Bill Browne
@browne90.bsky.social
Director at The Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability Program. Views posted are my own.
Native forestry logging in NSW in breach of environmental regulations "will continue except when it is interrupted by community initiatives and citizen science" writes Bob Debus, former NSW Enviro Minister.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Native forest logging is driving extinction and climate damage
The revelation that the Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) is proposing to log a cloud forest in southern NSW teeming with threatened species is another reminder of the spiralling decline of the nati...
thepoint.com.au
January 23, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Native forestry logging in NSW in breach of environmental regulations "will continue except when it is interrupted by community initiatives and citizen science" writes Bob Debus, former NSW Enviro Minister.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Reposted by Bill Browne
Credit where credit is due - the SA Department for Energy and Mining has changed its processes to remove any ‘threat’ in its #FOI determination letters not to publish decision letters. 💪#saparli
January 22, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Credit where credit is due - the SA Department for Energy and Mining has changed its processes to remove any ‘threat’ in its #FOI determination letters not to publish decision letters. 💪#saparli
A hundred-year history of the Nationals (or their predecessor) influencing who leads the Liberal Party (or its predecessors).
From @benraue.com www.tallyroom.com.au/64146
From @benraue.com www.tallyroom.com.au/64146
The history of the Nationals and the Liberal leadership
The recent divisions between the Liberal Party and the Nationals, which seem to have culminated in the Nationals ending the coalition this morning, have made me think of the long history of the sma…
www.tallyroom.com.au
January 22, 2026 at 3:59 AM
A hundred-year history of the Nationals (or their predecessor) influencing who leads the Liberal Party (or its predecessors).
From @benraue.com www.tallyroom.com.au/64146
From @benraue.com www.tallyroom.com.au/64146
Reposted by Bill Browne
The non compete is what separates the Coalition from other parliamentary coalitions that are ad hoc between parties that do compete with each other but agree to a set of rules to make governing together viable in the Parliament the voters gave them.
January 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM
The non compete is what separates the Coalition from other parliamentary coalitions that are ad hoc between parties that do compete with each other but agree to a set of rules to make governing together viable in the Parliament the voters gave them.
Seems like a good time to share my explainer -- what is the Opposition and who decides who the Opposition Leader is?
On @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
On @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
If the Opposition is not the alternative government, what is the point of it?
With Victoria on its third Oppostion Leader in a year, and speculation about pressure on the Federal and NSW Liberals, we're left wondering: what makes an Opposition Government?
thepoint.com.au
January 21, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Seems like a good time to share my explainer -- what is the Opposition and who decides who the Opposition Leader is?
On @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
On @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
Reposted by Bill Browne
"I don't think the government knows what the consequences of this legislation are, let alone the rest of us."
@browne90.bsky.social, @amyremeikis.bsky.social & @ebonybennett.bsky.social discuss Australia's new hate laws & this week's emergency sitting of parliament. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4qVYWx4
@browne90.bsky.social, @amyremeikis.bsky.social & @ebonybennett.bsky.social discuss Australia's new hate laws & this week's emergency sitting of parliament. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4qVYWx4
January 21, 2026 at 6:24 AM
"I don't think the government knows what the consequences of this legislation are, let alone the rest of us."
@browne90.bsky.social, @amyremeikis.bsky.social & @ebonybennett.bsky.social discuss Australia's new hate laws & this week's emergency sitting of parliament. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4qVYWx4
@browne90.bsky.social, @amyremeikis.bsky.social & @ebonybennett.bsky.social discuss Australia's new hate laws & this week's emergency sitting of parliament. #auspol
🎧 theaus.in/4qVYWx4
Reposted by Bill Browne
Big night in the Senate last night. If you want to catch up on what happened in the Senate, as it happened, @amyremeikis.bsky.social was live blogging to the very end,
catch up here: live.thepoint.com.au
catch up here: live.thepoint.com.au
The Point Live: Liberals to pass government hate speech laws, Greens warn of impact on democracy
Anthony Albanese and Sussan Ley are negotiating once again on what is left of the hate speech laws, in a parliamentary day dedicated to the passage of just two bills. All the day's events, as it happe...
live.thepoint.com.au
January 20, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Big night in the Senate last night. If you want to catch up on what happened in the Senate, as it happened, @amyremeikis.bsky.social was live blogging to the very end,
catch up here: live.thepoint.com.au
catch up here: live.thepoint.com.au
The rushed gun control/hate speech bill (to be split) was considered over just a couple of days by a committee that excludes independents and minor parties.
Minor party representatives are being asked to vote on laws they didn't get a chance to review.
live.thepoint.com.au?post=85c7c31...
Minor party representatives are being asked to vote on laws they didn't get a chance to review.
live.thepoint.com.au?post=85c7c31...
The Point Live: Parliament returns early for Bondi condolence motions
Anthony Albanese has recalled parliament early for condolence motions to remember the 15 people killed at Bondi Beach terror attack, on 14 December. Tibor Weitzen, Matilda, Rabbi Yaakov Levitan, Marik...
live.thepoint.com.au
January 19, 2026 at 3:58 AM
The rushed gun control/hate speech bill (to be split) was considered over just a couple of days by a committee that excludes independents and minor parties.
Minor party representatives are being asked to vote on laws they didn't get a chance to review.
live.thepoint.com.au?post=85c7c31...
Minor party representatives are being asked to vote on laws they didn't get a chance to review.
live.thepoint.com.au?post=85c7c31...
On @thepointau.bsky.social live blog, Jack Thrower explains what media gets wrong on protests:
A protest is not just an expression of opinion (unlike an op-ed): it is a political tactic aimed at achieving a political objective (a change to government policy). live.thepoint.com.au/2026/01/the-...
A protest is not just an expression of opinion (unlike an op-ed): it is a political tactic aimed at achieving a political objective (a change to government policy). live.thepoint.com.au/2026/01/the-...
live.thepoint.com.au
January 19, 2026 at 3:56 AM
On @thepointau.bsky.social live blog, Jack Thrower explains what media gets wrong on protests:
A protest is not just an expression of opinion (unlike an op-ed): it is a political tactic aimed at achieving a political objective (a change to government policy). live.thepoint.com.au/2026/01/the-...
A protest is not just an expression of opinion (unlike an op-ed): it is a political tactic aimed at achieving a political objective (a change to government policy). live.thepoint.com.au/2026/01/the-...
Do the sensational claims about One Nation's polling hold up under scrutiny?
In @thepointau.bsky.social , I explain what "two-party preferred" means and what it's used (and misused) for.
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
In @thepointau.bsky.social , I explain what "two-party preferred" means and what it's used (and misused) for.
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Would half of Australians prefer a One Nation MP to a Labor one?
Last week, polling company DemosAU released sensational opinion polling showing One Nation tied with the Liberal–National Coalition on “first-preference votes” and tied with Labor on “two-party prefer...
thepoint.com.au
January 19, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Do the sensational claims about One Nation's polling hold up under scrutiny?
In @thepointau.bsky.social , I explain what "two-party preferred" means and what it's used (and misused) for.
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
In @thepointau.bsky.social , I explain what "two-party preferred" means and what it's used (and misused) for.
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
ChatGPT is a scapegoat. It may lift the quality of work of the worst students, but universities were already giving poor work a passing grade.
It is the universities who broke trust first -- not the students.
On @thepointau.bsky.social --
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
It is the universities who broke trust first -- not the students.
On @thepointau.bsky.social --
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Students are only fake learning because universities are fake teaching
Artificial Intelligence is improving exponentially. There is a real threat that it could upend employment, security, art and even what it means to be human.
thepoint.com.au
January 18, 2026 at 10:16 PM
ChatGPT is a scapegoat. It may lift the quality of work of the worst students, but universities were already giving poor work a passing grade.
It is the universities who broke trust first -- not the students.
On @thepointau.bsky.social --
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
It is the universities who broke trust first -- not the students.
On @thepointau.bsky.social --
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Good argument from Clare Armstrong:
"Whether or not the Coalition's concerns are legitimate, almost all are the result of their decision to push Labor to move quickly."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
"Whether or not the Coalition's concerns are legitimate, almost all are the result of their decision to push Labor to move quickly."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Politicising Bondi backfires for Liberals who got what they asked for
Federal Liberals are discovering the price of having been so brazen in their politicisation of the Bondi terror attack and many appear to have buyers' remorse.
www.abc.net.au
January 15, 2026 at 3:01 AM
Good argument from Clare Armstrong:
"Whether or not the Coalition's concerns are legitimate, almost all are the result of their decision to push Labor to move quickly."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
"Whether or not the Coalition's concerns are legitimate, almost all are the result of their decision to push Labor to move quickly."
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Bill Browne
“What makes the travel expenses media pile-on particularly unjust is that Minister Wells was in the United States explaining and promoting a policy that the media campaigned for." - Bill Browne, The Australia Institute
Read Bill Browne’s full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/lab...
Read Bill Browne’s full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/lab...
January 15, 2026 at 12:54 AM
“What makes the travel expenses media pile-on particularly unjust is that Minister Wells was in the United States explaining and promoting a policy that the media campaigned for." - Bill Browne, The Australia Institute
Read Bill Browne’s full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/lab...
Read Bill Browne’s full piece on The Point: thepoint.com.au/opinions/lab...
Reposted by Bill Browne
Read more about the changes to South Australia's political donation laws ⤵️
australiainstitute.org.au/post/south-a...
australiainstitute.org.au/post/south-a...
South Australian electoral experiment deserves much closer scrutiny
With the South Australian House of Assembly considering dramatic changes to electoral law this week, The Australia Institute warns the process has been rushed and the legislation is compromised and un...
australiainstitute.org.au
January 13, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Read more about the changes to South Australia's political donation laws ⤵️
australiainstitute.org.au/post/south-a...
australiainstitute.org.au/post/south-a...
Reposted by Bill Browne
A South Australian MP facing serious allegations could access $100,000 in taxpayer funds following changes to state political donation laws.
"It's a very crude, blunt object which doesn't necessarily allocate funds based on current popular public support."
@browne90.bsky.social #auspol
"It's a very crude, blunt object which doesn't necessarily allocate funds based on current popular public support."
@browne90.bsky.social #auspol
January 13, 2026 at 4:34 AM
A South Australian MP facing serious allegations could access $100,000 in taxpayer funds following changes to state political donation laws.
"It's a very crude, blunt object which doesn't necessarily allocate funds based on current popular public support."
@browne90.bsky.social #auspol
"It's a very crude, blunt object which doesn't necessarily allocate funds based on current popular public support."
@browne90.bsky.social #auspol
In @thenewdaily.bsky.social
How govts can out-manoeuvre big tech:
Draw on popular support.
Follow through on enforcement.
Don't wait for multinational agreement.
Earn trust.
Do the work of convincing the public.
Australia’s experience matters for the world. www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2026...
How govts can out-manoeuvre big tech:
Draw on popular support.
Follow through on enforcement.
Don't wait for multinational agreement.
Earn trust.
Do the work of convincing the public.
Australia’s experience matters for the world. www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2026...
Five lessons for the world from Australia’s battle with tech giants
Other countries can learn from the the strategies that have helped Australia overcome tech industry resistance to regulation.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
January 12, 2026 at 11:27 PM
In @thenewdaily.bsky.social
How govts can out-manoeuvre big tech:
Draw on popular support.
Follow through on enforcement.
Don't wait for multinational agreement.
Earn trust.
Do the work of convincing the public.
Australia’s experience matters for the world. www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2026...
How govts can out-manoeuvre big tech:
Draw on popular support.
Follow through on enforcement.
Don't wait for multinational agreement.
Earn trust.
Do the work of convincing the public.
Australia’s experience matters for the world. www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2026...
It was always known that an MP facing serious allegations would be eligible for taxpayer funding.
SA Govt rushed these donation laws, avoiding a multi-party inquiry that would have tested for constitutionality, fairness, value for money.
Thomas Kelsall for ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
SA Govt rushed these donation laws, avoiding a multi-party inquiry that would have tested for constitutionality, fairness, value for money.
Thomas Kelsall for ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Taxpayers could foot $100k bill for assault-accused MP's re-election bid
Independent MP Nick McBride, who is currently on home detention bail for the alleged assault of his wife, could receive around $100,000 in public funding to support his re-election campaign, according...
www.abc.net.au
January 11, 2026 at 10:59 PM
It was always known that an MP facing serious allegations would be eligible for taxpayer funding.
SA Govt rushed these donation laws, avoiding a multi-party inquiry that would have tested for constitutionality, fairness, value for money.
Thomas Kelsall for ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
SA Govt rushed these donation laws, avoiding a multi-party inquiry that would have tested for constitutionality, fairness, value for money.
Thomas Kelsall for ABC:
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Letting property developer make political donations could "increase corruption risk", according to the Crime & Corruption Commission. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Corruption risk could rise under donation ban repeal, watchdog warns
Queensland's corruption watchdog has warned lifting a ban on political donations from developers could increase the risk of "actual or perceived" corruption.
www.abc.net.au
January 8, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Letting property developer make political donations could "increase corruption risk", according to the Crime & Corruption Commission. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
The Internet is not a lawless Wild West, and over the last five years Australia has been at the pointy end of tech regulation.
Lessons from news media bargaining code, eSafety, Misinformation Bill and the (fraught) social media age ban in @thepointau.bsky.social.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Lessons from news media bargaining code, eSafety, Misinformation Bill and the (fraught) social media age ban in @thepointau.bsky.social.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Five lessons for the world from Australia’s battle with tech giants
Big technology companies, including Facebook, Google and Elon Musk’s X, have proven difficult for national governments to control. The Internet has been treated as a “Wild West” beyond government auth...
thepoint.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 10:30 PM
The Internet is not a lawless Wild West, and over the last five years Australia has been at the pointy end of tech regulation.
Lessons from news media bargaining code, eSafety, Misinformation Bill and the (fraught) social media age ban in @thepointau.bsky.social.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Lessons from news media bargaining code, eSafety, Misinformation Bill and the (fraught) social media age ban in @thepointau.bsky.social.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
What do the Liberals and Nationals get out of the Coalition Agreement?
Barnaby Joyce’s defection late last year raises an uncomfortable question: are the Liberals being taken for a ride? thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Barnaby Joyce’s defection late last year raises an uncomfortable question: are the Liberals being taken for a ride? thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Barnaby Joyce's defection highlights how much the Coalition costs the Liberal Party
It raises an uncomfortable question: are the Liberals being taken for a ride?
thepoint.com.au
January 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM
What do the Liberals and Nationals get out of the Coalition Agreement?
Barnaby Joyce’s defection late last year raises an uncomfortable question: are the Liberals being taken for a ride? thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Barnaby Joyce’s defection late last year raises an uncomfortable question: are the Liberals being taken for a ride? thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Increase in the size of Parliament, with more senators and MPs, a live possibility.
ABC News elections chief @caseybriggs.com flags as something to watch for 2026. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
ABC News elections chief @caseybriggs.com flags as something to watch for 2026. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Political outlook 'dramatically shifted' after Bondi
What are you watching in Australian politics in 2026? That's the question we put to the ABC's political journalists and columnists.
www.abc.net.au
January 6, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Increase in the size of Parliament, with more senators and MPs, a live possibility.
ABC News elections chief @caseybriggs.com flags as something to watch for 2026. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
ABC News elections chief @caseybriggs.com flags as something to watch for 2026. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
"Public servants had admitted to witnessing but failing to report at least 554 instances of corruption, including nepotism, fraud, cronyism and conflicts of interest."
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Hundreds of cases of public service nepotism, cronyism went unreported
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has warned of at least 554 instances when corruption in the federal public service was witnessed but was not reported.
www.afr.com
December 4, 2025 at 1:27 AM
"Public servants had admitted to witnessing but failing to report at least 554 instances of corruption, including nepotism, fraud, cronyism and conflicts of interest."
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Adds to 1,000s of incidents that have been reported to the NACC.
From @paulkarp.bsky.social
www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Observations from @rodcampbell.bsky.social on weakening mining lobby pair nicely with this @australiainstitute.org.au research showing Aus govts increasingly willing to defy corporate lobby groups. australiainstitute.org.au/report/trade...
December 3, 2025 at 4:11 AM
Observations from @rodcampbell.bsky.social on weakening mining lobby pair nicely with this @australiainstitute.org.au research showing Aus govts increasingly willing to defy corporate lobby groups. australiainstitute.org.au/report/trade...
Last week on @thepointau.bsky.social I IDed five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria.
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Victoria changes 'unconstitutional' donation laws amid court challenge
A financial election advantage for the three biggest Victorian political parties will be removed in the face of a High Court challenge that has argued the state's donation laws are unconstitutional.
www.abc.net.au
December 3, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Last week on @thepointau.bsky.social I IDed five ways to strengthen democracy in Victoria.
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Labor Govt has been forced to move a little on one of these already: making political donation laws more fair.
Thanks to High Court challenge on political speech grounds.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The parliamentary committee inquiring into the 2025 federal election wants to hear from you!
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Electoral Matters calls for further submissions and community input at Ipswich hearings next week
Electoral Matters calls for further submissions and community input at Ipswich hearings next week
www.aph.gov.au
December 3, 2025 at 3:14 AM
The parliamentary committee inquiring into the 2025 federal election wants to hear from you!
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...
Deadline extended to 28 Feb 2026 to hear from more members of the public. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...