McGinty’s “Wind of Change are Blowing ” comment, sinks Stokes

Attempt to bully journalist rang alarm bells

The incumbent Board of West Australian Newspapers (WAN) should thank Jim McGinty for their re-election. It was McGinty’s stupid comments to a journalist which undermined Stokes bid to have the incumbent Board dumped. The Desert Rat thinks McGinty’s attempt to bully the journalist, badly back fired on the Labor Government and him.

McGinty's reported comment to a journalist from The West Australian a few days before the Board vote was that the Journalist didn’t appreciate that “the winds of change are blowing” for The West Australian - implying the new Stokes controlled Board would pull them into line. This comment ensured the current Board would bolt in the vote. The comment to the journalist as reported in The West Australian, has not been denied by McGinty to the Desert Rat’s knowledge.

Kerry Stokes had already weakened his prospect of a successful takeover of West Australian Newspapers by making two tactical errors. Firstly, Stokes informed Premier Alan Carpenter about the bid - “out of courtesy” he said - but appeared to be currying favour. Secondly, he appeared to be attacking the editor, by criticising the editorial policy.

This set off alarm bells among many WAN shareholders and others interested in editorial independence. Stokes knew of the spat between The West Australian and the Labor Government and the contempt both Carpenter and McGinty had for the West’s editor Paul Armstrong who was not compliant enough for their liking.

Kerry Stokes must have thought Carpenter had some influence with WAN shareholder. The Desert Rat can only conclude that Stokes wasn’t advised by new recruit John Langoulant, who would have understood the politics.

The view tentatively in the public mind was that Stokes would change the editorial policy and they would be more supportive (i.e., there would be less scrutiny) of the Carpenter Government.

In the Desert Rat’s view, there was some hostility to Kerry Stokes pitch, but probably not enough for it to fail. Stokes is greatly admired in Western Australia and is “one of us”; a West Australian who has made good from a very difficult start in life. There was some view put forward that Stokes was getting control of "The West." without paying a control premium, but the Desert Rat doesn’t think that was a significant issue.

One certainty in the Desert Rat’s view is that McGinty’s bullying comment to the journalist, torpedoed Stokes campaign.

McGinty’s bad habits are now doing him and the Labor Government’s interests, a lot of damage.

You can be sure Kerry Stokes won’t involve Carpenter and McGinty in his next tilt at West Australian Newspapers.