Michael Pascoe

Is Chris Minns channeling Donald Trump? - Michael West It took two Labor leaders to help produce Monday night's violence in Sydney, proving Labor is not immune to a touch of the Trumps.

A low point for two Labor leaders this week, turning Trumpy.
Mine for MWM
michaelwest.com.au/is-chris-min...

Had literally *any* other nation done this the anger being heard across the media airwaves and from politicians would be deafening and unending.

Headline in The Oz: Adam Creighton: "Why it’s time we finally stopped worshipping ‘the science’"

The IPA's Chief Economist with a take

wapo.st/3NTygPc

Charts showing chances of a rate rise Trading Day No Change Increase to 3.85% 20 January 75% 25% 21 January 75% 25% 22 January 40% 60% 23 January 44% 56% 26 January 40% 60% 27 January 42% 58% 28 January 28% 72% 29 January 33% 67% 30 January 28% 72% 02 February 28% 72%

While I still expect the RBA to increase rates, the fact that the market has not really shifted in the past week makes me wonder if even the speculators know the data really isn't there to actually justify a rise.

A 72%chance of a rate rise is not really that definitive

‘Frustrated’ by slow pace of gambling ads reform, Labor caucus wants Wells to act Documents released under FoI show Wells’ department worried about how gambling reforms would affect sporting codes and media companies

Meanwhile, Labor continue to stall on regulations that would actually work and prevent serious harm.
This is laughable stuff 👇 – journalists need to use FOI to find the voices of dissenting Labor MPs!
"Frustrated?" Cry me a fckin river.

RBA rates rise not the sure thing that the commentariat cries - Michael West The conservative commentariat that didn’t want rate cuts last year is urging the RBA to increase rates tomorrow, but it may not happen.

The assumption of a rate rise today already has the RBA being whipped for backflipping. It would be a more painful flop if the figures flipped again.

Why the bank should talk hawk but sit penguin:
share.google/LI6EOV4pQS4L...

Australia is getting meaner - Michael West It was not a happy Australia Day for Michael Pascoe. Two polls told him we’re getting meaner, less welcoming, less Australian.

Intro isn't quite true. It was a happy Oz Day for me - a long well-lubricated lunch with neighbouring friends of varying politics & opinions, all in good spirit and acceptance, perhaps united by disgust with Trump.
But there's still meanness showing in our polling
michaelwest.com.au/australia-is...

I missed an important example of how supine our government is: we enabled the Duggan family's assets, their home, to be seized by the US despite no conviction and with extradition unresolved.
Just a vassal state of a imperial ganster regime abc.net.au/news/2023-12...

Rendering an Australian citizen to the corrupt regime of Donald Trump - Michael West The Albanese Government wants to render Australian citizen Dan Duggan to the corrupt authoritarian regime of Donald Trump.

I think he's capable of multiple simulataneous crimes. The administration's reaction to Renee Wood's killing underlines our surrender in another area though: michaelwest.com.au/rendering-an...

Don't forget, the IHRA definition will be buttressed by the extra Special Envoy's "supplementary guide"...which is either still being developed/workshopped and yet to be seen.

Rendering an Australian citizen to the corrupt regime of Donald Trump - Michael West The Albanese Government wants to render Australian citizen Dan Duggan to the corrupt authoritarian regime of Donald Trump.

US “justice” system is severely compromised from top to bottom especially if there is any element of politics or foreign policy involved yet Canberra is prepared to render unto Trump a fellow Australian just on America's say so.
We've surrendered our self-respect.
michaelwest.com.au/rendering-an...

Albo’s “knights and dames” moment? - Michael West Albanese’s handling of the aftermath of the Bondi massacre raises questions about the PM’s political judgement. Not for the first time

What Robert Manne termed the "clumsy and rather pathetic" Bondi response did not happen in isolation.
Richo's state funeral may prove to be Albanese's "knights and dames" moment
Mine for MWM.
michaelwest.com.au/albos-judgem...

“The CIA and NSA have also stepped up surveillance of Greenland’s independence movement & been tasked with identifying locals sympathetic to America. The Danish government summoned American diplomats three times last year over reports of spying and running a covert influence campaign in Greenland."

How much would you sell your country for? - Michael West Donald Trump is not just trolling on a takeover of Greenland, writes Michael Pascoe. Will it be the money or the gun ... or both?

"If you think Trump is just trolling on Greenland, book yourself a holiday in Caracas" (Edward Luce in the FT)

Mine for MWM

michaelwest.com.au/how-much-wou...

Thank you Renee. Appreciated.

The Monroe Doctrine is 200 years old. Trump is taking it back to its lawless era - the US unconstrained.
And of course it's about the oil, not Maduro - some of Trump's best friends are feudal murderers.

Mine for MWM

michaelwest.com.au/what-trump-v...

But if Xi is smart - and he certainly isn't stupid like Trump - it's the opportunity to really win by going high

The China Opportunity: to own America’s international crown - Michael West Trump's invasion of Venezuela puts the presidents of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in a good position re Ukraine and Taiwan

China the winner as Trump cancels international law.

Mine for MWM

michaelwest.com.au/what-trump-v...

Just imagining a world where the ALP had dumped AUKUS and the LNP alone were still clinging to the view that the US was the great protector.

“Small target” oppositions lead to bad government policies.

"Absolutely devastating". Israel bans aid orgs from Gaza, publishes Aussie antisemites list - Michael West Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - Israel's ban on NGO operations in Gaza “absolutely devastating” as Israel bans aid orgs for antisemitism

michaelwest.com.au/israel-bans-...

How Oil, Drugs and Immigration Fueled Trump’s Venezuela Campaign

www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...

With no-one in the White House to contradict him, Trump seems to be adopting the George Costanza approach to lies.

Fortunately, Americans are increasingly not buying his fantasies.

How Oil, Drugs and Immigration Fueled Trump’s Venezuela Campaign

Our evil "ally". Various motives, same result: nonchalantly murdering people.
"Venezuela’s oil has been more central to Mr. Trump’s deliberations than previously reported"
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/27/u...

States should take emotion out of Adler shotgun debate: Senator A proposal by the New South Wales Deputy Premier and Police Minister to make it easier to import the controversial Adler shotgun is welcomed by a Nationals senator as "appropriate".

I remember when that shotgun was being discussed and people were trying to raise the flag and get it into the category D
"Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie has applauded Mr Grant's proposal," to lift the restrictions on the sale of the Adler shotgun
www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10...

Bondi Shooter revelations leave blood on the hands of politicians, police, ASIO - Michael West Guns are to blame for Bondi tragedy, not PM Anthony Albanese, peace protestors or Iran who are all being fingered in the frenzy of blame

The murderers fired 33 rounds in the first minute at Bondi. There's blood on the hands of the politicians and regulators who enabled that, who sold out to the gun lobby to put such rapid-fire killing machines in their hands, undermining Port Arthur.
Mine for MWM
michaelwest.com.au/bondi-traged...

Australia's security abandoned to the folly of declining US empire - Michael West Foreign affairs. The earth has moved, and our AUKUS security gamble with the US crumbles, but our government pretends nothing has happened

Our timid government has its head under the pillows, desperately hoping it doesn't have to face up to the challenges of a radically changed world.
What’s Labor’s main security concern? How it looks in khaki on election day.
Mine for MWM.
michaelwest.com.au/australias-s...

Alas, it is the new MAGA normal

This cannot be considered normal.

Remember the Torture Memos? The Boat Strike Memos May Be Worse. The Trump administration needs to release the legal analysis underpinning its controversial military campaign.

Remember the Torture Memos? The Boat Strike Memos May Be Worse. - POLITICO share.google/VxQ1aAC6B1rA...