George Hirst
@crankycurlew.bsky.social
Artist/wanna-be screenwriter, politics junkie, Yunbenun admirer, half of Cranky Curlew Productions. He/him. Tropes: When we all back the underdog. crankycurlew.com.au
Reposted by George Hirst
Land clearing in the state of NSW has undermined decades of investment in river restoration & catchment management, with 33,682 hectares of riverbank corridors cleared between 2010 & 2023, the Wentworth Group of eminent scientists has said.
www.smh.com.au/environment/...
www.smh.com.au/environment/...
‘On extinction path’: Land clearing laws failing native species
An area of high-biodiversity land in NSW equivalent to four Sydney Harbours was cleared between 2016 and 2023, new research says.
www.smh.com.au
February 11, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Land clearing in the state of NSW has undermined decades of investment in river restoration & catchment management, with 33,682 hectares of riverbank corridors cleared between 2010 & 2023, the Wentworth Group of eminent scientists has said.
www.smh.com.au/environment/...
www.smh.com.au/environment/...
Reposted by George Hirst
The federal government’s plan, announced on December 11, to open another 2.5 million hectares of ocean across the Otway Basin for gas and oil expansion slipped largely under the radar. satpa.pe/WN1BKh1
The Otways brace for another gas fight
Amid the disastrous Otways fires and flooding, exhausted communities are trying to mount campaigns against new government plans to expand gas exploration in the region.
satpa.pe
February 11, 2026 at 7:12 PM
The federal government’s plan, announced on December 11, to open another 2.5 million hectares of ocean across the Otway Basin for gas and oil expansion slipped largely under the radar. satpa.pe/WN1BKh1
Reposted by George Hirst
Really looking forward to Minns and the Chief of Police explaining the context of this beat down
February 10, 2026 at 6:52 AM
Really looking forward to Minns and the Chief of Police explaining the context of this beat down
Reposted by George Hirst
It does some stuff well but needs constant supervision, and when it messes up, people often don’t know why or how. This makes it both worse and dangerous. I would not structure my economy out of this just as I wouldn’t allow an anonymous man to build my house with materials I’ve never heard of.
February 11, 2026 at 6:20 PM
It does some stuff well but needs constant supervision, and when it messes up, people often don’t know why or how. This makes it both worse and dangerous. I would not structure my economy out of this just as I wouldn’t allow an anonymous man to build my house with materials I’ve never heard of.
Reposted by George Hirst
I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of NSW Police actions on vulnerable youth. Images that show Muslims in peaceful prayer being pulled and thrown without warning can be leveraged to radicalise and recruit disaffected young people. This is extremely dangerous and counterproductive.
February 11, 2026 at 2:15 AM
I am deeply concerned about the potential impact of NSW Police actions on vulnerable youth. Images that show Muslims in peaceful prayer being pulled and thrown without warning can be leveraged to radicalise and recruit disaffected young people. This is extremely dangerous and counterproductive.
Reposted by George Hirst
The ABC has been given rare access to an abandoned Australian base in Antarctica that continues to pose a threat to the environment.
Australia's frozen ghost town leaves behind a toxic legacy
The ABC has been given rare access to an abandoned Australian base in Antarctica that continues to pose a threat to the environment.
www.abc.net.au
February 11, 2026 at 7:18 PM
The ABC has been given rare access to an abandoned Australian base in Antarctica that continues to pose a threat to the environment.
Reposted by George Hirst
I’ve never felt unsafe in this bougie neighborhood a day in my life. This is a 25 mph zone, full of fancy bars and restaurants, a curling club, salons, boutiques, and one of the busiest coffee shops around. They are doing their damndest to wreck everything here.
This is the aftermath of an ICE kidnapping a few blocks from my home in St. Paul—an hour ago. A quiet street full of broken glass and at least three wrecked cars. The target of the kidnapping was taken away by ambulance. He was on a stretcher and covered by a sheet, though a cop said he was alive.
February 11, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I’ve never felt unsafe in this bougie neighborhood a day in my life. This is a 25 mph zone, full of fancy bars and restaurants, a curling club, salons, boutiques, and one of the busiest coffee shops around. They are doing their damndest to wreck everything here.
Reposted by George Hirst
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Case dismissed against LA protester accused of assaulting federal officer with cloth hat
Judge says US government acted in ‘bad faith’ in case of Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, 36, who spent six months in jail
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:40 AM
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Reposted by George Hirst
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
February 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Notice how the popular media narrative has moved on, while people on the ground in Minneapolis are still struggling and crying out that things are as bad as ever. This is how fascist regimes operate — overreach, recalibration, normalization. Get louder, not quieter.
Reposted by George Hirst
When I got the contract to write a history of concentration camps in 2014, I hoped to keep the US from ending up here. That didn't work out! But now it's critical to understand how much is already in process and the enormity of what's coming. The sooner we act to stop it, the more people we'll save.
Building the camps
The warehouseification of detention and initial thoughts on stopping it.
degenerateart.beehiiv.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:24 AM
When I got the contract to write a history of concentration camps in 2014, I hoped to keep the US from ending up here. That didn't work out! But now it's critical to understand how much is already in process and the enormity of what's coming. The sooner we act to stop it, the more people we'll save.
Reposted by George Hirst
Up to 2 years in prison for saying “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” - that’s the legislation currently before Queensland Parliament under the Crisafulli government. They’re going to have to build more prisons before we choose to be silent about genocide.
February 11, 2026 at 7:09 AM
Up to 2 years in prison for saying “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” - that’s the legislation currently before Queensland Parliament under the Crisafulli government. They’re going to have to build more prisons before we choose to be silent about genocide.
Reposted by George Hirst
Bunch of politicians from greens and labor were at the protest - some were injured … but in topsyturvy land … apparently this isn’t a big enough deal to report on … but if “harnaby” wants an interview msm lays out red carpet
Do our media care that they are partly responsible? #auspol
Do our media care that they are partly responsible? #auspol
Former SENATOR Scott Ludlam was arrested!!!!??? Released without charge but wow. Being a politician is no protection from our police?????? Minns must go as well as the bosses from police and the police minister
February 11, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Bunch of politicians from greens and labor were at the protest - some were injured … but in topsyturvy land … apparently this isn’t a big enough deal to report on … but if “harnaby” wants an interview msm lays out red carpet
Do our media care that they are partly responsible? #auspol
Do our media care that they are partly responsible? #auspol
Reposted by George Hirst
This 100%
I reckon there was a fair bit of the ‘If you’d just behaved and did what I wanted you to do I wouldn’t have had to hit you’ domestic violence perpetrator vibe about Minns and the NSW Police Commissioner’s response to cop brutality at the protest
February 11, 2026 at 3:54 AM
This 100%
Reposted by George Hirst
Congrats to everyone who fought to keep it alive.
Very unexpected and welcome news!
QUT will become the new custodian of Meanjin, Australia's most eminent literary journal, bringing the publication back to Brisbane.
www.qut.edu.au/about/meanjin
QUT will become the new custodian of Meanjin, Australia's most eminent literary journal, bringing the publication back to Brisbane.
www.qut.edu.au/about/meanjin
February 11, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Congrats to everyone who fought to keep it alive.
Reposted by George Hirst
Even if you only have a vague interest in UK politics, this is a worthwhile listen.
Mandy Lifeboats
Podcast Episode · Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast · 10/02/2026 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:56 AM
Even if you only have a vague interest in UK politics, this is a worthwhile listen.
Reposted by George Hirst
If only we could build submarines with the efficiency of the retired generals revolving door
I asked Defence where Major General King now works having recently left his job in the Department overseeing billions in contracts for companies like Lockheed Martin... can you guess where he went too?
February 11, 2026 at 3:33 AM
If only we could build submarines with the efficiency of the retired generals revolving door
Reposted by George Hirst
Just discovered $3 billion in extra nuclear sub spending between May and December $15.4B → $18.6B
Where's the $3 billion going? Defence: "Take it on notice"
That's enough money to build 10,000s public homes but for Defence it's pocket change they lost down back of the couch.
Where's the $3 billion going? Defence: "Take it on notice"
That's enough money to build 10,000s public homes but for Defence it's pocket change they lost down back of the couch.
February 11, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Just discovered $3 billion in extra nuclear sub spending between May and December $15.4B → $18.6B
Where's the $3 billion going? Defence: "Take it on notice"
That's enough money to build 10,000s public homes but for Defence it's pocket change they lost down back of the couch.
Where's the $3 billion going? Defence: "Take it on notice"
That's enough money to build 10,000s public homes but for Defence it's pocket change they lost down back of the couch.
Reposted by George Hirst
It was absolutely completely POLICE violence.
Worse, the goon were enthusiastic in their work, shoving, pushing, throwing & punching.
They were instructed & enabled in all of this by
@albomp.bsky.social &
@chrisminnsmp.bsky.social
Shame on them all!
🇭🇲🦘🤠
#auspol
Worse, the goon were enthusiastic in their work, shoving, pushing, throwing & punching.
They were instructed & enabled in all of this by
@albomp.bsky.social &
@chrisminnsmp.bsky.social
Shame on them all!
🇭🇲🦘🤠
#auspol
"Protests turn violent" incorrect, the protests were peaceful. The Minns government backed police violently attacked protesters using pepper spray as they corralled people into smaller and smaller areas.
#auspol #nswpol #mossadminns
#auspol #nswpol #mossadminns
Thousands rally around Australia as protests against Herzog's visit turn violent— as it happened
Thousands of people have gathered across Australia to protest the visit of Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
www.abc.net.au
February 9, 2026 at 7:45 PM
It was absolutely completely POLICE violence.
Worse, the goon were enthusiastic in their work, shoving, pushing, throwing & punching.
They were instructed & enabled in all of this by
@albomp.bsky.social &
@chrisminnsmp.bsky.social
Shame on them all!
🇭🇲🦘🤠
#auspol
Worse, the goon were enthusiastic in their work, shoving, pushing, throwing & punching.
They were instructed & enabled in all of this by
@albomp.bsky.social &
@chrisminnsmp.bsky.social
Shame on them all!
🇭🇲🦘🤠
#auspol
Reposted by George Hirst
Reposted by George Hirst
⚠️ ICE is now utilizing advanced social media monitoring to perform “sentiment analysis.” By scraping TikTok and other platforms, they can monitor the emotional and political temperature of entire geographic areas, identifying resistance hot spots. trib.al/DlI0naT
How TikTok 2.0 Became a Weapon for ICE
In just one week, the company has gone from being Gen Z’s preferred social media platform to a tool for spying on Americans and the suppression of information.
trib.al
February 10, 2026 at 1:02 AM
⚠️ ICE is now utilizing advanced social media monitoring to perform “sentiment analysis.” By scraping TikTok and other platforms, they can monitor the emotional and political temperature of entire geographic areas, identifying resistance hot spots. trib.al/DlI0naT
Reposted by George Hirst
Video shows a man pinned to the ground as Australian police strike him repeatedly during an arrest. The man appears already subdued as blows continue. The incident occurred at protests in Sydney against Israeli President Isaac Herzog.
Video: Jared Kimpton via X (@jared_kimpton)
Video: Jared Kimpton via X (@jared_kimpton)
February 9, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Reposted by George Hirst
To me, the eyerolly horseshit by Minns today making excuses for NSW police and acting like a fool, genuinely looks like he had no idea that anything like this would occur. It's what happens when you surround yourself with absolute fucking dills I suppose, and have a record of wallowing in ignorance.
February 10, 2026 at 3:21 AM
To me, the eyerolly horseshit by Minns today making excuses for NSW police and acting like a fool, genuinely looks like he had no idea that anything like this would occur. It's what happens when you surround yourself with absolute fucking dills I suppose, and have a record of wallowing in ignorance.
Reposted by George Hirst
Talk about a wolf in sheep’s clothing - during the last election the former Liberal MP (in my seat) Jason Falinski fronted what he called a grassroots movement to attack Teal MPs who advocate climate action - turns out it was entirely funded by the Coal Industry.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Exclusive Brethren members, Gina Rinehart donate to right-wing group Advance
Clive Palmer was Australia’s biggest political donor, pouring $53 million into his failed campaign, while Coal Australia donated millions to third-party “grassroots” campaigns.
www.smh.com.au
February 2, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Talk about a wolf in sheep’s clothing - during the last election the former Liberal MP (in my seat) Jason Falinski fronted what he called a grassroots movement to attack Teal MPs who advocate climate action - turns out it was entirely funded by the Coal Industry.
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Reposted by George Hirst
"The paradox of billionaires using their money to campaign against elites has become a staple of populist politics. The AEC’s Transparency Register is invaluable, but much more is needed"
Political funding disclosures should be real time.
Likely see Rinehart directing big $ to One Nation. #auspol
Political funding disclosures should be real time.
Likely see Rinehart directing big $ to One Nation. #auspol
Donation data reveals how billionaire money and well-funded campaign groups worked to shape narratives, pressure parties and influence voters in the 2025 election, writes Marian Sawer.
#PearlsAndIrritations #auspol #donations #democracy
#PearlsAndIrritations #auspol #donations #democracy
Giving billionaires a voice: 2025 election donations
New donation data shows how wealthy individuals and well-funded campaigning organisations sought to shape Australia’s 2025 election through money, messaging and pressure politics.
johnmenadue.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:56 PM
"The paradox of billionaires using their money to campaign against elites has become a staple of populist politics. The AEC’s Transparency Register is invaluable, but much more is needed"
Political funding disclosures should be real time.
Likely see Rinehart directing big $ to One Nation. #auspol
Political funding disclosures should be real time.
Likely see Rinehart directing big $ to One Nation. #auspol