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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Desert Boy @bakefreeordie.bsky.social · 9h

You are literally the Prime Minister, man, and you show none of these traits in your governance. You could legislate people out of poverty so they can buy their kids toys themselves. But sure, we could all donate money to fucking Kmart instead. #auspol

Anthony Albanese @albomp.bsky.social · 1d

The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal reflects the best of the Australian spirit: generosity, compassion and community.

Together, we’re making Christmas brighter for families doing it tough.

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 1d

Partly because so many formerly leftwing parties have turned to the right, there's a lot of confusion about what right and left mean in politics. I hope this helps:

The right defends economic power.

The left resists economic power.

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 1d

“We have a gas export problem, and more and more Australians are waking up to the scam that has been happening for the last two decades.”

- David Pocock, Senator for the ACT

@davidpocock.bsky.social #auspol

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Middle East Eye (Unofficial) @middleeasteye-rss.bsky.social · 1d

Israeli warplanes strike Gaza as settlers raid West Bank villages - https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-warplanes-strike-gaza-settlers-raid-west-bank-villages

Israeli warplanes strike Gaza as settlers raid West Bank villages

<article data-history-node-id="430987" about="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-warplanes-strike-gaza-settlers-raid-west-bank-villages" class="live-blog-update default clearfix"> <h2> <a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/israeli-warplanes-strike-gaza-settlers-raid-west-bank-villages" rel="bookmark"> <span class="field field-title">Israeli warplanes strike Gaza as settlers raid West Bank villages</span> </a> </h2> <div class="content"> <div class="field field-field-text"><p>The Israeli forces on Monday continued to violate the ceasefire agreement with artillery shelling targeting the eastern part of Deir al-Balah city in the central Gaza Strip, Al Jazeera Arabic reported. </p> <p>Palestinian sources said that Israeli warplanes also targeted the eastern areas of Gaza City early Monday morning.</p> <p>The report said that powerful explosions were heard east of Gaza City, where Israeli forces were demolishing residential buildings</p> <p>Meanwhile, settlers in the West Bank's Khirbet Masoud attacked farmers and burned a vehicle during an attack on a village south of Nablus.</p> </div> </div> </article>

www.middleeasteye.net

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 1d

Is there any part of governing that this so-called Labor administration is not arse-deep in the neoliberal rabbit hole?

"No-one left behind"? I mean, I doubt anyone took that literally. But to be such a flagrant, cynical lie is shocking - even in this post-truth era.

#auspol

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 2d

Rivers of public money flowing to the usual pig troughs in the private sector. The tap is always running full bore for them but there is never money for society's disadvantaged.

Hound welfare recipients. Chuck people off the NDIS. Let public schools rot.

Our system of gov is corrupt.

#auspol

1EarthMedia @1earthmedia.bsky.social · 3d

Bureau of Meteorology’s website overhaul cost $86 million.

Accenture received $78m for the website. Nine contract extensions later – originally supposed to cost $31m.

Deloitte got $35m for its work on the site – originally supposed to cost $11m.

#auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Cost of BoM’s website revamp revealed after deluge of public criticism

Public-facing site cost about $86m as part of almost decade-long IT overhaul known as Robust

www.theguardian.com

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 2d

"I’m paying more attention to Gaza because my government isn’t trying to make it illegal for me to criticise the RSF....My rulers aren’t backing a genocide in Sudan and commanding me to support it."

Independent Media Australia. @indymediaaus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 2d

Notice which genocides you are and are not allowed to oppose https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/notice-which-genocides-you-are-and-are-not-allowed-to-oppose #auspol

Notice which genocides you are and are not allowed to oppose

Do you notice how nobody’s losing their jobs or getting deported for criticising the genocidal atrocities in Sudan?

johnmenadue.com

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

GregoryWalters @catmanforever.bsky.social · 2d

trickle down economics
trickle down economic
trickle down economi
trickle down econom
trickle down econo
trickle down econ
trickle down eco
trickle down ec
trickle down e
trickle down
trickle dow
trickle do
trickle d
trickle
trickl
trick

#auspol #aupol

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Peter Murphy @peterwmurphy1.bsky.social · 4d

US Democrats aren't the Left.
UK Labour aren't the Left.
AUS Labor aren't the Left.
(They're all centre-right to right wing)

US Republicans are Far Right.
UK Tories are Far Right.
AUS Libs & Nats are Far Right.
I very much want a Govt of the Left. #USPolitics #UKPolitics #auspol

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

quokkafella.nafofellas.com @quokkafella.nafofellas.com · 3d

When #AUKUS was announced, I predicted they would be the submarines that ate the navy; that they would consume so much of the navy's budget there wouldn't be anything left.
I was wrong - they are the submarines that ate the entire defence budget:
#auspol
www.afr.com/politics/fed...

Warnings over defence cash squeeze

Maintenance and training budgets for the Defence Force have been cut by 10 per cent as the military scrambles to find money for new submarines and missiles.

www.afr.com

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Nicko @vicenvironment.bsky.social · 3d

breaking ; Dinosaurs vote for extinction…. www.smh.com.au/politics/fed... #auspol

Nationals vote to abandon net zero mandate

Delegates voted at the National Party Federal Council, compelling the party to formally abandon the position when it next meets.

www.smh.com.au

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 3d

"Anthony Albanese only had to be less shit than his predecessor, Scott Morrison..."

Piece of cake...right? Um...

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Senator David Shoebridge @davidshoebridge.bsky.social · 4d

BREAKING: NACC Commissioner finally bows to public pressure and steps aside from all defence-related corruption referrals.

This is a major-general backdown from Commissioner Brereton who, up until now, tried to stare down the growing public revolt over the conflicts of interest.

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

stranger @strangerous.bsky.social · 5d

Larissa Waters has slammed Labor’s new environmental laws saying they’re great for big business, but “bad news for nature”
“When you’re the environment minister…not a crazy idea to actually want to protect the environment”💥 #Abc

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Royal Chant @royalchant.bsky.social · 5d

counter-offer: instead of yet another bailout, how about the Australian people become the official owners of Rio Tinto? They've certainly paid enough over the years in tax breaks, subsidies, and direct cash infusions

#auspol #RioTinto

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...

Labor caught in a bind over Rio Tinto bailout

The government can't hide its frustration with Rio Tinto but at the same time, it's preparing to dip deeper into taxpayers' pockets to help the company out. Again.

www.abc.net.au

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 5d

And my point is, a whole load of people are talking about a stupid issue - and not the real issues - because the PM thought he looked cool.

If you think that wasn't stupid by him and that it's the people talking about it who are stupid...well, that's you and me.

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 6d

"Gas companies treat tax as optional, and they leave the rest of us with the cleanup bill for the natural disasters that they are turbo-charging."

- Senator Larissa Waters speaking at our #RevenueSummit25

@larissawaters.bsky.social #auspol

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 6d

Australia has already handed over $800 million of the estimated $368 billion cost of AUKUS.

“If this deal goes ahead…this will amount to the biggest international transfer of sovereign wealth in Australia’s history.”

- @ebonybennett.bsky.social on AUKUS at the #RevenueSummit25

#auspol

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 5d

That's a weird conclusion to jump to. No. A maga hat would be pretty much a sackable offence imo.

I've already said the tee is trivial. But he's not on holiday. This is official travel as PM. It's not hard to predict that the tee shirt would attract attention.

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 5d

Don't disagree about being a corporate sellout. But the conversation is about how the lame tee shirt became a talking point.

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 6d

You may think that but many don't. Gauging how the general populace thinks is exactly what 'political instincts' means.

Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 6d

Is this a conversation the PM's office wants everyone having? Just like his beachside mcmansion, I'd say no.

So, yep...in my opinion his instinct for poor optics is not great.

Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 6d

You don't see any difference between dressing to see a band on a Saturday night and representing your country as Prime Minister??

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Stephen Mitchell @utterstevie.bsky.social · 6d

Yes, it's stupid. And confected. And utterly trivial. But here we are in a time where it is news. It is a 'national conversation' which you too are amplifying.

Once again, we have to question Albo's political instincts.

Did no-one on his team say, "Ah, maybe just a plain shirt, boss"?

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Reposted by Stephen Mitchell

Josh Taylor @joshtaylor.bsky.social · 7d

Wow, Services Australia spent three quarters of a million in legal fees fighting a losing FOI fight against @daedalus.eigenmagic.com

Topic: Robodebt Case Legal Fees
Question reference number: IQ25-000016
Asked By: Senator Jacqui Lambie
Type of question: Spoken. Hansard Page/s: 9
Date set by the committee for the return of answer: 24 October 2025
Question:
Senator Lambie: Services Australia, you lost a Robodebt case against Mr Warren before the full
court. I'm just wondering what your legal costs for both Administrative Review Tribunal and the
Federal Court were? I’m gathering it's about half a million and I’m being conservative. Do you
know what the costs were?
Mr Higgins: I'd have to take that on notice, Senator. I don’t have that detail with me.
Answer:
$776,739.02 including GST (where applicable) in relation to AAT, Federal Court and ART.

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