The second and third federal polls for the year have been published over the last few days, the more recent being a Roy Morgan result that has Labor down two on last month to 30%, the Coalition up four to 30.5%, One Nation down half to 15% (a distinctly different result from the other two recent polls) and the Greens steady on 13.5%. Whereas Morgan’s practice since the May election has been to publish large-sample monthly results compiled from its regular surveying, this result is limited to a 1676 sample over a one-week period from January 5 to 11, the former date marking the resumption of its surveying after a break that began in mid-December. Labor is credited with a 52-48 two-party lead using both respondent-allocated preferences and previous election preference flows, compared with respective leads of 55-45 and 55.5-44.5 last month.
The other comes from Fox & Hedgehog, a new outfit founded by former Peter Dutton staffer Michael Horner, and has Labor leading 53-47 from primary votes of Labor 29%, Coalition 25%, One Nation 21% and Greens 14%. Also featured are further two-party preferred match-ups showing Labor leading One Nation 56-44 and the Coalition leading One Nation 63-37, and a “three-party preferred” result with Labor on 46%, the Coalition on 29% and One Nation on 25%. Together with Anthony Albanese (33% approval and 48% disapproval) and Sussan Ley (19% approval and 32% disapproval), personal ratings were included for six further politicians, with Pauline Hanson scoring 38% approval and 41% disapproval. Albanese leads Ley 39-31 on preferred prime minister.
As well as extensive breakdowns on voting intention, the poll further offers the striking findings that 51% consider the Australian political system “fundamentally broken”, with only 22% disagreeing, and 55% in favour of “a pause to all migration to Australia other than tourists”, with only 22% disagreeing. Twenty-eight per cent favoured the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, with 32% opposed. The poll was conducted January 5 and 6 from a sample of 1608.
What happens if the USA has no mid terms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1g6hMR7Q2s&t=16s
Sad as it seems to say it, frednk, if I were a Democrat supporter in the US, I would be going out and buying every member of my family a gun and I would be learning how to use it. Bullet proof vests, helmets, the lot.
Desperate times demand desperate measures.
Cat I was asking more in terms of what happens to AUKUS.
It is starting to look as if stepping away from Europe for our Sub supplies was a big big mistake.
Has Albo split the bill yet? I think that’s what’s going to happen in the end
To clarify what I said in the previous thread, it would be better if the hate speech part of the bill had as broad support as possible. The Nats, One Nation and a few strays will vote against the gun law changes
Of course the possibility is that if Albo won’t split the bill himself the Senate may force him to do it. Subject to what the hate speech part contains, maybe he sees it as a chance to wedge the Greens as well? e.g. if it opens the door to banning Palestine Action Group here like has happened in the UK
Allegra Spender is saying the laws don’t go far enough and should cover other types of hate speech as well. It would be good if they did, the numbers are likely there to do that, I don’t think Albo wants to go there though
Seems like a strange issue to play politics with imo, especially after what happened with the RC
HBG,
You love reciting talking points of the Liberals and proto Liberals like Allegra Spender but not The Greens. What is the actual position of The Greens? It would be good to learn that from someone who is supposed to support them.
In relation to the discussion on Exxon v Trump, the reason that Big Oil will not be rushing into Venes are manifold:
1. The price of producing a barrel from scratch in V is way more than the current price. The way renewables are going the likelihood of future windfall oil profits are low.
2. V is extremely unstable and Big Oil has been skinned alive there already.
3. Trump is extremely unstable.
What US Big Oil is after is compensation from V for past thefts by V of their investments in V. These order in the tens of billions.
There is no reason to split the bill. It covers all the measures taken in response to the Bondi shooting. Of course they’re all related.
The opposition have been playing politics with this since the moment it happened. If they want to argue against any of these measures which have broad support from the Australian people then they will need to own and justify that.
The discussion about the proportion of spend on NATO by the US are largely irrelevant because Trump has already mentally already left NATO.
The take home point is that peace time european countries spend around twice as much on defence as does war time russia.
Wayfarer,
Exactly. I’ve yet to read a rational, logical or cogent reason for splitting the Bill other than, ‘just because’.
I’m sure this the resident lawyers will have a view – but when the guardian writes:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/12/quoting-religious-text-could-be-defence-against-new-hate-speech-laws-draft-bill-shows-ntwnfb
Surely the following is relevant?
“116. The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.”
The political board game has been turned on its head since the last election.
The Bondi massacre and the determination of the media to align itself with the Netanyahu interference into the affairs of another country have massive implications.
The broad spectrum of losers from the last election plus the array of “wounded” significant ex politicians from the recent past, plus the “sunset tree industry” media have all jumped at the chance to renegotiate their “contracts” with a chance at accumulating a significant legacy.
The majority of the population unaware of the concept of discrimination never mind something as focused as “semitism”, are prepared to have opinion regardless of reality.
The uncertainty of world affairs and the assumption that the lucky country will remain lucky, have created a somewhat modified view of the political possibilities moving into 2026.
Would any rational person blame Mr Albanese from throwing his hands into the air and walking away?
The alternatives aren’t looking particularly encouraging.
“hate” is almost impossible to ban!
Guns and firearms can however be strictly controlled, restricted and made difficult to acquire.
I wonder what the indigenous population think of all this?
The oddity offered by the contradiction that is Australia Day and the associated celebrations will soon be displayed in all its disregard for fairness and its sundry contradictions.
C@t I’m not sure the Greens have even seen the bill yet. Hopefully they got it at the same time the opposition did i.e. yesterday
I haven’t heard any comments from them yet but I’d expect they’d like to see the hate speech laws be made broader as well, in line with Allegra
In breaking news, Kevin Rudd apparently stepping down
“Extracts of the draft bill obtained by Guardian Australia show it will be illegal to publicly promote or incite hatred, or disseminate ideas of superiority or hatred towards of another person or group of people based on their race, colour, or national or ethnic origin.
But within the draft bill is a proposed legal defence to the rule that states the legislation does not apply to an individual directly quoting a religious text.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/12/quoting-religious-text-could-be-defence-against-new-hate-speech-laws-draft-bill-shows-ntwnfb
_____________
Leviticus, come on down!
98.6, overnight: “I once knew a retired doctor who did private circumcisions for $200, plus tips.”
Yeah, yeah…
Until his arthritis got so bad that one day his arm slipped, and he got the sac(k).
Talking about hate speech… during the Longwood Fire I spent most of the day tracking the fire through various means including by way of social media. It required a fair bit of sifting because people were making shit up and posting it. Yarck and Molesworth are still with us, by way of an example.
One notable feature was the numerous attacks on Jacinta Allan interspersed with all the real-time and post-fire posts. The most frequent comment was the inadequacy of equipment. What I saw was over 150 fire trucks all well-kitted up along with a constant train of aerial water bombers and helos. In other words, the point was not to have an intelligent discussion but to Get Allan.
I’m thinking you could quote the text but not elaborate on it. Which is what hate preachers do. Put their spin onto religious texts.
Whilst doing the DP I have come up with a solution to the Adelaide Writers’ Week imbroglio. Allow Randa Fattah to return but organise a debate between her and a Jewish Australian author. Have at it in the contest of ideas!
On another fire-related matter, and this is something I mulled over quite a bit during our big fire day… domestic animal deaths… thousands of cattle and sheep were either killed outright or are now being shot in the paddocks. (Cue gun reform debate…). This happens during and after every large fire in grazing country.
At about the same time, tens of thousands of cattle were drowned in the Queensland floods.
In both cases farmers are already calling for financial support. In Queensland following the last big inland floods, farmers walked away with a motsah in ‘compensation’.
De facto, Australian farm business models in fire and flood country depends on allowing tens of animals to drown or burn to death, periodically.
With global warming these mass domestic stock death events will probably occur more frequently.
By way of a historical point, it used to be case that mass deaths from drought were an expected and acceptable part of animal husbandry. That is no longer the case. A farmer who allows his animals to starve to death now faces criminal animal cruelty charges, for example.
There are a number of policy implications here: systemic mass animal cruelty as an integral part of the farm business model, insurance, proper integration of animal survival from flood and fire into property management, abandonment of some country as being either or both of uncommercial or cruel, realistic expectations of businesses that routinely expect the taxpayers to bail out what are essentially systemic management failures…
One way to better integrate fire consequences is to mimic what some farmers do now by way of managing drought.
They conserve fodder, sell off stock during high drought risk times, and dedicate a ‘sacrifice paddock’.
The latter is where stock are concentrated during a drought.
The pasture in the sacrifice paddock turns to dust but the animals are hand fed.
The remainder of the paddocks maintain a pasture base ready for the next rain and a vegetation cover that means that the next rains don’t leach out significant nutrients.
(This model requires much kangaroo and rabbit killing lest they trash the farm during a drought.)
Going back to criticisms of Allan… the fire response to these fires was little short of magnificent.
They were timely. They were well-resourced. The incident controller decisions were good. The command and control was excellent. The volunteers were excellent. The data inputs were extremely well integrated. Management of the public was excellent. The comms were excellent. Loss of life was down to one person who basically knew better and paid the price.
And yet all you get on social media is a wall-to-wall slagathon of Allan.
Are Aussies turning into a bunch of nasty whingers? Is that the new Norm?
World News & Politics Patrol:
Trump posts picture of himself as ‘Acting President of Venezuela’: https://www.livemint.com/news/world/trump-posts-picture-of-himself-as-acting-president-of-venezuela-11768182741051.html
Russian air defence systems in Venezuela were not connected to radars during US operation: https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2026/01/12/8015770/
Malaysia and Indonesia block Musk’s Grok over explicit deepfakes: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg7y10xm4x2o
UK developing ballistic missiles for Ukraine capable of striking deep inside Russia: https://kyivindependent.com/uk-developing-ballistic-missiles-for-ukraine-capable-of-striking-deep-within-russia/
Israeli police issues arrest warrant against former Netanyahu aide: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/israeli-police-issues-arrest-warrant-against-former-netanyahu-aide/
Sen. Kelly sues DOD Sec. Hegseth, says he was punished for ‘disfavored political speech’: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/12/kelly-hegseth-lawsuit-video-pentagon.html
Judge is asked for emergency hearing after Congress members blocked from ICE facility in Minneapolis: https://apnews.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-congress-visit-ice-6076e28eab9201d33e2140a593228e60
Republican Senator Calls for Investigation Into Donald Trump’s DOJ: https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-jerome-powell-speech-doj-investigation-11347278
Trump ‘has committed 10 times more impeachable offenses’ in this term: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5684495-chris-murphy-donald-trump/
They Want You to “Quit Demonstrating”: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/01/trump-renee-good-ice-roger-williams-wesley-hunt-first-amendment/
Trump warns the nation is ‘SCREWED’ if the Supreme Court rejects his tariff plan: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-tariff-refunds-supreme-court-threat-b2899114.html
On a final note, people living in the country need to start taking global warming and fire far more seriously than they are at present. I know the housing construction style and immediate environment of hundreds of houses in the Alex district very well. Most of them are at high risk of burning. Very few of the local farm houses had someone drag a disc plough around the house paddock a couple of times, for example. Cheap to do, an hour’s work and it dramatically reduces the chance of fire creeping up to the back door. Wood fire fuel is very often an integrated additional fire risk, for example. In other words, very many of the houses integrate known fire risks as part of the normal way of life.
This she’ll be right attitude needs to go.
Boerwar says:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7:21 am
Yes Venezuelan oil will stay in the ground…
Costs $80+ / barrel to produce & only sells for $60/ per barrel.. plus its so “ thick” it needs to be cut with thinners plus it’s so corrosive ( high sulfur content) everything needs to be made of stainless steel to contain it…
Maybe Trump can sell it to his MAGA crypto supporters
Sounds like I’m going to have to brush up on my Bible, Koran, Torah etc.
Which religious texts have the best insults? 🙂
Boerwar @ #20 Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 – 8:27 am
Basically people want all this great equipment etc but they dont want to pay for it through the levy.
Herald Sun at work again
May your wife turn into a pillar of salt if she ignores the word of my god.
Boerwarsays:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 8:27 am
Going back to criticisms of Allan… the fire response to these fires was little short of magnificent.
They were timely. They were well-resourced. The incident controller decisions were good. The command and control was excellent. The volunteers were excellent. The data inputs were extremely well integrated. Management of the public was excellent. The comms were excellent. Loss of life was down to one person who basically knew better and paid the price.
And yet all you get on social media is a wall-to-wall slagathon of Allan.
Are Aussies turning into a bunch of nasty whingers? Is that the new Norm?
_____________________________________
Did Jacinta go out for dinner?
It was only a matter of time before the polls narrowed, not that they mean much at this point.
Mavis
Make no mistake.
Netanyahu, Gina, the two Kerries, Lachlan are all getting what they want.
Diogenes:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 8:33 am
Good one.
“ …it will be illegal to publicly promote”
split infinitives
Sounds like I’m going to have to brush up on my Bible, Koran, Torah etc.
Which religious texts have the best insults?
____________________
And which “religious texts” will be accepted as religious texts?
Whenever religion and politics mix mayhem occurs.
“Crossbenchers are due to be briefed on the legislation on Tuesday. Some privately expressed concerns the major parties would use the secretive intelligence and security committee to limit genuine consultation on the plan. Labor and the Coalition shut out crossbench and independent members from serving on the committee.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/12/quoting-religious-text-could-be-defence-against-new-hate-speech-laws-draft-bill-shows-ntwnfb
Good Morning! Here’s Your Daily News and Views Roundup
Details of Labor’s new hate speech and gun laws revealed. It creates a new federal offence making it illegal to publicly promote or incite racial hatred where the conduct would cause a reasonable person to feel intimidated, harassed or fear violence. But it includes a narrow defence where the speech, writing or other form of public gesture is solely quoting religious texts for teaching or discussion.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/details-of-new-hate-speech-gun-laws-revealed/106222256
PM Albanese said state and territory leaders would have to answer to their constituents if they opposed a jointly funded gun buy-back program previously announced.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/security-agencies-to-swap-notes-on-gun-licences-20260112-p5ntfv.html
Quoting religious text could be defence against Australia’s new hate speech laws, draft bill shows
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/12/quoting-religious-text-could-be-defence-against-new-hate-speech-laws-draft-bill-shows-ntwnfb
Gaza to Bondi: How appeasement shaped Albanese’s response to antisemitism. By Paul Begley
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/gaza-to-bondi-how-appeasement-shaped-albaneses-response-to-antisemitism,20555
If we silence voices we don’t agree with, we’re doing the work of extremists for them. Peter Greste
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/12/adelaide-festival-board-decision-randa-abdel-fattah-silencing-voices-ntwnfb
A regional NSW Islamic school whose principal once shared social media posts stating “Zionists should burn in the pits of hellfire” has seven days to prove its leader is “fit and proper” or risk being shut down.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/private-school-threatened-with-closure-over-principal-s-social-media-posts-20260112-p5nted.html
Pauline Hanson and Barnaby Joyce use Gina Rinehart’s private jet to visit flooded parts of Queensland
Joyce says the pair were saving taxpayer money and ‘I’ve got no problems with that at all’. 🙄
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/12/pauline-hanson-barnaby-joyce-gina-rinehart-private-jet-flooded-parts-queensland
Kevin Rudd to end role as US ambassador, PM says
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jan/13/anthony-albanese-labor-hate-speech-laws-politics-coalition-sussan-ley-adelaide-festival-writers-week-reactions-victoria-bushfires-queensland-floods-ntwnfb
Can the China-Australia relationship stay on track in 2026? This is how experts in China see it.
https://theconversation.com/can-the-china-australia-relationship-stay-on-track-in-2026-this-is-how-experts-in-china-see-it-271941
Getting to the bottom of inflation in Australia — and it’s not a problem
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/getting-to-the-bottom-of-inflation-in-australia–and-its-not-a-problem,20557
Donald Trump has promised he will ‘shoot at Iran’ if Iranian security services attack anti-government protesters, but analysts suggest the US is not prepared for military action. It comes as the death toll from Tehran’s crackdown on protests soars, and as demonstrations continue to shake the country. Lucy Hough speaks to the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour Podcast
https://www.theguardian.com/news/audio/2026/jan/12/will-trump-go-to-war-with-iran-the-latest
U-Haul truck speeds through Los Angeles march supporting Iranian people
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/12/u-haul-los-angeles-iran-protest
Iran’s mass protests are not just about a repressive theocratic regime. Understanding how events unfold from here requires an understanding of how Iranian society — and the economy — have reconfigured in the 47 years since the revolution. By Laura Tingle
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/iran-history-protests-bazaaris-economy-revolution/106219578
Explainer: Why are people protesting in Iran? Mass anti-government demonstrations continue
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/why-are-people-protesting-in-iran/106219374
Iran claims mass protests ‘under total control’ as human rights group says death toll has reached 648
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/iran-protests-under-control-says-tehran/106222170
Iran’s blackout has sparked fears of what may be found in the aftermath. There is also hope for the return of Reza Pahlavi
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/iran-is-in-blackout-reza-pahlavi-is-waiting-to-return-a-dynasty/106221764
‘Biggest moment in Iran since 1979’: World on edge as protests grow.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/biggest-moment-in-iran-since-1979-world-on-edge-as-protests-grow-20260112-p5nt9b.html
Analysis: Unpredictable Trump weighs up Iranian pleas for help against calls for restraint. Observers say if US gets response wrong to Tehran’s repression it could end up entrenching regime’s position
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/11/trump-wants-to-help-iranian-protesters-but-his-advice-is-conflicted
Trump regrets not seizing voting machines after 2020 election loss. President says he ‘should have’ used national guard to seize machines in support of false claim that election was rigged. Dipstick.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/12/trump-voting-machines-election-2020
Federal prosecutor in Virginia fired after refusing to lead Comey case. Robert McBride, deputy to Trump ally Lindsey Halligan, is latest in series of dismissals.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/12/us-attorney-virginia-fired-james-comey
Trump officials urged to halt violence against journalists amid ICE protests. Journalists call on homeland security officials to reduce law-enforcement confrontations as tensions flare
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/12/journalists-homeland-security-ice-trump
US plan to exploit Venezuela’s oil could eat up 13% of carbon budget to keep 1.5C limit, analysis shows how move would risk plunging Earth further into climate catastrophe. The oil extracted from Venezuela’s vast reserves is, according to industry estimates, the filthiest in the world.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/12/us-plan-to-exploit-venezuelas-oil-could-eat-up-13-of-carbon-budget-to-keep-15c-limit
Venezuela’s leader may be gone, but his regime remains – with a new chief in Washington
https://theconversation.com/venezuelas-leader-may-be-gone-but-his-regime-remains-with-a-new-chief-in-washington-273211
First Venezuela, then the US Fed — what the White House attacks mean for us
By chief business correspondent Ian Verrender
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/venezuela-us-fed-white-house-donald-trump-attacks/106220958
Pole-to-Pole with Donald Trump: An Australian guide to the new flat Earth. By Vince Hooper
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/pole-to-pole-with-donald-trump-an-australian-guide-to-the-new-flat-earth,20554
US bond markets should be in revolt. Fed independence matters. It is a perilous time to mess with the principle that rate-setters under an independent system should be free of political pressure.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/nils-pratley-on-finance/2026/jan/12/us-bond-markets-should-be-in-revolt-fed-independence-matters
Who will stick their neck out for Jerome Powell? So far, it’s slim pickings.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/who-will-stick-their-neck-out-for-jerome-powell-so-far-it-s-slim-pickings-20260113-p5ntj3.html
Mark Kelly sues Hegseth over ‘chilling’ effort to reduce military retirement rank. US defense secretary Pete Hegseth tried to reduce veteran’s pension for speaking out against Trump administration
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/12/mark-kelly-pete-hegseth-lawsuit
Greenland’s government says it is opposed to a US takeover as the Trump administration’s rhetoric intensifies. Donald Trump says the US needs the island on national security grounds and will take possession of it “one way or the other”. Allies of Denmark have spoken out in support of Greenland and are instead offering to beef up Arctic security to deflect Mr Trump’s interest.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/greenland-rejects-american-takeover/106222716
Explainer: What can the EU and Nato do to stop Trump from trying to claim Greenland?
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/12/what-can-the-eu-and-nato-do-to-stop-trump-from-trying-to-claim-greenland
NATO boss on Trump’s Greenland threats: Chill out, this is fine
The alliance is “not at all” in crisis, Secretary-General Mark Rutte insisted.
https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-mark-rutte-donald-trump-greenland-threats-chill-out/
French far-right leader Bardella slams Trump’s ‘imperial ambitions’ in Greenland, Venezuela
The National Rally boss criticized the U.S. president’s hawkish moves in a New Year’s address.
https://www.politico.eu/article/france-jordan-bardella-donald-trumps-imperial-ambitions-in-venezuela-greenland/
Trump calls climate change a ‘con job’ but it could drive his bid to seize Greenland. David Crowe
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/trump-calls-climate-change-a-con-job-but-it-could-drive-his-bid-to-seize-greenland-20260112-p5nt8v.html
The Gambia alleges Myanmar undertook a genocidal campaign against the Rohingya people at ICJ
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/the-gambia-myanmar-genocide-case-icj-the-hague/106222734
Gazans beg for shelter as winter storms batter millions and Israel limits aid
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/gazans-beg-for-shelter-as-winter-storms-batter-millions/106205330
Dozens of artists call for end to Israel’s ‘systematic attacks’ on Gaza hospitals. Actors, doctors and human rights leaders sign letter calling for restoration of medical care to ‘collapsed’ system
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/12/celebrities-letter-israel-attack-gaza-hospitals
Time to get off X, prime minister. It’s repulsive.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/time-to-get-off-x-prime-minister-it-s-repulsive-20260110-p5nt35.html
X AI Grok blocked in Indonesia and Malaysia over explicit image generation as UK launches probe
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/grok-ai-blocked-in-indonesia-malaysia-over-explicit-images/106222336
Will the UK actually ban Elon Musk’s X?
U.K. communications regulator Ofcom is facing its biggest test yet against Big Tech.
https://www.politico.eu/article/will-the-uk-actually-ban-x-elon-musk/
To anybody still using X: sexual abuse content is the final straw, it’s time to leave. It was hard for me to quit Elon Musk’s poisoned platform, but I urge others to do the same, especially in light of Grok’s imagery of women and children. Marie Le Conte
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/12/x-sexual-abuse-time-to-leave-elon-musk-grok-imagery-women-children
‘We will grind you down’: how rogue peers became Labour’s toughest opponents
https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/03/we-will-grind-you-down-how-rogue-peers-became-labours-toughest-opponents
It’s not ‘fantasy’: I know Nigel Farage abused people for their nationality – because I was one of them.
I remember him as a racist, obnoxious bully, and his allegation that other ex-Dulwich boys and I are liars tells me he hasn’t changed. Rickard Berg
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/12/nigel-farage-abuse-nationality-racist-dulwich-college
How artificial intelligence is driving the world’s biggest mining mega-merger
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/how-artificial-intelligence-is-driving-the-world-s-biggest-mining-mega-merger-20260112-p5ntbr.html
RFK’s new food pyramid is all sizzle and no steak
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/rfk-s-new-food-pyramid-is-all-sizzle-and-no-steak-20260112-p5ntbd.html
Adelaide Writers’ Week is in disarray — how did it reach this point?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/cancellation-of-randa-abdel-fattah-leaves-writers-week-in-doubt/106219608
With crime decreasing, Australia has far too many citizens in gaol. By Alan Austin
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/with-crime-decreasing-australia-has-far-too-many-citizens-in-gaol,20553
Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk explains stance on not shaking Aryna Sabalenka’s hand after Brisbane International final
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-12/marta-kostyuk-aryna-sabalenka-handshake-brisbane-international/106219864
‘It’s embarrassing’: riders say time is up for fossil fuel sponsorship of heat-affected Tour Down Under
Cyclists prepare for Australia’s big race by training in extreme temperatures – and they have noticed a contradiction in the relationship with Santos
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/12/cycling-extreme-heat-tour-down-under-fossil-fuel-sponsorship
Instead of hosting throngs of tourists keen to camp, hike and explore, the New South Wales Snowy Mountains town of Khancoban has become a refuge for Victorian residents who have evacuated their homes amid destructive bushfires.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-13/khancoban-smoke-victorian-bushfires/106219750
Victorians in bushfire-ravaged parts of the state were unable to reach family, and firefighters also lost connectivity during last week’s catastrophic conditions, prompting renewed calls for telecommunications to be secured during natural disasters.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/telcos-face-renewed-pressure-after-fire-outages-leave-people-stranded-and-desperate-20260112-p5ntff.html
What is the global water cycle and how is it amplifying climate disasters?
https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-global-water-cycle-and-how-is-it-amplifying-climate-disasters-272806
Boerwar:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 8:40 am
Of that, there’s little doubt, but they’ve peaked too soon. With over two years before the next election & having a majority of 18 seats, Labor shouldn’t be too concerned.
I’ll be quoting from the Rastafarian and Pastafarian texts myself. 😉
Louise Adler – I cannot be party to silencing writers, which is why I am resigning as director of Adelaide writers’ week
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/13/i-cannot-be-party-to-silencing-writers-which-is-why-i-am-resigning-as-director-of-adelaide-writers-week-ntwnfb
“The board’s statement cites community cohesion, an oft-referenced anxiety which should be treated with scepticism. This is a managerialist term intended to stop thinking. Who, after all, would argue in favour of social division? Presumably only a terrorist or a nihilist. The raison d’être of art and literature is to disrupt the status quo: and one doesn’t have to be a student of history to know that art in the service of “social cohesion” is propaganda.
The arts have allegedly become “unsafe” and artists are a danger to the community’s psycho-social wellbeing. But, let’s be quite clear, the routine invocation of “safety” is code for “I don’t want to hear your opinion”. In this instance, it appears to apply only to a Palestinian invitee.
The increasingly extreme and repressive efforts of pro-Israel lobbyists to stifle even the mildest criticism has had a chilling effect on free speech and democratic institutions. The new mantra “Bondi changed everything” has offered this lobby, its stenographers in the media and a spineless political class yet another coercive weapon. Hence, in 2026, the board, in an atmosphere of intense political pressure, has issued an edict that an author is to be cancelled.
:::
But none of this has influenced the decision: a writer is to be cancelled after pressure from pro-Israel lobbyists, bureaucrats and opportunistic politicians.
:::
They are coming for you.”
Kevin Rudd stepping down as US ambassador- can only take so much of the ratf*ckers it would seem.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jan/13/kevin-rudd-to-step-down-as-us-ambassador-united-states
Boerwar @ #20 Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 – 8:27 am
Talking about whingers,we want more says relatives of Bondi incident.
‘Noting many of those affected migrated to Australia from the Soviet Union and lived in public housing, Ryvchin said’: “I cannot imagine a worthier public expense than a substantial fund to quickly and generously help those who are living through the unimaginable.”
FFS How long is it since the Soviet Union broke up,er 35 years.
Victims of crime compensation has been around in most states since before the Port Arthur massacre and now someone complains they want more because they deserve more.
I’m Sorry for their loss,but why should they get more than others ?
‘Jenny Roytur, whose uncle Boris Tetleroyd was among those killed, said her aunt and cousin needed more support than they had been offered. Roytur’s cousin Yaakov was seriously injured in the attack and is likely to be permanently disabled.’
“The compensation that is currently available is ridiculous and laughable really,” she said. “The federal government really needs to step in and do more.”
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/relatives-of-bondi-victims-plead-for-changes-to-ridiculous-compensation-scheme-20260112-p5ntdm.html
Hard Being Green has to be a reference to muppets. The green part is a midirection
Jacinta Allan and the Emergency personnel team, firefighters, and the public who heeded all the warnings, all did an excellent job through this bushfire crisis.
And agreed that people want top notch service to fight the fires etc but don’t won’t to pay.
I am going to say that is very Unaustralian. Lol
As I squawked on and on about, it is the market that will kill the Australian coal industry, not the Greens wanking on, trying to get Australia to stop Australian supply.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRwmoIg9EoA
Diogenes @ #24 Tuesday, January 13th, 2026 – 8:33 am
This suits Netanyahu, Ben Gvir and other rabid Zionists.
“Deuteronomy 20:16-17
New International Version
16 However, in the cities of the nations the Lord your God is giving you as
an inheritance, do not leave alive anything that breathes.
17 Completely destroy
them—the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites,
Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites—as the Lord your God has commanded you. ”
Australians whinge as much as the poms in general, and it is the rural ones most likely to be descended from poms who whinge the loudest
Fun antimony facts
– Added to the Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, with gallium and rare earths.
– China currently refines 74.0% of the world’s supply.
– A key material for semiconductor and munition production.
– China imposed export restrictions on antimony in September 2024, causing shortages across EU defence, energy and automotive industries.
– Later, in December 2024, China announced a complete ban on exports of antimony (and gallium) to the US.
https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/ef5e9b70-3374-4caa-ba9d-19c72253bfc4/GlobalCriticalMineralsOutlook2025.pdf
Last August, Nyrstar received a support package for an Antimony Pilot Plant in Port Pirie:
https://www.minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/timayres/media-releases/partnership-scope-critical-minerals-and-protect-jobs-port-pirie-and-hobart
It cast its first antimony metal last November and “has the potential to scale up to 5,000 tonnes of refined antimony metal per annum by 2028, equivalent to approximately 15% of global supply and nearly 100% of the United States’ 2023 import volume.”
https://www.nyrstar.com/resource-center/press-releases/nyrstar-casts-first-antimony-metal-at-port-pirie
(15% is probably a typo, it should be ~5%)
“Larvotto Resources currently holds the largest antimony mineral resource in the country at its Hillgrove project, near Armidale in New South Wales. Managing director Ron Heeks said the company expected to begin production at the site by mid-year.”
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/wa-miner-nails-the-timing-as-in-demand-critical-mineral-flagged-on-government-s-wish-list/ar-AA1U4coL
SHY on RN Breakfast mentioning love and tolerance not hate as the way to go
On the money imo
C@tmomma says:
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 8:49 am
Good Morning! Here’s Your Daily News and Views Roundup
Details of Labor’s new hate speech and gun laws revealed. It creates a new federal offence making it illegal to publicly promote or incite racial hatred where the conduct would cause a reasonable person to feel intimidated, harassed or fear violence.
…’
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For Indigenous Australians, this one is a double-edged sword.
SHY was probably referencing claims by the Greens that Albanese was complicit in genocide.
Joyce & Hanson’s rationale for hitching a ride on Rinehart’s jet is a hoot.
That looks like more than 10% of the Louise Adler article Pegasus @ 8.54am. Plus the substantive points.