Greg Barns

Foreign fighters for Israel – beyond the reach of Australian law? While the government vows to block the return of Australian women and children from Syria, hundreds of Australians who have served with the Israeli Defence Force face little scrutiny on their return –...

Foreign fighters for Israel – beyond the reach of Australian law? johnmenadue.com/post/2026/02...

I can now 👇reveal👇 why the Govt is resisting the release of information about its process for selecting a site for an #AUKUS ☢️ waste dump. The Albanese Govt are desperate to control the narrative. The public is to be managed! 1/2 #auspol

Save Marcus Now | The Information Rights Project Raising funds to cover David McBride's legal costs and keep his fight for justice and accountability alive.

informationrights.org/take-action/...

Greg Barns (@gregbarns) January 26, Invasion Day - Some Thoughts Tomorrow is termed by European Australians Australia Day.  But the historically and legally accurate term is Invasion Day.  We should be working today b...

substack.com/@gregbarns/n...

Lets forget that January 26 marked the beginning of #genocide of First Nations Australians, that their land was stolen etc This is white washing propaganda #auspol

Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny – and this one ticks every box A sweeping new bill to combat antisemitism, hate and extremism was rushed through federal parliament this week with minimal scrutiny and major rule-of-law flaws. Its vague definitions, retrospective r...

My piece today on the appalling hate speech bill.

Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny – and this one ticks every box johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...

Israel Tells Doctors Without Borders to End Its Work in Gaza

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/w...

Albo is going to give into them. #auspol

Rethinking the call for a royal commission after Bondi After initially calling for a federal royal commission into the Bondi attack, Greg Barns and Kym Davey explain why they have changed their minds – and why existing legal processes may offer greater ac...

Kym Davey and me today on why a Bondi royal commission is not needed
Rethinking the call for a royal commission after Bondi johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...

#auspol news media list

Here's a very handy clickable list of publishers & commentators in Aust's independent news media sector.

Please support & share these news media publishers - & of course sign up to TrueNorth! #auspol > docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Don't want you to fail - but do want you to support and oversee evidence based policy as needed by our kids and communities.

The social media ban is not that #auspol

Australia’s social media ban puts free speech on the chopping block <pic> Australia’s social media ban for under-16s is being sold as a protection for children, but it raises serious questions about free speech, democratic participation and the perverse effects of prohibiti...

My piece today on the problematic social media ban

johnmenadue.com/post/2025/12...

OFFICIAL – Israel’s proposed death-penalty law is a war crime Not satisfied it seems with the continued genocide of Palestinians, Israel is now looking to execute Palestinian prisoners by introducing a death penalty law.

#ApartheidIsrael sinks to a new low with state sanctioned murder
OFFICIAL – Israel’s proposed death-penalty law is a war crime johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...

Episode 1 - The 50th anniversary of the Whitlam government We kick off with a topic close to our hearts, the 50th anniversary of the Dismissal of the Whitlam Government.

Fascinating interviews with, among others, John Menadue who was Secretary Prime Minister and Cabinet on November 11.

Episode 1 - The 50th anniversary of the Whitlam government johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10...

My Hobart Mercury column today on the danger of industry policy -eg, bail outs for smelters in South Australia and Tasmania.

"neither laws nor judges can be divorced from their social and historical context" Annual Goldring Lecture at @UOW by New South Wales District Court judge Andrew Haesler. Powerful speech for dark times.

republicchambers.com.au/2025/10/31/2...

Why would any leader take anything the venal corrupt President of the US, Trump, seriously? The so called Australia US rare earths deal is not worth the paper its written on

Albanese and Rudd sold out freedom of the press this week Many Australian journalists think Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Ambassador Kevin Rudd did a wonderful job this week in handling the corrupt narcissist who runs the United States, Donald Trump.

Albanese and Rudd sold out freedom of the press this week johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10... My piece on the appalling lack of push back by Australia on the banning of @abcnewsbot.bsky.social John Lyons

Can an Israel Philharmonic Concert Be Just About Music?

Answer No

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/a...

Israel Philharmonic Draws Protests as Fragile Cease-Fire Holds in Gaza

This orchestra should, if it put human rights first, make a statement against genocide
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/16/a...

The economy is not going to recover in time to give Luxon an election boost.
This means Winston, Luxon, and Seymour will try to stir up culture wars to distract us.
Don't get sucked in - just hammer home the lousy economic performance, the incredibly high cost of living, and the general despair.

One of the Austs on the flotilla who was taken illegally & held by the Israel Govt - says the Aust Govt did not really support them. They were among the last to be released - & their release & deportation to Jordan was facilitated by other Govts.

What a betrayal 😞😡 #auspol

7 October not a day to abuse protesters When it comes to the domestic political fallout from the Gaza conflict, there are no more reliable and uncritical friends of Israel than Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan and her New South Wales counte...

October 7 protests against Israel are legitimate. Attempts by governments to stop them is a dangerous abuse of power.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10...

Recognising Palestine a long overdue act of courage At the UN this week, in a long overdue act of courage, the Australian Government has recognised the State of Palestine.

With my colleague Stuart Rees today on why recognition of Palestine is the right thing for Australia to do.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/09...

TrueNorth sends its 400th newsletter on Monday!

Every weekday for close to 2 years I've shared articles & commentary from Australia's excellent independent news publishers & commentators

To help me improve TrueNorth please share your views through the survey link #auspol >
linktr.ee/deniseshrivell

FOI Amendment Bill: Not what Faulkner or Allan Hawke wanted The Explanatory Memorandum for the government’s Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025 claims it implements or responds to certain recommendations from previous reviews and inquiries, citing in pa...

#FOI isn’t a sexy sport, but it is used by engaged citizens, NGOs and media to increase participation in democracy and to scrutinise Govt. @AlboMP’s FOI Amendment Bill is an assault on open government and shows him to be a #transparency fraudster. #auspol

Wish I thought that the Albanese Labor Govt was going to stand their ground with Trump over John Lyons’ very valid questions - but sadly I don’t. #auspol

FOI changes big backward step for government transparency There has been much commentary, most of it critical, about federal Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s recently introduced Bill that amends the Freedom of Information Act by restricting access through...

My piece today on Albanese government's regressive FOI policies #auspol
FOI changes big backward step for government transparency johnmenadue.com/post/2025/09...

Time to legalise drugs - smart policy not prejudice