Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5h

Cabinet solidarity is with the gas cartel.

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5h

Yesterday, in reply to a question about #FOI, @albomp.bsky.social went out of his way to take a swipe at me. His words were unbecoming of a PM, but I’m glad my #transparency efforts are getting under his skin. It shows our anti-secrecy campaign is having an impact. #auspol

6 22 73

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6h

Pity he didn’t have the guts to say this when he was Industry Minister. #auspol

Australia must ‘have the guts’ to stand up to Japanese companies reselling gas for profit, Husic says

Labor backbencher is calling for drastic intervention to secure supplies for the east coast

www.theguardian.com

5 24 100

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6h

The Govt has developed preliminary costs for the storage & disposal of #AUKUS high level nuclear waste. You’re not allowed to see what it is and the Senate is not being told either. The only thing we do know is that you’ll be paying for it. #FOI #auspol

AUKUS nuclear waste costs? Government: we know but we're not saying - Michael West

The Government has calculated preliminary costs for the treatment and storage of high-level radioactive waste from AUKUS submarines.

michaelwest.com.au

7 46 77

Reposted by Rex Patrick

Jacqui Lambie @jacquilambie.bsky.social · 2d

They promised transparency.
They delivered secrecy.
Now they’re coming for your right to know.
Fight for our Freedom to Know.
Because it’s our money and our right to see where it goes. Find out more - lambienetwork.com.au/pages/foi
#FreedomToKnow #Transparency #AusPol #JacquiLambie #FOI

4 10 57

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 1d

@albomp.bsky.social says #FOI costs the Govt too much. When I FOI’ed Treasury in 2023 for briefs it had provided Jim Chalmers on stage 3 tax cuts, the Govt spent $53K resisting public disclosure. They lost! The taxpayers lost! FOI is not costing too much - Govt secrecy is. #auspol

3 33 110

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 1d

Despite more than a decade passing since the US announced they want to build 2 Virginia subs per annum, in the 27 years since the first sub’s keel was laid, US shipyards have only launched 27. To fulfil #AUKUS needs they have to build 2.3 subs per annum. 2/2 #JustNotHappening #auspol

3 3 21

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 1d

‘Prepare to defend Taiwan’ suggests the architect (and beneficiary) of the program that is draining our own Defence budget to pay for a capability that will, at best, arrive years after a predicted Taiwan conflict - but will, in fact, likely never arrive. 1/2 #AUKUS #auspol

11 12 59

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 2d

Having charged Richard Boyle for 66 offenses, tied up the courts for 6 years, spent $339,703 on external legal fees, chilled whistleblowing - with the Court refusing to convict - it’s mind-blowing the CDPP still thinks his prosecution was in the public interest. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️ #auspol

3 44 120

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 2d

@albomp.bsky.social’s #FOI Amendment Bill deals one-sidedly with Govt concerns and completely ignores the serious problems users face accessing Govt info. Unsurprisingly, analysis of Senate submissions on the flawed Bill show it is friendless outside Govt. #auspol

Labor must drop flawed and friendless freedom of information bill

In opposition, the prime minister talked a big game on transparency. It’s about time he walked the walk on open government.

www.afr.com

3 33 87

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 3d

Twilight Zone stuff! We export our gas - contributing significantly to world emissions, causing local electricity prices to go through the roof, whilst not receiving tax or royalties - to keep others happy and to reserve a place for our politicians at the big table. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️ #auspol

4 12 29

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 4d

#BREAKING: Despite their bravado and PR bluff, #FOI has revealed the Govt is engaged in discussions on an alternate to #AUKUS subs. They’re not willing to share anything with the public, but hey, problem recognition is a first step towards remedy. #auspol

A crack in the AUKUS public relations pressure hull! - Michael West

AUKUS is a hugely expensive Defence project facing considerable and, many argue unsurmountable, hurdles. But does Defence have a Plan B?

michaelwest.com.au

12 47 160

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5d

In a sea of submissions arguing against @albomp.bsky.social‘s #FOI Amendment Bill, the Commissioner is at the helm of a lone ship steering towards Secrecy Island, seeking refuge from choppy transparency seas. We need a new captain! #auspol

1 6 19

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5d

In an extraordinary submission to the Senate, the Public Service Commissioner has blamed transparency for #RoboDebt. He argues for more secrecy to make life easier for public servants as they advise and influence ministers on how we are governed. #auspol michaelwest.com.au/too-much-tra...

Fat Cats say what? Too much transparency caused Robodebt scandal - Michael West

In an extraordinary pitch for a public servant scrutiny void, senior public servants have blamed Robodebt on transparency.

michaelwest.com.au

10 69 120

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5d

In a sea of submissions arguing against @albomp.bsky.social’s #FOI Amendment Bill, the Commissioner is at the helm of a lone ship steering towards Secrecy Island, seeking refuge from choppy transparency seas. We need a new captain! #auspol

1 2

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5d

ICYMI 2/2 #saparli

Read the room, Premier. Pick another site. — Adelaide Park Lands Association

Pressure is mounting on Premier, Peter Malinauskas, to “read the room”; and choose an alternative site for a new golf course. There’s growing community awareness of the shocking impacts on your Par...

www.adelaide-parklands.asn.au

6 16

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 5d

If Peter Malinauskas was NSW Premier this tree, and hundred of others, would be facing the chainsaw so that a golf tournament can be played. Stop attacking the Adelaide Park Lands Pete! Maybe local member Lucy Hood needs to face the chop? 1/2 #saparli

1 10 43

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6d

Recently retired UK Defence Chief, Admiral Radakin, has decried the decrepit state of our #AUKUS partner's subsurface fleet, as it stretches patrols to "dangerous" durations to cope with issues keeping other subs at sea. Nothing to worry about🤦‍♂️. #auspol

Ageing UK nuclear-armed submarine completes 200-day patrol

Another Royal Navy nuclear submarine has completed a 200-plus day patrol amid fears of shortages of vessels. The ageing Vanguard class submarine was welcomed back to port

www.dailymail.co.uk

1 7 37

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6d

ICYMI. The blowouts have been completely predictable - except to Govt, it seems. Here’s MWM reporting on it back in July. 2/2 #auspol

Snowy 2.0. Will the Auditor-General get snowed again? - Michael West

Nothing to see here, found the last Auditor-General's report on Snowy Hydro 2 - before costs tripled. Ted Woodley on the latest A-G report

michaelwest.com.au

4 21

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6d

Snowy 2.0. It went from $2B, to $6B, to $12B, and now ??? I’m currently in the Federal Court trying to get access to their project reports. They say the reports are THEIR business, not OURS, even though WE get to pay for the blowouts. 🤷‍♂️ 1/2 #FOI #auspol

Snowy Hydro 2.0 flags another cost blowout with $12bn price tag now considered unachievable

Pumped hydro project in Kosciuszko national park is 67% complete, but supply chain cost increases and issues with a borer have caused cost overrun

www.theguardian.com

6 25 78

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6d

As @albomp.bsky.social tries to amend the #FOI Act to wrap matters being considered by his ministry in total secrecy, we find out he also led the charge for the #NACC to never hold public hearings. He talks transparency, but walks secrecy. #TransparencyFraud #auspol

Exclusive: Anthony Albanese overruled push for public NACC hearings

The Saturday Paper can reveal that the prime minister and other ministers from NSW intervened in cabinet to constrain the operations of the country’s leading integrity body.

www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au

10 79 170

Reposted by Rex Patrick

The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 7d

New government data confirms what everyone already knew...multinational gas exporters are reaping billions from Australian resources while paying little or no tax.

"People are getting increasingly sick of it."

🔊Richard Denniss, co-CEO, the Australia Institute
@richarddenniss.bsky.social #auspol

13 120 290

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 6d

How selfish of our premiers! Don’t they appreciate @albomp.bsky.social has committed and commenced payment of almost $10B to build/improve US and UK shipyards that won’t deliver us any subs. Never mind emergency department turn-aways, fantasy subs take priority! 🤦‍♂️ #AUKUS #auspol

13 41

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 7d

#Live on Sydney Harbour: It looks like the Chief of Navy has finally realised that #AUKUS won’t deliver submarines to the Navy and has recommissioned a 1950’s designed Oberon class submarine to defend us. 😉 #auspol

3 19 72

Rex Patrick @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social · 8d

It won’t happen. The #AUKUS sub deal is a $368B illusion that won’t deliver Australia the expected capability. All the while it’s draining much needed funding for other Defence capabilities, leaving us in a perilous national security situation.👂👇 #auspol

‘Won’t happen’ - Former Senator issues grim AUKUS prediction

Rex Patrick, the former senator and former submariner, spoke with John Stanley and offered up a grim prediction for Australia and the all-important AUKUS deal. Hear more highlights from Ben Fordham ...

www.2gb.com

8 36 120