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
Concentration camps. Say it. Concentration camps.
Breaking news: ICE expects to spend $38.3 billion on its plan to acquire warehouses across the U.S. and retrofit them into immigrant detention centers that can hold tens of thousands of people, according to agency documents.
ICE plans to spend $38.3 billion turning warehouses into detention centers
ICE plans to spend $38.3 billion converting warehouses into detention centers, according to planning documents, more than the annual budgets of 22 states.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Concentration camps. Say it. Concentration camps.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
How dare they try to patronise powerful and principled women like this while they obsessively attack their every utterance. This paper is a disgrace.
February 14, 2026 at 9:12 PM
How dare they try to patronise powerful and principled women like this while they obsessively attack their every utterance. This paper is a disgrace.
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
And he that is know as Hipkins cometh from the Hutt. He saith to the people 'I shall tax thine gains of capital.' A great sadness overcometh the Lord's people and the best amongst them, the landlords, were unamused.
Verily they beseeched the Lord, 'Lord, mayest thou smote he that is called Hipkins.'
Verily they beseeched the Lord, 'Lord, mayest thou smote he that is called Hipkins.'
February 14, 2026 at 10:35 PM
And he that is know as Hipkins cometh from the Hutt. He saith to the people 'I shall tax thine gains of capital.' A great sadness overcometh the Lord's people and the best amongst them, the landlords, were unamused.
Verily they beseeched the Lord, 'Lord, mayest thou smote he that is called Hipkins.'
Verily they beseeched the Lord, 'Lord, mayest thou smote he that is called Hipkins.'
Reposted by Timothy Gassin
e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-... @ahikaroa.bsky.social Tautoko this reading of an article by article interpretation.
What the PM said at Waitangi was wrong | E-Tangata
“When the prime minister spoke at Waitangi he set out a terribly distorted view of the country’s founding document.” — Carwyn Jones.
e-tangata.co.nz
February 14, 2026 at 7:02 PM
e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-... @ahikaroa.bsky.social Tautoko this reading of an article by article interpretation.
A single image that captures NZ's dominant belief system and economic model #nzpol
www.reddit.com/r/newzealand...
www.reddit.com/r/newzealand...
February 14, 2026 at 8:26 PM
A single image that captures NZ's dominant belief system and economic model #nzpol
www.reddit.com/r/newzealand...
www.reddit.com/r/newzealand...
'In sum, smashing up the equipment of an Israeli arms manufacturer isn’t lawful – but neither is arming a state committing war crimes, and indeed genocide. Which should we treat as the most serious?'
The Palestine Action ruling vindicates the courageous – and shames the complicit | Owen Jones
The home secretary has vowed to fight the judgment, but she and the government are on the wrong side of history, says Guardian columnist Owen Jones
www.theguardian.com
February 13, 2026 at 9:01 PM
'In sum, smashing up the equipment of an Israeli arms manufacturer isn’t lawful – but neither is arming a state committing war crimes, and indeed genocide. Which should we treat as the most serious?'
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.