Michael Bell

It’s a debate that may never be resolved

They’re hardly going to admit their own management was a contributing factor

It appears to have been an accumulation of factors, including lowering of tariffs, withdrawal of subsidies, industry inefficiencies, poor product choices, loss of fleet buying support, decisions made by parent companies.

www.researchgate.net/profile/Chri...

We’re all very critical of Trump’s tariffs, but it was only Australia’s motor vehicle tariff-based protection that enabled the local industry to actually exist. Did it make sense to have such protectionism propping an industry that would otherwise not have existed locally?

Origin footy is back and it’s good! Serious talent putting on a strong, fun, entertaining, competitive match. Hope it continues. #AFL

The new leader of the Liberal party, starts first day in the job trying to be One Nation. What’s next, copycat ICE squads? Revolting.

Studies have consistently shown that paid-timed parking creates turnover and increases retail visitation. The only way RETAILERS “feel the pinch” from paid-timed parking is when THEY, the retailer, can no longer hog the best customer car parking spots right outside their shop.

Oh you got crowded house to dream it’s over?
I got MC Hammer to touch this.

If the hands on those clocks never moved, I wouldn’t notice. I suspect I’m not alone.

Time to revive a classic

Political commentators frothing uncontrollably at the opportunity to dissect tonight’s latest news about a political party that died years ago.

The rest of Australia: what time is Jakara skiing for Olympic Gold tonight?

Blank Space

If they’re coming from Flinders St - don’t! Go directly to Town Hall Station.

If they’re coming from Southern Cross or Flagstaff, don’t! Transfer to State Library at Melbourne Central.

If they’re coming from Melbourne Central - don’t! Go directly to State Library.

Week 2 of the new Metro Tunnel operating, and there’s still a billion people travelling outbound on Frankston Line trains and getting off at Caulfield to transfer to the Dandenong Line. Why? Surely they’re not all coming from Parliament Station? 🚊🔍👀

The next attempt involves…. plugging all the holes drilled last week, and drilling new holes!

This time, holes have been drilled on an angle from the back of the non-slip tread through to the riser. Incredible design.

Extreme nonsense. Australian standards require power outlets to have a switch, so power outlets can be turned off while appliances are left plugged in and pose zero risk. Australia standards require fuses and RCD protection at the switchboard, further reducing risk.

The Oz decided to go with this angle of the exact same interaction

Bluesky Map Interactive map of 3.4 million Bluesky users, visualised by their follower pattern.

I made a map of 3.4 million Bluesky users - see if you can find yourself!

bluesky-map.theo.io

I've seen some similar projects, but IMO this seems to better capture some of the fine-grained detail

Jeepers! For a club that made Foundation Memberships so easy to say yes to, they sure have over-complicated the subsequent membership sign up process. #TassieDevils

Timeless.

Or is it a prudent employer showing due concern for their employees who might have to transit through an area of potential conflict on their way to/from work?

Kudelka. We’ve lost a good one. 😢

8 months after LXRP declared “Parkdale’s transformation is complete! All works are now complete, marking the end of the Parkdale project”… they’re finally finishing the unfinished bit.

Well, it’s been filled with topsoil. Whether it gets planted is yet to be seen.

#ParkdaleLXR

Same vibes the classic 1980s B&D Dustbuster

Breaking: Invasion Day rally attempted bombing declared terrorist act The attempted bombing of an Invasion Day rally in Perth's CBD last week is declared a terrorist attack by authorities.

Took 10 days for authorities to see what the public knew immediately.

No recall of parliament, no outrage from noisy right wing commentators, and crickets from the commissioners for anti-whatever. Pathetic.

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

And yet another attempt to “fix” the drainage problem plaguing the steps at Parkdale Station - the protruding stair treads have been reset/replaced.

It’s an odd lede when Marles is subsequently reported as having said:
“the objective of the audit was not about identifying land for new housing development, but some sites including Maribyrnong could be suitable.”

Werribingham

Blue Line trains no longer pass through Melbourne Central

“gift shop” 😜