Does the move mean that The Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne's The Age will be the only Australian-owned capital-city daily newspapers?

At one stage Murdoch was trying to ring fence Fairfax and then attacking The AGE's circulation.

I do not know if that strategy to marginalize The AGe and weaken Fairfax is still in place.

The West Australian has an open share register- it's basically independent, so in answer to Ron, they won't be the only Australian owned papers.

Murdoch's headquarters move to the US will mean nothing at all for Australia.

The move reflects the size of Murdoch's US operations, and the role of media barons in US politics. Unlike Australia, US media owners don't even pretend to be at arms-length from politics -- they're direct players, direct lobbyists, and they make their personal political views well known through their networks and papers.

Having an Australian HQ hinders Murdoch's US outlets, by putting head office in the exact opposite timezone, and diluting the US focus of decision-making.

There is also a continuing groundswell of opposition to foreign companies operating in America -- Murdcoh's media outlets (eg Fox, the NY Post) prominently plaster the US flag on everything, but it rings a little hollow when the head office is overseas.

The take-home message? Murdoch's shift is no reflection on Australia, good or bad. I'm sure he didn't for a moment consider Australia's views on the matter, nor could he care less what his Australian media outlets say or do of a day. It's business, pure and simple

They'll stop attacking Latham as soon as he does what he's told.