Laurie Patton
@theluckygeneral.bsky.social
Public interest advocate | ‘Recovering journalist’, media executive | Marine Rescue NSW volunteer | “Once a rooster, now just a feather duster” | Reposts & likes ≠ endorsement!!!
As I’ve previously noted, Australia ranks 14th globally on net average nominal GDP. We are a rich nation with an unconscionable imbalance in wealth and income.
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Australia’s inequality isn’t an accident, it’s policy
Inequality keeps growing in Australia because we play by one rule — don't upset the rich.
independentaustralia.net
January 31, 2026 at 5:44 AM
As I’ve previously noted, Australia ranks 14th globally on net average nominal GDP. We are a rich nation with an unconscionable imbalance in wealth and income.
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Reposted by Laurie Patton
In the interest of balance…https://theklaxon.com.au/pro-israel-lobby-attacking-australias-freedoms-louise-adler/
January 30, 2026 at 8:38 AM
In the interest of balance…https://theklaxon.com.au/pro-israel-lobby-attacking-australias-freedoms-louise-adler/
It’s pretty obvious…
“Mr Pearce said life savers on Sunday reported the man found was not wearing a life jacket.
With more hot weather on the way, he is urging all people heading to the coast to swim at patrolled beaches and for rock fishers to wear life jackets.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
“Mr Pearce said life savers on Sunday reported the man found was not wearing a life jacket.
With more hot weather on the way, he is urging all people heading to the coast to swim at patrolled beaches and for rock fishers to wear life jackets.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Second rock fisherman's body recovered on NSW South Coast in 48 hours
A second body has been located during the search for two missing rock fishermen on the South Coast, after police received a missing persons report on Monday.
www.abc.net.au
January 29, 2026 at 5:16 AM
It’s pretty obvious…
“Mr Pearce said life savers on Sunday reported the man found was not wearing a life jacket.
With more hot weather on the way, he is urging all people heading to the coast to swim at patrolled beaches and for rock fishers to wear life jackets.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
“Mr Pearce said life savers on Sunday reported the man found was not wearing a life jacket.
With more hot weather on the way, he is urging all people heading to the coast to swim at patrolled beaches and for rock fishers to wear life jackets.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
If we don’t allow people to vote until they are 18 and assumedly mature enough to make an informed decision, at what age do we assume they’ve lost that ability and take away the right to vote?
January 28, 2026 at 10:36 PM
If we don’t allow people to vote until they are 18 and assumedly mature enough to make an informed decision, at what age do we assume they’ve lost that ability and take away the right to vote?
I figure we should stick with January 26. At least it is one day each year when we acknowledge both the good things about being Australian and the long way we have have to go before everyone has something to celebrate.
January 26, 2026 at 2:21 AM
I figure we should stick with January 26. At least it is one day each year when we acknowledge both the good things about being Australian and the long way we have have to go before everyone has something to celebrate.
Africa has provided the answer. People and lions cannot coexist. Next question?
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Canadian backpacker’s death poses question for Queensland’s K’gari: can dingoes and tourists coexist?
Coroner is yet to determine the cause of death of Piper James, a 19-year-old Canadian woman found surrounded by dingoes on Monday
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Africa has provided the answer. People and lions cannot coexist. Next question?
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“A hate crime is defined as including acts of violence against people based on their race, colour or national or ethnic origin…”
If it applies to crimes relating to non-Jewish communities, why is it titled “Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026”?
theconversation.com/hate-crime-l...
If it applies to crimes relating to non-Jewish communities, why is it titled “Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026”?
theconversation.com/hate-crime-l...
Hate crime laws may have unintended consequences – including chilling free speech
The new laws, which allow ‘hate’ groups to be banned, could also potentially affect people wanting to make legitimate criticisms of a foreign government.
theconversation.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:55 PM
“A hate crime is defined as including acts of violence against people based on their race, colour or national or ethnic origin…”
If it applies to crimes relating to non-Jewish communities, why is it titled “Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026”?
theconversation.com/hate-crime-l...
If it applies to crimes relating to non-Jewish communities, why is it titled “Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Act 2026”?
theconversation.com/hate-crime-l...
Status credits allow public servants to eat free food and drink free grog for which they already receive a daily travel allowance. And secure seat upgrades.
Government departments should be required to spread their travel budgets among Australian-owned airlines - in the interest of competition.
Government departments should be required to spread their travel budgets among Australian-owned airlines - in the interest of competition.
January 23, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Status credits allow public servants to eat free food and drink free grog for which they already receive a daily travel allowance. And secure seat upgrades.
Government departments should be required to spread their travel budgets among Australian-owned airlines - in the interest of competition.
Government departments should be required to spread their travel budgets among Australian-owned airlines - in the interest of competition.
As I’ve been arguing for several years now, we need to better regulate the commercial exploitation of Space.
Australia played a pivotal role in the establishment of an Antarctic Treaty. We should do the same to avoid a future pollution problem in the skies above us.
www.cnet.com/home/interne...
Australia played a pivotal role in the establishment of an Antarctic Treaty. We should do the same to avoid a future pollution problem in the skies above us.
www.cnet.com/home/interne...
I Spoke to Astrophysicists About Starlink’s Expansion. Here’s the Doomsday Scenario Keeping Them Up at Night
Starlink's new FCC approval for 7,500 more satellites aims to boost service and capacity for millions. But at what cost?
www.cnet.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:01 AM
As I’ve been arguing for several years now, we need to better regulate the commercial exploitation of Space.
Australia played a pivotal role in the establishment of an Antarctic Treaty. We should do the same to avoid a future pollution problem in the skies above us.
www.cnet.com/home/interne...
Australia played a pivotal role in the establishment of an Antarctic Treaty. We should do the same to avoid a future pollution problem in the skies above us.
www.cnet.com/home/interne...
Reposted by Laurie Patton
Native forest logging is driving extinction and climate damage
by Bob Debus for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
by Bob Debus for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Native forest logging is driving extinction and climate damage
The revelation that the Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is proposing to log a cloud forest in southern NSW teeming with threatened species is another reminder of the spiralling decline of the nati...
thepoint.com.au
January 23, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Native forest logging is driving extinction and climate damage
by Bob Debus for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
by Bob Debus for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Reposted by Laurie Patton
"OECD says its time to cut the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing" me for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
OECD says its time to cut the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing
The OECD’s annual survey of Australia’s economy this week bluntly noted what most Australians understands very clearly: housing is expensive and in short supply. The report highlighted issues with pla...
thepoint.com.au
January 22, 2026 at 11:01 PM
"OECD says its time to cut the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing" me for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Of course the media is not required to report irrelevant comments from random people just because they have a public profile.
January 21, 2026 at 7:19 AM
Of course the media is not required to report irrelevant comments from random people just because they have a public profile.
IMO our PM should decline to join Trump’s “Board of Peace”. It’s all about US global hegemony - and undermining the work of the UN.
January 21, 2026 at 3:47 AM
IMO our PM should decline to join Trump’s “Board of Peace”. It’s all about US global hegemony - and undermining the work of the UN.
It’s simple. It’s time the founding members of the UN gave up their veto power.
theconversation.com/it-may-not-b...
theconversation.com/it-may-not-b...
It may not be perfect, but history shows Australia cannot turn its back on the UN
Donald Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ has raised questions about whether it is intended as an alternative UN. Australia should be wary of turning its back on the UN now.
theconversation.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:35 PM
It’s simple. It’s time the founding members of the UN gave up their veto power.
theconversation.com/it-may-not-b...
theconversation.com/it-may-not-b...
Australia is the 14th most wealthy country (based on average nominal GDP). However, much of that wealth is held by a small percentage of people. Is it time for a rebalance?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
Taxing the Ultrarich
www.nytimes.com
January 19, 2026 at 10:16 PM
Australia is the 14th most wealthy country (based on average nominal GDP). However, much of that wealth is held by a small percentage of people. Is it time for a rebalance?
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/w...
People don’t like the increasing capital city urbanisation (viz: more highrise apartments).
Decentralisation is happening, ‘coming ready or not’.
We need a national decentralisation policy.
www.indailyqld.com.au/news/just-in...
Decentralisation is happening, ‘coming ready or not’.
We need a national decentralisation policy.
www.indailyqld.com.au/news/just-in...
Great escape to the country squeezing communities - News | InDaily, Inside Queensland
Housing, planning and jobs remain key challenges as country Australia continues to grow six years after the population shift to the regions began.
www.indailyqld.com.au
January 19, 2026 at 3:22 AM
People don’t like the increasing capital city urbanisation (viz: more highrise apartments).
Decentralisation is happening, ‘coming ready or not’.
We need a national decentralisation policy.
www.indailyqld.com.au/news/just-in...
Decentralisation is happening, ‘coming ready or not’.
We need a national decentralisation policy.
www.indailyqld.com.au/news/just-in...
Going boating? Please wear your life jacket - and logon with your local Marine Rescue base. Call up on VHF channel 16 or use the app available for all smart phones.
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/915123...
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/915123...
Life-saving year: Marine Rescue returns nearly 1,000 people to the Shoalhaven and Illawarra shore
Jervis Bay tops rescue stats as Emergency Services Minister praises volunteers.
www.southcoastregister.com.au
January 13, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Going boating? Please wear your life jacket - and logon with your local Marine Rescue base. Call up on VHF channel 16 or use the app available for all smart phones.
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/915123...
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/915123...
”It is about how inflated claims are being used to silence criticism of Israel, criminalise protest, and narrow democratic space… a single individual, identified as a Jewish teenager who made more than 500 calls alleging threats and attacks.”
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
Antisemitism crisis. What is real and what is not - Michael West
Anthony Albanese has announced a Royal Commission into the Bondi Attacks and antisemitism. Is Australia's antisemitism crisis exaggerated?
michaelwest.com.au
January 12, 2026 at 7:08 AM
”It is about how inflated claims are being used to silence criticism of Israel, criminalise protest, and narrow democratic space… a single individual, identified as a Jewish teenager who made more than 500 calls alleging threats and attacks.”
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
I’ve dumped X, have you? So should our government…
January 11, 2026 at 11:32 PM
I’ve dumped X, have you? So should our government…
“The same Australians who condemned the Bondi attack have also condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza. These positions are not contradictory. They are grounded in the same moral principle, that all human life has equal value”.
January 11, 2026 at 11:15 PM
“The same Australians who condemned the Bondi attack have also condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza. These positions are not contradictory. They are grounded in the same moral principle, that all human life has equal value”.
As we all reflect on the decision to hold a national royal commission, just remember that politics is pantomime without the music.
January 8, 2026 at 11:42 PM
As we all reflect on the decision to hold a national royal commission, just remember that politics is pantomime without the music.
OK. We are going to have a Royal Commission. Let’s work hard to ensure it does good rather than stoke the fires of disunity. And let’s not ignore Islamophobia, which is also rife in our country.
January 8, 2026 at 6:12 AM
OK. We are going to have a Royal Commission. Let’s work hard to ensure it does good rather than stoke the fires of disunity. And let’s not ignore Islamophobia, which is also rife in our country.
The manifold failures of 26 Australian Royal Commissions since 1980 to do anything much about the underlying sins, wickedness, and malfeasance that they were supposed to address should caution us against a repeat with the Bondi shootings…
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
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 8, 2026 at 3:04 AM
The manifold failures of 26 Australian Royal Commissions since 1980 to do anything much about the underlying sins, wickedness, and malfeasance that they were supposed to address should caution us against a repeat with the Bondi shootings…
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...