David Sligar
@davidsligar.bsky.social
ex Treasury and min adviser, occasional poster on welfare states and egalitarian public finance. Studying psychology for a change of scene.
chat gpt 5.1 sucks bad.
I asked it to compare to bass pedals, and got this
I asked it to compare to bass pedals, and got this
November 14, 2025 at 7:39 AM
chat gpt 5.1 sucks bad.
I asked it to compare to bass pedals, and got this
I asked it to compare to bass pedals, and got this
favoured categories of worker idpol via differential sentences in the criminal justice system, very cool
November 14, 2025 at 12:28 AM
favoured categories of worker idpol via differential sentences in the criminal justice system, very cool
the 1990s called and wants it’s shitty law and order populism back
November 14, 2025 at 12:26 AM
the 1990s called and wants it’s shitty law and order populism back
this is un-american
Obesity's now on the list of considerations, as well as cancer, & mental health, that may result in denial of an immigrant visa.
"Those who suffer from these medical conditions could become a “public charge,” & drain the nation of its resources, the directive argued."
🧾 nypost.com/2025/11/10/u...
"Those who suffer from these medical conditions could become a “public charge,” & drain the nation of its resources, the directive argued."
🧾 nypost.com/2025/11/10/u...
State Department to allow denial of immigrant visas to those with health issues, including obesity
US State Department guidance could deny immigrant visas for health conditions like obesity.
nypost.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:19 AM
this is un-american
Reposted by David Sligar
Noah Smith’s descent from Respect Econ Blogger Cited By Krugman to … all this … strikes me as a clear cautionary tale about the risks of Being Too Online.
And this downward spiral began before Musk’s Twitter takeover, tho I’m sure the Muskification of Twitter has only made it all worse.
And this downward spiral began before Musk’s Twitter takeover, tho I’m sure the Muskification of Twitter has only made it all worse.
I had no idea what this was about, thankfully, so I did a search and I love this travel site completely dunking on Smith for his... inability to follow basic signage. onemileatatime.com/news/economi...
November 12, 2025 at 1:19 AM
Noah Smith’s descent from Respect Econ Blogger Cited By Krugman to … all this … strikes me as a clear cautionary tale about the risks of Being Too Online.
And this downward spiral began before Musk’s Twitter takeover, tho I’m sure the Muskification of Twitter has only made it all worse.
And this downward spiral began before Musk’s Twitter takeover, tho I’m sure the Muskification of Twitter has only made it all worse.
Cool peace deal.
Does this law authorise execution of Palestinian soldiers for killing IDF when lawfully defending against the invasion of their nation? Of the charts decimation of human rights and international law.
Does this law authorise execution of Palestinian soldiers for killing IDF when lawfully defending against the invasion of their nation? Of the charts decimation of human rights and international law.
Ben Gvir passes out sweets to Knesset members after the first reading for the new law to execute Palestinian prisoners is approved.
November 11, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Cool peace deal.
Does this law authorise execution of Palestinian soldiers for killing IDF when lawfully defending against the invasion of their nation? Of the charts decimation of human rights and international law.
Does this law authorise execution of Palestinian soldiers for killing IDF when lawfully defending against the invasion of their nation? Of the charts decimation of human rights and international law.
NSW’s universal policy instrument: new legislation to ban more protests.
November 11, 2025 at 8:29 AM
NSW’s universal policy instrument: new legislation to ban more protests.
Reposted by David Sligar
about 15 years ago, besties mum was on centerlink, DIDNT live with her bf but they paid a PI to stalk her and because he was at the house more than 3 nights in a row, she got in trouble for it
On the partner income test, a commenter mentioned they knew people who had broken up "on paper". I've heard about this too. Understandable response to a broken system - but it is a risk. Centrelink do investigate and their relationship investigations can be *very* intrusive.
November 11, 2025 at 5:26 AM
about 15 years ago, besties mum was on centerlink, DIDNT live with her bf but they paid a PI to stalk her and because he was at the house more than 3 nights in a row, she got in trouble for it
mcdonalds doesn’t fit the “character” of the area (=working class coded)
So whats going there instead, or will it remain a derelict building?
An inner-north Melbourne council votes against an application from the fast food giant, which is seeking to open a 24-hour outlet on a popular shopping strip that was once named the world's coolest street.
November 11, 2025 at 5:18 AM
mcdonalds doesn’t fit the “character” of the area (=working class coded)
how does anyone get any work done when every app just wants to update all the time
November 11, 2025 at 5:03 AM
how does anyone get any work done when every app just wants to update all the time
Reposted by David Sligar
A lot of people when talking about Gough's economic record seriously underplay how beyond comprehension the 1973 Oil Crisis was.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 10, 2025 at 11:41 PM
A lot of people when talking about Gough's economic record seriously underplay how beyond comprehension the 1973 Oil Crisis was.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by David Sligar
Yeah, no matter how much advocacy work my comrades do, the "bludger" rhetoric has done soo much fucking damage 😔
November 10, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Yeah, no matter how much advocacy work my comrades do, the "bludger" rhetoric has done soo much fucking damage 😔
On the partner income test, a commenter mentioned they knew people who had broken up "on paper". I've heard about this too. Understandable response to a broken system - but it is a risk. Centrelink do investigate and their relationship investigations can be *very* intrusive.
November 10, 2025 at 11:50 PM
On the partner income test, a commenter mentioned they knew people who had broken up "on paper". I've heard about this too. Understandable response to a broken system - but it is a risk. Centrelink do investigate and their relationship investigations can be *very* intrusive.
Reposted by David Sligar
The partner income test perpetuates domestic violence. Victims of domestic violence without their own source of income cannot easily flee a violent partner because the perpetrators' incomes are counted in Centrelink's income tests even after the relationship is terminated.
November 10, 2025 at 10:52 PM
The partner income test perpetuates domestic violence. Victims of domestic violence without their own source of income cannot easily flee a violent partner because the perpetrators' incomes are counted in Centrelink's income tests even after the relationship is terminated.
Reposted by David Sligar
Of course, if you're not a wage earner, you could always create a family trust of somesuch to distribute your income across your dependents so you pay fuck all tax. But then you have to vote for the Nats.
November 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Of course, if you're not a wage earner, you could always create a family trust of somesuch to distribute your income across your dependents so you pay fuck all tax. But then you have to vote for the Nats.
Reposted by David Sligar
Yep, I made a few posts about this on Reddit. Just received a torrent of abuse saying the system isn't the problem, I am (or my partner is). Sick it up.
Amazing what anti welfare propaganda has done to people's brains.
Amazing what anti welfare propaganda has done to people's brains.
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Yep, I made a few posts about this on Reddit. Just received a torrent of abuse saying the system isn't the problem, I am (or my partner is). Sick it up.
Amazing what anti welfare propaganda has done to people's brains.
Amazing what anti welfare propaganda has done to people's brains.
Reposted by David Sligar
This.
Unemployed or disabled adults should have a sense of financial independence.
Unemployed or disabled adults should have a sense of financial independence.
I've long criticised the dehumanising and patriarchal partner income test embedded everywhere in the Australian welfare state. The tax on love really does hurt families, and has a real impact on relationship formation or termination.
www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink...
www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink...
From the Centrelink community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Centrelink community
www.reddit.com
November 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This.
Unemployed or disabled adults should have a sense of financial independence.
Unemployed or disabled adults should have a sense of financial independence.
Australians importing the “abundance” aesthetic is such cultural cringe. We had our technocratic optimism already, the era of microeconomic reform, productivity and growth discourse - all institutionalised.
USA lacks this tradition - so some liberal bloggers made a meme.
USA lacks this tradition - so some liberal bloggers made a meme.
November 9, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Australians importing the “abundance” aesthetic is such cultural cringe. We had our technocratic optimism already, the era of microeconomic reform, productivity and growth discourse - all institutionalised.
USA lacks this tradition - so some liberal bloggers made a meme.
USA lacks this tradition - so some liberal bloggers made a meme.
USA welfare is shit as it is but they’re switching even that off - the bare minimum, literally food for impoverished families with children. sick and evil
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Snap cuts are leaving one in eight Americans hungry. Here’s how you can help
The government shutdown has led to food stamps expiring. People are jumping into action to support their neighbors
www.theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
USA welfare is shit as it is but they’re switching even that off - the bare minimum, literally food for impoverished families with children. sick and evil
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
When riding waves of popularity in Opposition, Starmer had the opportunity to flag a potential need for additional tax. He had another chance immediately after winning "oh no there's an unexpected black hole!". Instead he put his head in the sand, hoping problem would go away.
I thought Starmer was going to fund public services by increasing productivity and growth? As I (and others) said, that’s supply sider cope and delusion.
“Nobody thought a Labour government would have to raise taxes by more than £70bn,” claims one insider in this excellent piece. Shows the problem of the climate of fear in meetings created by some of Starmer’s aides, in that plenty of Labour insiders, did, in fact, think this!
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
When riding waves of popularity in Opposition, Starmer had the opportunity to flag a potential need for additional tax. He had another chance immediately after winning "oh no there's an unexpected black hole!". Instead he put his head in the sand, hoping problem would go away.
Reposted by David Sligar
My husband has a spinal cord injury (so now disabled) since last April. Didn't qualify for DSP but he has NDIS funding (thank goodness).
No point in applying for jobseeker as my (very modest) income is apparently too much for it to be worth all the hassle. So we live off my income. 🫠
No point in applying for jobseeker as my (very modest) income is apparently too much for it to be worth all the hassle. So we live off my income. 🫠
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 AM
My husband has a spinal cord injury (so now disabled) since last April. Didn't qualify for DSP but he has NDIS funding (thank goodness).
No point in applying for jobseeker as my (very modest) income is apparently too much for it to be worth all the hassle. So we live off my income. 🫠
No point in applying for jobseeker as my (very modest) income is apparently too much for it to be worth all the hassle. So we live off my income. 🫠
ladies and gentlemen, the future of australian higher education
November 9, 2025 at 2:52 AM
ladies and gentlemen, the future of australian higher education
how is the partner income test enforced you ask? welcome to the fucking form.
it’s not just sex tho, they’ll also scrutinise whether you eat together, share the washing and so on.
www.pedestrian.tv/news/centrel...
it’s not just sex tho, they’ll also scrutinise whether you eat together, share the washing and so on.
www.pedestrian.tv/news/centrel...
November 9, 2025 at 2:38 AM
how is the partner income test enforced you ask? welcome to the fucking form.
it’s not just sex tho, they’ll also scrutinise whether you eat together, share the washing and so on.
www.pedestrian.tv/news/centrel...
it’s not just sex tho, they’ll also scrutinise whether you eat together, share the washing and so on.
www.pedestrian.tv/news/centrel...