Doug

Why blaming childcare for inflation is absurd In the aftermath of the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise rates, the various parties that now make up the non-government side of things (“Opposition” feels far too a cohesive term) have taken to trying...

My post on why blaming childcare subsidies (and govt spending generally) for inflation is absurd #OffTheCharts #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...

The Point Live: Future of Coalition still up in the air, Labor facing internal 'discomfort' over Herzog visit. The final day of this week's sitting still has the focus on what is happening outside the chambers, with Sussan Ley and David Littleproud still scrapping over the Coalition's future, while Ed Husic vo...

It's only 10.30 and Penny Wong can't explain why we don't have the legal responsibility to arrest Herzog, CGT changes on the table, 3 indies voice concerns about what his visit will do to cohesion, Hanson is back after her senate suspension and the Libs/Nats are still a mess.
live.thepoint.com.au

Taking a break for three weeks in New Zealand - off social media & most news, minimal checking of email - take care everyone - keep compassion alive, grieve with those who grieve & hold the truth up against the powerful

Universities in governance crisis and this is dumped into the mix? This will not end well for anyone

Anti-corruption boss given 'please explain' by government over Defence ties Attorney-General Michelle Rowland asked Paul Brereton to explain why his ongoing ties to Defence had not been "adequately" disclosed in a letter sent last year.

Public faith in anti-corruption institutions is fragile and hard won. Commissioner Brereton’s handling of his Defence connections, and his inability to clearly account for them over time, has weakened confidence in the NACC.

He should consider stepping aside to rebuild public trust in the NACC.

Probably will also judge them on how much support they give to the bigots in Advance.

This is truly gross stuff.

Albanese can still withdraw his invitation to Isaac Herzog. He should do so, for the sake of social cohesion | Chris Sidoti The prime minister should recognise he made a terrible mistake and put a stop to this divisive political visit

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

Revealed: Israel bulldozed part of Gaza war cemetery containing allied graves Satellite images and witness testimony show destruction as IDF claims it was forced to take defensive measures

Something to talk about with Mr Herzog? www.theguardian.com/world/2026/f...

Learning not to drive Far from holding me back, I have only ever considered the benefits of this decision

Living in suburban Dublin, showing up anywhere having walked, cycled, or taken the bus is often seen as so odd, it becomes a topic of conversation. You're a little quirky for just strolling places.

I'm such a culture, this lad is basically a biblical prophet: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...

The image includes the quotation below over a picture of M. Shawn Copeland (a middle-aged African American woman): "The blues demand a theology of prophetic criticism that contests all arbitrary uses of power or coercion, that challenges individual acquisitive materialism, that repudiates any and every attempt to undermine humanity's very humanness, and that cherishes the lives of ordinary everyday children, women and men of all cultures and races." M. Shawn Copeland

"The blues demand a theology of prophetic criticism that contests all arbitrary uses of power or coercion... and that cherishes the lives of ordinary everyday children, women and men of all cultures and races."

M. Shawn Copeland

And the outside of Kinchega Woolshed near Menindee.

Canadian Company Cancels Sale of Virginia Warehouse to ICE

This is a fascinating story. ICE tried to buy a warehouse in VA from a Canadian company, to turn into a detention center. One of the company’s advertising partners basically told them that if they sold, they could kiss their ads goodbye.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/01/u...

Punishment Pays: The reason why the Government won’t bin Mutual Obligations The Labor Government is dragging the public into another unlawful welfare scandal, because it refuses to walk away from an ideology and industry built around punishment

"Punishment Pays: The reason why the Government won’t bin Mutual Obligations" by @jeremypoxon.bsky.social for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...

Why the “bitch and fold” strategy could mean Liberals still vote for “dog” FOI bill

Why are we still going on about the "friendless" FOI bill? Isn't it doomed?

When even the Liberals tell us "Never say never", it would be a mistake to let up now.

More from me on The Point live blog. live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...

My advice? There's no such thing as the 'centre right' Leaving aside the fact that it was John Howard who buried so many of the landmines blowing up the Modern Liberals' backyard, he was right about a few things, including his observation that ‘politics i...

A good read from @richarddenniss.bsky.social "My advice? There's no such thing as the 'centre right'" for @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...

“Constituents are watching closely. History will remember whether their elected representatives acted with bravery in the public interest, or once again chose to extend the life of fossil fuel interests that should be wound down.” - Louise Morris

Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4rxy46N

My money's on the Pope

A Brewery called Maslow's Hierarchy of Meads

Two good pieces on the Aus Greens and how they should be pushing way harder towards seizing on public discontent with elites right now

www.jonathansri.com/greensdeadend/

www.deepcutnews.com/p/the-greens...

Chris Sidoti, our UN Enquiry Commissioner, says on ABC24 that 'it is nuts' to have Herzog come to Australia and that it's not too late for the PM to rescind the invitation. #auspol

If Reform ever wins power in Westminster, it will be because of Labour’s cowardice | George Monbiot Starmer could improve our unfair electoral system to stop the hard right, but he won’t. All the party has left are threats about ‘splitting the vote’, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot

In this week's column I seek to explain Keir Starmer's flat refusal to change our electoral system, even though its gross unfairness could put Reform UK in power on <30% of the vote. The reasons, I believe, are deeply cynical and disturbing. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

‘I don’t think this was a good decision’: Labor’s Ed Husic holds ‘deep concerns’ over Israeli president Isaac Herzog’s visit MP also tells Guardian Australia’s Full Story podcast he backs peaceful protests against country’s actions in Gaza

Great to see politicians show conviction www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Pink cockatoos at Kinchega National Park, New South Wales.

On a street in Minneapolis, two versions of masculinity clashed. One anchored in fear, the other in care | Alexander Hurst Alex Pretti had courage and empathy. This, not Maga’s conception of male power, is what we must teach young men, says Guardian Europe columnist Alexander Hurst

www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

False Alarm Nine's Red Alert on China was never credible

False Alarm
open.substack.com/pub/johnquig...

February 3, 2026 Yesterday, the day before Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s termination of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, U.S.

February 3, 2026
open.substack.com/pub/heatherc...

Sub to Westy's Youtube and get on the livestream chat @3PM NSW Time. 2 MINS! Tell them Aunty Pepper sent you & hugs to Chris Sidoti. Yes, I know I should be joining chat but I've been up all night, haven't slept, got my cranky pants on bcos my brainz hellbent on getting Z3dz, DAMMIT! #Auspol #qt

You should give credit to the Teals for making the Liberal Party vulnerable to being sliced up from the right - if the Teals hadn't eaten the Liberal Party's lunch in urban areas ...

WRONG. I-205 administrative warrants are not issued by immigration judges. They’re signed by ICE officers. And EVEN IF THEY WERE issued by an immigration judge - they are executive branch employees, NOT judicial branch. JUDICIAL warrants are needed to enter a home without consent.