A month on from this being published… Have we now witnessed the visible iceberg tip of these shadowy international networks via Hanson’s UK trip?

Alex Fein@auspoldaily.bsky.social · 2mo ago

@brenthodgson.bsky.social and @aaronsmith333.bsky.social, are you able to work your social media magic here and on the evil place (aka X, where I'm basically invisible) to spread the word on this Substack? Thanks so much!! redbridgeintel.substack.com/p/call-it-wh...

This headline reads like a Cards Against Humanity prompt: “Will _______ be the ______ of our time?” Fill in the blanks.

Pat McCaffrie@patmccaffrie.bsky.social · 2mo ago

If Uhlmann was employed by anyone other than The Oz, his boss would see this and ask him to seek medical help.

Thanks to @brenthodgson.bsky.social for drawing our attention to the author of the whacky headline at the AFR. (Got to get my library app going again.) This is the IPA drone who was put onto the ABC panel to defend billionaires from @purplepingers.bsky.social Cian worked for Gina. #Auspol

School picture day vibes

Two great campaigns wrapped up tonight - and results are coming in. Well done to Clare Glade-Wright and the Voices of Tasmania community in Huon (28% primary) And so too to Tracee Hutchison in Nepean (VIC) with Indies for MP (21% primary) (CGW a potential win; TH a likely 2CP)

She’s still just a baby…

“[Hopper] confirms that the courts will occasionally police the most blatant forms of self‑dealing [by the major parties]—and boy, you don’t get much more blatant than what the Victorian Government tried here.” tdunlop.substack.com/p/careful-wh...

Careful what you fish for

Campaign finance law is still failing to reflect the wishes of an electorate that has moved beyond legacy-party politics

tdunlop.substack.com

Big news! The High Court has struck out the entire web of major-party-entrenching electoral funding laws in Victoria. The move sends Sect 12 of Electoral Act back to parliament for re-drafting – and sets a precedent that informs a 2nd challenge to Fed laws. theconversation.com/high-court-t...

High Court takes an axe to Victoria’s political donations laws - and it will make federal MPs nervous

The High Court has rendered invalid an entire part of Victoria’s Electoral Act because it favours major parties at the expense of independents and smaller parties.

theconversation.com

Not sure they’re called heartstrings if you’re less worried about the unarmed people shot/killed than the man who allegedly shot/killed them

Tim Dunlop@timdunlop.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Just in case you were in any doubt that JWH is amongst the most disgusting individuals to ever occupy public office in this country www.9news.com.au/national/ben...

Zoomies!

Beware of the Dog?

Day 2 of #Progress2026

Victorian? Concession card holder? (Health Care, Pensioners, or Veterans Affairs cards) The VIC Govt scheme that gives $100 for comparing your electricity bill to find cheaper options closes 31 March compare.energy.vic.gov.au Worth getting onto if you’re eligible.

“Treaty is about ensuring the next generation inherits something stronger, fairer and more truthful.”

Here’s @wilstracke.bsky.social talking about the need to make the tent bigger, not smaller, by bringing different people together and by being strategic enough to find the values we share.

Commencing #Progress2026 On stage is Jamila Rizvi discussing the event’s shared vision for more inclusive, equal and just society.

Brent Hodgson@brenthodgson.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Heading to @ausprogress.bsky.social’s #Progress2026 today. Plenty of folk I know “offline” will be there – but how about Bsky’ers? Will you be there too?

Heading to @ausprogress.bsky.social’s #Progress2026 today. Plenty of folk I know “offline” will be there – but how about Bsky’ers? Will you be there too?

A good friend points out this is not “from nowhere”… That it’s been getting closer and closer each election - with the seats of Calare and Clark both very close to “IND v IND” or “IND v Minor Party” contests in 2025.

Brent Hodgson@brenthodgson.bsky.social · 5mo ago

The Farrer by-election is on-track to become a contest between IND Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation. If this eventuates, it’ll be an extremely rare result: One of only a few times in history that two candidates with no links to Labor, the Coalition, or their forebears finished #1 and #2.

New Australia Institute research finds state and federal subsidies for coal, gas and oil products increased 10% in past year, growing at a faster pace than funding to the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS). Read more: https://theaus.in/3P2fV38

The Farrer by-election is on-track to become a contest between IND Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation. If this eventuates, it’ll be an extremely rare result: One of only a few times in history that two candidates with no links to Labor, the Coalition, or their forebears finished #1 and #2.

With polls not far off closing in Nightcliff, well done to @philscott4nc.bsky.social on an exceptional campaign in a very short by-election.

😂 ex-One Nation campaign director Craig Kelly showing PHON’s big-city arrogance. 1. Rural INDs have run & won in orange in Albury-Wodonga region since 2013: -before Pauline in Senate (2016) -before PHON reg’d in NSW (2018) -before PHON contested Indi/Farrer (2022) -before “teals” existed (2022)

Niki Savva on how Farrer is shaping up to be a two-horse race between One Nation and independent Michelle Milthorpe. (In her view, this leaves the Liberals at a crossroads: should they put One Nation last as they once did, or become “One Nation Lite”?) www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...

Farrer byelection: One Nation may well win Sussan Ley’s seat – that would be terrible for all of us

Smart Liberals believe the coming Farrer byelection could be a two-horse race, with neither horse wearing Liberal or National colours. That would be bad enough. What would be worse, for everyone, is i...

smh.com.au

The Liberal Election Review contains 35 mentions of “Labor”, 42 of “ALP”, but 52 of “teal”. You’d assume a functional Opposition would be FAR more interested in the Government’s ~18 seat majority than ~6 members of the crossbench. (Interesting analysis by @browne90.bsky.social below.)

In case you thought the housing crisis couldn’t get any worse… Here’s the CIS advocating for big business to take a bigger role in the rental sector as build-to-rent institutional landlords:

I like what she proposes around planning laws too. It won't solve the housing shortage, but it will take pressure off it quickly. I think a clever idea. Best of luck to Clare Glade-Wright, Independent for Huon (upper house TAS) on May 2nd! www.facebook.com/reel/1570192...

4.3K views · 93 reactions | With sensible updates to planning laws and the building code to recognise tiny homes as a distinct housing type, tiny houses could help ease Tasmania’s housing crisis and c...

With sensible updates to planning laws and the building code to recognise tiny homes as a distinct housing type, tiny houses could help ease Tasmania’s housing crisis and cost-of-living pressures....

facebook.com

Slam! News Australia@slamnewsau.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Community group Voices of Franklin has endorsed Kingborough Deputy Mayor Clare Glade-Wright for the Legislative Council elections, praising her focus on “radical transparency” and grassroots democracy. #news #tasmania #politas

“The time for action is now. The ongoing delays torment those who are losing their jobs, livelihoods or simply remaining silent due to a lack of protection and support. When whistleblowers don’t speak up, everyone suffers." Read the full article: https://theaus.in/4bYxw5y

My new out of office message

Just $278,872 was spent in Farrer by c-IND @michellemilthorpe.bsky.social – who won the major pop’n centre of Albury 2CP. A small IND campaign scaling up; retiring sitting LIB; and ON splitting LIB votes would all help narrow the 6.2% margin – potentially adding another c-IND to parliament.

He’s not wrong.