conv.

All stories
BusinessQuiet 3d · day 3

McGowan joins Stokes-controlled Southern Cross Media board

Former WA premier appointed to board of media giant following Seven West merger, raising integrity concerns.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 3h ago4 pieces NewswiresMastodonGoogle News

What to know

  • McGowan, WA's popular COVID-era premier who retired in 2023, appointed to Southern Cross Media board alongside tech executive Karen Stocks, effective Monday.
  • Appointment follows Kerry Stokes's Seven Group Holdings merger with Southern Cross Austereo in January, giving Stokes 23 per cent control and his son Ryan the chair role.
  • Integrity watchdog raises concerns given McGowan's documented friendly relationship with Stokes during his premiership, including text exchanges and policy exemptions for Stokes-linked projects.
  • Both appointees face re-election at the company's November annual general meeting; McGowan joins other former political leaders like Tony Abbott and Jeff Kennett on media company boards.

“Mark has operated at the centre of government and regulation, and he understands Western Australia, where we hold some of our strongest positions.”

Ryan Stokes, Chair of Southern Cross Media · Sydney Morning Herald ↗ · Sep 22

Mark McGowan Former WA premier, new Southern Cross board appointeeKerry Stokes Billionaire media magnateRyan Stokes Chair of Southern Cross MediaKaren Stocks Former Google and Twitter executive, new Southern Cross board appointeeAnthony Whealy KC Chair of Centre for Public Integrity

McGowan joins Stokes-controlled Southern Cross Media board
Sydney Morning Herald

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

Peak 3 pieces in one hour at Sep 22, 10 PM; 4 pieces over 3 days (3 articles · 1 post) Sep 22, 10 PM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Google News 1, Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Sep 22, 11 PM — quietSep 23, 12 AM — quietSep 23, 1 AM — quietSep 23, 2 AM — quietSep 23, 3 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 23, 4 AM — quietSep 23, 5 AM — quietSep 23, 6 AM — quietSep 23, 7 AM — quietSep 23, 8 AM — quietSep 23, 9 AM — quietSep 23, 10 AM — quietSep 23, 11 AM — quietSep 23, 12 PM — quietSep 23, 1 PM — quietSep 23, 2 PM — quietSep 23, 3 PM — quietSep 23, 4 PM — quietSep 23, 5 PM — quietSep 23, 6 PM — quietSep 23, 7 PM — quietSep 23, 8 PM — quietSep 23, 9 PM — quietSep 23, 10 PM — quietSep 23, 11 PM — quietSep 24, 12 AM — quietSep 24, 1 AM — quietSep 24, 2 AM — quietSep 24, 3 AM — quietSep 24, 4 AM — quietSep 24, 5 AM — quietSep 24, 6 AM — quietSep 24, 7 AM — quietSep 24, 8 AM — quietSep 24, 9 AM — quietSep 24, 10 AM — quietSep 24, 11 AM — quietSep 24, 12 PM — quietSep 24, 1 PM — quietSep 24, 2 PM — quietSep 24, 3 PM — quietSep 24, 4 PM — quietSep 24, 5 PM — quietSep 24, 6 PM — quietSep 24, 7 PM — quietSep 24, 8 PM — quietSep 24, 9 PM — quietSep 24, 10 PM — quietSep 24, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 1 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 7 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 1 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 7 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 1 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 7 AM — quietToday, 8 AM — quiet 12
Sep 23Sep 24yesterdaynow · 9:44 AM ET
  1. 2

    Integrity concerns raised over McGowan's ties to Stokes during his premiership

    Centre for Public Integrity chair Anthony Whealy KC flags potential integrity concerns given McGowan's strong former connection to WA government and documented friendly relationship with Kerry Stokes, including text exchanges revealed in a defamation trial and exemptions granted to Stokes-related projects.

    “Clearly with Mr McGowan there's been a number of years since he was the premier, but nevertheless, there remains a concern because he was such an influential politician…”
    — Anthony Whealy KC
  2. 1

    Southern Cross appoints McGowan and Stocks to board

    Former WA premier Mark McGowan and former Google and Twitter executive Karen Stocks are appointed to the Southern Cross Media board, effective Monday. Both must face re-election at the November annual general meeting.

    “Mr McGowan brings government and regulatory experience and a deep connection to Western Australia.”
    — Southern Cross Media Group

    1. 1 outlet first by Sydney Morning Herald, 3d ago · read ↗

    2. 1 outlet Wildly popular ex-premier tipped for Stokes-backed media giant board

      first by ABC Australia, 3d ago

  3. background

    Ryan Stokes becomes chair of Southern Cross Media — After non-executive chair Teresa Dyson stepped down, Ryan Stokes took over the chairmanship, cementing his family's control of the merged entity. This marks the fourth chair in nine months.

  4. background

    Southern Cross Austereo acquires Seven West Media for $385 million — Kerry Stokes's Seven Group Holdings emerges with a 20 per cent minority stake in the merged entity, which it later lifts to 23 per cent via another Stokes-affiliated entity within six months using creep provisions in corporate takeover laws.