Stephen McDonald

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested at Sandringham estate Former prince arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office

I suppose he is quite fortunate that it isn’t France 1789……

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026...

A few weeks of X’s algorithm can make you more right-wing – and it doesn’t wear off quickly Elon Musk’s social media platform is boosting conservative content – and it’s having long-lasting effects on how users see the world.

theconversation.com/a-few-weeks-...

Not sure - I didn’t follow estimates this time around but I’d like to know if @davidshoebridge.bsky.social or @davidpocock.bsky.social raised it or plan on doing so

Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.

How has this not been picked up more by the media? There is zero justification for the use of thermobaric weapons on civilians or civilian populated areas.

Why were questions not asked in Parliament last week?

@australia.theguardian.com

www.aljazeera.com/features/202...

Trump’s 'Peace Board' is imperialism in a new suit Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” is framed as a peace initiative, but it centralises authority, sidelines the vulnerable and rewards coercion. Australia should reject it rather than lend it legitimac...

"The Palestinian victims of genocide in Gaza will not be on the Board, but a genocidal leader, the indicted war criminal Prime Minister Netanyahu has gladly accepted the invitation.

The value of thuggery is underlined. Abusive power must rule." #GazaGenocide
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...

A heated dispute is playing out in Victoria over the CFA’s funding. What’s really going on? The opposition claims Labor has cut funding for the fire service, but the premier maintains support has increased and accused opponents of ‘conspiracy theories’. Here’s what the annual report tells us

Thank you @australia.theguardian.com @benitakolovos.bsky.social for a good analysis www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Laura Tingle with a bit of Australian understatement:
“It’s not really legal to nick someone else’s head of state.”

One hour and fifteen minutes until Christmas Day in my patch - Merry Christmas / Festivus to everyone.

Just 0.001% hold three times the wealth of poorest half of humanity, report finds Data from World Inequality Report also showed top 10% of income-earners earn more than the other 90%

www.theguardian.com/inequality/2...

The IEA blows up claims that weather dependent variable energy resources have a greater cost impact on bills.

Well done #canada and good luck against #england #womensrugby #rugby

My statement formally recognising the State of Palestine.

Reminder that I'm hosting a new podcast at @issuesinst.bsky.social where I basically invited a bunch of my friends who work in really interesting areas and we talk about what they do with a lens of disaster studies and speculative fiction. The conversations have been amazing!

The great thing about commentary like this is that it is so absurd it renders counter views meaningless - and frankly reinforces the utter pointlessness of trying to engage people such as Rowan in any sensible discussion as an exercise in oxygen theft.

I’ve reached the same conclusion. Happy to support free speech and respectful debate but don’t want to waste energy, time or intellect on trolls, fascists or bots.

THIS SEEMS RELEVANT

‘We took the gloves off’: ex-IDF chief confirms Gaza casualties over 200,000 Retired general Herzi Halevi says ‘not once’ had legal advice constrained Israel’s military decisions in the strip

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

Mark Howden presenting in the current state of #climate science and what it means for #farming at the Farmers for Climate Action Farming Forever National Summit.

The data is beyond confronting.

It’s been a while but great to be back in #Canberra for the #Farmers for Climate Action Farming Forever National Summit - reconnecting with Ellie Corley always brings me joy.

Looking forward to making connections and talking #renewables, #agriculture, and many other topics!

My daughter found this on my timeline from 2014. A decade later and children are still being killed. As horrific as the attacks almost two years ago were don’t pretend this all started on October 7th 2023. #gaza #israel

Perhaps, but it would likely be more reflective of the Australian and community context - as well as encourage local orgs and experts to engage more in these opportunities instead of throwing cash at one of the Big Four consulting firms

"We are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to conserve water in these dry conditions. Simple, everyday choices – such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails – also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife."

HOW TO SAVE WATER AT HOME Install a rain butt to collect rainwater to use in the garden. Fix a leaking toilet – leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day. Use water from the kitchen to water your plants. Avoid watering your lawn – brown grass will grow back healthy. Turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving. Take shorter showers. Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.

ACTUAL UK GOVERNMENT ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH WATER SHORTAGES:

> Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

from the office of @emmahardymp.bsky.social

This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing. | MSF MSF's frontline medical testimony on systematic mass casualties from GHF sites in Gaza, Palestine.

From MSF www.msf.org/not-aid-orch...

Labor asks Deloitte to design universal childcare system as PM eyes political legacy Exclusive: Government could redirect billions in existing spending on the childcare subsidy and introduce a daily flat fee for families

@albomp.bsky.social agree with need to do comprehensive overhaul of childcare, not sure you picked the best way - plenty of local experts, SME consulting firms, not-for-profits could do this - the big global consulting firms could contribute some useful insights

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

@davidpocock.bsky.social @davidshoebridge.bsky.social @senatorvarunghosh.bsky.social now here is an idea worth looking at

Thinking of friends, former colleagues and communities across the Pacific this morning whilst trying to suppress the memories of 2011 - stay safe and move to higher ground if you are in a warning areas #tsunami

Cripes, she is brilliant. No wonder she annoys the hell out of the mendacious right wing bigots

The characteristics of those who would pay Division 296 taxation Some public commentary tends to suggest that the main categories of individuals impacted by the proposed tax are current and retired farmers and elderly widows who like to punt big on tech stocks. The reality is quite different. It would be much more accurate to categorise those more commonly affected by the proposed tax as being older wealthy males living in affluent areas of capital cities or affluent retirement regions who have never had anything to do with primary production or the only connection is owning a boutique winery that is run at a tax loss. The ATO sample of individual taxpayer data can be used to estimate the characteristics of those would be affected by the new tax as the unit record data includes both superannuation balance and other demographic and financial data. ASFA analysis of that data indicates that in terms of national split of those likely to be affected, around 40 per cent of the total affected are female and 60 per cent male. Those affected are relatively old, with 85 per cent aged over 60 with 46 per cent aged over 70. As such many of the group would be receiving tax free income from superannuation and currently tax free investment earnings on their superannuation balance up to the level of the Transfer Balance Cap. However, not all are retired, with around 30 per cent receiving wage and salary income, and with around 5 per cent having wage and salary income over $200,000 a year. Around 5 per cent of those with over $3 million in superannuation have farm income either direct or through trust or partnership distribution, but in many cases it is not substantial, with other income received. At least some of those with farm income live in inner capital cities and could be described as Pitt Street or Collins Street farmers.

We always hear that farmers will be smashed by the super tax changes.

But last year ASFA noted that "The reality is quite different"
"nothing to do with primary production or the only connection is owning a boutique winery that is run at a tax loss." 😬
www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/u...

On National Centrism ‘Starmerism’ has been defined by absence rather than a firm plan for government. Now the Labour leadership is tending towards passive acceptance of the nationalist spirit of the age.

tribunemag.co.uk/2025/06/on-n...

We are sleepwalking into the Age of Mediocrity and governance without purpose.

On National Centrism ‘Starmerism’ has been defined by absence rather than a firm plan for government. Now the Labour leadership is tending towards passive acceptance of the nationalist spirit of the age.

Juliano Fiori has written an excellent piece on the Starmer Government - favourite quote is “Starmer’s utter lack of conviction is his only remarkable feature, and his awkward efforts to feign some kind of political solidity appear idiosyncratic in an age of performative authenticity.”