Timothy Gassin
@timothygassin.bsky.social
Historian, former Chair of Oz Kiwi, and student of Hokkien/Taiwanese.
A Melbournian living in Wellington.
A Melbournian living in Wellington.
The BBC World Service is a great cultural asset for the UK.
However, through short-sighted cuts, Western nations have really dropped the ball in terms of international broadcasting.
In NZ, most easily receivable SW stations are from the PRC.
However, through short-sighted cuts, Western nations have really dropped the ball in terms of international broadcasting.
In NZ, most easily receivable SW stations are from the PRC.
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 7:32 PM
The BBC World Service is a great cultural asset for the UK.
However, through short-sighted cuts, Western nations have really dropped the ball in terms of international broadcasting.
In NZ, most easily receivable SW stations are from the PRC.
However, through short-sighted cuts, Western nations have really dropped the ball in terms of international broadcasting.
In NZ, most easily receivable SW stations are from the PRC.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
I do think, in general, I’m a literate reader in the information environment, but i genuinely cannot parse from the things I read whether AI is a Silicon Valley hype scam to pump up share prices, a doomed structural response to declining profitability, or the end of the world. Or something else?
February 13, 2026 at 10:25 AM
I do think, in general, I’m a literate reader in the information environment, but i genuinely cannot parse from the things I read whether AI is a Silicon Valley hype scam to pump up share prices, a doomed structural response to declining profitability, or the end of the world. Or something else?
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
The government's banning of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was UNLAWFUL, rules the High Court.
This is a massive vindication for those who fought Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people - which is facilitated by our government.
This is a massive vindication for those who fought Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people - which is facilitated by our government.
February 13, 2026 at 10:18 AM
The government's banning of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was UNLAWFUL, rules the High Court.
This is a massive vindication for those who fought Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people - which is facilitated by our government.
This is a massive vindication for those who fought Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people - which is facilitated by our government.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
They shouldn't tear down the Medley Building, but not for the heritage reasons that crowd the start of the article. New uni buildings are ordinarily worse than what they replace: offices without bookshelves, horrid open-plan offices, classes with bells and whistles but less flexibility, etc., etc.
University urged to change course on demolition of modernist building
Scholars in Melbourne University’s arts faculty warn heritage will be erased if the university demolishes modernist architect Roy Grounds’ John Medley Building.
www.theage.com.au
February 13, 2026 at 10:29 AM
They shouldn't tear down the Medley Building, but not for the heritage reasons that crowd the start of the article. New uni buildings are ordinarily worse than what they replace: offices without bookshelves, horrid open-plan offices, classes with bells and whistles but less flexibility, etc., etc.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Waleed Aly gives a primer that all police need to heed
February 12, 2026 at 9:52 PM
Waleed Aly gives a primer that all police need to heed
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
If the cap fits.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
February 12, 2026 at 9:09 PM
If the cap fits.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
My @smh @theage cartoon.
'What we have witnessed suggests a dangerous drift away from the values Australia has long claimed to cherish: freedom of expression, the rule of law and democratic accountability. When the protection of power is placed above the protection of citizens, democracy begins to erode from within.'
Seven of my relatives were killed in Gaza. For me, Herzog’s visit was never an abstract debate | Shamikh Badra
Australia stands at a crossroads as it rolled out the red carpet for some, while greeting others with batons
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:05 AM
'What we have witnessed suggests a dangerous drift away from the values Australia has long claimed to cherish: freedom of expression, the rule of law and democratic accountability. When the protection of power is placed above the protection of citizens, democracy begins to erode from within.'
Exciting to see this being promoted online after much work by Grace, the contributing authors, and the Te Papa Press team. It is due to be released in May.
Between Dreams: Resistance and Representation in Asian Aotearoa | Te Papa
This landmark collection presents fresh, progressive perspectives on what it means to be ‘Asian’ in Aotearoa.
www.tepapa.govt.nz
February 12, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Exciting to see this being promoted online after much work by Grace, the contributing authors, and the Te Papa Press team. It is due to be released in May.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Astonishing how Costello recalls events from an evening nearly 15 months ago (www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...), yet still can't recall the source of the tobacco industry friendly "mystery document" she passed on to the MOH to inform tobacco policy.
Judge called Winston’s speech ‘disgusting’ during disruption at club event, minister recalls
NZ First Minister Casey Costello told the panel Judge Ema Aitken yelled “he’s lying” during Winston Peters speech.
www.stuff.co.nz
February 12, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Astonishing how Costello recalls events from an evening nearly 15 months ago (www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/3609...), yet still can't recall the source of the tobacco industry friendly "mystery document" she passed on to the MOH to inform tobacco policy.
In any dispute between a tax-dodging foreign corporation and NZ workers, there is never any doubt whose side Van Velden is on.
This govt really are the fucking worst. They didn't like that the Uber workers won in court and on appeal, so are making the law change to avoid it happening again.
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
Government tweaks law so contractors can't challenge employment status retrospectively
Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden says it's a "minor technical amendment" that has nothing to do with the Supreme Court's decision on a major Uber appeal.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 12, 2026 at 9:51 AM
In any dispute between a tax-dodging foreign corporation and NZ workers, there is never any doubt whose side Van Velden is on.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
One thing that astonishes me about the Herzog visit is that Israel has murdered more journalists than any other state in the 21st century, and he hasn’t faced a single question about this (to my knowledge) from the Australian media
February 12, 2026 at 5:24 AM
One thing that astonishes me about the Herzog visit is that Israel has murdered more journalists than any other state in the 21st century, and he hasn’t faced a single question about this (to my knowledge) from the Australian media
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Absolutely huge crowd in Melbourne right now.
People from all backgrounds, ages and professions - united in opposition to genocide and war.
This is what social cohesion looks like.
People from all backgrounds, ages and professions - united in opposition to genocide and war.
This is what social cohesion looks like.
February 12, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Absolutely huge crowd in Melbourne right now.
People from all backgrounds, ages and professions - united in opposition to genocide and war.
This is what social cohesion looks like.
People from all backgrounds, ages and professions - united in opposition to genocide and war.
This is what social cohesion looks like.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Australian Census on University Staff Wellbeing results are out. Every uni recorded scores indicating high/very high psych risk.
And in news surprising no one, "only senior execs and deans rated their workplaces as medium or low risk while all other staff groups reported high-risk conditions."
And in news surprising no one, "only senior execs and deans rated their workplaces as medium or low risk while all other staff groups reported high-risk conditions."
February 12, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Australian Census on University Staff Wellbeing results are out. Every uni recorded scores indicating high/very high psych risk.
And in news surprising no one, "only senior execs and deans rated their workplaces as medium or low risk while all other staff groups reported high-risk conditions."
And in news surprising no one, "only senior execs and deans rated their workplaces as medium or low risk while all other staff groups reported high-risk conditions."
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
"A free society is loud, it is often controversial and offends some, and is frequently inconvenient for others and those in power. That is precisely why its protection is essential."
Read Jewish Council member, Stephen Heydt’s piece in full at: www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Read Jewish Council member, Stephen Heydt’s piece in full at: www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
February 12, 2026 at 3:59 AM
"A free society is loud, it is often controversial and offends some, and is frequently inconvenient for others and those in power. That is precisely why its protection is essential."
Read Jewish Council member, Stephen Heydt’s piece in full at: www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Read Jewish Council member, Stephen Heydt’s piece in full at: www.smh.com.au/national/nsw...
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Welcome one and all to that special time in Australian politics when we can say that it is officially on
#BREAKING 🚨 Angus Taylor has resigned from the opposition frontbech ahead of an expected Liberal leadership spill against Sussan Ley
February 11, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Welcome one and all to that special time in Australian politics when we can say that it is officially on
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
“Wellington's sewage spill is just one of many examples of public service and infrastructure enshittification, begun by Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson, and continued by neoliberal factions across government, business, media, finance, and the public.” - Josh Drummond
A must read folks #nzpol
A must read folks #nzpol
Time to end the enshittification of New Zealand
I live in the great green heartland of New Zealand; a biologically ruined grassy waste created to serve cows. And when out in this countryside – dead rivers rich with brown foam, man-made fountains of...
www.emilywrites.co.nz
February 11, 2026 at 8:29 AM
“Wellington's sewage spill is just one of many examples of public service and infrastructure enshittification, begun by Roger Douglas and Ruth Richardson, and continued by neoliberal factions across government, business, media, finance, and the public.” - Josh Drummond
A must read folks #nzpol
A must read folks #nzpol
'Britain’s construction quality crisis isn’t a mystery, but the logical outcome of political choices. It’s the result of deregulation, privatisation and allowing the primacy of cost-cutting profiteers to supplant quality control and craft.'
Much the same could be said of NZ.
Much the same could be said of NZ.
Britain’s building standards are now so bad, even the super-rich are facing housing misery | Phineas Harper
Residents of the UK’s most expensive flats have won a court case over defective pipework. If their homes are shoddily built, what hope do the rest of us have, asks writer and curator Phineas Harper
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:08 AM
'Britain’s construction quality crisis isn’t a mystery, but the logical outcome of political choices. It’s the result of deregulation, privatisation and allowing the primacy of cost-cutting profiteers to supplant quality control and craft.'
Much the same could be said of NZ.
Much the same could be said of NZ.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
ABC news publishing articles w titles like: "Protesters were punched, pushed, and arrested but were NSW Police actions excessive?"
Like Ed Husic, many're more concerned that people engaged in peaceful prayer were attacked by police & moved on faster than neo-Nazis rallying at NSW Parliament
Like Ed Husic, many're more concerned that people engaged in peaceful prayer were attacked by police & moved on faster than neo-Nazis rallying at NSW Parliament
February 11, 2026 at 7:09 AM
ABC news publishing articles w titles like: "Protesters were punched, pushed, and arrested but were NSW Police actions excessive?"
Like Ed Husic, many're more concerned that people engaged in peaceful prayer were attacked by police & moved on faster than neo-Nazis rallying at NSW Parliament
Like Ed Husic, many're more concerned that people engaged in peaceful prayer were attacked by police & moved on faster than neo-Nazis rallying at NSW Parliament
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Holy shit .
Nsw cops broke Scott Ludlums rib.
He was an awesome leader in Freo. And more, so much more.
Nsw cops broke Scott Ludlums rib.
He was an awesome leader in Freo. And more, so much more.
“many of the officers were literally grinning as they were hitting us”
michaelwest.com.au/herzog-prote...
michaelwest.com.au/herzog-prote...
Herzog protests. Medics attacked too, lawyers question police violence - Michael West
Monday's police actions against anti-genocide protestors in Sydney represent a significant escalation of unwarranted violence.
michaelwest.com.au
February 11, 2026 at 7:25 AM
Holy shit .
Nsw cops broke Scott Ludlums rib.
He was an awesome leader in Freo. And more, so much more.
Nsw cops broke Scott Ludlums rib.
He was an awesome leader in Freo. And more, so much more.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
The ABC has belatedly discovered that the Jewish community is diverse. Well put @joshbornstein.bsky.social youtube.com/watch?v=kAsx...
#auspol
#auspol
Herzog visit sets back fight against antisemitism: Josh Bornstein | ABC NEWS
YouTube video by ABC News (Australia)
youtube.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:32 AM
The ABC has belatedly discovered that the Jewish community is diverse. Well put @joshbornstein.bsky.social youtube.com/watch?v=kAsx...
#auspol
#auspol
The Teals have shown much greater moral courage on this issue than many in Labor.
It reminds me of how some pricipled Liberals (the sort of people now pushed out of the party) publicly condemned Howard's demonisation of asylum seekers, while the Labor caucus went along with Howard's policies.
It reminds me of how some pricipled Liberals (the sort of people now pushed out of the party) publicly condemned Howard's demonisation of asylum seekers, while the Labor caucus went along with Howard's policies.
Zali Steggall slams Laura Jayes’ interruptions after she links Tame’s comments with Bondi, calling out excessive force by police.
Reminds Jayes that Palestinian Australians mourn too & you just “cannot disconnect” Israel’s actions with the fact Herzog is their President🔥 #auspol
Reminds Jayes that Palestinian Australians mourn too & you just “cannot disconnect” Israel’s actions with the fact Herzog is their President🔥 #auspol
February 11, 2026 at 12:52 AM
The Teals have shown much greater moral courage on this issue than many in Labor.
It reminds me of how some pricipled Liberals (the sort of people now pushed out of the party) publicly condemned Howard's demonisation of asylum seekers, while the Labor caucus went along with Howard's policies.
It reminds me of how some pricipled Liberals (the sort of people now pushed out of the party) publicly condemned Howard's demonisation of asylum seekers, while the Labor caucus went along with Howard's policies.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
"The Police chose violence". Veteran journo and sports broadcaster Peter Lalor was at the Sydney Herzog protest, got pepper sprayed. His account
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/peter-lalor-...
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/peter-lalor-...
Peter Lalor, pepper-sprayed, debunks the Herzog propaganda - Michael West
Sports journalist Peter Lalor was pepper-sprayed by NSW Police at the Herzog protest in Sydney. He debunks the propaganda.
michaelwest.com.au
February 10, 2026 at 10:07 PM
"The Police chose violence". Veteran journo and sports broadcaster Peter Lalor was at the Sydney Herzog protest, got pepper sprayed. His account
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/peter-lalor-...
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/peter-lalor-...