Stephen McDonald

This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing. | MSF MSF's frontline medical testimony on systematic mass casualties from GHF sites in Gaza, Palestine.

From MSF www.msf.org/not-aid-orch...

Labor asks Deloitte to design universal childcare system as PM eyes political legacy Exclusive: Government could redirect billions in existing spending on the childcare subsidy and introduce a daily flat fee for families

@albomp.bsky.social agree with need to do comprehensive overhaul of childcare, not sure you picked the best way - plenty of local experts, SME consulting firms, not-for-profits could do this - the big global consulting firms could contribute some useful insights

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

@davidpocock.bsky.social @davidshoebridge.bsky.social @senatorvarunghosh.bsky.social now here is an idea worth looking at

Thinking of friends, former colleagues and communities across the Pacific this morning whilst trying to suppress the memories of 2011 - stay safe and move to higher ground if you are in a warning areas #tsunami

Cripes, she is brilliant. No wonder she annoys the hell out of the mendacious right wing bigots

The characteristics of those who would pay Division 296 taxation Some public commentary tends to suggest that the main categories of individuals impacted by the proposed tax are current and retired farmers and elderly widows who like to punt big on tech stocks. The reality is quite different. It would be much more accurate to categorise those more commonly affected by the proposed tax as being older wealthy males living in affluent areas of capital cities or affluent retirement regions who have never had anything to do with primary production or the only connection is owning a boutique winery that is run at a tax loss. The ATO sample of individual taxpayer data can be used to estimate the characteristics of those would be affected by the new tax as the unit record data includes both superannuation balance and other demographic and financial data. ASFA analysis of that data indicates that in terms of national split of those likely to be affected, around 40 per cent of the total affected are female and 60 per cent male. Those affected are relatively old, with 85 per cent aged over 60 with 46 per cent aged over 70. As such many of the group would be receiving tax free income from superannuation and currently tax free investment earnings on their superannuation balance up to the level of the Transfer Balance Cap. However, not all are retired, with around 30 per cent receiving wage and salary income, and with around 5 per cent having wage and salary income over $200,000 a year. Around 5 per cent of those with over $3 million in superannuation have farm income either direct or through trust or partnership distribution, but in many cases it is not substantial, with other income received. At least some of those with farm income live in inner capital cities and could be described as Pitt Street or Collins Street farmers.

We always hear that farmers will be smashed by the super tax changes.

But last year ASFA noted that "The reality is quite different"
"nothing to do with primary production or the only connection is owning a boutique winery that is run at a tax loss." 😬
www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/u...

On National Centrism ‘Starmerism’ has been defined by absence rather than a firm plan for government. Now the Labour leadership is tending towards passive acceptance of the nationalist spirit of the age.

tribunemag.co.uk/2025/06/on-n...

We are sleepwalking into the Age of Mediocrity and governance without purpose.

On National Centrism ‘Starmerism’ has been defined by absence rather than a firm plan for government. Now the Labour leadership is tending towards passive acceptance of the nationalist spirit of the age.

Juliano Fiori has written an excellent piece on the Starmer Government - favourite quote is “Starmer’s utter lack of conviction is his only remarkable feature, and his awkward efforts to feign some kind of political solidity appear idiosyncratic in an age of performative authenticity.”

You can see the bloke aim at her

Donate to In memory of Cameron Greene, organised by Shalee Cameron It’s with broken hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Cameron: a beautifu… Shalee Cameron needs your support for In memory of Cameron Greene

My friends Davina and Peter an lost her 19 year old son Cameron to an accidental overdose last weekend. I cannot even fathom the grief Cameron's family are going through right now.

You can make a small contribution to funeral costs here:

www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-...

Lot of scares about "oh but it's the unrealised gains thing". Ok but first acknowledge we're talking about a *small* number of people and also only some of those with more than $3m in super.

If you have it in a retail or industry fund, you aren't worrying about unrealised gains at all.

Ah makes sense - keeping Big Landline in business!

You still know people with landlines?🤯

The Albanese Government thanks Mr Fredericks for his service and wishes him all the best for his retirement.

What a disgrace. This is not Britain.

Congratulations @chrisbowenmp.bsky.social on being reappointed - looking forward to working with you and your team on improving our approach to designing and developing renewables and mitigating the impacts of climate change

Gaza will be entirely destroyed, Israeli minister says — Guardian Australia Bezalel Smotrich says Palestinians will ‘leave in great numbers to third countries’, raising fears of ethnic cleansing

Nothing justifies this - Gaza will be entirely destroyed, Israeli minister says - apple.news/APW1mfpXuT7K...

Just after the 2022 election I said (I think it was on Insiders) if the Liberal party didn’t read the room on climate, women etc - then it was consigning itself to irrelevancy. I was pretty roundly criticised at the time. But I do know what I’m talking about and I can pick a vibe

Has anyone got @antonygreenelec.bsky.social a vase yet? @abcfriendsvic.bsky.social are you doing a whip around? #auspol #election

You haven’t missed much to be honest - it’s been tepid.

When a candidate attaches their corflute to a war memorial at a polling booth what does it say about what they stand for?

Good luck Australia - think before you vote. #auspol #election

Irrespective of your voting intentions or political preferences this is one of the best explanations of our #election voting system I’ve seen so far. #auspol

You need to send Harry a message directly - +61 419 788 168 - I know he is keen to get feedback.

I’ve had enough messages from @trumpetofpatriots.bsky.social and Harry Fong. Stop sending me unsolicited text messages. #auspol #election

The best news I've seen today is that the #auspol #election advertising blackout period starts at midnight!

two minions are sitting in red seats with the words " i 'm bored " ALT: two minions are sitting in red seats with the words " i 'm bored "

Five days left of #auspol election campaign - still most boring, uninspiring and tepid election ever.

If it was a colour? Mission brown.

Contest of ideas? A choice between salad or chips with your chicken parma.

Hoping @antonygreenelec.bsky.social will bring it to life on Saturday night.

Add foreign aid to that list too

Hitler’s Terrible Tariffs — The Atlantic By seeking to “liberate” Germans from a globalized world order, the Nazi government sent the national economy careening backwards.

One of many historical parallels.

apple.news/ANMF5aB6nQ4O...