Tellingly, the man whom Rupert Murdoch selected to replace Rebekah Brooks as the chief executive of News International in London was Tom Mockridge, a former press adviser to Paul Keating. (As an historical aside, the changes in media ownership rules that enabled Rupert Murdoch to build up his share of the Australian market came into effect under Paul Keating).

BBC: Murdoch in Australia: The fallout

Under Prime Minister Paul Keating, Canberra has taken special pains to emphasize its links with Asia.

CNN: HEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS

Paul Keating, prime minister from 1991 to 1996, counted ex-President Suharto, Indonesia's dictatorial leader at the time, as a friend.

ECONOMIST: Australia