With nearly every pollster in the game having pitched in last week, a quiet period looms. The weekly Roy Morgan should be along later today as always, and DemosAU is about due for one of its big-sample MRP projections. On the broader electoral front, there is the following to report:
• The Weekend Australian had the quarterly Newspoll detailed breakdowns from its four polls conducted in April, May and June. The state results show movement towards One Nation and away from Labor clearly evident in Victoria and South Australia, less evident in New South Wales, and not at all evident in Queensland and Western Australia, with Labor gaining three points in the former case. Breakdowns by education are distinctive in that One Nation is up six among those with technical qualifications, but effectively unchanged for everyone else. Voting intention is barely changed among 18-to-34s, whereas One Nation are up significantly among the older cohorts. Presumably inspired by the budget tax measures, the breakdowns now include housing tenure, as commonly featured by other pollsters. To commemorate the occasion, I have added tabs for these results to the BludgerTrack poll data features (keep clicking the “more” tab until you see them).
• The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has published an interim report from its routine inquiry into the last election, which notably focuses on aggressive behaviour at polling booths. The majority report cites data on public complaints received by the AEC, and recommended that “election participants” be required to register and observe a code of conduct. The AEC, whose bailiwick currently ends six metres from the entrance, would enforce this code within a “campaign zone” around the polling place, in which signage limits would also apply. The report argued that much of the offending behaviour “seemed to involve third parties”, and while it didn’t name names, committee chair Jerome Laxale told parliament while tabling the report of “an assault by third parties identified in submissions like the Plymouth Brethren and Advance”.
• Certainly the Plymouth Brethren angle had been divined by the committee’s Coalition members, who headlined their dissenting report “less inquiry, more hyperpartisan witch hunt” – the latter having been directed against “Australians based on their religious faith”. While acknowledging aggressive behaviour was an issue, their own volunteers having been “targets for intimidation by unions and other third party organisations on polling booths for many elections”, the Coalition members forcefully rejected the recommendations as burdensome, open to abuse and possibly unconstitutional. Also in the Coalition report was a call for the early voting period, already truncated from three weeks to two before the 2022 election, to be reduced to one week, and for the AEC to be “more strident on ensuring that people accessing pre-poll are doing so for one of the reasons prescribed in the Act”.
• The official determination of how many seats each state and territory will be entitled to at the next election, which is calculated a year into each parliamentary term, will be made later this month. Antony Green has done their work for them based on the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population data, and concludes there will be no change from the status quo, Queensland having recorded not quite enough growth to get it over the line for a thirty-first seat. Queensland will nonetheless get a redistribution under the seven-year rule, which is now overdue after being twice delayed: first because of the election, and then because there was no point commencing the process until it was clear how many seats the state would have. Proposed boundaries were published in March for South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, final boundaries for which are expected later this month.
• Wendy Askew has brought forward the retirement she recently announced for the end of her term in mid-2028, now to take effect in a “few weeks”. This means two vacancies are now available for Tasmanian Liberal Senate seats, together with that created by Jonathan Duniam’s surprise retirement announcement last month.
Interesting and wondering what is defined a technical qualifications.
Good to see the Greens at 27 with the youngest cohort of voters, the future is bright
While I applaud NSW looking to cut the number of pokies it’s not the answer. The answer is mandatory carded play, let players set limits and see how much they’re losing. I can do that on my betting apps now, there is no reason the option shouldn’t be offered more broadly other than political cowardess
Banning advertising will hopefully stop some kids starting gambling, that would be a good thing and is a worthwhile goal
Gambling will always exist, as has been said banning it would just push it back into the shadows and no one wins from that. Greater controls are the way to go
Betting on sport is difficult and made even harder when you have organisations like FIFA running things. Caving to the US re the red card suspension is pathetic
Hopefully Belgium get it done tomorrow and knock the US out
What’s in the water in Tassie, with both Liberal Senators in a hurry to leave?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/how-investors-swamped-first-home-buyers-in-nsw-20260703-p60cb4.html
I don’t know (or care) if that other World Cup is still on, but we just won the important one:
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-women-s-t20-world-cup-2026-1483859/england-women-vs-australia-women-final-1490709/live-cricket-score
The media is going to have fun with this one
A more switched on PM would have laughed off the question rather than answer it but such is life. Hardly a hanging offence to say he’d sleep with, date and marry Kylie although his wife might have a bit of fun with it next time he asks for a little bit of action…
You should be so lucky
Australia has romped to a “clinical” seventh T20 World Cup title, making light work of hosts England with a seven-wicket win at Lord’s on Sunday afternoon.
Hard Green – It will be a storm in a tea cup until something of actual substance happens today.
The poor Women cricketers got so little coverage because the Soccer is on and they have been so dominant that it is expected they will win. Well done ladies.
Andrew Bragg didn’t miss the opportunity to have a bit of a whack at the PM on RN Breakfast
“Below the status of the office”
“He is a shapeshifter. Lied about increasing taxes” etc…
Congrats to the Aussie Women on the win. A shame if the PM’s error of judgment takes away from it at all
Time for work, enjoy your day folks
Edit – seems the government’s talking points are to highlight their efforts on females in cabinet, pay equality etc
Pauline is picking up the self-employed tradies.
Not a surprise, IMO.
They do not want to pay their workers any more than they have to. They do not want their employees to have better conditions.
They don’t want to pay more capital gains tax on their investments.
They don’t want to compete against migrants.
Good to see HBG getting stuck into Hanson today.
WC .. referees are born with a whistle stuck up their dark passage.. hopeless, always look to get into the game
World News & Politics Patrol:
Putin and Trump held ‘businesslike’ 90-minute July 4 call: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/05/europe/putin-trump-call-independence-day-intl
“Russia Has Lost the Black Sea,” Zelenskyy Says: https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/russia-has-lost-the-black-sea-zelenskyy-says-20447
Ukraine Knocked Out Russian Buk-M3, Then Sent in Warplanes to Strike Command Posts: https://united24media.com/war-in-ukraine/ukraine-knocked-out-russian-buk-m3-then-sent-in-warplanes-to-strike-command-posts-20455
Nigel Farage ‘secretly funded by criminal aristocrat who calls him Daddy’: https://metro.co.uk/2026/07/05/nigel-farage-secretly-funded-criminal-aristocrat-calls-daddy-29048006/
Jack Smith Breaks His Silence, Warns of Unprecedented Attacks on Rule of Law by Trump Administration: https://www.latintimes.com/jack-smith-breaks-his-silence-warns-unprecedented-attacks-rule-law-trump-administration-598108
Trump discloses 21,000 securities trades during first year in office: https://abcnews.com/Politics/trump-discloses-21000-securities-trades-year-office/story?id=134427666
White House deletes thousands of web pages about energy conservation as heatwave slams US: https://www.theverge.com/policy/961449/white-house-mamdani-heatwave-deletion
MAGA Rages as Trump’s Fireworks Fiasco Descends Into Chaos: https://www.thedailybeast.com/maga-rages-as-trumps-fireworks-fiasco-descends-into-chaos/
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow dropped out of Michigan’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race Sunday, leaving a one-on-one battle with 30 days to go before the Aug. 4 Democratic primary election: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/07/05/mallory-mcmorrow-michigan-senate-haley-stevens-abdul-el-sayed/90813567007/
Speaker Johnson says House will pass Trump’s voter ID bill through arduous process after GOP revolt: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/05/politics/johnson-house-voter-id-bill
FIFA lifts US player Balogun’s red card suspension at World Cup after Trump calls Infantino: https://apnews.com/article/falorin-balogun-suspension-world-cup-e5a5cab5731a916808601be93cb36832
Navy suspends active search for missing crew member after helicopter goes down in Arabian Sea: https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-07-05/navy-suspends-search-helicopter-arabian-sea-22179786.html
Felt a ‘big bang’: Firework strikes Delta flight landing in Chicago: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/firework-strikes-delta-flight-landing-chicago-rcna353054
It appears that gender bias in the medical profession, even misogyny, is widespread. I’m sure that those doctors who post on this site are above reproach:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/jeanne-marie-survived-mother-of-all-surgeries-but-bias-nearly-broke-her-how-to-fix-medical-misogyny-20260630-p60b96.html
A Swede, a German, and a Dutchman walks into a bar.
The bartender asks: “Where’s the Norwegian?”
“Still in the World Cup”
-INDEPENDENT
Hard Being Greensays:
Monday, July 6, 2026 at 7:43 am
The media is going to have fun with this one
A more switched on PM would have laughed off the question rather than answer it but such is life. Hardly a hanging offence to say he’d sleep with, date and marry Kylie although his wife might have a bit of fun with it next time he asks for a little bit of action…
You should be so lucky.
_______________________
Delusions of grandeur there.
He’s no Robert Redford.
Kylie herself will probably be pleased that somebody in the media has mentioned her in the last two decades.
I had kind of forgotten she existed.
Norway knockedout Brazil 2-1 in world cup in round 16
Mavis
My sibling has being dealing with very serious health events over past few years. She is being treated via our local public hospital at the Austin in Heidelberg.
Her surgeons and treating specialists have been females, and her care has been top notch. They communicate clearly with compassion and are available at any time for any queries or concerns.
They have been amazing.
We as a family have been so appreciative.
The LNP minority report into the 2025 election (WB’s summary above) sounds a little bit Trumpian*.
*Description of an action in politics that is self serving, corrupt and aimed at crushing dissent.
“Lending to property investors in NSW, having ballooned from $5 billion a year to $59 billion over the past three decades, now outstrips lending to the state’s first home buyers by $40 billion.
In the mid-1990s, borrowing for investment was not much larger than by first home buyers – but since the introduction of a 50 per cent capital gains tax discount in the late 1990s, a yawning gap has opened in favour of investors.”
Excerpt From
“How investors swamped first home buyers in NSW”
The Sydney Morning Herald
https://apple.news/ApqfUTUaKTHegLQ5l4Nm1Uw
Victoria:
Monday, July 6, 2026 at 8:57 am
I’m glad your sibling has had a good experience with the medical profession, but the article I shared suggests many women haven’t.
My mother has been legally blind for most of her life.
About forty years ago, she had a cornea transplant.
About three years ago, she had complications in that eye (from memory, a cataract and an ulcer).
A huge operation was planned, which was to involve several specialists. They were going to basically strip the eye right back, and replace the cornea. She’d end up with 20/20 vision, but it was going to be a long and complicated process.
At one of the final planning sessions in the process, a female specialist walked in.
“Has anyone asked what outcome the patient wants?” she asked.
No, they hadn’t.
Mum explained that she didn’t want 20/20 vision. She’d never had it, and it had long ceased to worry her. She wanted enough sight to be able to play Scrabble on line, which would also be enough sight to allow her to cook for herself.
Corneal transplant cancelled and two much simpler processes carried out successfully instead.
There is ZERO hope in addressing the housing shortage.. this rubbish is a result of non existent state government planning for the the last 50+ years, its getting worse not better.. under Minne’s sellout to developers as well as unhinged suburban sprawl we have unhinged non planning of developments within 800 meters of transport hubs.
NSW Planning is yet to release the planning documents to control the high rise “infills”.. we have the worst planning in the world..
In the last year Kylie had a global Number 1 documentary on Netflix, finished a huge global tour including 2 sold out nights at Madison Square Garden and won a Grammy…. she has hardly disappeared.
Never thought I would have to say this but Kylie Minogue has more class and better judgement than our PM. A really dumb thing for Albanese to get himself into.
HH DP
British aritocrats are original gangsters
Google AI
The idea that the British aristocracy are the original gangsters is a famous line popularized by Guy Ritchie’s works, such as the film and television series The Gentlemen. It’s a clever premise that landed gentry and organized crime bosses share the exact same business model: using violence, intimidation, and political manipulation to seize territory and secure wealth.
The thesis that the wealthy elite wrote the playbook on organized crime rests on a few core historical realities:
William the Conqueror’s Hostile Takeover: In 1066, the Norman Conquest was essentially a massive, state-sponsored gangland takeover. William grabbed all the land he could and set up an enforced system of “taxation” (tribute) and a judiciary controlled entirely by his friends, allowing them to hold onto their loot for generations.
Monopolizing the Game: Aristocrats built massive dynastic wealth not through modern business or entrepreneurship, but by enclosing common land, seizing estates, and using government force to solidify their monopolies.
Enforcing the Racket: Just like a modern crime syndicate, the ruling class maintained a rigid system where they kept the profits while the working and lower classes paid the price, effectively operating a vast, legalized protection racket.
No but I think Albanese wishes he could disappear today.
Another Google AI review take
The British aristocracy are practically the “original gangsters”. They successfully stole 75% of the country centuries ago and set up legal, tax, and educational systems to keep it. Their blueprint of seizing power by the sword and turning it into generational wealth is the ultimate power play.The idea that landed nobility have more in common with underworld thugs than they’d like to admit is a brilliant concept, and it’s exactly what drives hit shows like Netflix’s The Gentlemen.
Haters are gonna hate.
Never been a huge personal fan but Kylie is objectively incredibly successful and talented, and as you point out still going strong.
Mavis
Agreed.
I should add that in fact, my sibling has received phone calls on weekends from female and male doctors from the Austin, checking in on her, and seeing how she is tracking and also if she has any concerns.
My point is that her experience was the opposite of being dismissive.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/jeanne-marie-survived-mother-of-all-surgeries-but-bias-nearly-broke-her-how-to-fix-medical-misogyny-20260630-p60b96.html
Good link Mavis, but ask any women and its nothing new (hell ask a Woman of color and get the 2 for 1 deal)
You can see the main Newspoll quarterly summary table graphic as it appears in the hard copy of The Australian in my Bluesky post.
https://bsky.app/profile/leroylynch.bsky.social/post/3mpwqurt3yc2k
Open the post, and click on the image to enlarge, or right click to open in another tab.
My own personal GPs over the years, have always stated that their job is to listen to the patient. If the patient has a concern in any way, it is never dismissed.
One example. My own offspring had obscure symptoms about 17 years ago. It could be attributed to anything.
Our GP heard the symptoms and rather than dismiss them as just the usual, they arranged a specific test which I had never heard of.
The diagnosis was quick and to the point.
The hospital where it was done, said that it usually takes a long time for doctors to act on something like this, and it was a good pick up by our GP. I responded that our GP clinic has always been proactive and it’s not the first time they have done so.
We have been quite fortunate in our interactions with the medical profession.
The two leaders of the (anti vaxx) Red Union Movement have been accused of breaching employment law after allegedly pressuring a worker to become an independent contractor rather than an employee
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/red-union-leaders-accused-of-pressuring-worker-into-sham-contract-deal/news-story/dc81947ca2cd85038743842aa7eb4f9d
archive version (no paywall): https://archive.is/676od
For a refresher on the pandemic era so called Red Union people, see this from 2023. You don’t hear as much about them now, but they are still around.
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/12/27/red-unions
Albo should spend less time with the likes of V’Landys and more time talking to his ministers. Rebecca White could have told him about how she got into dreadful trouble earlier this year about playing a game of “shag, marry or shoot” (or whatever it’s called) earlier this year at the Hobart summer festival.
The only appropriate response for him to give would have been something along the lines of “Jodie’s the only girl for me.” Pretty elementary mistake by a politician with his decades of experience.
But it will soon blow over, particularly if he can make sure he can keep a fair distance away from wherever Kylie happens to be at any given time.
Torchbearer:
Watched and attended almost entirely by boomers on death’s door, I presume?
I was a child the last time Kylie had a big hit.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a pretty stupid dumb response, but, hey, at least he chose someone his own age.
Although meherbaba is okay with passing this legislation, it is still astonishing. Don’t you ever criticise conduct of elections in other countries
HH DP
[Speaker Johnson says House will pass Trump’s voter ID bill through arduous process after GOP revolt: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/07/05/politics/johnson-house-voter-id-bill%5D
I do admit to quite liking the “Spinning Around” song. Oh, and her duet with Nick Cave. That’s about it though.
What the absolute f@@k. This is a frickin farce.
——-
“The most stunning controversy of the 2026 World Cup erupted on Sunday after it emerged that President Trump personally intervened to have U.S. striker Folarin Balogun reinstated for the team’s round-of-16 game against Belgium following his red card in the previous round.
Trump called FIFA president Gianni Infantino last week, urging him to review Balogun’s automatic one-game suspension, according to people familiar with the matter. ”
Excerpt From
“FIFA Sparks World Cup Furor After Trump Intervenes Over U.S. Striker’s Red Card”
The Wall Street Journal
https://apple.news/A4-WfW0fuSfaWquW1Ci567g
Unless a person loves only one person in their life, they have fantacised about other people.
The reason for so many partners in life for many people in this day and age is mostly because of that.
On the other hand, you have her awful guest appearance in that Doctor Who episode near twenty years back, which I think was probably the last time I had heard of her.
Ven:
Everyone fantasises about people who aren’t their partner on occasion. It’s human nature. Nothing wrong with it as long as you don’t act on those fantasies. (Unless one happens to have some kind of open relationship… then go nuts.)
At least Albo’s fantasy is a woman who is pushing 60.
But I’m pretty sure it was just a dumb attempt at being funny, much like when Rudd told Rove that he’d “go gay” for Dame Edna.
Victoria
This is horrible. Trump destroyed FIFA with one header.
This is unbelievable and yet many people cannot come to terms with the idea that POTUS can not only be bad but also evil. They say we are talking about US of A, the best democracy in the world, the best rules based country in the world, the light on the hill. How can the leader of that country be evil, they say.
WWP:
Well, the people who write her songs and operate the autotuning software certainly are, at least.
Ven
He has always been mad and bad. There is no bottom to his horribleness.
Everyday I wake up hoping to hear of his demise. I make no apology for it either.
There are some great men, who love their only women in their life. I tip my hat to them. But mostly it is in the DNA of men to fantacise about more than one woman. That, unfortunately is the nature of the beast.
The response by Tanya Plibersek this morning to KylieGate was timid and unacceptable but politics trumps all I guess even female respect. I think her response would have been much more in tune with today’s expectations if it was Abbott or Morrison in the hot seat.
You just don’t treat females as some pawn in a sexual game in modern Australia and particularly if you happen to be the head of the country.