#auspol on Bluesky: Tuesday 29 September 2026

TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• One Nation Party Dysfunction & Leadership – Extensive discussion of One Nation's internal instability, with 28 of 51 ever-elected members resigning or expelled; multiple posts analysing the party's internal contradictions and electoral sustainability. (High engagement, multiple threads)

• Interest Rates & Cost of Living – RBA interest rate decision dominating discourse; criticism that rate rises won't address underlying inflation drivers (fuel, groceries) and will worsen mortgage pressures on essential living costs.

• Larissa Waters (Greens) Resignation – Greens co-leader stepping down due to kidney disease; discussion of successor and party direction, with some suggesting Adam Shoebridge as alternative.

• Labor's Credit Card Surcharge Ban – New $1.6B consumer saving measure (Oct 1) noted as being overshadowed by interest rate coverage; framed as "battlers' unsung hero" policy.

• Foreign Policy & AUKUS – Criticism of Australia's alignment with US/UK military-industrial interests (submarines, shipyards); concern about Palestine-Israel stance under Labor; debate on strategic autonomy vs alliance dependency.

NOTABLE POSTS

1. @qldaah.bsky.social (26 likes, 13 reposts): "Disgruntlement & disintegration. It's decades of the same One Nation story. Out of the 51 members ever elected across Australia, 28 of those ended up resigning or being expelled by Pauline Hanson." – Most-engaged post; crystallises core narrative about One Nation's dysfunction.

1. @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (38 likes, 15 reposts): Quote on Labor's "toxic centrism" and kowtowing to "Zionist power" – reflects stronger left-wing criticism of Albanese government's centrist positioning on Gaza; significant engagement indicating this discourse resonates.

1. @angry-goddess.bsky.social (20 likes, 9 reposts): "Tim Wilson will never need child care, will never need the NDIS and will never need aged care" – Sharp class critique of Liberal MP; sharply captures frustration with out-of-touch conservative politicians.

OVERALL SENTIMENT

The discourse is predominantly critical and frustrated, spanning left and centre-left perspectives. There's simultaneous contempt for One Nation (seen as dysfunctional grift) and disappointment in Labor (perceived as timid, overly aligned with US interests, failing to address cost-of-living root causes). The RBA decision generates anger that monetary policy is an inadequate/harmful tool for inflation driven by geopolitical factors and corporate pricing power. Foreign policy criticism centres on perceived subservience to US/UK strategic interests at Australia's expense. A undercurrent of concern about misinformation, AI, and democratic degradation runs through posts. While some posts defend Labor's specific measures (credit card surcharges), the overall mood is one of disillusionment with political establishment—neither major party perceived as adequately serving ordinary Australians' interests.

Most active: @samoskal.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (38 likes, 15 reposts, 2 replies)

TOP TRENDING TOPICS

1. Labor Government Criticism & Accountability – Widespread discontent with PM Albanese over NACC conflicts of interest, foreign policy alignment with Trump/US, and perceived betrayal of Labor promises on governance reform.

1. One Nation & Far-Right Politics – Significant engagement around One Nation's rise, links to Coalition figures (Gina Rinehart, Henry Pike), and explicit comparisons to Trump's MAGA movement; strong condemnation of racist rhetoric.

1. Israel-Palestine & Gaza – Sustained activism demanding Australian government action on Gaza reconstruction, ICC prosecution of US/Israeli officials, and criticism of Labor's silence on US militarism versus Russia condemnation.

1. Cost of Living & Economic Policy – Debate over greedflation vs. RBA monetary policy, interest rates, housing affordability crisis, and whether government spending cuts are the right approach.

1. AUKUS Nuclear Submarines & Defence Spending – Recurring critique of $368bn submarine purchase amid cost-of-living crisis, framed as wasteful military spending serving US interests over Australian needs.

NOTABLE POSTS

@michael.bsky.social West (28 likes, 10 reposts): "Shakespeare declared that she had a 'professional relationship with REDACTED'... FOIs reveal #NACC still beset by conflict of interest woes." – Demonstrates persistent institutional dysfunction at the National Anti-Corruption Commission, undercutting Albanese's key governance pledge.

@kent.bsky.social Park Skeet (32 likes, 9 reposts): "The time when we had to 'navigate' racist people is over... One Nation is racist filth. Its voters are racist filth. There's no way to navigate this." – Captures hardening anti-compromise sentiment toward extremism on the left; reflects broader polarization.

@david.bsky.social Shoebridge (John Menadue repost, 12 likes, 4 reposts): "Australia wants a UN Security Council seat and says it will defend international law. But Albanese condemned Russia while remaining silent on US actions, even after Trump threatened to 'annihilate' Iran." – Highlights perceived hypocrisy in Labor's foreign policy positioning and geopolitical alignment.

OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is deeply fractured and disillusiioned. While some posts advocate for Sustainable Australia or specific policy reforms, the dominant tone is angry frustration with Labor's perceived failures—particularly on governance (NACC), foreign policy (Gaza, US alignment), cost of living, and housing. There is substantial left-wing activist energy around Palestine, climate, and inequality, alongside sharp warnings about One Nation's rise and media capture. Notably, criticism of Albanese cuts across the left (Greens supporters, progressive activists) with calls to vote him out; simultaneously, One Nation's links to wealthy figures and the Coalition generate alarm. Posts on RBA monetary policy and AUKUS spending reflect economic anxiety. Overall, the discourse shows low trust in major institutions, skepticism of both major parties, and urgent concern about democratic capture by corporate/foreign interests—though few posts articulate constructive alternatives beyond criticism.

Most active: @peggysanders.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @qldaah.bsky.social (28 likes, 18 reposts, 1 replies)

TOP TRENDING TOPICS

1. RBA Interest Rate Hike (Fourth in 2026) – The Reserve Bank's latest rate increase to 4.60% dominates discourse, with users criticizing the move as ineffective, harmful to mortgage holders and low-income earners, and driven by external factors (US/Middle East tensions) beyond the RBA's control.

1. Government Economic & Welfare Policy Criticism – Widespread anger at Labor's handling of cost-of-living pressures, including subsidies to high-superannuation earners while refusing to raise welfare payments, and perceived failure to address inflation root causes.

1. OpenAI Medicare Data Breach & AI Regulation – Controversy over an AI agent's unauthorized actions accessing Medicare data; users demand substantial fines and stronger regulatory frameworks, criticizing the company's apology as insufficient.

1. Albanese Government Foreign Policy & Sovereignty – Debate over Australia's alignment with the US (AUKUS, data sharing with Israel/US) and selective application of international law, with some praising government resistance to Washington pressure on AI/social media regulation.

1. Greens Leadership Transition – Discussion of potential new Greens leadership, with David Shoebridge emerging as a preferred alternative to Sarah Hanson-Young, and praise for the party's general caliber compared to Labor/Liberal duopoly.

NOTABLE POSTS

• @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social (16 likes, 7 reposts): "Instead of the Reserve Bank reducing inflation by increasing the amount of money we have to give to the banks, why not increase the amount of money we have to pay into our own superannuation accounts?" – Proposes novel economic alternative, gaining notable traction.

• @johnmenadue.com (8 likes, 3 reposts): "Australia's push on AI and social media has put it at odds with Washington. For once, the government appears prepared to decide what Australia's interests require." – Rare praise for government independence, contrasting with dominant criticism.

• @qldaah.bsky.social (25 likes, 9 reposts): "Pauline Hanson denies anyone controls her. One Nation's work on the pension policy came from Gina Rinehart." – Exposes corporate influence on One Nation, highest engagement on the platform.

OVERALL SENTIMENT

The discourse is predominantly negative and frustrated, with users expressing deep disillusionment across the political spectrum. While Labor bears the brunt of criticism for economic mismanagement, cost-of-living failures, and perceived subservience to US/Israeli interests, the broader mood reflects systemic distrust: the RBA is seen as ineffectual and ideologically captured; One Nation as a corrupt grift operation; and the Greens as relatively competent but sidelined. A small minority offers qualified praise for government positions on AI regulation and sovereignty, but this is drowned out by anger over inequality, welfare cuts, AI governance failures, and foreign policy compromises. The tone is caustic, with users deploying strong language and dark humor to express hopelessness about representative democracy's capacity to address their concerns.

Most active: @kimwingerei.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @qldaah.bsky.social (25 likes, 9 reposts, 1 replies)

TOP TRENDING TOPICS

1. RBA Interest Rate Hike & Cost-of-Living Crisis — Widespread anger at the Reserve Bank's rate increase, with users arguing it won't solve inflation (driven by Trump's Iran war and fuel prices) and only punishes homebuyers and battlers; criticism that the RBA misunderstands its own toolkit.

1. Greens Leadership Vacuum — Larissa Waters' resignation due to kidney disease triggered leadership race among Sarah Hanson-Young, Mehreen Faruqi, and David Shoebridge; debate over who should lead the party forward.

1. Global Geopolitics & US-Australia Relations — Trump's Iran conflict inflating energy costs; concerns about Australian sovereignty and over-reliance on US alliance; discussion of data centres, AI regulation, and foreign investment policy.

1. Climate, Energy & Fossil Fuels — Criticism of Australian government's inadequate climate action, underinvestment in renewables/CSIRO, and gas export policy (83% of gas exported despite domestic shortages); debate over coal mining harms.

1. Housing Affordability & Inequality — Rising interest rates, falling house prices, rental crisis, and modular housing solutions; broader critique of economic system punishing ordinary Australians while enriching corporations and banks.

NOTABLE POSTS

@michael.bsky.social West (@michaelwestbiz, 43 likes, 31 reposts): "We've cracked the BHP insurance scam. They are gouging coal workers, lowballing insurance risk, tapping into icare (other people's insurance) and compromising the courts by muzzling evidence." — Investigative journalism exposing corporate exploitation of workers and public systems.

@australia.bsky.social Institute (@australiainstitute.org.au, 79 likes, 51 reposts): "83% of Australia's gas is used for exports...the Australian government has allowed the export of enough gas to supply Australia for more than 20 years. A 25% tax on gas exports could end gas shortages." — High-engagement post on resource policy and cost-of-living solutions.

@the.bsky.social Russell (@the-russell.bsky.social, 9 likes, 5 reposts): "It's clear to Blind Freddy & his dog that Australia's inflation is caused by Trump's Iran war & the subsequent rise in fuel costs...The RBA can increase interest rates until kingdom come but until the Hormuz Strait opens, it's all piss & wind." — Captures widespread frustration that RBA policy misses the root cause.

OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is deeply frustrated and angry. Users repeatedly blame external factors (Trump's Iran conflict, fuel prices, global instability) for inflation but criticise the Labor government and RBA for ineffective, blunt-instrument responses that harm ordinary Australians. There's widespread cynicism toward both major parties ("duopoly"), with some calling for more radical action (Greens, socialism) or third parties (One Nation, Fusion). The Greens leadership change introduces uncertainty but also hope for renewal. Posts oscillate between analysis and venting, with mordant humour used to express despair about the economy, media capture (Murdoch), and corporate greed. A subset engages earnestly on policy (housing, gas, immigration, data centres), but the dominant tone is: the system is broken, those in power aren't fixing it, and we're paying the price.

Most active: @kimwingerei.bsky.social (17 posts) · Most engaged: @australiainstitute.org.au (79 likes, 51 reposts, 2 replies)