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.
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-...
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Worth watching this in full. The statement is more powerful than this quote alone. Here is is from USA Today, with alt text.
Also! Rich Ruohonen is a personal injury lawyer and the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games at 54 years old.
Also! Rich Ruohonen is a personal injury lawyer and the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games at 54 years old.
February 10, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Worth watching this in full. The statement is more powerful than this quote alone. Here is is from USA Today, with alt text.
Also! Rich Ruohonen is a personal injury lawyer and the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games at 54 years old.
Also! Rich Ruohonen is a personal injury lawyer and the oldest athlete to ever represent the United States in a Winter Games at 54 years old.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Yesterday Isaac Herzog tried to gaslight Australians, saying anyone arguing against his visit is also against Israel’s right to exist. He also openly rallied for support for Israel’s illegal invasion of Gaza.
He’s not here to mourn, this is a calculated political move. #auspol
He’s not here to mourn, this is a calculated political move. #auspol
February 9, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Yesterday Isaac Herzog tried to gaslight Australians, saying anyone arguing against his visit is also against Israel’s right to exist. He also openly rallied for support for Israel’s illegal invasion of Gaza.
He’s not here to mourn, this is a calculated political move. #auspol
He’s not here to mourn, this is a calculated political move. #auspol
How could they possibly be expected to know these things or check the ABC website? They're only the national intelligence agency.
Clearly Parliament must give them more power so they can find this sort of highly secret information!
Clearly Parliament must give them more power so they can find this sort of highly secret information!
Estimates has just revealed that ASIO got the ABC's managing director wrong when seeking to email him about details in a recent Four Corners report. 10/10
February 11, 2026 at 12:09 AM
How could they possibly be expected to know these things or check the ABC website? They're only the national intelligence agency.
Clearly Parliament must give them more power so they can find this sort of highly secret information!
Clearly Parliament must give them more power so they can find this sort of highly secret information!
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Laura Tingle on the money as always.
Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich: "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state".
Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich: "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state".
Israel undermines two-state solution while Herzog visits Australia
While Israeli President Isaac Herzog visited Sydney, his government was taking concrete actions in the West Bank designed to "continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state".
www.abc.net.au
February 10, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Laura Tingle on the money as always.
Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich: "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state".
Israeli Finance Minister Smotrich: "We will continue to kill the idea of a Palestinian state".
"We are disappointed that it is a Labor government – a government we worked to elect – that has presided over the terrible erosion of civil liberties in NSW and we are deeply distressed that it is a Labor government that enabled the violence we saw against protesters at Town Hall last night"
Labor group voices ‘distress and disgust’ at police response to anti-Herzog protests
Exclusive: Friends of Palestine calls for independent investigation of actions of NSW police amid ‘terrible erosion of civil liberties’ at Sydney rally
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 11:50 PM
"We are disappointed that it is a Labor government – a government we worked to elect – that has presided over the terrible erosion of civil liberties in NSW and we are deeply distressed that it is a Labor government that enabled the violence we saw against protesters at Town Hall last night"
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Good investigative work from ABC journos, but a gutless 'both-sides' headline and lead para.
The preliminary evidence from these three incidents seems clear:
police acted with excessive and brutal force.
And on the face of it, created a serious threat to public safety. #nswpol
The preliminary evidence from these three incidents seems clear:
police acted with excessive and brutal force.
And on the face of it, created a serious threat to public safety. #nswpol
Competing narratives have emerged from NSW Police and protesters who were at Monday night's demonstration near Sydney's Town Hall. ABC NEWS Verify has gathered footage and spoken to witnesses in an early attempt to examine what happened in detail.
Violent protesters or police brutality? Key moments from Sydney protest
Competing narratives have emerged from NSW Police and protesters who were at Monday night's demonstration near Sydney's Town Hall. ABC NEWS Verify has gathered footage and spoken to witnesses in an early attempt to examine what happened in detail.
www.abc.net.au
February 10, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Good investigative work from ABC journos, but a gutless 'both-sides' headline and lead para.
The preliminary evidence from these three incidents seems clear:
police acted with excessive and brutal force.
And on the face of it, created a serious threat to public safety. #nswpol
The preliminary evidence from these three incidents seems clear:
police acted with excessive and brutal force.
And on the face of it, created a serious threat to public safety. #nswpol
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Since when is the President of Israel the head of state of all Jews?
Look I am not a fan of this arrangement but isn't their head of state King Charles www.haaretz.com/israel-news/...
February 10, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Since when is the President of Israel the head of state of all Jews?
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Israel & the USA’s obscenity:
“The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius,” al-Bursh said. “When a body is exposed to energy exceeding 3,000 degrees combined with massive pressure and oxidation, the fluids boil instantly. The tissues vaporise and turn to ash. It is chemically inevitable.”
“The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius,” al-Bursh said. “When a body is exposed to energy exceeding 3,000 degrees combined with massive pressure and oxidation, the fluids boil instantly. The tissues vaporise and turn to ash. It is chemically inevitable.”
February 10, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Israel & the USA’s obscenity:
“The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius,” al-Bursh said. “When a body is exposed to energy exceeding 3,000 degrees combined with massive pressure and oxidation, the fluids boil instantly. The tissues vaporise and turn to ash. It is chemically inevitable.”
“The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius,” al-Bursh said. “When a body is exposed to energy exceeding 3,000 degrees combined with massive pressure and oxidation, the fluids boil instantly. The tissues vaporise and turn to ash. It is chemically inevitable.”
A particularly stupid and shortsighted decision.
Absurd that $10 million is spent strengthening it and they then try to save money by getting rid of the only person who can play it.
If NZ could afford this role with a population of 1 million, how is that it can't afford it now with 5 million?
Absurd that $10 million is spent strengthening it and they then try to save money by getting rid of the only person who can play it.
If NZ could afford this role with a population of 1 million, how is that it can't afford it now with 5 million?
National war memorial bell-playing job axed, likely to be outsourced to Australia
An Australian may have to play the bells at Pukeahu on Anzac Day.
www.rnz.co.nz
February 10, 2026 at 10:49 PM
A particularly stupid and shortsighted decision.
Absurd that $10 million is spent strengthening it and they then try to save money by getting rid of the only person who can play it.
If NZ could afford this role with a population of 1 million, how is that it can't afford it now with 5 million?
Absurd that $10 million is spent strengthening it and they then try to save money by getting rid of the only person who can play it.
If NZ could afford this role with a population of 1 million, how is that it can't afford it now with 5 million?
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
I can vouch that NSW police act like this in western Sydney and towns with high Aboriginal populations every single day, and are in fact largely untouchable. The difference today is the number of white people who saw what police do, usually with impunity.
February 9, 2026 at 2:32 PM
I can vouch that NSW police act like this in western Sydney and towns with high Aboriginal populations every single day, and are in fact largely untouchable. The difference today is the number of white people who saw what police do, usually with impunity.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: “.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didn’t reduce work, they consistently intensified it.”
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
February 10, 2026 at 1:17 PM
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: “.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didn’t reduce work, they consistently intensified it.”
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Why the fuck would we “socially cohere” for monsters? theshot.net.au/uncategorize...
Why the fuck would we “socially cohere” for monsters? - The Shot
Yesterday, the gulf between the will of the Australian people and the actions of the Australian government revealed itself to...
theshot.net.au
February 10, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Why the fuck would we “socially cohere” for monsters? theshot.net.au/uncategorize...
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
He lied and lied to get into power.
He expelled MPs who did the right thing
He pretended migrants were the source of all our problems
He watched a genocide taking place and protected the perpetrator.
He criminalised decent citizens who spoke out.
I could go on.
Starmer is not a decent man.
He expelled MPs who did the right thing
He pretended migrants were the source of all our problems
He watched a genocide taking place and protected the perpetrator.
He criminalised decent citizens who spoke out.
I could go on.
Starmer is not a decent man.
February 10, 2026 at 9:54 AM
He lied and lied to get into power.
He expelled MPs who did the right thing
He pretended migrants were the source of all our problems
He watched a genocide taking place and protected the perpetrator.
He criminalised decent citizens who spoke out.
I could go on.
Starmer is not a decent man.
He expelled MPs who did the right thing
He pretended migrants were the source of all our problems
He watched a genocide taking place and protected the perpetrator.
He criminalised decent citizens who spoke out.
I could go on.
Starmer is not a decent man.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
There are compelling arguments against joining Australia, but Palmer shows a poor understanding of how federal systems work in practice and his logic is often muddled. #auspol #nzpol 🧵
Existing agreements give NZ all the advantages of closeness to Australia without any of the considerable disadvantages, writes former PM Sir Geoffrey Palmer
Geoffrey Palmer: Constitutional reasons NZ should not join Australia
newsroom.co.nz
February 9, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
Read executive officer, Sarah Schwartz's opinion piece in the Financial Review today about why Herzog doesn't represent Australian Jewry and shouldn't have been invited in the first place: www.afr.com/policy/forei...
February 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Read executive officer, Sarah Schwartz's opinion piece in the Financial Review today about why Herzog doesn't represent Australian Jewry and shouldn't have been invited in the first place: www.afr.com/policy/forei...