And a former Rudd staffer consults for SKY News
A woman who worked for Kevin Rudd when he was PM is working on SKY News' bid to broadcast Australia Network.
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Following reports that a former chief of staff for Communications Minister Senator Conroy is consulting for ABC, today it has emerged that a former staffer for Kevin Rudd is advising SKY News.
Both ABC and SKY are in aggressive bids to operate Australia Network, a decision which had been under Rudd’s portfolio, but is now with Conroy.
The Age reports Annie O’Rourke had worked for Rudd when he was prime minister for two years until 2009, first in charge of staffing and later directing online media, such as blogs and Twitter.
She now runs a NSW-based media consultancy, 89 Degrees East, which has also done work for the ABC.
She has confirmed to The Age that SKY News Australia had contracted her to work on bid for the rights to broadcast Australia Network.
Rudd’s office confirmed yesterday they had no contact with Ms O’Rourke about the tender.
The opposition yesterday accused Conroy of a potential conflict of interest as the ABC is funded from his portfolio – a claim his office has denied.
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3 Responses
Well they had to change senators.
It’s pretty common to engage people who’ve been in govt or worked closely with ministers as consultants for this sort of thing. It’s only dodgy if they’re still working for the govt at the time.
This is dodgy as!!!!!!!