Author | Lightnews

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · 1d

Albanese and Rudd sold out freedom of the press this week johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10... My piece on the appalling lack of push back by Australia on the banning of @abcnewsbot.bsky.social John Lyons

Albanese and Rudd sold out freedom of the press this week

Many Australian journalists think Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ambassador Kevin Rudd did a wonderful job this week in handling the corrupt narcissist who runs the United States, Donald Trump.

johnmenadue.com

3 6

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · 3d

Answer No

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/a...

Can an Israel Philharmonic Concert Be Just About Music?

www.nytimes.com

1 4

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · 7d

This orchestra should, if it put human rights first, make a statement against genocide
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/a...

Israel Philharmonic Draws Protests as Fragile Cease-Fire Holds in Gaza

www.nytimes.com

1 2 3

Reposted by Greg Barns

Paul Thistoll @pault.bsky.social · 17d

The economy is not going to recover in time to give Luxon an election boost.
This means Winston, Luxon, and Seymour will try to stir up culture wars to distract us.
Don't get sucked in - just hammer home the lousy economic performance, the incredibly high cost of living, and the general despair.

4 31 99

Reposted by Greg Barns

Denise Shrivell @deniseshrivell.bsky.social · 16d

One of the Austs on the flotilla who was taken illegally & held by the Israel Govt - says the Aust Govt did not really support them. They were among the last to be released - & their release & deportation to Jordan was facilitated by other Govts.

What a betrayal 😞😡 #auspol

7 31 82

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · 16d

October 7 protests against Israel are legitimate. Attempts by governments to stop them is a dangerous abuse of power.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10...

7 October not a day to abuse protesters

When it comes to the domestic political fallout from the Gaza conflict, there are no more reliable and uncritical friends of Israel than Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan and her New South Wales counte...

johnmenadue.com

4 7

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Sep 22

With my colleague Stuart Rees today on why recognition of Palestine is the right thing for Australia to do.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/09...

Recognising Palestine a long overdue act of courage

At the UN this week, in a long overdue act of courage, the Australian Government has recognised the State of Palestine.

johnmenadue.com

1 5

Reposted by Greg Barns

Denise Shrivell @deniseshrivell.bsky.social · Sep 18

TrueNorth sends its 400th newsletter on Monday!

Every weekday for close to 2 years I've shared articles & commentary from Australia's excellent independent news publishers & commentators

To help me improve TrueNorth please share your views through the survey link #auspol >
linktr.ee/deniseshrivell

3 18 55

Reposted by Greg Barns

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · Sep 19

#FOI isn’t a sexy sport, but it is used by engaged citizens, NGOs and media to increase participation in democracy and to scrutinise Govt. @AlboMP’s FOI Amendment Bill is an assault on open government and shows him to be a #transparency fraudster. #auspol

FOI Amendment Bill: Not what Faulkner or Allan Hawke wanted

The Explanatory Memorandum for the government’s Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 claims it implements or responds to certain recommendations from previous reviews and inquiries, citing in pa...

johnmenadue.com

1 24 57

Reposted by Greg Barns

Denise Shrivell @deniseshrivell.bsky.social · Sep 16

Wish I thought that the Albanese Labor Govt was going to stand their ground with Trump over John Lyons’ very valid questions - but sadly I don’t. #auspol

11 6 61

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Sep 17

My piece today on Albanese government's regressive FOI policies #auspol
FOI changes big backward step for government transparency johnmenadue.com/post/2025/09...

FOI changes big backward step for government transparency

There has been much commentary, most of it critical, about federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s recently introduced Bill that amends the Freedom of Information Act by restricting access through...

johnmenadue.com

1 3 5

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Sep 1

Time to legalise drugs - smart policy not prejudice

3 8

Reposted by Greg Barns

Simon Rosenberg @simonrosenberg.bsky.social · Aug 19

"It is extraordinary that Australian universities would adopt the IHRA definition. The truth must out. Why did they do it? Who put pressure on them and why did they succumb?"

@barnsgreg.bsky.social on the toxic impact of #ZionistMcCarthyism. #auspol
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/08...

Universities, free speech and the High Court

Greg Barns looks at the legal implications for universities, who last year adopted an IHRA-aligned definition of antisemitism, in wake of a large scale boycott of the Bendigo Writers Festival.

johnmenadue.com

3 18 43

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Aug 25

My piece today

johnmenadue.com/post/2025/08...

Australia must defend International Criminal Court

If it were China or Russia, the imposition of sanctions and threats of harm to prosecutors and judges of the International Criminal Court would be front page news in Australia.

johnmenadue.com

7 14

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Aug 19

The failure of universities in Australia to stand up for freedom of speech on Gaza. La Trobe the latest with its disgraceful ban on discussion of Gaza at the Bendigo Writers Festival. My piece today.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/08...

Universities, free speech and the High Court

Greg Barns looks at the legal implications for universities, who last year adopted an IHRA-aligned definition of antisemitism, in wake of a large scale boycott of the Bendigo Writers Festival.

johnmenadue.com

3 5

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Aug 10

RuthForrest MLC to be Treasurer in a @TasmanianLabor government This is excellent news. The smartest thinker on fiscal and tax reform in Tasmania

1 3 5

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Aug 9

The war criminal #Netanyahu genocide now includes occupying aka annexing #Gaza and yet no blanket sanctions on #Israel In other words enabling the genocide

6 10

Reposted by Greg Barns

Joanna Mendelssohn @oldlillipilli.bsky.social · Jul 13

What really gets me about Segal is that her report arrived the same week as both the Coroner’s report into Kumanjayi Walker’s death & the Yoorrook report detailing genocide in Victoria. When will governments act to prevent discrimination against Aboriginal people? #auspol

2 19 47

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Aug 4

My column in the Hobart Mercury today

3 20 35

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Jul 27

The Tasmanian election does not provide a mandate to the Liberals or Labor to proceed with the AFL stadium

2 8 24

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Jul 11

My piece today on the dangerous plans of Anti-Semitism Envoy Jillian Segal
Antisemitism envoy's report 'Trumpian' johnmenadue.com/post/2025/07...

Antisemitism envoy's report 'Trumpian'

The report of the Albanese Government’s antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, contains recommendations that will lead to erosion of freedom of expression and the right to protest.

johnmenadue.com

5 18 31

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Jul 8

Antoinette you might be interested in my take on chants and freedom of speech in the context of 'Death to the IDF'

johnmenadue.com/post/2025/07...

Freedom of speech and chants

“Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” and “Death, death to the IOF [Israeli Occupying Force]”. Chants that some in the Palestinian support movement in Melbourne used last weekend.

johnmenadue.com

1 3

Reposted by Greg Barns

Antoinette Lattouf @antoinettelattouf.bsky.social · Jul 8

In this episode, we unpack The Age’s coverage of an anti-Semitic incident in Melbourne take a look at a different genocide and the conspicuous absence of major coverage + we pull apart the curious case of the “activist journalist”

We Used To Be Journos out now

podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/w...

10 43 120

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Jul 8

'Death to the IDF' and other chants - my piece on the freedom of speech issues involved.

johnmenadue.com/post/2025/07...

Freedom of speech and chants

“Death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” and “Death, death to the IOF [Israeli Occupying Force]”. Chants that some in the Palestinian support movement in Melbourne used last weekend.

johnmenadue.com

3 4

Greg Barns @barnsgreg.bsky.social · Jul 6

While she blames Hamas for her husband’s death, she said she was frustrated by the failure to free the remaining hostages, calling it a cost of Mr. Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran.

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/w...

The Cost of Victory: Israel Overpowered Its Foes, but Deepened Its Isolation

www.nytimes.com

1 2