands that putting his 377 00:20:45,934 --> 00:20:49,654 Speaker 1: successor into a position where he's on equal footing with 378 00:20:49,734 --> 00:20:52,734 Speaker 1: his three other siblings would make it incredibly difficult for 379 00:20:52,854 --> 00:20:55,974 Speaker 1: him to make decisions moving forward where he has had 380 00:20:56,094 --> 00:20:58,614 Speaker 1: the majority control for a long time with his full votes. 381 00:20:59,054 --> 00:21:01,614 Speaker 1: So he is essentially trying to sort of fix a 382 00:21:01,734 --> 00:21:03,854 Speaker 1: problem with Lachlan being at the helm. 383 00:21:03,894 --> 00:21:06,974 Speaker 4: Now, well, that's right, and there has been some commentary 384 00:21:07,094 --> 00:21:10,334 Speaker 4: from investors and analysts, you know, saying it's better to 385 00:21:10,374 --> 00:21:14,654 Speaker 4: have one leader than to have a warring committee running 386 00:21:14,974 --> 00:21:19,374 Speaker 4: this empire. And his whole argument is based on the 387 00:21:19,494 --> 00:21:22,334 Speaker 4: idea that it is in the interests of all of 388 00:21:22,374 --> 00:21:27,934 Speaker 4: the beneficiaries of the Trust to maintain the conservative vereditorial 389 00:21:28,014 --> 00:21:30,574 Speaker 4: stance that has been, in his view a secret to 390 00:21:30,694 --> 00:21:33,494 Speaker 4: the success of businesses in particular like Fox News, but 391 00:21:33,494 --> 00:21:36,494 Speaker 4: also the Wall Street Journal or the Australian. Here, so 392 00:21:36,614 --> 00:21:40,134 Speaker 4: the probate judge has to make it decision about what's 393 00:21:40,174 --> 00:21:44,574 Speaker 4: the best way to maximize the value of these assets effectively, 394 00:21:44,614 --> 00:21:47,974 Speaker 4: because he's got a rule that Rupert is entitled to 395 00:21:48,054 --> 00:21:50,854 Speaker 4: amend the trust on the basis of two things. One 396 00:21:50,894 --> 00:21:54,814 Speaker 4: is whether he's acting in good faith and secondly, whether 397 00:21:54,854 --> 00:21:59,094 Speaker 4: he's acting in the best interests of all of the beneficiaries. 398 00:21:59,734 --> 00:22:02,094 Speaker 1: Just finally, Patty, what would the wash up be if, 399 00:22:02,654 --> 00:22:04,734 Speaker 1: after all is said and done, and maybe years of 400 00:22:04,774 --> 00:22:09,534 Speaker 1: appeals down the track, Prue, Liz, and James find themselves 401 00:22:09,534 --> 00:22:10,374 Speaker 1: in a winning position. 402 00:22:10,494 --> 00:22:13,374 Speaker 3: Does that change really. 403 00:22:13,414 --> 00:22:17,534 Speaker 1: The moral values behind the delivery of news services from 404 00:22:17,734 --> 00:22:19,294 Speaker 1: outlets like Fox News. 405 00:22:19,614 --> 00:22:22,774 Speaker 4: Well not while Rupert is alive, and so then there 406 00:22:22,894 --> 00:22:26,254 Speaker 4: is a question about what will be the immediate impact. 407 00:22:26,654 --> 00:22:30,014 Speaker 4: As things stand, Rupert is in good health despite his age. 408 00:22:30,014 --> 00:22:33,014 Speaker 4: He's ninety three and his mother lived till one hundred 409 00:22:33,054 --> 00:22:36,094 Speaker 4: and three. He may well have another decade ahead of him. 410 00:22:36,254 --> 00:22:39,694 Speaker 4: He is still by all reports, mentally sharp and in 411 00:22:39,734 --> 00:22:43,334 Speaker 4: good health. The question arises is what happens when Rupert dies. 412 00:22:43,934 --> 00:22:47,014 Speaker 4: So he's trying to effectively control his empire from the grave, 413 00:22:47,094 --> 00:22:49,534 Speaker 4: if you like, but he is trying to protect his 414 00:22:49,654 --> 00:22:54,134 Speaker 4: legacy after he's gone, And so either way, immediately this 415 00:22:54,414 --> 00:22:58,254 Speaker 4: case doesn't change anything while Rupert is alive. It is 416 00:22:58,294 --> 00:23:01,934 Speaker 4: all about what happens after he dies. If Rupert and 417 00:23:02,014 --> 00:23:06,014 Speaker 4: Lachlan lose, what could change is whether or not they 418 00:23:06,334 --> 00:23:10,774 Speaker 4: intend to just sit back and allow after Rupert's death. 419 00:23:10,974 --> 00:23:13,574 Speaker 4: You know, Li's James and Prue too, as lacklown and 420 00:23:13,654 --> 00:23:16,734 Speaker 4: Rupe it might see it ruin the business or whether 421 00:23:16,814 --> 00:23:20,534 Speaker 4: they might decide to sell and that could be an 422 00:23:20,574 --> 00:23:26,094 Speaker 4: immediate consequence, if you like, of the court case in Nevada. 423 00:23:28,534 --> 00:23:31,174 Speaker 1: So now we wait both to see what the outcome 424 00:23:31,174 --> 00:23:33,374 Speaker 1: of this case will be and how it might impact 425 00:23:33,374 --> 00:23:36,094 Speaker 1: the Murdock media empire, or even if we'll get. 426 00:23:35,934 --> 00:23:37,494 Speaker 3: Any details on the findings at all. 427 00:23:37,854 --> 00:23:39,734 Speaker 1: Thanks for taking some time to feed your minds with 428 00:23:39,814 --> 00:23:42,454 Speaker 1: us today, friends. If you're looking for something to unwind 429 00:23:42,454 --> 00:23:45,614 Speaker 1: from the news with, check out MMA MEA's daily beauty podcast, 430 00:23:45,774 --> 00:23:48,934 Speaker 1: You Beauty. They've just added two brand new shows to 431 00:23:48,974 --> 00:23:52,374 Speaker 1: the roster. M Vernon and Aaron Docherty put viral beauty 432 00:23:52,374 --> 00:23:54,334 Speaker 1: trends through their paces, you know or the ones you 433 00:23:54,374 --> 00:23:56,294 Speaker 1: get served on Instagram. 434 00:23:55,654 --> 00:23:56,774 Speaker 3: And goggle boxes. 435 00:23:56,854 --> 00:23:59,334 Speaker 1: Sarah Marie Fard, who you might not know is also 436 00:23:59,374 --> 00:24:02,054 Speaker 1: a makeup artist, has joined the team to unpack what's 437 00:24:02,094 --> 00:24:04,774 Speaker 1: in the makeup bags of some of the industry's most 438 00:24:04,934 --> 00:24:07,254 Speaker 1: well known creators. Go check it out wherever you get 439 00:24:07,254 --> 00:24:11,014 Speaker 1: your podcasts. The Quickie is produced by me Claire Murphy 440 00:24:11,054 --> 00:24:14,054 Speaker 1: and our senior producer Taylor Strano, with audio production by 441 00:24:14,094 --> 00:24:14,654 Speaker 1: Tomline