AUGUST 25, 2005

Walker gets a new job

Australian Grand Prix big cheese Ron Walker is rarely out of the newspapers and his name is likely to be back in the spotlight soon when he is named chairman of the John Fairfax Holdings newspaper group, which includes the Sydney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Age newspapers. Walker has been on the board of Fairfax for two years but rival media barons Rupert Murdoch and Kerry Packer are sure to be asking probing questions about the appointment at a time when the government is looking a reforming Australia's media laws. Walker has close links with Prime Minister John Howard and used to be the treasurer of the ruling Liberal Party. There is also talk that Fairfax journalists may strike if Walker takes over.