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Day 31 
“People obviously are over the ads and just want #election day out of the way and get on with their lives. I get all of that. But you know, we live in the greatest #country in the world. It’s worth #fighting for and #protecting and #defending and that’s what the #debate is about”
“I think #alcohol is the first essential ingredient, I’m sure of that, responsible drinking as well, but NOT WATCHING THE ABC would be a good start.
For the young ones, #listening at home, FORGET THE ABC. And if you do that, you can probably start with a good night.” — #PeterDutton
#AusPol / #OBEY / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition / #MickTsikas / AAP <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/30/australia-election-2025-live-housing-crisis-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-campaign-final-week-labor-coalition-cpi-inflation-ntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-681149068f08b6ffd73c1c6c>
Day 31 cont 
The caretaker #PM appearing on the #HateMedia (ABC Press club as defined by ), something I can’t remember #PeterDutton doing or being capable of.
“Through everything the world has thrown at #Australia over the last three years, for all the #challenges our #nation has faced, our #government has held true to those enduring Australian #values of #fairness, #aspiration and #opportunity.
It has been less than three years since Australians voted out the #ScottMorrison (ex PM & Minister for Health, Finance, Treasury, Immigration and Holidays) government. My #colleagues and I know there is more work to do. That is what #drives us.” — #AnthonyAlbanese
Half the battle is attendance. 
Not a bad summary, nothing on environment, trade or defence… but there is #Policy to back this up. No mention of working with Independents, Greens to achieve these aims.
#AusPol / #Labor / #LNP / #Nationals / #Liberals / #Coalition <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/30/australia-election-2025-live-housing-crisis-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-campaign-final-week-labor-coalition-cpi-inflation-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-68118a758f08f0938cf49176#block-68118a758f08f0938cf49176>
Day 31 cont 
“Already these so-called #greenfield developments — houses built on previously #BareLand, just as the name suggests — are changing the #terrain of #Australia’s #cities.
The new #developments are easy to spot from the street, or the air, thanks to the sea of grey roof tiles.
Where once #ResidentialDevelopment was concentrated around #economic centres, now it’s #bulging outwards to an extent that the connection to city-living is tenuous at best.”
The barely mentioned issue that needs to be addressed, #population and #planning.
#AusPol / #cities / #land / #LandUse <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-30/federal-election-greenfield-developments/105216632>
Day 31 cont 
VS 
“The cost-of-living crisis, energy and housing have dominated the 2025 #election campaign.
Much less airtime has been given to the arts, a $64 billion industry facing serious threats.
Diminishing #profits due to rising #production #costs, #unregulated use of #AI and a lack of Australian content on streaming platforms are among the most pressing issues for the #ArtsSector today.”
A reminder that LNP Senator #JamesPatterson would sell the #JacksonPollock, “Blue Poles” at the NG if given the chance because (paraphrased), The Australian Government shouldn’t keep and maintain expensive Art”.
#AusPol / #Arts / #ArtsAustralia / #Labor / #LNP / #Liberal / #Coalition / #Nationals / #greens <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-29/australia-election-2025-labor-coalition-greens-arts-policy/105223584> / “Painting Blue Poles, worth $350m, should be sold to reduce national debt: Senator James Paterson” <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-07/governments-$350m-painting-should-be-sold-to-reduce-debt/7911882>
Day 31 cont 
A reminder, the seat of Aston was the seat of a former (discraced) Liberal MP, #AlanTudge #TudgyFudge.
“#PeterDutton (#Liberal) continues his campaign swing through #Melbourne’s #suburbs, and you’ll never guess where the bus has stopped now.
That’s right, we’re now at Dutton’s 15th PETROL STATION PHOTO-OP of the #campaign – that’s 15 – at a truck stop in #Aston. Dutton’s plan to cut the fuel excise by 25 cents per litre is getting a major airing in his campaign material, the backdrops of his #PressConferences, and his #photo #opportunities.”
Slogans, propaganda and stunts…
OR
Policies?
#AusPol / #propaganda / #slogans / #policies / #policy / #LNP / #Nationals / #Coalition <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/apr/30/australia-election-2025-live-housing-crisis-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-campaign-final-week-labor-coalition-cpi-inflation-ntwnfb?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6811b11f8f08f0938cf49225#block-6811b11f8f08f0938cf49225> / “Education Minister Alan Tudge stands aside amid abuse allegations, PM tells parliament” <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-02/alan-tudge-stands-aside-amid-abuse-allegations/100669592>
Day 31 cont 
“Family trust blitz threatens ‘financial ruin’ as #ATO goes back decades:
#Wealthy families are being hit with huge bills for #unpaid #taxes and #penalties as the Australian Taxation Office uses sweeping #powers to #investigate taxes on family trust distributions dating back more than 30 years. …
The crackdown is associated with what are known as #FamilyTrust elections and the payment of family trust distributions tax dating back to 1998, when the tax was first introduced to combat #TaxAvoidance schemes.”
I cannot believe hasn’t mentioned and weaponised this ATO action. A tax policy might have uncovered this?
#AusPol / #taxation / #elections <https://archive.md/c6l94> / <https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/family-trust-blitz-threatens-financial-ruin-as-ato-goes-back-decades-20250429-p5lv2p>
Day 31 cont 
“#Nationals senator #BridgetMackenzie joined Afternoon Briefing and defended the #Coalition's decision to accept #OneNation preferences.”
#AusPol / #Liberal / #LNP / #Coalition / #RightWing / #extremism <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-30/federal-election-2025-live-albanese-dutton-campaign-/105231912?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web>
Day 31 cont
The LNP has a candidate problem cont:
“The #LiberalParty plans to take the #BoroondaraCityCouncil to court to stop it from removing the signs of #Kooyong candidate #AmeliaHamer, the second sign-related squabble to erupt in the affluent Melbourne seat.
The #escalation comes after a #worker from the council, which the #Liberals say is friendly to #independent MP #MoniqueRyan, was filmed confiscating a Liberals sign reading "Monique, please DO NOT take this sign!".”
#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #extremism <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-30/kooyong-monique-ryan-amelia-hamer-sign-injunction/105233842>
Day 31 cont 
️
“The #Coalition has been desperate to talk about #TheVoice, and it's little wonder why — the #referendum not only marked a devastating result for many #FirstNations people but also a turning point in the government's fortunes.
The Coalition's numbers started to surge in the #polls, and now that those numbers have fallen behind #Labor, it's been searching for the way back.”
The public denigration of Australia’s first nations people by the LNP and its followers makes me physically sick.
#AusPol / #LNP / #Nationals / #AdvanceAustralia / #extremism / #RightWing / #Destabilisation <https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-30/penny-wong-voice-press-club-trump-call-clive-palmer/105233988>
Day 32 
Things are coming in thick and fast today, so I’ll try to summarise the major themes.
No Policies of the #Liberal, #LNP and #Coalition.
#AngusTaylor (Opposition Treasurer, Liberal) hands in his #Economics homework late, it’s got problems.
A 
derivative that is toxic 
“A Coalition government would drive the #budget deeper into #deficit over the coming two years, as the shadow finance minister, #JaneHume, insisted her party’s plan to save $17.2bn by #slashing the number of #Canberra-based #PublicServants by 41,000 through “natural attrition” was achievable.”
If returned to power, the Coalition would gut a long list of environment and clean energy programs, including #scrapping the #NetZero #Economy #Agency, reversing Labor’s #TaxBreaks for #ElectricVehicles, and redirecting money slated for the #HomeBatteries program.
#Reversing tax incentives for green hydrogen would save $1.5bn over four years, and not proceeding with Labor’s critical mineral production tax credits would save $1.2bn, the Coalition’s election policy costings show.”
#AusPol / #treasury / #costings / #economy / #future <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/coalition-costings-federal-election-promises-larger-deficit-cut-foreign-aid-environment-clean-energy>
Day 32 cont
“What we learned today, Thursday 1 May”
#AusPol <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/01/australia-election-2025-live-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-campaign-policies-economy-inflation-cost-of-living-coalition-labor-ntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-6813216d8f0870089fc04e88#block-6813216d8f0870089fc04e88>
Day 32 cont 
As the election gets closer, #extremism and #conflict is happening at polling booths with unruly candidate, party members and constituants.
“A barrage of #complaints about #threatening and #aggressive #behaviour at polling booths has fuelled tension in Australia’s most hotly #contested #electorates and prompted the #ElectoralCommission to warn #candidates in marginal seats that such behaviour would discourage #voters”
#AusPol <https://archive.md/5KgGv> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/threats-skulduggery-and-neo-nazis-prompt-aec-warning-about-voting-booths-20250501-p5lvl0.html> (paywall)
Day 32 cont
Take care #voting, make your #Preferences count. 
“Preferences have become more important than ever in Australian elections, as the share of people supporting the major parties has dropped from more than 90% of primary votes in the 1950s to just 68.8% in the most recent federal poll.
The last Australian election saw 16 seats won by candidates who were not leading after the first count – the most ever, tied with 2016. And more than half of those winners were independent candidates – also the most ever.
Australia’s electoral system requires #voters to #number #candidates in their order of preference: their first choice, second choice and so on. During #counting, if no candidate has yet achieved a #majority, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to voters’ next #preference. This is repeated until there is a clear winner.”
#AusPol <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/datablog/2025/may/01/how-do-preferences-work-voting-party-australia-federal-election-liberal-greens-labor>
♬ 
@peterrenshaw@ioc.exchangeDay 32 cont
Some of the hijinks reported in #Melbourne today and yesterday. Too many to quote, but it gives you a taste of what is going on in contested seats in #Kooyong, #Wills, #Bruce, #Goldstein and #Macnamara.
It reads like a Ballroom Dancing contest. 
#AusPol <https://archive.md/V5dhT> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/victoria-s-hot-seats-live-updates-cost-of-living-in-focus-in-final-week-of-campaigning-20250425-p5lu8k.html>
Day 33 
“A #Liberal-aligned #ThinkTank running last-minute #AntiGreens #advertisements targeting young voters received more than $600,000 from the #coal industry during last year’s #Queensland election, disclosures show.
On Monday evening, the #AustralianInstituteForProgress released a “Can you afford the Greens?” video advertisement pushing claims, based on its own commissioned research, that the Greens’ housing policies would lead to increased #rents.
Emails to supporters from the #AIP executive director, former Queensland Liberal vice-president #GrahamYoung, seeking #donations to push anti-Greens advertisements show the #campaign is specifically aimed at helping elect #LiberalNational party #candidates #TrevorEvans and #MaggieForrest in the seats of #Brisbane and #Ryan.”
This is why I use the term #LNPCrimeGang.
#AusPol / #Liberal / #Nationals / #LNP / #ThinkTanks / #democracy / #MaxChandlerMather / #ClimateEmergency / #HousingEmergency <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/02/australian-institute-for-progress-anti-greens-election-ads-coal-australia-donations-ntwnfb>
Day 33 cont
“If #PeterDutton (#Liberal) were to form government, safety could come to the fore again because it would need to overturn the #FederalBan on #NuclearEnergy, implemented in 1999 by #JohnHoward (ex PM, Liberal) in a deal with #TheGreens.
Despite the dangers being dismissed by Labor (AUKUS) and the Coalition , Caldicott remains concerned about #NuclearWaste being improperly stored in #Australia and contaminating water supplies – or even a #Chernobyl-like #reactor meltdown.
“It’s not being discussed at all, which is amazing to me”, Caldicott says. “People are very ignorant.”” — #HelenCaldicott MD
Q Where is the hottest Nuclear waste in Australia right now? (hint 1950s Nuclear tests exploding #Plutonium above ground)
#AusPol / #LiberalNational / #LNP / #Nationals <https://archive.md/dTKcZ> / <https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australians-once-feared-the-health-impacts-of-nuclear-now-nobody-s-talking-about-it-20250324-p5lm2k.html> (paywall)
Day 33 cont
“#ForeignFossilFuel and #IsraelLobbyists are flooding the 2025 election campaign with cash and smear ads against the #Greens, #Teals and #Labor. #auspol
We investigate the #shadowy players behind #AdvanceAustralia, #better Australia, and the so-called #MinorityImpactCoalition, revealing how these '#astroturfers' are sowing fear and lies, deploying #DarkMoney to rig the #conversation.
Who #funds them? Why now? And why is the #AEC doing nothing?”
MichaelWest from the “West Report” (Chanel Youtube ) talks about the #ForeignInfluenceOperation being conducted during the current elections.
#AusPol / #LNP / #Liberal / #Nationals / #LiberalNationals / #Coalition / #propaganda / #espionage <https://youtube.com/watch?v=pR1vEPh8-BY>
Day 33 cont
“Support for #Australia’s ongoing ban on nuclear energy has risen sharply since #PeterDutton (Liberal) made the issue a central plank of #Coalition #EnergyPolicy, according to the country’s largest independent survey on #ClimateChange and #energy.
The survey also found fewer people thought any benefits of #NuclearPower outweighed the #risks compared with the previous year.
Even among #people intending to vote #Liberal, support for #nuclear power was not overwhelming, with only 53% in favour of the party’s intention to lift the #NationalBan if elected.”
#AusPol / #LNP / #LiberalNational / #ClimateEmergency <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/australians-support-for-nuclear-power-ban-rises-despite-duttons-best-efforts-to-sell-atomic-future-survey-finds>
Day 33 cont 
A Lady Macbeth comes to mind.
“Hume says it’s too early to discuss replacing #PeterDutton Shadow finance minister #JaneHume was asked on #ABCNews (#HateNews) Breakfast a little earlier about whether she sees shadow treasurer #AngusTaylor as a future #leader of the party.
Hume says it’s “too early” to have those conversations.
You do not read the #entrails until you have #gutted the #chicken. We will be working for every vote up until 6 on election day.
(my emphasis, "Out, damned spot!”)
Asked whether she wants to keep her finance portfolio, Hume says: “I hope so … but that is entirely up to the leader.” She adds:
#DemocracySausages are my favourite meal. If I was on #DeathRow and they asked me what my #LastMeal would be? A sausage in bread with onion and #TomatoSauce.”
A Freudian slip (#parapraxis)?
#AusPol / #Liberals / #Nationals / #LiberalNational / #LNP / #MacBeth / #shakespeare <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/02/australia-election-2025-live-last-day-campaign-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-coalition-poll-voting-ntwnfb?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with%3Ablock-6814029c8f08ca89058036c7#block-6814029c8f08ca89058036c7>
Day 33 cont
“The #truth is, in what became an impressive field of advocates, #Albo did more to secure my freedom than any other politician or public figure, even more than the late Pope, whose support was both moving and significant.
Against all expectations for an #Australian politician, once elected, he kept his word.
#Albanese lobbied former US president #JoeBiden at several meetings, pushing for Assange’s release.
Albo hasn’t just stood up to the #US to end the #PoliticalImprisonment of an #Australian – he’s also intervened for other Australians detained in difficult circumstances, including in #China. This government has proven itself unusually capable of rescuing #Australians caught up in #sensitive political situations.
Does this mean Albo will put Australian interests first and skillfully navigate tensions between the US, #EU, and China? I can’t say for sure. But I do know this: He can. Albo did right by me ... You don’t need to be a #bully to have a #backbone.”
#AusPol / #JulianAssange / #veritas <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/02/australia-election-2025-live-last-day-campaign-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-coalition-poll-voting-ntwnfb>
Day 33 cont
“He’s not a monster” — #KirillyDutton
#AusPol / #PeterDutton / #Liberal / #LNP / #LiberalNational / #Coalition / #JobInterview <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/02/australia-election-2025-live-last-day-campaign-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-labor-coalition-poll-voting-ntwnfb?page=with%3Ablock-681459598f088213e42d7a19#block-681459598f088213e42d7a19>
Day 33 cont 
“A #Coalition government would divert more than 10% of annual government funding for #CreativeAustralia to a single cultural project and unspecified broadcasting programs if elected at Saturday’s federal election.
In the Coalition’s #PolicyCostings, released on Thursday, the “safe, sustainable and connected communities” section contained a pledge to “#redirect” $33.2m of Creative Australia’s annual #funding of $312m “to #MelbourneJewishArtsQuarter and supporting #broadcasting”.
The quarter is a planned new centre celebrating Jewish #arts, #culture, #food and #shopping in #Elsternwick in #Melbourne.”
Entitlement. Since the LNP has no policy, the funding could be more than the stated 10%.
#AusPol / #Liberal / #LNP / #LiberalNational / #ClaireChandler <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/02/coalition-arts-funding-election-costings-creative-australia-jewish-quarter-project-broadcasting-ntwnfb>
Day 33 cont 
“Foreign Minister #PennyWong (#Labor) is telling voters on #Chinese #SocialMedia apps that the #Liberals are questioning their #loyalty as both sides seek to exploit perceived links to #Beijing while continuing to court the #diaspora vote.
Key marginal seats in #NSW and #Victoria will likely be decided on the Chinese Australian vote, including the north Sydney seat of #Bennelong, where a man who held a senior role in a Chinese government-linked influence association (#CCP) is leading a volunteer group for the Liberal candidate.
Both claims show the difficulty political parties face as they try to win over Chinese Australian voters with a wide array of priorities, manage Australia’s #ComplexRelationship with its largest trading partner, and attack the other side over #NationalSecurity.”
Diversity in action.
#AusPol / #LNP / #Coalition / #Nationals / #LiberalNationals <https://archive.md/bglBZ> / <https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/wong-weaponises-liberal-chinese-spies-gaffe-in-battle-for-vote-20250430-p5lvic.html> (paywall)
Day 33 cont 
“The #Coalition’s plan to raise $3.6bn by increasing #tax on #VAPES and making them MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE would lead to “serious short- and long-term harm” and is “exactly what #BigTobacco have been asking for”, according to public health experts.”
#AusPol / #Liberals / #PeterDutton / #LNP / #Nationals / #LiberalNationals <https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/02/coalition-vape-tax-retail-stores-sales>
Day 33 cont
“Australian election 2025 voting guide: everything you need to know”
“Who can I #vote for? Where can I find #PollingBooth locations near me and get a #DemocracySausage?
What TIME does voting open and close on election day? Australia goes to the polls on 3 May. (tomorrow)
Here’s how to play your role and understand what is going on at the #federal #election”
#AusPol <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/02/how-to-vote-australian-federal-election-when-who-do-i-vote-what-time-polling-booths-open-near-me-locations-saturday-voting-guide>
Day 34 cont 
“#UberEats is allowing customers in certain cities to order democracy (Corporate #Capitalist) sausages to their door, for “hardworking Australians” (ie: people who don’t work aren’t hard working) who “find themselves without access to a sausage” on 3 May”
A reminder #corporate #sausages DENY Public schools of funds like school equipment.
#AusPol / #DemocracySausage <https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/may/03/australian-federal-election-2025-live-news-today-anthony-albanese-labor-peter-dutton-liberal-coalition-greens-polls-vote-odds-results-politics-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-68159af98f08171b1691c624#block-68159af98f08171b1691c624>
Day 34 cont 
️
What is the latest you turned up to #vote? Working a six day week, I got home at 1745 and was reminded I still had to vote 
#AusPol / #tardiness / #busy
️
@peterrenshaw Amazing! Also, why no mustard?
@peterrenshaw
It is plain to see the Australian Electoral Laws need some updating to mandate thruth in political advertising and make provisions for heavy fines and jail time for offenders. IMO
You just cannot allow these poeple to fuck around with weak minds in order to skew election results - that’s democracy under siege if it ever was - and it is.
@RaymondPierreL3 Enforcement.
@peterrenshaw
Yeah… nah. That never works. I was just ranting in my toot. Raging because I am but a speck of dust among humanity and my petty foibles mean nothing in the grand scale of things. Venting really. Forever grateful the #fediverse lets me do it from time to time (more often that I care to admit actually). Thank you for interacting but don’t waste your time on me with this one. Wonderful place this #Mastodon thingy. Just wonderful.
@RaymondPierreL3 no I agree with content, just note that Law not enforced is just words. Nobody respects words.
@peterrenshaw
That is true. But the AEC already has the machinery to supervise and penalise - we just need it to be a little more than $20 for failing to vote and crank that up to M$ for advertising BS.