Day 27

“For the first time, #GenZ and #Millennials outnumber #Boomers as the biggest voting bloc. I can’t speak for everyone, but the general mood on the ground is bleak.

Younger generations in particular are, rightfully, increasingly #disillusioned with the two-party system, which serves a dwindling minority of #morbidly wealthy players rather than the general public.

We’re tired of the mudslinging, scare campaigns, confected culture wars and other transparent political theatrics that incite division while distracting the public and media from legitimate critical issues. We don’t need games. We need bold, urgent, sweeping economic and social reforms. There’s frankly no time for anything else.

Last year was officially the hottest on record globally, exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. #Multinational #FossilFuel #corporations continue to pillage our #resources and coerce our elected officials while paying next to #NoTax.” — #GraceTame

#AusPol / #OpEd / #Elections <https://archive.md/G2Txz> / <https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2025/04/26/young-people-must-fight-democracy> (paywall)

@thejapantimes
Attn: @bojacobs

"Realistically, the discussion should center on whether deterrence works and, if so, how to regulate possession of nuclear weapons to avoid their accidental or intentional use."

— "Ellis S. Krauss is professor emeritus at the School of Global Policy and Strategy, University of California, San Diego."
#NuclearDeterrence #OpEd

Day 22

“I’m in jail because I stood up to Government who has lost respect for #truth and #law, and the nation of Australia, and sacrifices our nation for their own selfish re-election campaigns”

“Probably only one thing is guaranteed about this election: that in three years time #Australia will be in worse shape that it is now.

That is because our system promotes ‘window-dressing’: pretending to do good things with expensive #PR and #media campaigns, while actually doing the opposite. The party which tells the biggest boldest lies, and makes promises that it has no intention of keeping, will win. Australia will lose. A hung parliament is our only hope for progress.

If you want to understand the concept of #WindowDressing, all you have to do is consider how #Labor came in on a promise of more transparent government, a better deal for #women and #ClimateAction. Its hard not to smile in a black-humoured way when those three things are now considered in light of the last three years.” — #DavidMcBride

#AusPol / #OpEd / #whistleblowers / #OSI / #NACC / #AUKUS / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #WarCrimes / #BenRobertsSmith <https://michaelwest.com.au/the-system-needs-to-change-war-crimes-whistleblower-david-mcbride/>

Day 16 cont

“One is left to wonder, why do parties of both major #political persuasions keep doing things which they know will put upward pressure on #house #prices, and thus exacerbate the #problem they say they are trying to solve?

It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that the reason is that they know there are only about 110,000 people who each year succeed in becoming first home buyers. And even if you assume that for every one who does, there are five or six who don’t, that’s still only 700,000 or so votes, tops, for policies that might restrain the rate of house price inflation or halt it altogether.

Politicians also know that at any point in time there are more than 11 million voters who own their own homes, and more than 2.25 million who own at least one investment property. The last thing those 11 million to 13 million voters want is anything that might restrain – let alone halt – the rate of property price #inflation.” — #SaulEslake

#AusPol / #OpEd / #housing / #Australia / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #Labor <https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/apr/14/the-housing-policies-of-both-major-parties-are-bad-for-aspiring-home-buyers>

Day 15 #OpEd reminder of who benefits from #LNP policy

Thu 31 Oct, 2024.

“#PeterDutton says his office asked whether billionaire (Oligarch) #GinaRinehart's jet was available for event: #OppositionLeader Peter Dutton has admitted his own error after saying he had never requested access to billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart's #PrivateJet in his travels.”

Mr Dutton has previously #declared flights provided by #HancockProspecting, owned by Ms #Rinehart, but on Tuesday said "no" when asked if he had ever personally asked to be flown courtesy of the nation's #richest woman.

#LNP / #Nationals / #Liberals / #Oligharchs / #Corporations / #MultiNationals / #Nuclear / #NuclearWaste / #NuclearPower <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-31/liberal-mp-adds-undisclosed-flight-upgrades/104543154>