This sentiment in bolstered with the news that the company has purchased The Advocate, the free local publication of Hepburn Shire in Victoria.

Rural Press has says it is committed to maintaining The Advocate’s strong, independent and representative voice for the people of the Hepburn Shire, as well as raise the profile of the newspaper in the local area with added colour and content. Carmel Halsall, formerly classified manager of The Courier, has been appointed as The Advocate’s new manager.

However, this could be comparatively small fry, if McCarthy’s recent comments at a high-profile meeting are anything to go by.

“We would be interested in any big media play that is available to us, so long as it is on the right basis,” McCarthy told an American Chamber of Commerce briefing in Sydney recently.

McCarthy refuses to rule out making a bid for pay-TV provider Austar or West Australian Newspapers, saying the group is “interested in all big media players”. Any purchase would be conditional on 54 per cent shareholder Marinya Media deeming it worthy of diluting its shareholding.

Rural Press said it also would be interested in adding scale to its broadcasting portfolio via the seven stations it currently holds.

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