Laurie Patton
@theluckygeneral.bsky.social
Public interest advocate | ‘Recovering journalist’, media executive | Marine Rescue NSW volunteer | “Once a rooster, now just a feather duster” | Reposts & likes ≠ endorsement!!!
”It is about how inflated claims are being used to silence criticism of Israel, criminalise protest, and narrow democratic space… a single individual, identified as a Jewish teenager who made more than 500 calls alleging threats and attacks.”
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
Antisemitism crisis. What is real and what is not - Michael West
Anthony Albanese has announced a Royal Commission into the Bondi Attacks and antisemitism. Is Australia's antisemitism crisis exaggerated?
michaelwest.com.au
January 12, 2026 at 7:08 AM
”It is about how inflated claims are being used to silence criticism of Israel, criminalise protest, and narrow democratic space… a single individual, identified as a Jewish teenager who made more than 500 calls alleging threats and attacks.”
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism...
I’ve dumped X, have you? So should our government…
January 11, 2026 at 11:32 PM
I’ve dumped X, have you? So should our government…
“The same Australians who condemned the Bondi attack have also condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza. These positions are not contradictory. They are grounded in the same moral principle, that all human life has equal value”.
January 11, 2026 at 11:15 PM
“The same Australians who condemned the Bondi attack have also condemned the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza. These positions are not contradictory. They are grounded in the same moral principle, that all human life has equal value”.
As we all reflect on the decision to hold a national royal commission, just remember that politics is pantomime without the music.
January 8, 2026 at 11:42 PM
As we all reflect on the decision to hold a national royal commission, just remember that politics is pantomime without the music.
OK. We are going to have a Royal Commission. Let’s work hard to ensure it does good rather than stoke the fires of disunity. And let’s not ignore Islamophobia, which is also rife in our country.
January 8, 2026 at 6:12 AM
OK. We are going to have a Royal Commission. Let’s work hard to ensure it does good rather than stoke the fires of disunity. And let’s not ignore Islamophobia, which is also rife in our country.
The manifold failures of 26 Australian Royal Commissions since 1980 to do anything much about the underlying sins, wickedness, and malfeasance that they were supposed to address should caution us against a repeat with the Bondi shootings…
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
We've had 26 royal commissions. Their failures should caution us against a repeat
Calls for a royal commission after the Bondi shootings reflect public anger and distrust, but decades of experience suggest such inquiries rarely deliver lasting reform or accountability.
johnmenadue.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:04 AM
The manifold failures of 26 Australian Royal Commissions since 1980 to do anything much about the underlying sins, wickedness, and malfeasance that they were supposed to address should caution us against a repeat with the Bondi shootings…
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01...
And, one more reason why we don’t need a Royal Commission. It is bound to cause more division, not less.
January 7, 2026 at 10:44 PM
And, one more reason why we don’t need a Royal Commission. It is bound to cause more division, not less.
As he contemplates a response to calls for a time consuming and expensive Royal Commission to tell us what we already know, I hope @albomp is watching Utopia on ABC TV right now.
January 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM
As he contemplates a response to calls for a time consuming and expensive Royal Commission to tell us what we already know, I hope @albomp is watching Utopia on ABC TV right now.
As I said, we don’t need Royal Commissions to know how to deal with hate speech and discrimination - online or offline. We already have robust laws. We just need them enforced. Like this…
www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/queen...
www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/queen...
www.theaustralian.com.au
January 5, 2026 at 11:51 PM
As I said, we don’t need Royal Commissions to know how to deal with hate speech and discrimination - online or offline. We already have robust laws. We just need them enforced. Like this…
www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/queen...
www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/queen...
We don’t need Royal Commissions to know how to deal with hate speech and discrimination - online or offline. We already have robust laws. We just need them enforced.
www.leadstory.com/v/ten-convic...
www.leadstory.com/v/ten-convic...
Ten convicted for cyber-bullying France's Brigitte Macron
A Paris court on Monday (January 5) found 10 people guilty of the cyber-harassment of Frances first lady, Brigitte Macron, for spreading false claims that she is a transgender woman who was born male.
www.leadstory.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:22 PM
We don’t need Royal Commissions to know how to deal with hate speech and discrimination - online or offline. We already have robust laws. We just need them enforced.
www.leadstory.com/v/ten-convic...
www.leadstory.com/v/ten-convic...
And what exactly can a country of 27 million people on the other side of the world do?
"The Australian government cannot just sit on its hands, issuing a kind of global get-well card hoping that everything ends as best it can." Allan Behm #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
The Venezuela Crisis: Australia needs to do much more than issue a general “Get-Well” card
The abduction and subsequent arrest of the President of Venezuela is a dramatic re-statement of America’s dominance of the western hemisphere and its willingness to do whatever it takes – including de...
thepoint.com.au
January 5, 2026 at 10:43 PM
And what exactly can a country of 27 million people on the other side of the world do?
Politician’s salaries are independently set. So should the maximum payable to council bosses. And it certainly should not be higher than the premier.
January 4, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Politician’s salaries are independently set. So should the maximum payable to council bosses. And it certainly should not be higher than the premier.
Social media rantings of the unhinged unable to recognise facts from spin relentlessly reminds us that our education system has monumentally failed.
January 4, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Social media rantings of the unhinged unable to recognise facts from spin relentlessly reminds us that our education system has monumentally failed.
A first step in healing after Bondi is for our leaders to agree “there is no room in Australia for Antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other religious or cultural discrimination”.
And for our already robust laws - including outlawing hate speech - to be enforced.
thenightly.com.au/politics/tan...
And for our already robust laws - including outlawing hate speech - to be enforced.
thenightly.com.au/politics/tan...
People right to call for Bondi accountability: Plibersek
Labor minister Tanya Plibersek says she ‘one hundred per cent understands’ why people are calling for greater accountability about the Bondi Beach shooting, as pressure grows for a Federal royal commi...
thenightly.com.au
January 4, 2026 at 3:00 AM
A first step in healing after Bondi is for our leaders to agree “there is no room in Australia for Antisemitism, Islamophobia or any other religious or cultural discrimination”.
And for our already robust laws - including outlawing hate speech - to be enforced.
thenightly.com.au/politics/tan...
And for our already robust laws - including outlawing hate speech - to be enforced.
thenightly.com.au/politics/tan...
“I have spoken to so many members of the Jewish community in the last week, who don’t feel safe”, says Chris Minns.
One the most useless questions a journalist can ask someone is how they feel.
Feelings aren’t necessarily reality! They are feelings.
www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/nsw-gov...
One the most useless questions a journalist can ask someone is how they feel.
Feelings aren’t necessarily reality! They are feelings.
www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/nsw-gov...
NSW Government Considers Permitting Armed Jewish Private Security at Public Events
The premier told Sky News he is considering whether to permit a privately-run, armed Jewish security organisation to patrol public events in New South Wales.
www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au
January 3, 2026 at 11:44 PM
“I have spoken to so many members of the Jewish community in the last week, who don’t feel safe”, says Chris Minns.
One the most useless questions a journalist can ask someone is how they feel.
Feelings aren’t necessarily reality! They are feelings.
www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/nsw-gov...
One the most useless questions a journalist can ask someone is how they feel.
Feelings aren’t necessarily reality! They are feelings.
www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/nsw-gov...
Australia ranks 14th on average nominal GDP. This means we are a very wealthy nation. But as this post from @grogsgamut.bsky.social highlights, we have an unconscionably disproportionate distribution of assets and income.
"Treasury figures reveal $18 billion capital gains windfall for Australia’s richest 10 per cent"
Form me in @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Form me in @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
Treasury figures reveal $18 billion capital gains windfall for Australia’s richest 10 per cent
The latest tax expenditure figures released on Friday by the Treasury department show this financial year the richest 10 percent of Australians will receive $18bn worth of tax breaks from the capital ...
thepoint.com.au
January 2, 2026 at 9:50 AM
Australia ranks 14th on average nominal GDP. This means we are a very wealthy nation. But as this post from @grogsgamut.bsky.social highlights, we have an unconscionably disproportionate distribution of assets and income.
There are two groups who always support Royal Commissions. Lawyers, who make a great deal of money from them; and newspapers, that are delivered front page ledes day after day for months or years.
December 31, 2025 at 3:20 AM
There are two groups who always support Royal Commissions. Lawyers, who make a great deal of money from them; and newspapers, that are delivered front page ledes day after day for months or years.
“The ABC can reveal the ACMA changed a draft media statement announcing action against Sportsbet after lobbying from the gambling giant…
The ACMA has been under increasing pressure over a perception it is too close to the companies it regulates.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The ACMA has been under increasing pressure over a perception it is too close to the companies it regulates.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Sportsbet pressured key watchdog into 'watering down' public statement
Gambling giant Sportsbet pressured the Australian Communications and Media Authority into "watering down" enforcement announcement, the ABC can reveal.
www.abc.net.au
December 30, 2025 at 8:43 PM
“The ABC can reveal the ACMA changed a draft media statement announcing action against Sportsbet after lobbying from the gambling giant…
The ACMA has been under increasing pressure over a perception it is too close to the companies it regulates.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The ACMA has been under increasing pressure over a perception it is too close to the companies it regulates.”
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
The Australian Communications and Media Authority arguably aided and abetted the Commonwealth Bank’s failure to meet its ASX Continuous Disclosure obligation.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Big bank convinced communications watchdog to delay revealing damaging news
The Commonwealth Bank persuaded a key regulator to delay announcing it had broken spam laws until after its AGM, new documents reveal.
www.abc.net.au
December 30, 2025 at 9:17 AM
The Australian Communications and Media Authority arguably aided and abetted the Commonwealth Bank’s failure to meet its ASX Continuous Disclosure obligation.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Please read this…
However if you are bitten…
1. Dial Triple 0
2. Stay Still
3. Apply a Pressure Bandage. Ensure it's tight but doesn't cut off circulation
4. Splint the Affected Limb
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
However if you are bitten…
1. Dial Triple 0
2. Stay Still
3. Apply a Pressure Bandage. Ensure it's tight but doesn't cut off circulation
4. Splint the Affected Limb
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
'They're everywhere': local snake catcher warns of bumper eastern brown season
A pressure bandage helped save a hiker from the worlds second-deadliest snake.
www.southcoastregister.com.au
December 30, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Please read this…
However if you are bitten…
1. Dial Triple 0
2. Stay Still
3. Apply a Pressure Bandage. Ensure it's tight but doesn't cut off circulation
4. Splint the Affected Limb
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
However if you are bitten…
1. Dial Triple 0
2. Stay Still
3. Apply a Pressure Bandage. Ensure it's tight but doesn't cut off circulation
4. Splint the Affected Limb
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
www.southcoastregister.com.au/story/914308...
PVO should POQ! Families of people murdered often call for the death penalty for the perpetrator. We don’t change the law just to make them feel better.
Royal Commissions cost millions, take years to complete and seldom reveal anything significant we didn’t already know.
Royal Commissions cost millions, take years to complete and seldom reveal anything significant we didn’t already know.
December 29, 2025 at 11:39 PM
PVO should POQ! Families of people murdered often call for the death penalty for the perpetrator. We don’t change the law just to make them feel better.
Royal Commissions cost millions, take years to complete and seldom reveal anything significant we didn’t already know.
Royal Commissions cost millions, take years to complete and seldom reveal anything significant we didn’t already know.
I posted this four months ago. But it’s a message that needs regular repeating…
Blog: Dr Paul Luckin discusses the medical realities of surviving in water
Dr Paul Luckin has a long involvement in the medical aspects of the practicalities of maritime rescue. We discussed with him the often-misunderstood medical facts of water immersion, the vital importa...
www.international-maritime-rescue.org
December 29, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I posted this four months ago. But it’s a message that needs regular repeating…
#FactsMatter! Cricket Australia is facing $10m loss IN REVENUE after two-day Test at MCG.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
‘Bad for business’: Cricket Australia facing Aus $10m loss after two-day Test at MCG
England’s two-day win in the Boxing Day Test will leave a huge financial hole in Australian cricket finances that could reach Aus $10m
www.theguardian.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:33 AM
#FactsMatter! Cricket Australia is facing $10m loss IN REVENUE after two-day Test at MCG.
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/d...
Another pair of idiots - not wearing life jackets.
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/v...
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/v...
Rescue crews save six in water on busy Christmas Day
Six people have been pulled from the water in three separate incidents by rescuers after they encountered trouble on a busy Christmas for authorities.
www.thenewdaily.com.au
December 26, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Another pair of idiots - not wearing life jackets.
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/v...
www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/state/v...
Hey @ninecomau. What a terrible message, Sydney-Hobart race commentators on small boats not wearing a life jacket.
December 26, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Hey @ninecomau. What a terrible message, Sydney-Hobart race commentators on small boats not wearing a life jacket.