Sky News has the second instalment of YouGov’s fortnightly Sky News Pulse federal polling series, and it finds the One Nation juggernaut coming close to eclipsing Labor, with Labor down a point to 30% and One Nation up yet again by three points to 28%. The Coalition is down another point to 19% (to which we are told the Nationals contribute 1%, compared with 3.8% at the May 2025 election), with the Greens steady at 12%. As well as a conventional two-party preferred figure that has Labor leading 54-46, in from 55-45 last fortnight, there is a Labor-versus-One Nation result that has Labor leading 55-45. The accompanying report has breakdowns by age, gender, region, past vote, class and income, though sadly not by state on this occasion.
Sussan Ley’s personal ratings have slumped still further, with approval down four to 22% and disapproval up five to 62%, while Anthony Albanese is down one to 38% and up one to 56%. Albanese’s lead as preferred prime minister is out from 47-29 to 47-25. The poll also inquired about best person to lead the Liberal Party, to which 60% responded with don’t know. Andrew Hastie led the field on 15%, with Sussan Ley on 10% and Angus Taylor on 8%. The poll was conducted February 3 to 10 from a sample of 1561.
This week’s Roy Morgan result has Labor’s respondent-allocated two-party lead taking a substantial hit, in from 56-44 to 53.5-46.5, from primary votes of Labor 28.5% (down two), Coalition 22.5% (up two), One Nation 24.5% (down half) and Greens 13.5% (up one). The two-party result based on 2025 election flows has Labor’s lead at 53-47, in from 54.5-45.5. The poll was conducted last Monday to Sunday from a sample of 1584.
A bit more on the repeal of the endangerment finding:
https://electrek.co/2026/02/12/epa-set-to-finalize-illegal-dirty-air-plan-to-hike-fuel-costs-76c-gal-despite-outcry/
C@t:
It’ll probably be struck down in the courts.
Angus Taylor – the Alexander Downer to Ley’s Brendan Nelson.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/i-ve-prayed-in-an-mcg-stairwell-here-s-the-truth-about-that-viral-police-video-20260212-p5o1r9.html
Waleed Aly takes apart the Minnesota-lite claims of Minns and Catley with a review of the Islamic laws of prayer.
Apology Now!
“…heavy hitter Jonno Duniam”.
I’ve never heard of him before this kerfuffle.
New thread.
Bondi is really starting to lose it. Breakdown looming?
https://x.com/meidastouch/status/2021656469008265717
Odd spots.
*The Knights Templar: On Friday, October 13, 1307, the Knights Templar were arrested and later executed across France under orders from King Philip IV.
*The 1980 horror film Friday the 13th, featuring the masked killer Jason Voorhees, deeply embedded the date into the public consciousness as a day of dread.
*Who else but the Liberal party would hold a spill event hosted by Angus Dickus on Friday the thirteenth and not expect it to end later in tears.
World News & Politics Patrol:
Macron calls Musk ‘an oversubsidized guy,’ prompting retort: https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/macron-calls-musk-an-oversubsidised-guy-prompting-retort/
‘Price of dignity’ says Ukrainian athlete banned over helmet: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c309pj8d8qqo
Russia, Iran accuse Elon Musk’s Starlink of violating international law: https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/russia-iran-accuse-elon-musk-s-starlink-of-violating-international-law-126021100134_1.html
Incoming strike? Satellite images show Iran sealing off nuclear site: https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/iran-eastern-states/artc-incoming-strike-satellite-images-show-iran-sealing-off-nuclear-site
Sweden to send fighter jets, rangers to patrol Greenland in NATO mission: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/sweden-send-fighter-jets-patrol-around-greenland-part-natos-arctic-sentry-2026-02-12/
UK cracks down on political party donations from foreign-owned companies: https://www.agenzianova.com/en/news/UK-cracks-down-on-political-party-donations-from-foreign-owned-companies/
Donald Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the BBC will go to trial next year, judge rules: https://www.lbc.co.uk/article/donald-trump-10bn-lawsuit-against-the-bbc-next-year-5HjdSH5_2/
Reform UK’s candidate in an upcoming by-election has called for women and young girls to be given a “biological reality” check, as he gave his views on how Britain should tackle its impending “fertility crisis”: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-matt-goodwin-gorton-denton-children-women-b2918340.html
Jim Ratcliffe apologises for ‘choice of language’ after saying immigrants ‘colonising’ UK: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/12/jim-ratcliffe-accused-hypocrisy-uk-colonised-immigrants
Kim Jong Un chooses teen daughter as heir, says Seoul: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0e1g7kwglo
Homeland Security shutdown seems certain as funding talks between White House and Democrats stall: https://apnews.com/article/homeland-security-funding-shutdown-democrats-trump-4e9c4cebd45396e77f8333fd6cc31944
Dr. Oz Becomes the Latest Trump Official in the Epstein Files: https://newrepublic.com/post/206510/dr-oz-epstein-files
MAGA Names Call for Bondi to Resign After Wild Congressional Meltdown: https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-figures-call-for-pam-bondi-to-resign-after-wild-congress-meltdown-on-jeffrey-epstein/
Pam Bondi’s Prepared Insult Flash Cards Exposed by GOP Rep: https://www.thedailybeast.com/thomas-massie-roasts-pam-bondi-for-her-attempts-to-attack-lawmakers/
TACO Trump Calls It Quits On Operation Which Killed Two Americans: https://www.thedailybeast.com/trumps-border-czar-announces-end-of-minnesota-ice-surge/
A year into Trump’s term, voters say Biden was better: https://www.axios.com/2026/02/12/trump-polling-approval-biden-democrats
Pete Hegseth’s plan to test anti-cartel lasers shut down the El Paso airport for a full day: https://fortune.com/2026/02/11/why-was-el-paso-airport-closed-anti-cartel-laser-pentagon-hegseth-faa/
Judge says Pete Hegseth is unlawfully retaliating against Sen. Mark Kelly over ‘illegal orders’ video: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/02/12/politics/mark-kelly-pentagon-lawsuit-ruling
Who needs leadershit when we have the real thing 🙂
Arkysays:
Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:05 pm
@e.g.w
“Albo made no mention of the Voice referendum during the 2022 campaign”
Not true.
He made a big deal out of it literally at the campaign launch and did refer to it regularly after that as well as it being in Labor’s campaign material.
It had been discussed in the media and even the subject of polling.
Now, I don’t think the average voter turned their minds to it terribly much, but to say he didn’t refer to it in the campaign is provably untrue, with video.
Doesn’t look like your Albo hatred is based on particularly solid facts.
==================================================
No, I don’t hate Albo. I just find him to be hugely disappointing. A mediocre dishonest political animal whose only focus is holding on to the conch for as long as possible. An endeavour in which he has been ably assisted by the most incompetent and dysfunctional opposition in Australian political history.
The Voice referendum was absolutely not a factor in the 2022 election. Albo may have mentioned it in some smaller forums talking to vested interests but it was not in any way part of the main campaign. The vast majority of Australians were totally unaware of what Albo was scheming. That is why it was such a shock when it was suddenly dropped on them as the central theme of his victory speech.
The big ticket issues for the 2022 campaign were climate change, integrity, gender equality and, to a lesser extent corporate taxation. The ALP government has broken its promises and failed to deliver meaningful reforms on almost all of these issues:
Climate Change; The ALP has revealed itself to be firmly in the pocket of the fossil fuel lobby.
Yes, there have been some excellent initiatives in the promotion and support for renewable energy with the growth of solar and wind generation in particular. And they should be commended for those. However, they have simultaneously been the most fossil fuel friendly government of all time with the opening of enormous new coal mines and gas fields and obscene grants and subsidies. The replacement of Tanya Plibersek with Murray Watt belies any suggestion that this government is serious about addressing climate change.
Integrity; The ALP promised a new way supported by a National Anti Corruption Commission that would be transparent, well resourced, have teeth and be committed to shining light on corruption in government. They promised action in bringing to account the perpetrators of robodebt in particular. What they delivered was the opposite. An abject failure. Worse than nothing at all. The NACC appears to have been designed to obfuscate and cover malfeasance and corruption not expose it. Despite the rampant corruption in the previous administration, no light has been shone and not a single prosecution has eventuated after 4 long years (apart from a handful of minor functionaries). On top of that they have appointed a Commissioner who has been shown to lack any clue as to what constitutes a conflict of interest. It is as if he was chosen as a fail safe to ensure the NACC never reveals or prosecutes any corruption in government.
Gender Equity; At last an area where this government has done some good work.
Corporate Taxation; Despite all their promises the ALP have done absolutely nothing to address tax evasion and avoidance by the big end of town. They have taken it completely off the agenda. I am sure their big corporate donors are very grateful.
Overall this government has served the interests of the fossil fuel lobby, the gambling lobby and vested interests of the big end of town generally. They are a shit government that rely for their longevity on the fact that the other side of the duopoly are even more shit. It is why the vote share of the duopoly continues to plummet. There must be another way!
Good Morning! Here’s Your Daily News and Views Roundup #Leadershit Edition
Good morning and welcome to our rolling coverage of the Liberal Party leadership spill against Opposition Leader Sussan Ley.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-party-leadership-spill-live-updates-angus-taylor-poised-to-become-leader-as-sussan-ley-backers-lose-hope-20260212-p5o1od.html?post=p59xf6#p59xf6
Australia politics live: Liberals prepare for leadership vote; Albanese to mark 18th anniversary of national apology
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/feb/13/australia-politics-live-liberals-leadership-spill-vote-angus-taylor-sussan-ley-libspill-anthony-albanese-indigenous-apology-anniversary-ntwnfb
When 51 Liberal MPs and senators file into their party room at 9am on Friday, they will face two choices: stick with Sussan Ley and give her more time, or switch to Angus Taylor and hope he can turn around their historically low poll numbers. To date, there is little evidence that either MP has the powers of persuasion or the policy program to do that. James Massola
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/winning-the-liberal-leadership-may-be-the-easy-part-for-taylor-20260212-p5o1qz.html
The Liberal Party is set to roll its first female federal leader after she has spent just nine months in the job. Clare Armstrong
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/liberal-party-poised-to-dump-first-female-leader/106338452
Parliament House has been plunged into its most primal state — the spill zone, where events move quickly, the dark arts are practised, and nothing can be taken for granted.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-12/the-liberals-vying-for-control-of-party/106335554
Explainer: Angus Taylor will challenge for the Liberal leadership – but who will be the deputy?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/12/angus-taylor-will-challenge-for-the-liberal-leadership-but-who-will-be-the-deputy
Taylor versus Ley, the sequel, shapes up as a box-office bomb. Tony Wright
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/taylor-versus-ley-the-sequel-shapes-up-as-a-box-office-bomb-20260212-p5o1px.html
Who is Angus Taylor? Long touted as a Liberal leader, some colleagues see only style and no substance
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/12/angus-taylor-liberal-leader-profile-biography-opinions
Guardian Political editor Tom McIllroy speaks to Reged Ahmad about why Taylor is making his move now, whether he has the numbers to win, and what it all means for the future direction of the Coalition
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/audio/2026/feb/12/the-libspill-is-on-taylor-v-ley-set-for-liberal-leadership-showdown-on-friday-morning-full-story-podcast
SMH Editorial: Liberal woes will not be solved by Russian roulette
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/liberal-woes-will-not-be-solved-by-russian-roulette-20260212-p5o1ns.html
Taylor’s clumsy challenge looks likely to succeed on Friday although the aspiring opposition leader hasn’t outlined any real alternative course
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/12/on-sussan-leys-likely-final-day-of-leadership-angus-taylor-was-all-smiles-even-through-a-75-minute-roasting
Fantastic. Great move. Well done Angus: the story of one of Australia’s favourite political memes
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/feb/12/fantastic-great-move-well-done-angus-taylor-meme
Angus Taylor wants to be the new leader of the Liberal Party. Who is he?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/who-is-liberal-party-leader-hopeful-angus-taylor/105268090
Taylor as leader would be under intense heat in coming months. He would be stalked by the ambitious Andrew Hastie, who had wanted to be the one taking on Ley, before he was told by the conservative faction’s leadership to step back. Michelle Grattan
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/sussan-ley-liberals-leadership-spill/106325896
Grattan on Friday: How did the Liberals’ first female leader find herself on the mat in under a year?
https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-how-did-the-liberals-first-female-leader-find-herself-on-the-mat-in-under-a-year-275402
Don’t accuse me of gaslighting Australians: Reserve Bank Governor Bullock to Canavan
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/don-t-accuse-me-of-gaslighting-australians-bullock-to-canavan-20260212-p5o1qi.html
Hey, Senator Canavan, you can’t push the RBA governor around. Shane Wright
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/you-can-t-push-around-the-reserve-bank-governor-senator-20260212-p5o1s4.html
Respected independent economist Bruce Preston, who once argued the Reserve Bank had to improve how it explained its interest rate decisions, will go on to the board that sets monetary policy.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/economist-who-argued-rba-must-better-explain-interest-rate-decisions-to-join-board-20260212-p5o1vz.html
The head of Australia’s largest power retailer says growing contributions from renewables and batteries are cutting the cost of generating electricity – a shift that could offer much-needed relief for household energy bills if the downturn holds.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/major-power-retailer-sees-hope-of-bill-relief-as-renewables-shine-20260212-p5o1uk.html
Pauline Hanson’s racist rhetoric cast a shadow over my childhood. Here we are again. As a first generation immigrant, it is gutting to see Australians falling for One Nation’s anti-immigration rhetoric 30 years on from Hanson’s initial rise. Zoya Patel
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2026/feb/12/pauline-hansons-racist-rhetoric-cast-a-shadow-over-my-childhood-here-we-are-again
Senior officer agreed to let prayer go ahead before violent Sydney protest scenes
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/witness-claims-officer-agreed-to-let-prayer-go-ahead-before-violent-sydney-protest-scenes-20260212-p5o1re.html
I’ve prayed in an MCG stairwell. Here’s the truth about that viral police video. Waleed Aly
https://www.smh.com.au/national/i-ve-prayed-in-an-mcg-stairwell-here-s-the-truth-about-that-viral-police-video-20260212-p5o1r9.html
The government has not made enough of a dent in emissions, but global trends and a shambolic opposition offer a rare opportunity to act. Adam Morton
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/feb/12/there-will-never-be-a-better-time-to-revisit-carbon-pricing-in-australia-but-does-labor-have-the-stomach-to-make-polluters-pay
Economics has failed on the climate crisis. This complexity scientist has a mind-blowing plan to fix that. Doyne Farmer says a super-simulator of the global economy would accelerate the transition to a green, clean world
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/12/economics-climate-crisis-complexity-scientist-plan
We can move beyond the capitalist model and save the climate – here are the first three steps.
Capitalism cares about our species’ prospects as much as a wolf cares about a lamb’s. But democratise our economy and a better world is within our grasp. Jason Hickel and Yanis Varoufakis
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2026/feb/12/capitalist-model-climate-growth-capitalism-species-humanity
Australian legal and integrity figures have warned that Queensland has raised corruption risks heading into the 2032 Games, with the government ignoring its own watchdog’s advice to unpick a ban on developer donations and quadruple the donation cap.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/queensland/warning-on-olympic-corruption-risk-after-developer-donation-ban-overturned-20260211-p5o1ao.html
Chris Minns has cracked down on protests. Will it pay off?
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-12/chris-minns-protest-laws-herzog-visit-police/106331440
‘Victorians have a right to know’: Fair Work chief backs independent Big Build probe
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/victoria/victorians-have-a-right-to-know-fair-work-chief-backs-independent-big-build-probe-20260212-p5o1r3.html
Three arrested by CFMEU corruption taskforce as Victorian premier insists she took appropriate action
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-12/three-arrested-taskforce-hawk-cfmeu-corruption-investigation/106334256
Nightcliff by-election set for March 7, Greens and Labor announce candidates
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-12/nt-nightcliff-byelection-candidates-greens-labor-kat-mcnamara/106335938
Two Chinese nationals allegedly recruited by Beijing to spy on a Buddhist group in Canberra have been bailed after a magistrate compared their intelligence gathering to a student researching a school assignment.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/spying-or-googling-magistrate-compares-intel-gathered-by-alleged-chinese-spies-to-a-school-assignment-20260212-p5o1qk.html
3,100 aged care patients stranded in hospitals as states again press Commonwealth for action
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/aged-care-hospital-funding-bed-block/106336820
How the Aussie appliance maker, Breville, dodged Trump’s tariff bullet
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/how-this-aussie-appliance-maker-dodged-trump-s-tariff-bullet-20260212-p5o1q7.html
Trump’s ‘Golden Age’ is still a fairytale. Stephen Bartholomeusz
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trump-s-golden-age-is-a-bit-of-a-fairytale-20260212-p5o1mn.html
Trump’s EPA repeals landmark climate finding in gift to ‘billionaire polluters’
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/12/trump-epa-rollback-pollution-regulation-endangerment-finding
Climate leaders condemn Trump EPA’s biggest rollback yet: ‘This is corruption’. Leaders promise to fight back with court challenges as Trump rescinds finding foundational to US climate rules
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/12/climate-trump-epa-biggest-rollback
National security plans must adapt to avoid ‘new world disorder’, says UN climate chief. Simon Stiell tells audience in Cop31 host nation Turkey that climate extremes are fuelling famine, displacement and war
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/12/security-strategies-ignoring-climate-crisis-are-dangerously-narrow-un-climate-chief-says
Trump named ‘undisputed champion of beautiful clean coal’ by industry group. Award was presented as president directed Pentagon to buy billions of dollars’ worth of energy from coal plants
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/12/trump-clean-coal-award
Why is the Washington Post cratering so spectacularly? To understand the change in Washington Post’s fortunes, it is worth comparing its demise to the New York Times’s trajectory. Margaret Sullivan
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/12/washington-post-fires-staff
Elon Musk posted about race almost every day in January. Many social media posts by Tesla CEO on his platform are indiscernible from those of white supremacists, say experts
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/feb/12/elon-musk-posts-january-white-supremacists
Jeffrey Epstein engineered intimate relationship for Elon’s brother Kimbal Musk, emails show
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/10/jeffrey-epstein-tesla-kimbal-musk
A survivor says the publication of the Epstein files was meant to deliver long-promised transparency but has instead exposed victims, deepened trauma and continued to shield powerful men.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/epstein-survivor-says-release-of-files-retraumatising/106317616
US House passes Save America Act, Trump-backed bill to impose new voting rules. Bill that requires proof of citizenship and would limit mail-in voting passes 218-213 but faces uphill battle in Senate.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/11/house-save-act-trump-elections-bill
Gallup to stop tracking presidential approval ratings after 88 years.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/11/gallup-stop-tracking-presidential-approval-ratings
Judge sets trial date for Donald Trump’s defamation case against BBC
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-13/trial-date-set-donald-trump-defamation-case-bbc/106339012
Poll: Top NATO allies don’t think US helps deter enemies anymore
The United States’ eroding reputation is raising fresh questions about the stability of the global order that has held for decades, and of the country’s strength on the world stage.
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/11/poll-us-nato-alliances-00775984
Italian PM vows to secure borders and approves bill allowing naval blockades. Legislation is latest step in crackdown by Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government on irregular migration
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/12/italy-migration-giorgia-meloni-borders-naval-blockades-bill
Sudan’s latest peace plan: what’s in it and does it stand a chance?
https://theconversation.com/sudans-latest-peace-plan-whats-in-it-and-does-it-stand-a-chance-275456
As world trade shifts to invitation-only clubs, Australia is facing tough choices
https://theconversation.com/as-world-trade-shifts-to-invitation-only-clubs-australia-is-facing-tough-choices-275438
New EU industry act keeps friends closer — and shuts out China
The Industrial Accelerator Act would include “trusted partners” in its Made in EU mandate, and further curb investment by China. China should not be allowed to own the world
https://www.politico.eu/article/new-eu-industry-act-keeps-friends-closer-and-shuts-out-china/
S. Simpsonsays:
Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 7:13 pm
NSW VOTERS – remember that at State elections we have OPV. You are under no obligation to give preferences to this rotten Labor government. Let your vote exhaust rather than give it to Minns!
======================================================
+1
I wish we had OPV at the federal level.
The peaceful protest and rallies in Melbourne showed again how much of a fool Minns is.
When the nation needed calm and unity after the most horrific terrorist attack on Australian soil. Sussan Ley instead chose to sow division for political gain. In my view, her actions put damaging the Prime Minister and the government ahead of the national interest and the interests of the community, showing she was unfit to serve as Opposition Leader or as an alternative Prime Minister.
The Liberals have made the right call removing her as leader.
Well after all that.it’s time for a nice cup of tea.
Chump and his sycophants have undone fossil fuel environmental protections in Chumpistan.
If the resulting pollution was confined to their borders, who cares? But of course that is not the case, we all share the same atmosphere.
The rest of the world needs to react to this by imposing financial penalties on their products and people movements outside their countries that are adequate to pay for mitigation elsewhere.
Have un-named sources told us yet whether Sussan is pulling the pin or is she going back to the bleachers?
Apparently she will speak first to the cameras and then the squatters Dickus & Hovell around 10.50am.
Fair comment?
“An hour of Taylor’s leadership coming up -Not a Labor voice on ABC so far. Lots of LNP voices straight away if new ALP leader”
Where is the ABC equal time policy in action?
Sussan has left the building.
Sussan Ley- Brendan Nelson
Angus Taylor – Alexander Downer
So Andrew Hastie will be the next John Howard?