News Corp, Merivale, Richo: Chris Minns makes time for new friends

 News Corp, Merivale, Richo: Chris Minns makes time for new friends

Chris Minns has been a busy man. But between running the first NSW Labor government in 12 years, and dealing with some pretty ordinary performers among his ministry (that’s one dumped and two embattled by our count), the premier has made time for a few friends – notable among them Labor powerbroker turned lobbyist Graham “Richo” Richardson, News Corp, and Justin Hemmes′ Merivale hospitality empire.

Minns’ latest diary disclosures up to October, released publicly, give us a fascinating picture of who gets the premier’s ear. In his first two months on the job, Minns had two meet-and-greets with the Daily Telegraph, and in August attended a luncheon hosted by the tabloid’s US-owned parent company News Corp along with Deputy Premier Prue Car, Treasurer Dan Mookhey, and cabinet colleagues Ryan Park, Penny Sharpe, Jo Haylen and John Graham. Minns also came into the orbit of the man who runs the entire joint, attending a fundraiser for new queer museum Qtopia with Lachlan Murdoch and his wife Sarah Murdoch, who gave the project a $1 million cash injection.

And in July, the premier had lunch with a posse of influential Sydney blokes – 2GB shock-jock Ben Fordham, Tele editor Ben English, former police commissioner Mick Fuller, Nine entertainment editor Richard Wilkins, Nine radio boss Tom Malone, and AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw.

Richo scored three meetings with Minns – one with the Walker corporation, another with Merivale (a client of Richo’s employer, Liberal lobbyist Michael Photios), and a final meeting concerning “various matters” with colourful barrister Margaret Cunneen and Queensland-based media consultant Dolan Hayes. 

That Richo meeting was one of two concerning Merivale in recent months. But it wasn’t just desiccated Labor types getting time with Minns. The premier also caught up with former (Liberal) prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy Turnbull in July. His former Liberal colleagues no doubt love that.