Since it appears we’ve had a reprieve from Armageddon and can live to fight another day, now feels like a good time to re-up this recent piece of mine, teasing out the necessity and limits of left populism.
What do we do if our movement critiques the system as broken but needs the system to work?
I just subscribed to follow the Australian delegation of Global Sumud Flotilla. Get updates and action alerts to stand up for Gaza straight to your inbox here: actionnetwork.org/forms/follow...
The Israeli Ambassador is speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra today. I hope someone asks the Club why are you hosting a talk by a representative of a genocidal regime that has been directly targeting journalists in Gaza and Lebanon?
If the Albanese Government had introduced a 25% gas export tax when it was first elected, it would have raised more than $63 billion!
Free childcare or free uni shouldn't be a pipe dream.
If big gas paid its fair share, Australians would be better off.
@grogsgamut.bsky.social #auspol
Re-watched: "Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story" @Netflix
At one point the coppers said: "We only have the women's accounts. We need more."
Sound familiar? #epsteinfiles
After Labor voted down a Greens proposal to implement such a windfall tax. Looks like they may be pushed into it kicking and screaming.
They seem to employ or use as candidates the dodgiest of men. And Pauline is a protector of DV perpetrators.
Chart showing Profit and wages of oil and gas, compared to administration and support Admin and support: Wages $64.3bn; Profits $13.1bn Oil and gas: Wages $4bn; Profits $71.6bn
You'll often hear how the gas industry is vital for Australia because it's so big. But really the only thing big about it is its profits.
Zack Polanskis economic agenda is dangerous....and popular
I said "And this sustained project of privatisation and deregulation turned Britain from a place which made things people need to a place which made money for people who owned things."
And the City said:
"Women are not seen as human beings. We’re just seen as sex objects." Dolores Huerta, the co-founder of the United Farm Workers, described her relationship with Cesar Chavez, the night he raped her and the challenges she faced as a woman in the machismo culture of the movement.
Spain's renewables build-out has structurally decoupled its electricity prices from gas markets. Gas now sets the price in only 15% of hours, compared to 90% in Italy.
Countries that invested early in clean power are far less exposed to fossil fuel price shocks. Those that didn't now pay the price.
This is so adorable.
Possum found nestled in with plush toys at airport gift shop in Tasmania www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
This is utter garbage. I believe in net zero. We need to get there. But renewables are not competitive. That's why they are subsidised. Fossil fuel markets are highly competitive. It shouldn't be hard to hold these two thoughts at the same time.
You might have formed the impression that Paul Johnson, former director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, knows what he's talking about. The media treats him like the voice of God. But here he is - and not for the first time - talking out of his hat. Let's break it down in a short thread. 🧵
Is government’s focus on banning certain phrases a distraction from what we should really be talking about? Another insightful post from @timhollo.bsky.social
in-between-days.ghost.io/globalise-th...
We should be taxing the fuckers into the ground.
War profiteering used to be a bad thing…
www.afr.com/companies/en...
And still our govt approves new coal and gas plants.
“Research shows that several Earth system components may be closer to destabilising than once believed…While the exact risk is uncertain, it is clear that current climate [action] commitments are insufficient.”
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Such a massive loss. Feel very sad about it. Condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad to share the news of this legend of Australian political cartooning, and art. Dear Jon Kudelka has died, and we will be the poorer and more dull for his passing.
Sending love and condolences to his family.
What a legacy of scorching wit and joyful capturing of life he leaves.
After being held in solitary confinement for over 1800 days, pro democracy media owner Jimmy Lai, 78, is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...
Epstein files reveal murkiness in Oz:
Steve Bannon’s claim that he orchestrated Clive Palmer’s 2019 campaign against Labor throws new light on the extent of interference by the US far right. (Gift link)
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/22538/...
Highly recommend this political and philosophical writing by @timhollo.bsky.social where he contemplates the space our world is currently struggling in “between the no longer and the not yet". Worth signing up to.
in-between-days.ghost.io/about/
We don’t welcome racist supremacist hate to our country.
We come together in solidarity, against oppression, on stolen land.
Join your local protest against the genocidal Isaac Herzog’s visit to Australia.
Monday 9 Feb. More towns TBC.
The breakup note #auspol #coalition #socialcohesion
Our Attorney-General’s willingness to surrender a fellow Australian to a dysfunctional foreign power with a deeply suspect justice system broke my faith in Australian government, writes Michael Pascoe.
michaelwest.com.au/rendering-an...
As of today, Dan Duggan has spent in 3 years, 2 months and 11 days in prison without any local charges against his name. And Attorney-General Michelle Rowland shows no sign of halting this outrageously cruel treatment of an Australian citizen.
www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/dan-dug...
The Assange film which won Cannes festival’s L’Œil d’or prize for best documentary has struggled to get deals with streamers which its director puts down to their fear of the Trump administration.
www.screendaily.com/features/the...
I reacted to both - tired and achy for a couple of days. But well worth it if it stops me getting Shingles.
“Australia’s children deserve the truth about climate change."
New Comms Declare research shows that the Queensland Museum is delivering Shell-branded educational materials that distort or omit fundamental climate science.
➡️ Read Lisa Wills' full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
