André Brett
@drdrehistorian.bsky.social
Historians wanna talk like they got something to say | NZ and Australian history, politics, trains, music, sport, higher ed | he/him | "Australian-adjacent person": Melburnian Kiwi in Perth
Pinned
André Brett
@drdrehistorian.bsky.social
· Nov 12
It seems an opportune time to do an intro thread, since I'm included in some quite different starter packs. My bio note about "NZ and Australian history, politics, trains, music, sport, higher ed" covers the topics I post about the most, and I do *not* stick consistently to any one of them 1/18
Reposted by André Brett
Between voting for collective leadership and voting to allow members of other parties *as approved by the party committee* to join, Your Party members have absolutely guaranteed maximum infighting and psychodrama over the next few weeks and months.
November 30, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Between voting for collective leadership and voting to allow members of other parties *as approved by the party committee* to join, Your Party members have absolutely guaranteed maximum infighting and psychodrama over the next few weeks and months.
The decline of browsable open shelving at libraries, especially uni libraries, is similarly lamentable. From 2006, when I first set foot in a uni library, to 2022, when I moved to a uni where everything is click-and-collect from closed stacks, I doubt a single visit I left with only what I came for
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Bookselling is like the most "people go to the store and buy what looks cool to them without a particular agenda" type business left, and your purchases have a huge influence on what is ordered, what is displayed, and what is recommended.
November 30, 2025 at 9:46 AM
The decline of browsable open shelving at libraries, especially uni libraries, is similarly lamentable. From 2006, when I first set foot in a uni library, to 2022, when I moved to a uni where everything is click-and-collect from closed stacks, I doubt a single visit I left with only what I came for
It’s hard to think of a more shambolic party formation than this one—and I have an election blog about Australian micro-parties!
Internal rifts deepen in Corbyn's party as cofounder Sultana refuses to attend conference amid expulsion concerns.
Corbyn’s new party faces crisis as cofounder skips first day of conference
Internal rifts deepen in Corbyn's party as cofounder Sultana refuses to attend conference amid expulsion concerns.
bit.ly
November 30, 2025 at 7:19 AM
It’s hard to think of a more shambolic party formation than this one—and I have an election blog about Australian micro-parties!
Reposted by André Brett
The good news just keeps on coming
November 30, 2025 at 5:46 AM
The good news just keeps on coming
I’ve gone through a fair few airports lately and I’ve gotta say, Canberra probably has the very worst signage/wayfinding of any airport in Australasia
November 29, 2025 at 9:44 AM
I’ve gone through a fair few airports lately and I’ve gotta say, Canberra probably has the very worst signage/wayfinding of any airport in Australasia
I am so stoked about this. I could moan about some details, and how an enduring service must run multiple times a day, but simply having an operator prepared to run this in such a hostile car-centric environment is such a step up from having nothing for over two decades—I’m thrilled. We need this!
November 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I am so stoked about this. I could moan about some details, and how an enduring service must run multiple times a day, but simply having an operator prepared to run this in such a hostile car-centric environment is such a step up from having nothing for over two decades—I’m thrilled. We need this!
Reposted by André Brett
Ran into this character at the UoA staff club. @drdrehistorian.bsky.social
November 28, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Ran into this character at the UoA staff club. @drdrehistorian.bsky.social
Vern Hughes can’t stop, won’t stop forming ridiculous micro-parties
Vern Hughes is on the loose again with yet more "mainstream centrist" (actually neither) nonsense recycled from "Democracy First" which appeared as part of FUSION at the federal election. Nobody can count how many "parties" he has promoted. His latest one is called "Victorians" victorians.org.au
Victorians Party - For All of Us
We are the Victorians We are fair and tolerant people. And a very diverse bunch. Some of us are progressives and some of us are conservatives.What we ALL want in this election year is a new State Gove...
victorians.org.au
November 27, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Vern Hughes can’t stop, won’t stop forming ridiculous micro-parties
Reposted by André Brett
In terms of Malcolm Turnbull's new official portrait...gotta say it looks kinda familiar.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
November 27, 2025 at 1:21 AM
In terms of Malcolm Turnbull's new official portrait...gotta say it looks kinda familiar.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
That's the same pose as GOUGH WHITLAM'S.
There is moving deckchairs on the Titanic, and then there is moving deckchairs on the Titanic over a century later ready for the safe arrival of the OceanGate submersible Titan
#BREAKING 🚨 A FOURTH Liberal Party leadership change is being flagged, with Ashton Hurn emerging as a possible replacement for South Australian opposition leader Vincent Tarzia
Polls for next year's SA state election have shown the Liberals with a primary vote as low as 21%
Polls for next year's SA state election have shown the Liberals with a primary vote as low as 21%
November 26, 2025 at 5:39 AM
There is moving deckchairs on the Titanic, and then there is moving deckchairs on the Titanic over a century later ready for the safe arrival of the OceanGate submersible Titan
Ahaha not even Kevin Rudd stayed to finish his drink when he realised he’d drunkenly ended up at a strip club in New York but Joondalup guy wants to have every drop he paid for
November 25, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Ahaha not even Kevin Rudd stayed to finish his drink when he realised he’d drunkenly ended up at a strip club in New York but Joondalup guy wants to have every drop he paid for
NZ has had two major reforms of subnational government so far: 1876 and 1989
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
No more regional councils - major shake-up of local government announced
The government says it is not a power grab, but about "making local government fit for purpose".
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 7:59 AM
NZ has had two major reforms of subnational government so far: 1876 and 1989
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
As the guy who literally wrote a book on the demise of that first system, *and* as someone who generally supports more unitary authorities, my considered opinion is that this proposal is completely insane
I reckon that after a big day exploring Hamilton on foot and travelling back to Auckland I’ve earned this stout (25k steps!). It’s going down well while doing a run-through of my slides for NZHA later this week—here’s a preview!
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
I reckon that after a big day exploring Hamilton on foot and travelling back to Auckland I’ve earned this stout (25k steps!). It’s going down well while doing a run-through of my slides for NZHA later this week—here’s a preview!
Reposted by André Brett
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
🚨 #DECRA #DE26 announcement:
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
❗️Outcomes announced publicly for Discovery Early Career Researcher Award 2026❗️
See ARC's RMS for list ➡️ https://rms.arc.gov.au/RMS/Report/Download/Report/a3f6be6e-33f7-4fb5-98a6-7526aaa184cf/285
/bot
November 25, 2025 at 12:34 AM
DECRA success rate is the lowest in 14 years, since 2012 (1st year the scheme ran).
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
What a pathetic system we have for supporting new ideas, new people…
DE26: 13.1%
25: 17.9
24: 19.6
23: 15.0
22: 19.7
21: 17.1
20: 16.0
19: 17.2
18: 16.3
17: 16.7
16: 16.4
15: 14.3
14: 13.6
13: 15.6
12: 12.8
No clear benefit? For a tug that has performed recent rescues? And with an ageing Interislander fleet clinging to grim life until replacements come along in a few years? On a notoriously turbulent body of water? Oh, well then. What could go wrong!
Transport Minister Chris Bishop blames “a significant escalation in costs and little clear benefit” for calling it quits on a replacement.
Cook Strait rescue tug going with no replacement
Transport Minister Chris Bishop blames “a significant escalation in costs and little clear benefit” for calling it quits on a replacement.
dlvr.it
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
No clear benefit? For a tug that has performed recent rescues? And with an ageing Interislander fleet clinging to grim life until replacements come along in a few years? On a notoriously turbulent body of water? Oh, well then. What could go wrong!
Can confirm @davejac.bsky.social is right: if you’re in Hamilton, go get a pie from this humble place. I had a truly excellent caramelised pork pie, and if you can eat seafood you’ll find a host of interesting pie flavours
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Can confirm @davejac.bsky.social is right: if you’re in Hamilton, go get a pie from this humble place. I had a truly excellent caramelised pork pie, and if you can eat seafood you’ll find a host of interesting pie flavours
It’s a great day to arrive in Hamilton by train
(Every day is a great day to arrive anywhere by train)
(Every day is a great day to arrive anywhere by train)
November 24, 2025 at 12:57 AM
It’s a great day to arrive in Hamilton by train
(Every day is a great day to arrive anywhere by train)
(Every day is a great day to arrive anywhere by train)
Reposted by André Brett
You throw around the term 'conservative' despite the brutal murder Colonel Mustard committed with the candlestick in the conservatory?
There are some truly unhinged bits in the piece about Glasman, as to be expected when dealing with Glasman, but seriously what the actual? That's...one hell of a conflation of terminology.
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
You throw around the term 'conservative' despite the brutal murder Colonel Mustard committed with the candlestick in the conservatory?
This is a serious contender for worst party name in Australian history, as bad as the various slogans Sustainable Aus has inserted into their official name or Online Direct Democracy (a party deliberately without policies) renaming itself Climate Action! Immigration Action! Accountable Politicians!
Party registration news: the party currently called "FUSION | Planet Rescue | Whistleblower Protection | Innovation" has applied to change its name to the equally terrible "votefusion.org for big ideas" (abbreviation votefusion.org)
Fusion Party
🌏 Planet Rescue | 🕵️ Whistleblower Protection | 🔬 Innovation
votefusion.org
November 23, 2025 at 9:46 PM
This is a serious contender for worst party name in Australian history, as bad as the various slogans Sustainable Aus has inserted into their official name or Online Direct Democracy (a party deliberately without policies) renaming itself Climate Action! Immigration Action! Accountable Politicians!
It’s a beautiful morning, the sky is blue, the sun is shining, the temperature is mild, and the time is just ticking over to Te Huia o’clock
November 23, 2025 at 8:43 PM
It’s a beautiful morning, the sky is blue, the sun is shining, the temperature is mild, and the time is just ticking over to Te Huia o’clock
This is delightfully savage: “To the self-appointed heroes of the present, the past is the country of losers. As of right now though, the losers are watching from the mirror.”
November 23, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This is delightfully savage: “To the self-appointed heroes of the present, the past is the country of losers. As of right now though, the losers are watching from the mirror.”
Can confirm it is a great day for the English cricket team: they have not lost a single wicket!
Does anybody know how day 3 of the first ashes test is going? none of my usual sites have any info.
November 23, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Can confirm it is a great day for the English cricket team: they have not lost a single wicket!
That’s a sincere “NEWSPOLL WOW”
#Newspoll 58-42 to ALP (yep)
ALP 36 L-NP 24 Green 13 ON 15 IND/other 12
Albanese net 0 (haha) (47-47)
Ley net -29 (26-55)
Better PM (favours incumbents) Albanese leads 54-27.
ALP 36 L-NP 24 Green 13 ON 15 IND/other 12
Albanese net 0 (haha) (47-47)
Ley net -29 (26-55)
Better PM (favours incumbents) Albanese leads 54-27.
November 23, 2025 at 8:43 AM
That’s a sincere “NEWSPOLL WOW”
Reposted by André Brett
the (rail replacement) vengabus is coming
and everybody's grumbling
some routes have been amended
journey times are extended
and everybody's grumbling
some routes have been amended
journey times are extended
rail replacement vengabus
November 22, 2025 at 10:18 PM
the (rail replacement) vengabus is coming
and everybody's grumbling
some routes have been amended
journey times are extended
and everybody's grumbling
some routes have been amended
journey times are extended