Former The Mandarin publisher, Tom Burton, named AFR government editor
Tom Burton, the former publisher of The Mandarin, has been appointed as the editor of The Australian Financial Review’s government coverage.
Burton has a long history with the media business formerly known as Fairfax, now Nine, having been executive editor of The Sydney Morning Herald in the past. Burton has also been the head of communications for the industry watchdog Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
Burton is a former publisher of The Mandarin and ex-boss of ACMA
AFR editor in chief Michael Stutchbury welcomed Burton’s return to the masthead.
“Tom will help the Financial Review service the government audience that is responsible for a significant share of the Australian economy,” Stutchbury said.
“This will provide an extra dimension to Financial Review’s existing political and policy reporting strength in our Canberra bureau led by Philip Coorey.
“At the Mandarin, Tom has built the sort of government publishing franchise that can build upon our traditional coverage, extending to state governments. For the Financial Review, this franchise would naturally extend to commercially-supported special reports and conferences to service the public service audience and those who do business with them.”
Burton said he was thrilled to be tackling such an important industry for the AFR.
“Government directly impacts nearly 30% of the economy and though policy and regulation heavily influences markets and investment across a spate of sectors, including health, transport, infrastructure, energy, communications, education and public safety.
“Federal, state and local public agencies work closely with a wide group of industry and community stakeholders and service providers, and directly contract over $120bn of business services a year.
“Australia is blessed with a world-leading public sector and there is a sophisticated relationship between public sector leaders and the wide diaspora of industry and community players that interact and work with government.
“These leaders drive much of public policy and regulatory intent. With the Financial Review’s strong band of writers I hope to offer readers deep insights into the drivers and thinking influencing the development of programs and services.
“Through daily coverage, special report deep dives, intelligent analysis and well-designed seminars and conferences, the Financial Review will aim to promote a stronger and more constructive relationship between industry and community leaders and public sector managers.”
Stay up to date with all the news and moves in the publishing world by subscribing to Mumbrella's weekly Publish newsletter
Hannah,
For the record, Tom wasn’t the ACMA ‘boss’ as far as I know, he was the boss of the media/comms department.
In any case, go get ’em TB.
DB
User ID not verified.
Hi DB,
You are correct, good catch. The story has been updated.
Thanks!
Hannah – Mumbrella