Behold, the front page of today’s Herald Sun.
Is it a paid promotion? A wraparound ad? No, it’s a glowing front-page “exclusive” about James Packer’s controversial — and as-yet unapproved — plans for a new luxury development at Melbourne’s Southbank.
The planned Crown development would create 4000 new jobs and “transform” the banks of the Yarra, the Hun crows.
In fact, a previous plan for the massive 90-storey tower faced opposition, not least because it included plans for a sky-high walkway that would link the development to the existing Crown complex and block city views. Packer has been lobbying the Victorian government for a political fix to get the development across the line — and it looks like he has the strong backing of Melbourne’s most well-read newspaper, owned by the family business of his good mate, Lachlan Murdoch.
How interesting.
Packerpoo ticket.
Maaaate……
Well NSW “governments” of both..err..sides? bent over and passed him the soap over the Hungry Mile (thanx heaps, PJK!) so why would he think Melb any different.
Money doesn’t just talk, it shouts, very VERY LOUDLY.