Pat Simons

Government launches consultation into locally made wind infrastructure The federal government is exploring the feasibility of manufacturing wind energy infrastructure locally, with the federal minister for industry saying he is "sick of the naysayers" who say local manuf...

Very happy to see the federal government launching consultation into how we get wind manufacturing back up and running

(ICYMI we already did this and successive failures are making it harder) www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...

Good morning.

If you've just woken up, the politics of hope just crushed the politics of fear and hatred (Labour-Reform).

It wasn't even close.

40.6% for the Greens. Reform second on 28.7%, Labour third on 25.4%.

After years in exile, Iran's exiled crown prince is planning for a takeover As the United States and Iran held their third round of nuclear talks on Thursday in Geneva amid heightened regional fears of the prospect of another war in the Middle East, Iran's exiled crown prince...

ABC is writing sponcon for Iranian monarchists now? Seriously bizarre

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...

Legend of Australian renewables John Grimes to resign as SEC CEO, take on regional role John Grimes, a stalwart of the Australian renewable energy industry and key negotiator of game-changing policies, has called time on nearly two decades as CEO of the Smart Energy Council.

Big respect to John Grimes, the SEC has been a critical voice for renewable energy over the past two decades. reneweconomy.com.au/legend-of-au...

Techbro brain worms in graph form

Israel responsible for two-thirds of record 129 journalist deaths in 2025, watchdog finds

📢 Most journalist deaths last year were from armed conflict, making it the second consecutive record-breaking year for fatalities.

Australia Institute research shows a 25% gas export tax could raise $17 billion a year, cutting energy bills and funding healthcare and education.

Meanwhile, Aussies pay more tax on beer than the gas industry pays on exports.

Sign our petition to end the gas export scam: https://theaus.in/3P0dk9D

NEW REPORT: ⚡⚡ Power bills in Australia have become a real struggle for families and businesses, with many forced to choose between basics like food, rent and electricity.

The question is whether we act quickly to switch or keep paying more for a broken system. Head to our 🔗 in bio to find out.

There are now 30 and counting First Nations clean energy partnerships in Australia with First Nations involvement, ownership and equity, some that are community-led, most yet to be operational.

www.firstnationscleanenergy.org.au/energy-proje... #auspol #mobsky #energysky nit.com.au/24-02-2026/2...

Scoop: Australian company Appen is hiring gig workers to unknowingly train AI for US spy planes.

In some cases, workers are providing data to a military carrying out air strikes in their home countries.

with the UK's Bureau of Investigative Journalism

www.crikey.com.au/20...

AI data centre surge would put UK’s climate change targets at risk MPs call for ‘national conversation’ on potential drawbacks of sharp rise in data centres, which would use more power than the UK uses at its peak

⚡️ The data centres needed to power the govt's AI revolution would use more electricity than the UK consumes at peak.

According to Ofgem, around 140 sites are seeking grid connections totalling 50GW (vs 45GW today), a surge MPs warn could put Britain’s climate targets at risk.
buff.ly/Q2N6pbC

SwitchedOn podcast: How will the data industry control the future of clean energy? What if the clean energy transition is led not by utilities, but by the data and AI industry? Luis F. Gonzalez says AI doesn’t just use electricity - it reshapes who builds and controls the grid.

What if the clean #energy transition is led not by utilities, but by the data and AI industry? Luis F. Gonzalez says #AI doesn’t just use electricity – it reshapes who builds and controls the #grid.

Climate disinformation, the Atlas Network and Dr Karl The scourge of AI-slopaganda, viral disinformation campaigns and online attacks against individuals and institutions is going to get far worse before it gets better, if the latest public hearings on t...

Latest from the disinformation inquiry: Fossil fuel lobby group Coal Australia admits to funding astroturfing group Australians for Prosperity www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02...

ElecSome Upcycling: Turning Old Solar Panels Into New Possibilities

Ever heard you can't recycle old solar panels? Turns out they're doing it in Gippsland!

Checkout latest site tour report from @yes2renewables.bsky.social trip to ElecSome Solar Upcycling in Kilmany, Vic

www.yes2renewables.org.au/elecsome_sol...

Panel rebukes EU nations for seeking ouster of UN’s Albanese over Israel-Gaza remarks Review committee says the antisemitism allegations against the special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories are “rooted in disinformation.”

A United Nations committee empowered to review complaints against the U.N.’s special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories has dismissed allegations of antisemitism against Francesca Albanese as being based on disinformation.

Doubtful that Taylor will still be the opposition leader by the next election. Reckon the Coalition still have some blood letting to do.

"The beatings will continue until social cohesion improves"

Poster seen in Sydney denouncing NSW Premier Chris Minns who ordered a brutal police attack on Palestine protesters this week, justified under the totalitarian mantra of "Social Cohesion".

via @radicalgraffiti.bsky.social

Angus Taylor has made failing up an art form

One thing that astonishes me about the Herzog visit is that Israel has murdered more journalists than any other state in the 21st century, and he hasn’t faced a single question about this (to my knowledge) from the Australian media

Friends of the Earth Australia's statement on police violence against anti-racism protestors Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) believes that social and environmental issues cannot be separated from each other. As a result, FoEA is a social and environmental justice organisation. We seek t...

Friends of the Earth Australia's statement on police violence against anti-racism protestors

www.foe.org.au/police_viole...

They should not have invited Herzog to Australia. Now the police are saying they have concerns about how his visit will cause “significant animosity”.

The Albanese Government needs to withdraw this invitation now!

Campaign group behind attack ads on Labor, Greens and teal candidates was funded by coal industry lobby Australians for Prosperity received most of its funding last financial year from Coal Australia, according to disclosures made to the Australian Electoral Commission

"Australians for Prosperity" was almost entirely funded by $3.68 million in donations from industry lobby group Coal Australia during the last election www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Canada's Carney to visit Australia in March Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit Australia in March, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Sunday, as he backed a speech by his Canadian counterpart decrying powerful nations using eco...

Because Australia isn't yet willing to confront the US in a meaningful way, Albo is settling for basking in Carney's glow www.reuters.com/world/americ...

US tariffs on Chines solar panels caused
1)CN firms to relocate production to SE Asia;
2)Higher solar panel prices in US;
3)Decline in employment & wages in US solar manuf

On net: Tariffs caused US welfare losses.Jobs lost (installation) were greater than jobs gained (manuf)& climate was loser

News live: Australia declines to join statement condemning Israel for Unrwa HQ demolition; Liberal party can win elections without Nationals, Ruston says Follow live

Absolutely shameful www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Read our advisory committee member, Josh Bornstein's important contribution in the ABC today (link in bio) about why Albanese should not have invited Herzog to Australia.

Rescind the invitation, now.

Albanese defends Isaac Herzog’s Australia visit as federal MP joins calls to rescind invitation Independent MP Sophie Scamps joins Labor’s Friends of Palestine group and Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi in objecting to Israeli president’s visit

Inviting a president accused of genocide in the ICJ is one hell of a way to build "social cohesion" www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Why the looming visit of Israeli president Isaac Herzog may backfire on Anthony Albanese - ABC Religion & Ethics The Prime Minister is not known for taking big risks — but the visit of Isaac Herzog risks jeopardising his government’s efforts to address escalating tensions within the Australian community over Gaz...

The folly of inviting Israel’s President, Isaac Herzog, to Australia.
My column for the ABC.

SA creates Australia's largest virtual power plant - Clean Energy Finance Corporation Tesla technology driving down energy bills

Anyone know how effective this SA trial of a Virtual Power Plant in public housing was? Looking into solutions for an upcoming vic parliamentary inquiry into renewables for apartments www.cefc.com.au/case-studies...

Djaara worktrip FEB 2026 Mobilise! Resist! Transform!

Every month we hold a worktrip to the Wombat forest in central VIC in support of traditional owner aspirations to manage their country.

Lately we have been focusing on removal of invasive species like gorse.

Next one is FEB 27, all welcome.

www.melbournefoe.org.au/djaara_workt...