Michael Barnes
@barnesm31.bsky.social
I smell blood and an era of prominent madmen. Science is cool. Born in 1966, Whitefella living on the land of the Wurundjeri people. LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. Refugees are welcome, racists are not.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Starting to see a lot of red
January 9, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Starting to see a lot of red
Reposted by Michael Barnes
I wrote earlier about the catastrophic effects of pro-Israel pressure campaigns on our cultural institutions, but it seems no lessons have been learned
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
January 9, 2026 at 4:14 AM
I wrote earlier about the catastrophic effects of pro-Israel pressure campaigns on our cultural institutions, but it seems no lessons have been learned
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
open.substack.com/pub/nickfeik...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
I just donated. These guys are legends.
Here’s their website if you’d like to make a donation to pay for ingredients etc:
sikhvolunteersaustralia.org
sikhvolunteersaustralia.org
Sikh Volunteers Australia Inc.
Sikh Volunteers Australia Inc.
sikhvolunteersaustralia.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:59 AM
I just donated. These guys are legends.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
“… A path, in fact, that leads us into the territory of Putin’s Russia,” Malinauskas said in 2023.
That he now so openly supports a different path speaks to how quickly #Australia’s #democraticnorms are changing.
Those of us who feel diff would do well to speak up now, while we still can.” #AF
That he now so openly supports a different path speaks to how quickly #Australia’s #democraticnorms are changing.
Those of us who feel diff would do well to speak up now, while we still can.” #AF
"The Australia Institute’s decision to withdraw its involvement in, and sponsorship of, Adelaide Writers’ Week was easy to make but raises difficult questions", writes Dr Richard Denniss in The Point.
Read the full piece here: thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Read the full piece here: thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
January 9, 2026 at 6:50 AM
“… A path, in fact, that leads us into the territory of Putin’s Russia,” Malinauskas said in 2023.
That he now so openly supports a different path speaks to how quickly #Australia’s #democraticnorms are changing.
Those of us who feel diff would do well to speak up now, while we still can.” #AF
That he now so openly supports a different path speaks to how quickly #Australia’s #democraticnorms are changing.
Those of us who feel diff would do well to speak up now, while we still can.” #AF
Reposted by Michael Barnes
More withdrawals from Adelaide Writers Week reportedly include:
Bri Lee
Maxine Beneba Clarke
Clare Wright
Paul Daley
Hannah Kent
Robbie Arnott
Walter Marsh
Jennifer Mills
Hannah Ferguson
+ at least 5 others to add to yesterday’s lot
Bri Lee
Maxine Beneba Clarke
Clare Wright
Paul Daley
Hannah Kent
Robbie Arnott
Walter Marsh
Jennifer Mills
Hannah Ferguson
+ at least 5 others to add to yesterday’s lot
January 8, 2026 at 9:23 PM
More withdrawals from Adelaide Writers Week reportedly include:
Bri Lee
Maxine Beneba Clarke
Clare Wright
Paul Daley
Hannah Kent
Robbie Arnott
Walter Marsh
Jennifer Mills
Hannah Ferguson
+ at least 5 others to add to yesterday’s lot
Bri Lee
Maxine Beneba Clarke
Clare Wright
Paul Daley
Hannah Kent
Robbie Arnott
Walter Marsh
Jennifer Mills
Hannah Ferguson
+ at least 5 others to add to yesterday’s lot
Reposted by Michael Barnes
After successfully campaigning for a Royal Commission into antisemitism, The Age seamlessly moves to making that synonymous with criticism of Israel. Watching it happen so transparently is next level.
January 8, 2026 at 11:00 PM
After successfully campaigning for a Royal Commission into antisemitism, The Age seamlessly moves to making that synonymous with criticism of Israel. Watching it happen so transparently is next level.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Segalism has no place in the Labor Government. Labor caused the division in the community. It started with your bad call in Cabramatta, AUKUS followed, then All The Way with Donald J & Yahoo with Netanyahu & now you want to shut us up to cover it up & the free press can report on our free speech.
January 8, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Segalism has no place in the Labor Government. Labor caused the division in the community. It started with your bad call in Cabramatta, AUKUS followed, then All The Way with Donald J & Yahoo with Netanyahu & now you want to shut us up to cover it up & the free press can report on our free speech.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Reposted by Michael Barnes
No Adelaide Writers Week for me. I can’t in any good conscience now appear at a festival seeking to mute a very necessary public conversation … Randa Abdel-Fattah is an important voice. Here’s something I published from her on, guess what, Palestinian marginalisation. meanjin.com.au/latest/the-g...
The Great Palestinian Silence
It seems everyone is tweeting about freedom of speech. So let me tell you a story about freedom of speech and the exceptional case of Palestine. In the days leading up to Israel’s proposed annexati…
meanjin.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 7:33 AM
No Adelaide Writers Week for me. I can’t in any good conscience now appear at a festival seeking to mute a very necessary public conversation … Randa Abdel-Fattah is an important voice. Here’s something I published from her on, guess what, Palestinian marginalisation. meanjin.com.au/latest/the-g...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
'Abdel-Fattah accuses board of ‘blatant and shameless’ anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, as other authors pull out in solidarity'
Adelaide festival drops prominent academic Randa Abdel-Fattah over ‘cultural sensitivity’ concerns after Bondi attack
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Adelaide festival drops prominent academic Randa Abdel-Fattah over ‘cultural sensitivity’ concerns after Bondi attack
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Adelaide festival dumps prominent academic Randa Abdel-Fattah over ‘cultural sensitivity’ concerns after Bondi attack
Abdel-Fattah accuses the board of ‘blatant and shameless’ anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, as other authors pull out in solidarity
www.theguardian.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:56 AM
'Abdel-Fattah accuses board of ‘blatant and shameless’ anti-Palestinian racism and censorship, as other authors pull out in solidarity'
Adelaide festival drops prominent academic Randa Abdel-Fattah over ‘cultural sensitivity’ concerns after Bondi attack
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Adelaide festival drops prominent academic Randa Abdel-Fattah over ‘cultural sensitivity’ concerns after Bondi attack
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Libraries, museums & festivals getting trashed by cuts & because so many boards now stacked with business people, ex-politicians, incompetents & toadies & one or no arts reps. More & more public & iconic cultural institutions have been taken over, charters abandoned; now being wrecked from the top.
This is just the start of the backlash
Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped
After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.
www.abc.net.au
January 8, 2026 at 6:58 AM
Libraries, museums & festivals getting trashed by cuts & because so many boards now stacked with business people, ex-politicians, incompetents & toadies & one or no arts reps. More & more public & iconic cultural institutions have been taken over, charters abandoned; now being wrecked from the top.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Why is the media staying silent about more than a thousand rank-and-file Labor members calling on the govt to rescind its invitation to Israeli Pres Herzog?
Is it bcoz they’re too busy making noise about a small group of former Labor MPs calling for a Royal Commission? #auspol
Is it bcoz they’re too busy making noise about a small group of former Labor MPs calling for a Royal Commission? #auspol
January 8, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Hard to disagree with any of this
January 8, 2026 at 6:12 AM
Hard to disagree with any of this
Reposted by Michael Barnes
4/ Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s statement on her cancellation from Adelaide Writers Week:
January 8, 2026 at 6:55 AM
4/ Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s statement on her cancellation from Adelaide Writers Week:
Reposted by Michael Barnes
3/ Props to Michelle de Kretser, Melissa Lucashenko, Peter Greste, Yanis Varoufakis, Evelyn Araluen, Amy McQuire, Clare Wright, Chelsea Watego, Bernadette Brennan & Amy Remeikis.
And counting ...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
And counting ...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Authors withdraw from festival after Palestinian Australian author dropped
After Randa Abdel-Fattah was dropped from Adelaide Writers' Week by the Adelaide Festival Board, a slew of authors, including Michelle de Kretser, have withdrawn from the event.
www.abc.net.au
January 8, 2026 at 6:46 AM
3/ Props to Michelle de Kretser, Melissa Lucashenko, Peter Greste, Yanis Varoufakis, Evelyn Araluen, Amy McQuire, Clare Wright, Chelsea Watego, Bernadette Brennan & Amy Remeikis.
And counting ...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
And counting ...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Bendigo Writers Festival: shoots self in foot
Adelaide Writers Festival: hold my beer
Adelaide Writers Festival: hold my beer
January 8, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Bendigo Writers Festival: shoots self in foot
Adelaide Writers Festival: hold my beer
Adelaide Writers Festival: hold my beer
Reposted by Michael Barnes
The US should not be allowed to host any international competitions in any sport until we stop doing this. This includes the Olympics.
January 8, 2026 at 2:30 AM
The US should not be allowed to host any international competitions in any sport until we stop doing this. This includes the Olympics.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
"Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"Americans have been dragged, tackled, beaten, tased and shot by immigration agents.
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
They’ve had their necks kneeled on.
They’ve been held outside in the rain while in their underwear.
At least three citizens were pregnant when agents detained them."
(Published Oct. 2025)
Current Australian Labor Party policy announced
"The argument in favor of voting for the lesser evil is frequently made in good faith, by people who have plenty to lose should the greater evil win. But it also establishes the lowest of benchmarks: Want my vote? Be less monstrous than the monsters."
~Omar El Akkad
~Omar El Akkad
January 7, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Current Australian Labor Party policy announced
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Australia has held more than two dozen royal commissions since 1980. Few have delivered lasting reform.
After Bondi, it’s worth asking what these inquiries actually achieve – and what they don’t – writes Crispin Hull.
#auspol #RoyalCommission #Bondi #PublicAccountability
After Bondi, it’s worth asking what these inquiries actually achieve – and what they don’t – writes Crispin Hull.
#auspol #RoyalCommission #Bondi #PublicAccountability
We've had 26 royal commissions. Their failures should caution us against a repeat
Calls for a royal commission after the Bondi shootings reflect public anger and distrust, but decades of experience suggest such inquiries rarely deliver lasting reform or accountability.
johnmenadue.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Australia has held more than two dozen royal commissions since 1980. Few have delivered lasting reform.
After Bondi, it’s worth asking what these inquiries actually achieve – and what they don’t – writes Crispin Hull.
#auspol #RoyalCommission #Bondi #PublicAccountability
After Bondi, it’s worth asking what these inquiries actually achieve – and what they don’t – writes Crispin Hull.
#auspol #RoyalCommission #Bondi #PublicAccountability
Reposted by Michael Barnes
January 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Liberals: No but Obama did it for the *right* reasons.
January 6, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Liberals: No but Obama did it for the *right* reasons.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
"Grok’s deepfake images which ‘digitally undress’ women investigated by Australia’s online safety watchdog"
@albomp.bsky.social uses Grok/X as his primary social media platform.
Until the Prime Minister and the rest of government gets off X, the opinion of eSafety Australia is meaningless
@albomp.bsky.social uses Grok/X as his primary social media platform.
Until the Prime Minister and the rest of government gets off X, the opinion of eSafety Australia is meaningless
Grok’s deepfake images which ‘digitally undress’ women investigated by Australia’s online safety watchdog
eSafety Australia says it ‘has received several reports relating to the use of Grok to generate sexualised images without consent’ since late 2025
www.theguardian.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:25 AM
"Grok’s deepfake images which ‘digitally undress’ women investigated by Australia’s online safety watchdog"
@albomp.bsky.social uses Grok/X as his primary social media platform.
Until the Prime Minister and the rest of government gets off X, the opinion of eSafety Australia is meaningless
@albomp.bsky.social uses Grok/X as his primary social media platform.
Until the Prime Minister and the rest of government gets off X, the opinion of eSafety Australia is meaningless
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Completely unsurprising that the Ley Opposition does not consider anti-LGBTIQ+ hatred (or other forms of prejudice like ableism or misogyny) to be as serious, or worthy of a response, as racial and (some forms of) religious hatred.
#auslaw #auspol
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
#auslaw #auspol
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Coalition doesn’t ‘need to see’ sexuality protections in hate speech reforms, says Ley
The opposition leader says reforms to the country’s vilification laws must be focused solely on Islamic extremism and antisemitism.
www.smh.com.au
January 7, 2026 at 5:51 AM
Completely unsurprising that the Ley Opposition does not consider anti-LGBTIQ+ hatred (or other forms of prejudice like ableism or misogyny) to be as serious, or worthy of a response, as racial and (some forms of) religious hatred.
#auslaw #auspol
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
#auslaw #auspol
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...