Protests greet Murdoch

Fiery scenes erupted outside the National Gallery of Victoria on Thursday night where protesters and police clashed before the 70th anniversary dinner of the Institute of Public Affairs.

By InvestSMART · 5 Apr 2013

By InvestSMART ·
5 Apr 2013

Comments

Fiery scenes erupted outside the National Gallery of Victoria on Thursday night where protesters and police clashed before the 70th anniversary dinner of the Institute of Public Affairs.

News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch was scheduled to give the keynote speech.

Business figures attended the event, including mining magnate Gina Rinehart (pictured) and News Ltd Australian chief Kim Williams. Cardinal George Pell and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott (pictured, inset) also attended.

The speech was delayed after about 40 protesters forced their way into the venue.

Mr Murdoch this week hit out at Labor's policy on foreign workers, labelling discussion of 457 visas as "pretty disgraceful and racist".

Go to Google News, then click "Follow" button to add us.

Share this article and show your support

Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What happened at the National Gallery of Victoria before the Institute of Public Affairs 70th anniversary dinner?

Fiery scenes erupted outside the National Gallery of Victoria where protesters and police clashed ahead of the Institute of Public Affairs 70th anniversary dinner. About 40 protesters forced their way into the venue, which delayed the evening's proceedings.

Who was scheduled to speak at the event and which notable business figures attended?

News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch was scheduled to give the keynote speech. Business figures at the event included mining magnate Gina Rinehart and News Ltd Australian chief Kim Williams. Cardinal George Pell and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott also attended.

Was Rupert Murdoch’s keynote speech interrupted by the protesters?

Yes. The speech was delayed after roughly 40 protesters forced their way into the venue, prompting clashes with police before the scheduled keynote by Rupert Murdoch.

What comment did Rupert Murdoch make about Labor’s 457 visa policy?

The article reports that Rupert Murdoch described discussion of 457 visas as "pretty disgraceful and racist," reflecting a politically charged public stance reported during the week of the event.

Which companies or media groups are directly connected to the event in the article?

The article references News Corp (Rupert Murdoch is chairman) and News Ltd (Kim Williams is the Australian chief). The event was hosted by the Institute of Public Affairs at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Could these high-profile protests and Murdoch’s comments affect investor sentiment toward News Corp or media companies?

High-profile protests and outspoken political comments can influence public perception and investor sentiment about a company. The article describes the incident and Murdoch’s remarks but does not report any immediate market reaction, so investors should follow subsequent news and company communications for developments.

What should everyday investors watch for after protests involving major media figures like Rupert Murdoch?

Investors may want to monitor follow-up media coverage, official statements from the companies involved (for example, News Corp/News Ltd), and any commentary that could affect public reputation. The article documents the protest and the comment but does not detail any further outcomes.

Did the article report any immediate regulatory or share-market consequences from the protest or Murdoch’s remarks?

No. The article describes the protest, the delay to the keynote, and Murdoch’s comment on 457 visas, but it does not report any immediate regulatory action or share-market consequences.