News Corp chief rejects claims his newspapers swung election against Labor instead saying it was due to 'public [who were] sick of public sector workers and phony welfare scroungers'

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Rupert Murdoch has hailed the result of the Australian election with an aggressive tirade against the public sector, arguing that the victory of Tony Abbott's Coalition would pave the way for a move to the right in public policy around the world.

The News Corp chief took to Twitter shortly after Abbott delivered his victory speech in Sydney. Murdoch tweeted: "Aust election public sick of public sector workers and phony welfare scroungers sucking life out of economy. Others nations to follow in time."

The papers owned by Murdoch's News Corp Australia, which controls up to 70% of the newspaper industry in Australia, all backed Abbott in the election. Their endorsement followed sustained criticism of the outgoing Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd from News Corp Australia titles, beginning on the day the election was called with Sydney newspaper The Daily Telegraph publishing a front-page editorial lambasting Rudd under the headline "Kick this mob out".

Murdoch rejected allegations that his newspapers helped swing the election in Abbott's favour on Saturday night. He tweeted: "Tele wot won it"! No, Australians just sick of Gillard-Rudd incompetence and infighting wrecking great county."

Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) @rupertmurdoch "Tele wot won it"! No, Australians just sick of Gillard'-Rudd incompetence and infighting wrecking great county.

On Friday, Abbott said of Murdoch, who became a US citizen in 1985: "I've got a lot of time for Rupert Murdoch because whether you like his papers or don't like his papers he's one of the most influential Australians of all time."

"Aussies should support our hometown heroes, that's what I think in his own way Rupert Murdoch is."