“Taxing wealth fairly is not just important for the economy, it’s important for our democracy. As the federal budget approaches, we’re about to hear a lot about what Australia ‘can’t afford’,” writes Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director of The Australia Institute. Read more: https://theaus.in/48Exhds

By way of coda

Mood: Angry & disillusioned. Left-leaning exhaustion dominates; cynical resignation mixed with urgent reform demands. Engagement: 19. https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/bs_pulse/ #auspol 🧵3/3

Most viral take: Govt keeps doing the same thing, expects gratitude. Carl Sagan's quote resonated—'A government's first responsibility is to its people.' Users calling it shameful, describing policy as mere tinkering rather than reform. 🧵2/3

Mood: Deeply frustrated & fractured. Left angry at Labor; widespread distrust of both majors. Sentiment: disillusioned, activist-oriented. https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/bs_pulse/ #auspol 🧵3/3

Sorry - my bad, next week Tuesday, May 5th.

Reminder - this tuesday (tomorrow) Is direct democracy possible? Sociocracy is a way. A conversation between Peter Tait , CAPaD, and Yolanda van Gellecum of Co-operative Bonds and NENA. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

May 5th Sociocracy Conversation Event reminder. Registration: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

For a complementary look at why Australia gives gas away cheaply, see Matt Bevin at www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxwX...

NSW's expanded police powers, brought in on Christmas Eve, are unconstitutional under the freedom of political communication that all Australians enjoy. If protest didn't work, they wouldn't try so hard to ban it. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...

I have problems with the details, but I strongly recommend reading Scott Alexander's original piece because it teases out real but usually unspoken differences in political approach, strategy and mindset: slatestarcodex.com/2018/01/24/c...

Draws on @astralcodexten.com.web.brid.gy "mistake theory versus conflict theory", i.e. can we find win–win solutions to the evils of the world or do these problems exist because powerful people benefit from them? On @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...

"Don't think for a minute you don't have power... don't think for a minute you can't make change." - Richard Denniss. See more from the Climate Integrity Summit here: https://australiainstitute.org.au/event/climate_integrity_summit_2025/

GenZ voters want parliamentarians who will fight for them not fiddle at the edges. Kos Samaras looks into this at redbridgeintel.substack.com/p/from-caret...

This coming Thursday evening, I’m running a session for the Degrowth Network Australia on Direct Action as a path to Degrowth (and broad economic, social and political transformation) Register here: events.humanitix.com/strategy-wor...

The challenging question: how to stop reacting to the no longer and act to create the not yet?

✍️ Sign the petition calling for a 25% tax on gas exports! nb.australiainstitute.org.au/gas_export_t...

Reminder May Event Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

“The strength of Australia’s electoral democracy is reinforced by longstanding legislative provisions, including for a system of compulsory voting.” This is an edited extract of The People’s Guide to the Australian Constitution (UNSW Press). Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4soew4X

“Don Farrell should be congratulated for starting the conversation about expanding the Federal Parliament and, in turn, strengthening democracy in Australia,” said Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director at The Australia Institute. Read more: https://theaus.in/4m5YV8A

I was thinking of a more focused and specific Inquiry into this particular issue. The 2022 Election report recommended further inquiry and the 2025 report carried this forward. For the PM to close down discussion is poor form.

“In response to [the global fuel] crisis, the Antipoverty Centre has called for an urgent increase to Centrelink payments to help people weather the storm." - Kristin O’Connell, an antipoverty activist with the @antipovertycentre.org. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4dD9e1R

Pity @albomp.bsky.social then poured water all over it.

Well that's disappointing. Not even to consider it ... open it to an inquiry.

On movements in time On seeking direction in a directionless world On progressive nostalgia, transgressive conservatism, and the possibility of simply choosing to be free This is in some ways my deepest post yet, and certainly the first that dives into being a PhD candidate

May Event What is Sociocracy? Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The Senate committee looking at climate and energy lies and untruths handed its report yesterday -- Labor, Greens and Liberal on the same page. The Liberal senator, Andrew McLachlan, went further than Labor and called for truth in political advertising laws.

definition of stupidity: doing the same thing again and expecting a different result!

Accords with what Canberrans want action on this year from parliament. Gas Export Levy. #auspol

One Nation's success at the South Australian election puts them in line for $6 to $7 million in taxpayer funding -- most of it thanks to the electoral changes the Malinauskas Labor Govt passed last term. By comparison, One Nation spent $3.3m *nationally* ahead of 2025 election.

What happens when egotistical fools and dilettantes are given their heads…

In the zeitgeist: this is one of the two asks Canberrans have of the government in 2026.

'@MichealMoore in City News this week: promoting @capadaus.bsky.social Community Assembly outputs. citynews.com.au/2026/were-mu...

“The RBA’s explanation of its decision demonstrates a central bank utterly lost to reality, which desired to raise rates regardless of economic data and the changes occurring in the world,” writes Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at The Australia Institute. Read more: https://theaus.in/3PeH6rx

SA's donation laws ban donations to political candidates, but let big lobbies and pressure groups raise and spend money. Third parties in the race include Turning Point Australia, anti-abortion activist Joanna Howe, Australian Christian Lobby, GetUp, and Christopher Pyne.

All going according to script as collapse arrives. See '@LukeKemp in Goliath's Curse.

It is an odd response to shift rightward after your electoral base has moved the other way. It might work for the Nats - who see One Nation as their chief competition - but for Liberals, it is just dogma.

The draft redistribution of the ACT's three federal seats was published this morning and I have completed my analysis. Voters were swapped in both directions on the Canberra-Bean and Canberra-Fenner borders, but it has minimal impact on margins. #auspol www.tallyroom.com.au/64607

Thank you participants. Report at: bit.ly/3XZgr32 The two proposals for our MPs: 1. Implement a gas export levy in line with the ‘fair share’ levy (as proposed by the Super Power Institute), and 2. Implement all the recommendations of the Murphy Report

'@PeterStrong "The media exists to ask for proof and challenge them when they just make stuff up." If only! #democracy #government #auspol on Region Canberra.

For democracy to work ordinary people must have a voice in decisions that shape our future. @sortitionnow.bsky.social's Dr Sonia Randhawa will be speaking online about a possible Citizens’ Assembly on intergenerational equity on Saturday RSVP here: actionnetwork.org/events/tax-w...

"The Liberal frontbencher, Andrew Hastie, reckons the party needs to follow the lead of One Nation, the teals and the Greens and acknowledge “that the system is broken”." What?! "shortcomings" with the political system? And what fix proposes he? A 'watch this space' moment. #auspol @crikey.com.au

Small win for good government.

Extraordinary from the Liberal Party's 2025 election review: not all shadow ministers are "equipped" to develop policy. Their main job is to "cultivate relationships" with interest groups, who are "keen to assist in policy development". Private donors are keen to assist too.

Only a few days to go till Community Assembly Most agreed Proposal: - Tax the fossil fuel industry Most disagreed Proposal: - AUKUS is a good investment of our money Register and come to decide what we want our MPs to do for us this year Full Poll report and registration link here: bit.ly/3XZgr32

More details on @thepointau.bsky.social -- thepoint.com.au/news/260227-...

The What Canberrans said they want MP action on in 2026 Poll Report now available on our Activities Page. Please: -> Have a read (summary and long versions) -> Register for the Community Assembly on March 8th (link also on Activity Page) -> Share this widely canberra-alliance.org.au/activity/

On the 'hard skill' of winning freedom thru collaboration. "The only true freedom is in collaborative action, where we voluntarily participate, seeking our path through and with the group." Thrival is a community not individualist effort. #democracy #goodgovernance #birthingthenew

Love the evolving graphics

Interesting - article re moves towards expanding parliament seems to suggest expanding territory Senators to 3 each not 4 is being considered. archive.md/c03Yb