News Corp and Fox Corporation Emeritus Chairman Rupert Murdoch has insisted he is not a climate change denier and suggested a way forward for the Australia’s net zero emissions plan which includes the scrapping of coal.
In an exclusive and wide-ranging interview with Sky News Chief Executive Officer Paul Whittaker ahead of The Australian’s 60th anniversary, Mr Murdoch said he was a sceptic of some elements of the energy debate and argued for a gas-based solution.
He was asked by Mr Whittaker: “Do you think the net zero targets are achievable and can Australia and other first world countries get the balance right between concerns for the environment and climate and maintaining a competitive economy and affordable energy?”
“No, I think we’re absolutely on the wrong track,” Mr Murdoch.
“I’m not a climate denier. I might be a sceptic of some of the things that are said. But you’re going to have blackouts … The cost of living will go up all over the world,” he said.
He said he believes there are there are other solutions besides renewables, such as to abolish coal and focus on natural gas “which is cheap and clean”.
“In Australia, we’re throwing away gas. I just think we’re damaging ourselves competitively and foolishly,” he said.
Sky News has announced it will premiere a new documentary The Australian: 60 Years of News on Monday 15 July at 8pm AEST, as the country’s only national broadsheet marks its sixtieth anniversary.
Hosted by Sky News Host and Associate Editor of The Australian Chris Kenny, the one-hour documentary The Australian: 60 Years of News journeys through the archives to uncover historic newsroom footage and speaks to prominent figures who have contributed to the masthead’s national affairs coverage for six decades including The Australian’s founder Rupert Murdoch.
Mr Murdoch sat down with Chief Executive Officer of Sky News Australia and former Editor-in-Chief of The Australian, Paul Whittaker in a series of exclusive interviews.
During the wide ranging and revealing exchanges, the Chairman Emeritus of News Corp and Fox Corporation talks candidly about the early challenges of creating a national newspaper and the impact it had on the Australian media landscape.
The documentary also hears from current Editor-in-Chief of The Australian Michelle Gunn, Editor-at-Large Paul Kelly, former Editor-in-Chief Chris Mitchell, columnist Janet Albrechtsen, investigative journalist and podcast creator Hedley Thomas, cartoonist Johannes Leak, and prominent political leaders including former Prime Ministers John Howard and Tony Abbott and Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.
Mr Kenny described the documentary as a “compelling and inspirational” story.
“It is impossible to imagine this country and our national debate without The Australian now, but its establishment, survival and evolution has been a story of imagination and determination that mirrors the national project it champions. It is a compelling and inspirational story to tell,” he said.
‘The Australian: 60 Years of News’ premieres Monday 15 July at 8.00pm AEST. The documentary will be available at SkyNews.com.au with the new $5 per month streaming subscription or download the Sky News Australia app. Also available to watch on Foxtel and Sky News Regional or stream on Flash.