The major parties several chances to meet the moment. Instead they chose to safeguard their collective mediocrity Labor & the Coalition united 3 times to defy the expressed desire of the voters; on gambling, on disability and on the power of the tech companies www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

The major parties several chances to meet the moment. Instead they chose to safeguard their collective mediocrity | Zoe Daniel

Labor and the Coalition united three times to defy the expressed desire of the voters; on gambling, on disability and on the power of the tech companies

theguardian.com

ABC 4Corners on Monday August 24 at 8:30pm - VIDEO: Access All Areas "Lobbyists have been a feature of the political landscape for decades, but their numbers have never been greater and, according to some critics, neither has their access and influence."

Access All Areas

Four Corners is the home of Australian investigative journalism.

abc.net.au

A NSW Supreme Court judgement distinguishes criticism of Israel from antisemitism, challenging the IHRA definition Justice Fagan criticises the IHRA definition that aims to silence criticism of Israel, emphasising the importance of freedom of speech johnmenadue.com/post/2026/08...

A judgment that challenges the IHRA definition of antisemitism

A NSW Supreme Court judgment has sharply distinguished criticism of Israel from antisemitism, raising important questions about the IHRA definition and its use by governments and institutions.

johnmenadue.com

See the climactic scene of “Taken.”

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4d ago

"Ossoff painted a picture of Trump flying obliviously in Middle Eastern-supplied luxury, his every need and indulgence fulfilled like some oleaginous sultan. That image contrasts sharply with his MAGA cult's depiction of a bandana-wearing Rambo delivering rough justice." — @schaller67.bsky.social

Sarah Hanson-Young has absolutely shredded Angus Taylor for turning into Albanese’s “lapdog” & capitulating on gambling reform “How pathetic! What an absolute stitch up!”💥 “Angus Taylor looks more like Toto, than he does the leader of the Opposition”🔥 Brutal stuff.

Joint statement from the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Canada. No Australian support here 😡

#OutRaged …. sure #penny if you are so outraged … impose sanctions expel the ambassador stop supplying intel to #warMonger lets see how outraged you really are ??!! all talk no action Penny #auspol

ABC News Australia@news.abc.net.au · 6d ago

Federal politics live: Wong 'outraged' after IDF soldiers cleared over Zomi Frankcom killing

Anyway, a reminder. Fuel Tax Credits over the next 4 years will cost the Govt $47bn. The savings from the cuts to the NDIS is $38bn. Gillard in 2010: "Budgets are about choices, and you show what you value through the choices you make" Indeed.

Greg Jericho@grogsgamut.bsky.social · last wk.

Why "social, economic and community participation" and "improved daily living skills"? Because (according the legislation) they apparently don't "affect supports that are essential to a participant’s health, safety or continuous care needs" Yep living skills are not essential to health or safety.

Australia knows the climate risk – and keeps waiting https://pearlsandirritations.com/e/daily/2026-08-19/475714/ #Auspol

Australia knows the climate risk – and keeps waiting

Australians increasingly accept that climate change is real, yet governments continue approving fossil fuel expansion and development in known risk zones. The longer action is delayed, the harder and costlier it becomes.

pearlsandirritations.com

Most of the time, those going around labelling others as communists, socialists etc, don’t actually know the differences. Thanks to Purple Room Politics for the brief update … maybe it will help. #auspol

The @meidastouch.com ⁦‪reporting on USA military preparedness (or not!!) Holy shit … the US, & any allies that are left, need to hear this update from senior personnel on troop & weapon availability. Listen from 32.40 podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

MeidasTouch Full Podcast - 8/18/26

Podcast Episode · The MeidasTouch Podcast · 18 August · 1hr 26min

podcasts.apple.com

This data centre features a 9.2 gigawatt fossil fuel power station Annually it'll pump out around 30 MTCO2-e. Same as - 8 coal plants - 9.2 million cars - Destroying 20 million hectares of forest - Half a percent of America's total national emissions drawdown.org/carbon-in-co...

Axios@axios.com · last wk.

NEW: OpenAI announces massive Ohio data center with Nvidia guarantee

Two thirds of articles about the wildfires didn't mention climate change. Once again parts of our media are failing at the most basic part of their job - reporting the truth. uk.themedialeader.com/two-thirds-o...

Two-thirds of UK news articles about wildfires this summer haven't mentioned climate change

Analysis from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit adds to concerns that national newspapers are failing to link this summer's extreme weather to climate change and the net-zero policies necessary to mitigate its drastic effects.

uk.themedialeader.com

Folks: here's a meaty long read for you on how Australia's data centre industry lobbied (successfully) to kill regulations that would force them to cover their new demand with renewables And how (this is spicy) the desire within some climate/energy spaces to see data centres as 'cleantech' helped

How Australia’s data centre lobby is winning its fight to to freely pollute

Data centre greenwashing is getting worse, alongside the tech industry’s hunger for fossil fuels. Why help them?

ketanjoshi.co

The danger keeps getting worse!

Ron Filipkowski@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · last wk.

For the first time in US history, America betrays South Korea, one of our closest allies for over 75 years. These exercises in various forms have taken place every year since 1974.

Australia has a hierarchy of grief. And a hierarchy of racisms. #auspol

Michael West@michaelwestbiz.bsky.social · last wk.

First Nations witnesses brought Parliament evidence of a terrorist bomb, death threats and lives disfigured by racism. Governments sent empty chairs. The media supplied silence. Andrew Brown #auspol michaelwest.com.au/first-nation...

Jillian Segal holds power over what Australians may say, teach, report & believe. No election gave it to her. No Parliament ratified it. Nothing like her office has existed in the federation. We didn’t ask for this. #auspol Via Makayim.2024 michaelwest.com.au/the-segal-st...

The Segal State: the office Australia never voted for - Michael West

Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal holds power over what Australians may say, teach, report and believe. No election gave it her. Andrew Brown

michaelwest.com.au

So there it is ... The Duopoly effectively sold out our sovereignty We're the pawns and it's costing us $380Bn+ so that Marles has a cushy post politics consultancy That's what Labor has delivered

I don't even need to say it really but....this is very good :) :)

the Juice Media@thejuicemedia.com · 2w ago

The Government™ has made an ad about Ai Data Centres, and it’s surprisingly honest and informative.

Trump is just a nasty liar…

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 2w ago

Trump, who clearly feels he isn't getting enough attention this morning, lies that "the U.S.A. has total control over over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT! ... Praise be to Allah!" Completely demented.

No access. My @smh cartoon.

The real Anthony Albanese — Power Without Purpose. @newpolitics.bsky.social an excellent summary of the Australian government and why so many of us are disappointed in @australianlabor.bsky.social #auspol podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/n...

If you’re interested in the reasons why the hard right are rising in the UK, Australia and US, I highly recommend listening to Van Badham’s interview with UK Labour councillor Peter Marshall. It’s a fascinating but also really concerning discussion 😬 podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

Episode 180: Fascist Versus Bin, Britain Has a New PM… and How to Feed a Thirsty Bee”

Podcast Episode · "The Week on Wednesday" with Van Badham & Ben Davison · 4 August · 1hr 9min

podcasts.apple.com

"Segal obtained dozens of emails through a public records request, revealing a pressure campaign on university officials by donors, legislators and pro-Israel activists. The documents ... reveal how the university shifted from defending Segal to eventually walking back their decision to hire him."

Guardian US@us.theguardian.com · 3w ago

The University of Minnesota withdrew an offer from Raz Segal to lead its Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies after an organized campaign against his hiring

Albanese & Labor … so frustrating and lame. They’re definitely not governing in the interests of Australians. I would suggest a vote of no confidence. I expect to vote either #Greens or #Independent next election. #auspol

Deepcut News@deepcutnews.bsky.social · 3w ago

Anthony Albanese – the great Australian sellout. From salmon to supermarkets, gas to gambling – we detected a pattern. Albanese consistently backs powerful lobbyists. www.deepcutnews.com/p/albaneses-...

The #AI revolt is here. An overwhelming majority of Americans say they’d oppose a data center being built near where they live. podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/t...

The A.I. Revolt Is Here

Podcast Episode · The Ezra Klein Show · 4 August · 1hr 18min

podcasts.apple.com

Wilson has thus far been utterly useless as shadow Treasurer; hilariously inept at times.

Kim@trinity888.bsky.social · 3w ago

Ummm, is the SMH suggesting Tim Wilson is Jesus? #auspol

Quite telling how every argument for AI data centers is transparent bullshit. It creates no lasting jobs or population movement at all. Literally no reason for any place to allow it unless the community extracts massive perpetual cash payments in return.

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com · 4w ago

Hassett: "Data centers are very good for towns bc they create so many jobs & bring people in with high incomes that can buy houses & stuff like that. So if you take a sleepy town that hasn't seen much in the last 30 years & put a data center there, there are gonna be a bunch of happy residents."

“The policy-making structure is effectively posting to Truth Social & seeing if the gathered Nazis reply w/ likes or jeers. If the first, leave the post up. If the second, reverse course & chastise your aides. If neither, whine about how everyone is unfair to you & it’s all really Biden’s fault.”

The Saudi nuclear farce and governance by whim and meme

Trump has made the word of the US government worthless.

publicnotice.co