Murdoch under fire in Oz too

Australia's government accused a tabloid paper in Rupert Murdoch's media empire of campaigning for "regime change", as lawmakers weigh up a possible review of media laws in the wake of the UK phone hacking scandal.

Australia's government accused a tabloid paper in Rupert Murdoch's media empire of campaigning for "regime change", as lawmakers weigh up a possible review of media laws in the wake of the UK phone hacking scandal.

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Communications minister Stephen Conroy accused the company's Daily Telegraph tabloid of bias and trying to bring down ruling Labor, which relies on backing from Green and independent lawmakers to stay in power.

"It's decided it wants to have an election. Ignore the fact that we had an election nine or 10 months ago. Ignore the fact the Australian people put in place a parliament with a minority government," an exasperated Conroy told Australian radio.

Conroy's comments follow similar accusations by treasurer and deputy PM Wayne Swan last week.

The Greens, who control the balance of power in Australia's upper house, have for months accused News Corp's Australian arm, News Ltd, of having a radical anti-government agenda.