Helen Coonan yesterday confirmed Rupert Murdoch is indeed the most influential Australian, or Australian American, or just the most influential person in Australia. Rupert wanted Helen’s media reform package ditched, so ditched it is.

Of course we’ll call it “postponed indefinitely” to try to save a little face. But the reality is that Murdoch continues to call the base-line media policy shots in this country, which just goes to show that The Bulletin‘s award this week was justified.

The outrage that has been allowed to pass quietly by is the Federal Government’s stated belief that the big media companies have to be happy with any reform. It’s outrageous because communications and media policy should be based on what’s best for the nation, not just on what’s best for those who make a lot of money out of it.

The Prime Minister’s admitted policy basis is grubby and corrupt. And it does the nation harm.

Not to worry – Rupe’s happy.