#auspol on Bluesky: Sunday 31 May 2026
375 posts analysed across 4 three-hour updates.
Bluesky says submarine deal collapse dominates Australian politics as second-hand vessels replace new Virginia-class subs amid AUKUS crisis
The dominant story across Australian political discourse is the AUKUS submarine deal's dramatic downgrade: Defence Minister Richard Marles announced Australia will receive three second-hand Virginia-class submarines instead of the promised mix of new and used vessels, with costs remaining at approximately $370 billion. This reversal has triggered fierce backlash across the political spectrum, with critics arguing Australia has been comprehensively outmanoeuvred by the United States and is essentially paying full price for obsolete nuclear waste.
Key issues dominating the 24-hour conversation include the AUKUS submarine fiasco itself, with users questioning why Australia is absorbing escalating costs for ageing equipment; the National Anti-Corruption Commission's institutional collapse following Commissioner Paul Brereton's shock resignation amid integrity breaches; and One Nation's surging polling numbers, attributed by commentators to the Labor government's failure to address cost-of-living pressures, housing affordability, and wage stagnation. A secondary concern involves the Liberal Party's decision to appoint Tony Abbott as president, viewed by critics as a backwards-looking move that undermines its modernisation efforts.
A standout exchange saw Simon Rosenberg observe that the "only rules-based order Hegseth is interested in is a Christian Nationalist one," crystallising widespread unease about Australia's defence alignment with an increasingly erratic United States. The overall tone is one of political frustration bordering on despair: users across the ideological spectrum express deep scepticism toward both major parties, with the dominant narrative suggesting Australia's political class is captured by corporate and foreign interests at the expense of ordinary Australians struggling with housing, cost of living, and national sovereignty.
AI-generated summary of public #auspol posts.
Most engaged post of the day
Clare O'Neil calls out the Coalition’s “huge mistake” in 1999 to change CGT & gift investors taxpayer handouts, saying it turned residential property into the country’s “most lucrative, low-risk investment”💥 “The tax system should not drive investment decisions”💯 #auspol
Three-hour updates
Click a window to expand its topics, notable posts and sentiment.
06:00–09:00 AEST · 56 posts · AUKUS & Defence Sovereignty
TOP TRENDING TOPICS
- AUKUS & Defence Sovereignty — Heavy criticism of Australia's deepening military alignment with the US, particularly Richard Marles' submarine drone announcement, with posts attacking the government for selling out Australian sovereignty and abandoning AUKUS.
- Domestic Violence & Gender Inequality Crisis — Outrage over the budget allocating $604m for antisemitism while ignoring domestic violence services, with 34 women killed by partners this year; multiple posts highlighting systemic failures affecting women.
- Police Brutality & NSW Labor Accountability — Intense criticism of NSW Police violence against vulnerable populations under Chris Minns' Labor government, with accusations that Labor has failed its core principles by permitting ongoing misconduct.
- Liberal Party Leadership & Internal Dysfunction — Mockery of Tony Abbott's return as a political figure and broader Liberal Party incompetence, including obsession with transgender bathroom issues as a distraction from substantive policy.
- Housing Crisis & Negative Gearing — Frustration over homelessness, unaffordable housing, and politicians' complicity in the crisis through negative gearing; one post references a baby dying in a tent.
NOTABLE POSTS
- @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (19 reposts, 14 likes): "The new appointments must be the best and most qualified candidates available, because any more missteps will risk destroying the #NACC forever." — High-engagement call for institutional integrity in the National Anti-Corruption Commission, reflecting broader concern about governance credibility.
- @michaelwestbiz.bsky.social (55 reposts, 84 likes): "So far this year 34 women have been killed by their partners. Budget found $604m for antisemitism .. found nothing to increase domestic violence services." — Most-engaged post, crystallising anger at budget priorities and systemic neglect of women's safety.
- @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (7 reposts, 19 likes): "The desperate Liberal party has decided that they'll build back their vote by obsessing about who uses toilets." — Sharp critique of opposition focusing on culture-war wedge issues rather than substantive policy.
OVERALL SENTIMENT
The mood is frustrated, angry, and cynical. Dominant themes include betrayal by both major parties (Labor for AUKUS militarism and inaction on inequality; Liberals for incompetence and culture-war distraction), institutional failures (police brutality, homelessness, NACC credibility), and gendered violence being deprioritised. Many posts express exhaustion with the "duopoly," with some calling for independent alternatives, though One Nation's rise is viewed with alarm. A minority display inflammatory language and conspiracy-adjacent thinking. Overall, the sentiment reflects disillusionment with mainstream politics and deep anxiety about inequality, sovereignty, and women's safety.
Most active: @gmf1979.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @michaelwestbiz.bsky.social (84 likes, 55 reposts, 5 replies)
09:00–12:00 AEST · 116 posts · AUKUS Submarines Deal
TOP TRENDING TOPICS
- AUKUS Submarines Deal — Significant backlash over Australia agreeing to purchase second-hand (rather than new) Virginia-class submarines at eye-watering cost (~$400 billion), with users viewing it as a strategic blunder and poor value for money.
- Housing Crisis & Tax Reform — Intense debate on Labor's housing policies, negative gearing/CGT changes, and whether they adequately address the affordability crisis; Clare O'Neil's media appearance on Insiders drew particular criticism of interviewer David Speers' "gotcha" approach.
- Liberal Party Leadership & Decline — Tony Abbott's appointment as Liberal Party President seen as emblematic of the party's loss of direction; criticism of the party's appeal limited to "pale, stale males" and outdated policies.
- Media Bias & ABC Criticism — Multiple posts critique ABC coverage as NewsCorp-influenced and biased, particularly around Gaza/Israel coverage and differential treatment of Labor vs. Coalition figures.
- Labor Government Contradictions — Left-wing criticism that Labor contradicts its progressive credentials (AI in aged care/NDIS, fossil fuel policy, Gaza stance despite "Parliamentary Friends of Palestine" history).
NOTABLE POSTS
@simon.bsky.social Rosenberg (37 likes, 11 reposts): Predicted Australia will receive no nuclear submarines from the US, forecasting the announcement would be reversed by "4pm Christmas Eve 2026 — ideal day and time for 'taking out the trash.'" A sharp prediction of the deal's likely collapse.
@clare.bsky.social O'Neil on Capital Gains Tax (143 likes, 48 reposts): Housing Minister called out the 1999 Howard-era CGT/negative gearing changes as transforming property into the country's "most lucrative, low-risk investment," arguing tax policy shouldn't drive investment decisions. Best-performing post on substantive policy.
@speers.bsky.social Interview Criticism (14 likes, 3 reposts): Multiple users flagged that David Speers' interview technique with O'Neil relied on "gotchas" rather than substantive journalism, undermining serious policy discussion—a recurring critique of ABC current affairs.
OVERALL SENTIMENT
The mood is fractured and deeply cynical. Left-leaning users attack Labor for betraying progressive values (Gaza, fossil fuels, NDIS AI), while simultaneously criticizing the Coalition as moribund and media-captured. There's broad agreement on three crises (housing, AUKUS failure, media bias) but little faith in any party to fix them. The discussion oscillates between anger at specific policy failures and exhaustion with political theatre. A few posts celebrate government initiatives (home-building targets, tax reform rationale), but these are drowned out by skepticism. Notably absent is optimism; even supportive commentary is defensive rather than aspirational. The tone is increasingly conspiratorial on some threads (lobbying, foreign influence, fuel shortages), suggesting audience fragmentation and declining trust in institutions.
Most active: @stormin68.bsky.social (8 posts) · Most engaged: @strangerous.bsky.social (143 likes, 48 reposts, 5 replies)
12:00–15:00 AEST · 126 posts · AUKUS Submarine Deal Fiasco
TOP TRENDING TOPICS
- AUKUS Submarine Deal Fiasco — Australia will receive three secondhand, end-of-life US Virginia-class submarines at increased cost rather than new vessels, generating widespread outrage over the $370+ billion commitment and accusations of paying for US nuclear waste.
- NACC Leadership Crisis — Inaugural commissioner Paul Brereton resigned unexpectedly amid investigations into misconduct, secrecy breaches, and mishandling of robodebt cases, with deputy commissioner Nicole Rose also departing early, leaving the integrity body in crisis.
- Data Privacy & Palantir Concerns — Labor government plans to share Australians' personal and biometric data with US authorities via Palantir systems, raising surveillance fears and accusations of insufficient parliamentary disclosure.
- Barnaby Joyce E-Bikes Controversy — National Party decision to permit high-powered, unregulated e-bikes sparked speculation about undisclosed donor pressure and campaign contributions, with calls for explanation.
- NSW Police Culture Crisis — Officers caught on camera revealed systemic issues with accountability, training, and recruitment across NSW police ranks, linked to broader femicide concerns.
NOTABLE POSTS
[sistacatruthpurry.bsky.social] (28 reposts, 13 likes): "We're spending over $400 billion on USED SUBS while our own people can't afford accommodation, food or healthcare? WTAF? #auspol The contract was for new subs. If the US can't deliver, it's a breach of contract and an opportunity to dump #AUKUS." — This captures the dominant sentiment: outrage over defence spending prioritised over domestic welfare.
[peggysanders.bsky.social] (17 reposts, 7 likes): Multi-part thread on Nick Feik's investigation revealing NACC's "astonishing failure of judgement" — undisclosed consulting conflicts, unexplained resignations, and internal integrity breaches. High engagement reflects serious accountability concerns.
[dove333.bsky.social] (20 reposts, 16 likes): "Calls grow to ban Palantir in Australia after manifesto described by UK MP as 'ramblings of a supervillain'" — Framing of surveillance technology alongside Labor's data-sharing deal resonates with civil liberties anxieties.
OVERALL SENTIMENT
The discourse is deeply frustrated and distrustful. AUKUS dominates with scathing criticism—posters view the deal as capitulation to US interests at Australian expense, paying inflated prices for inferior, potentially radioactive equipment. The NACC collapse fuels cynicism about institutional integrity; Brereton's undisclosed conflicts and forced resignations suggest systemic dysfunction at Australia's anti-corruption watchdog. Data privacy concerns intersect with these themes, portraying Labor as complicit in US surveillance expansion. There's also sharp criticism of Pauline Hanson and coalition incompetence (e.g., e-bikes, NSW police), though Labor receives equal fire for secrecy matching Morrison-era practices. A minority strand critiques Israel-related policy and corporate capture. Overall tone: angry, conspiratorial in places, but grounded in legitimate accountability failures. Australians feel "gullible" and manipulated by both major parties and US interests.
Most active: @peggysanders.bsky.social (18 posts) · Most engaged: @drnatosborne.bsky.social (26 likes, 22 reposts, 1 replies)
15:00–18:00 AEST · 77 posts · AUKUS Submarine Deal Fiasco
TOP TRENDING TOPICS
- AUKUS Submarine Deal Fiasco — Massive backlash over Australia's reported pivot to "used" US submarines rather than new builds, with users expressing fury at the $360+ billion cost, perceived poor value, and nuclear waste concerns; this dominates discussion by volume and engagement.
- Labor Government Incompetence & Broken Promises — Widespread criticism of PM Albanese and Defence Minister Richard Marles for continuing LNP policies, failing to deliver on commitments, and poor decision-making; users contrast Labor's failures against rising One Nation support.
- Media Capture & Murdoch Influence — Discussion of Murdoch's media empire shaping political narratives, ABC platforming propagandists, and recent controversy over "Undercover Jew" stunt; broader concern about corporate media accountability.
- Israel-Palestine & Australian Government Complicity — Posts questioning the government's pro-Israel stance, allegations of sexual assault by IDF members, and concerns about Australian citizens serving in the IDF; includes criticism of Antisemitism Envoy Jillian Segal.
- Corruption & NACC Failings — Calls for anti-corruption reform and frustration with the National Anti-Corruption Commission's inability to hold officials accountable; treated as structural government failure.
NOTABLE POSTS
@michael.bsky.social West (@michaelwestbiz) — 59 likes, 28 reposts: "'Misleading and deceptive'. Murdoch's Undercover Jew stunt leaks get hammered by judge" — Highest-engagement post; highlights ongoing Murdoch media scandal and judicial criticism of deceptive practices.
@disirregardless.bsky.social (@disirregardless) — 23 likes, 11 reposts: "We're paying them for the privilege of being a nuclear waste dump. Truly magic beans stuff." — Captures the sarcastic, angry tone dominating AUKUS discussion; succinctly summarizes core grievance.
@denise.bsky.social Shrivell (@deniseshrivell) — 27 likes, 10 reposts: "Every single one of us should get this on our radars. This is one of these apex issues which impacts so much else." — Framed as crucial structural/systemic issue; suggests AUKUS as symptom of broader governance failure.
OVERALL SENTIMENT
The tone is angry, disillusioned, and deeply cynical. Users express fury at perceived government incompetence (AUKUS deal, broken Labor promises) and systemic corruption (NACC, media capture, oligarchic influence). There is a pervasive sense of abandonment—concerns about housing, wages, healthcare, and dental care go unaddressed while billions are spent on submarine deals. Criticism spans both major parties (Labor for continuing LNP policies; LNP for originating them), suggesting a loss of faith in electoral politics itself; references to "kakistocracy" and calls for systemic change reflect this. Posts on Israel-Palestine are notably visceral and profane, indicating emotional intensity on this issue. A smaller vein of environmentalism and anti-corporate sentiment threads through discussion. Overall, BlueSky's #auspol conversation reads as a pressure-release valve for progressives alienated from mainstream Labor and unable to support the Coalition.
Most active: @peggysanders.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @peterwmurphy1.bsky.social (61 likes, 20 reposts, 10 replies)
Summaries are AI-generated (Claude) from public #auspol posts on Bluesky and may contain errors or mischaracterise a post; follow an account's link to see what they actually wrote. Posts and handles belong to their authors. Counts reflect posts returned by Bluesky search for #auspol at the time of each run. Methodology.