I'd be interested to see what folks here think about the numbers in this story re funding retirement
I was going to reproduce the table but it's too big to screenshot
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-30/retirees-call-for-age-pension-increase/107322008
David Shoebridge up at the National Press Club today, it'll be interesting to see what he comes up with
An interesting start with a tax cut for all taxpayers by increasing the tax free threshold. Plus of doing it that way is that the benefit is the same across the board. Nice the package will include badly needed increases to welfare payments as well
My hope is the numbers add up, and the extra income from properly taxing mining and resources is only counted and spent once
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-27/greens-leader-proposes-tax-cut-and-welfare-boost/107315572
Can't imagine too many people here in Gosford slept through this one
Really interesting episode this morning with Tony Barry and George Megalogenis talking about the history of political violence in Australia and the responses to it. While I don't agree with everything said, a lot made sense
I deliberately haven't posted here about what happened on Monday, partly because my first response was the wrong one. I did what a lot of others would have and tried to figure out what political tribe Nugent was from. That was a stupid impulsive thing to do
From there I watched it play out, seeing plenty of opinions shared. Good, bad and in-between
Where I've landed is that I hope the political class can come together to figure out a way forward and that people who post about politics can do the same. We genuinely do need to turn down the temperature
Thoughts and best wishes with Helen Haines, her family, staff and colleagues as well as everyone else impacted by what's happened
Jordan Steele-John has responded on social media, which is the way things are done these days I guess
As I said in my original post natural justice principles need to apply, innocent until proven guilty and all that. A rapid inquiry is needed to get to the bottom of it all
David Shoebridge is now in an awkward position and nerds to respond today imo
I'm thinking all that's in his power to do is to suspend Jordan from the party room until matters are resolved
Noting that if it does end up being a factional hit job there should be fallout for those who signed the letter imo
Messy
Edit. It sounds like David may not have the power to suspend Jordan from the party room either, even messier
We'll see what the independent inquiry uncovers, I think the suggestion of getting a retired judge to run it makes sense, but what a mess
Jordan denies the allegations and it's only fair that they are tested, natural justice principles etc
In saying that, if they have been around for a decade as suggested it's not a good look for the Greens
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept
In saying all that, it smells like there's a degree of a factional hit job as well. The timing is fascinating. Potentially David Shoebridge saw this as a chance to get it cleaned up before it enviably came to light later?
I hope justice is done, and the alleged victims are being provided with the necessary support
p.s. I have deliberately used a CW for this toot and will not respond to any reply that removes it
I think how the Government pays it's staff is a pretty good indication of where things are at
So it shouldn't come as any surprise that the current Government has tabled a pay offer which is best labelled as embarrassing and insulting today
Totalling 9% over 3 years or
3.2% in year 1
3% in year 2
2.8% in year 3
There is a tiny step towards pay equity by increasing the pay for the lowest paid by an additional 0.5% per year i.e. lifting the minimum floor for each level by that amount
There are also cuts which impact different agencies to varying degrees
My union's claim was a modest 5% or CPI per year
Suffice to say, the offer was met with the response you'd expect
Let the fight commence
Only 38.76% turnout?
Hopefully Zack and the Greens have inspired the majority of those who did to vote their way 🤞
David Shoebridge is a lot better at these videos, hits the mark again imo
This is the kind of policy I'd like to see the Australian Greens adopt, maybe not exactly as proposed but along the same line
Similar to what's happening under Mamdani in NYC and proposed by the Greens in New Zealand with KiwiMart
It's pretty obvious to see the Zack Polanski influence here. I am a fan of Larissa but she never looked comfortable doing these
David and Steph nail it. Short, sharp and on point
It's time to replace Labor
Looks like Sarah Hanson-Young was most popular here but not with the party room given she was first eliminated
Such is life, I hope the new leadership team can increase the Greens vote at the next election and win some extra seats
Australia needs a genuine left wing progressive party to shake things up
Another twist
From the ABC live blog
"The ABC has confirmed Greens senators David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May will be running on a joint ticket for the party's leadership.
The pair say they want the Greens to focus on climate change action, a "fair return from our resources", and don't want Australia to "sell out" its independence to the US.
"We do not seek to reform Labor, but to replace them," the pair said."
The list misses the elephant in the room though, Cost of Living is the number one issue at present and needs to be a strong focus as well
Joint leadership an interesting approach, shares the workload
Bit of a write-up by the ABC
Interesting Steph Hodgins-May has been getting a few mentions
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-30/federal-politics-greens-leader-contenders/106976100
Lots of Greens voters, and potential Greens voters, here so interested in where this one lands
Two candidates have put their hand up so far that I'm aware of in Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi on a joint ticket with Nick McKim as deputy
I'll add David Shoebridge because he seems the most likely other option from the outside looking in
Or is it someone else? Feel free to comment the name of other options
I'll just add, I wish Larissa a speedy recovery
Interested to see what people think should happen on Thursday when the changes come in
From memory the fees cost us $6 billion per year. Highlights how much little amounts add up
Personally I think this is a great move by the government and will be glad to see these fees gone. So annoying copping that little bit extra every time you tap your card etc
Bob Brown was good on where this landed in the clip from 730 in the article, although it reminded me why I don't watch the program anymore
The decision does set a dangerous precedent that the only way we'll get new or expanded national parks in the future is to let big polluters buy associated carbon credits but I'm glad the Greens landed where they did
Is the party split on the issue? Sure they are, it's a divisive one and I can see the arguments both ways. It's good the party allows its representatives to cross the floor and vote with their conscience imo
I hope Larissa comes out to explain it all today, it's important she owns it imo
Noting this gives me another reason to not number a box next to Labor in March, I can't support this Labor government led by Chris Minns or for that matter, a Labor one led by Anthony Albanese federally
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-11/koala-park-carbon-credits-vote-divides-greens/107140178
Interesting from George Megalogenis, filling in on Back to Back Barries this week and promoting his new book with the concept of Australia's Family Tree
Basically it comes down to work he did with numbers provided by the ABS, working forward from Aboriginal and Indigenous People through to Australia today.
Fascinating that 51% of Australians are now first or second generation immigrants
The discussion goes on to discuss how that number is much higher in the capital cities and links it through to politics, especially the One Nation vote. Concludes, if he is right, that it's why they can't win government in their own given the language around a "monoculture"
Well worth a listen when you have a spare half hour imo
This got quite a run today, driven largely by Josh Frydenberg and his upcoming book release and the Secret Harbour by-election
Taylor is struggling, the Liberals poll numbers shocking. They must be looking for an alternative
James Campbell suggested it is all on hold till after the NSW election in March. Maybe so
Noting the current ICAC inquiry potentially opens the door
So, if it is to happen, who do you think should take over from Angus Taylor as Liberal Leader?