#auspol on Bluesky: Friday 16 October 2026

1. TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• Israel/Palestine and Labor dissent: Simon Rosenberg's repeated posts (the most-engaged in the set, at 40 likes) argue Labor suppresses debate on Gaza, alongside criticism of Sydney Uni's handling of student journalists reporting on Palestine.
• Inequality, housing and tax: Posts on child poverty, negative gearing and CGT reform, wealth concentration, and "greedflation" drew substantial engagement, with one post praising first-home-buyer schemes reaching 14 likes.
• Superannuation payments: A thread debating whether "pay-day Super" has doubled transactions, with one user asking for clarification on conflicting reports.
• Trump, US alignment and Palantir: Posts link Australian politics to Trump's policies, Palantir data contracts (including Westpac's use), AUKUS, and sovereignty concerns.
• Queensland and state politics: Proposed Queensland restrictions on public servant strikes (compared to Campbell Newman) and a Greens-focused thread on Victorian and NSW politics.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• Simon Rosenberg (40 likes, 20 reposts): "Labor party will not allow any dissent on Israel - even debate - within its own parliamentary ranks." This is the highest-engagement post in the set and is the clearest example of the Gaza issue driving discussion within the Left.
• Jim Pembroke (14 likes): "Reduced competition against investors coupled with the first home buyers schemes will help me [buy] sooner than I anticipated." Notable as one of the few positive, pro-government housing reactions, and it drew more engagement than most critical posts.
• Wendy59 (6 likes, 2 reposts): On the credit card surcharge, "Boy was there misinformation around the credit card surcharge - totally misunderstood & certainly miscommunicated!" It highlights concern over how policy changes are communicated, a theme echoed in a post on parties being scrutinised for backflips.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is predominantly critical and left-leaning, with frustration directed at both major parties. Discussion centres on perceived failures of Labor and the Coalition over inequality, housing affordability, Gaza, and US influence, and many posters express a sense that the system favours the wealthy and that Greens or independents offer an alternative. Tone is often sardonic or combative, with a few users mocking opponents and some personal exchanges. Pro-government sentiment is rare but present, and the volume is modest overall, suggesting a fairly niche and highly partisan conversation rather than a broad public debate.

Most active: @belindajones68.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (40 likes, 20 reposts, 0 replies)

1. TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• Israel/Gaza and genocide criticism: The largest cluster, with repeated calls for sanctions, boycotts and ambassador expulsion, and criticism of Labor's stance and Western media coverage.
• Greens crisis over Senator Jordon Steele-John: Allegations about his conduct prompted a leave-from-parliament announcement and speculation about a "dirt file" and Greens' rising polling.
• Queensland LNP industrial relations and protest laws: Posts criticise Jarrod Bleijie's proposed powers to break public-sector strikes and tighter permit requirements for protests.
• One Nation and the rise of the far right: Discussion of Pauline Hanson's racist ad, the Mark Kenny "One Nation vote" analysis, and concern about political violence.
• AI regulation and the AI inquiry: Critiques of Labor's closeness to the AI industry, copyright concerns, and a defence-tech firm listing on the ASX.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• @siriusstar3.bsky.social (10 likes, 9 reposts): "The bulldozers don't just remove they grind and turn over the rubble…" A visceral, highly engaged post that tags Labor directly with the charge of complicity. It is the top-engaged post in the set and reflects the intensity of the Gaza debate.
• @debbienorthway.bsky.social (10 likes, 7 reposts): "Call me jaded or cynical, but interesting that just as Greens climb in media and membership that a dirt file appears on a Greens senator." Notable for articulating a conspiracy-tinged read of the Steele-John affair, and for showing how the story is being framed inside the Greens' own supporter base.
• @theage link via @erici.snac (political violence): The headline "More Australians believe in political violence than go to church each week" is a striking data point, shared with a warning about social media. It signals broader concern about democratic norms beyond the partisan posts.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is angry, distrustful and polarised. Left-leaning posters, who make up most of the conversation, are highly critical of Labor over Israel, fossil fuels and the AI industry, and are openly frustrated with the major parties, with some urging votes for the Greens or community independents. Right-leaning and populist posts are fewer but are sharp in their attacks on Albanese and the LNP-era Queensland laws. Several posts express alarm about the far right, political violence and US influence, while others are cynical about politicians generally. Humour and sarcasm appear in places, but the dominant tone is one of frustration and disillusionment rather than optimism. Engagement is modest overall, with most posts receiving under ten likes, so the conversation is loud within its niche but has limited reach.

Most active: @winkypop.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @debbienorthway.bsky.social (10 likes, 7 reposts, 4 replies)

1. TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• Gaza and Israel lobby influence: Frequent posts allege Israeli lobby interference in ABC coverage and Australian politics, with calls to recognise "genocide," and criticism of Ambassador Jillian Segal.
• Artificial intelligence and worker surveillance: AAP stories on Amazon's AI workplace monitoring, tech firms seeking visa changes, and David Pocock's criticism of "deferential" treatment of US AI labs.
• Housing and cost of living: Posts on housing affordability, rental crisis, for-profit developers, and NSW state election positioning.
• Fossil fuels, climate and insurance: Discussion of insurers as "canaries in the coal mine," the High Court ruling against a NSW coal mine expansion, and claims fossil fuel lobbies dominate social media ahead of state elections.
• Media bias and the ABC: Accusations of sinophobia in Murdoch media and 2GB, concerns over ABC editorial changes, and calls for transparency.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• [peterwmurphy1.bsky.social] (31 likes, 17 reposts): "On 16Oct1975... 5 journalists were murdered by Indonesian troops in Balibo... Remember the #BaliboFive." This was the most-engaged post in the set, marking the 51st anniversary of the killings and reviving a long-running press-freedom issue.
• [kammassakomhi.bsky.social] (likes:1, reposts:4): Links Saudi-funded hospital facilities in the Pacific to AUKUS and questions Albanese, Wong and Marles's priorities. It was one of the few posts framing foreign policy through a regional-diplomacy lens.
• [zem-australia.bsky.social] (6 likes, 3 reposts): On institutional failures, arguing that "senior people in charge... should face individual legal consequences too." It reflects a broader theme of accountability for oversight failures, echoed in the ombudsman detention story and the church abuse ruling.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The conversation is predominantly critical and distrustful, with frustration aimed at both major parties (ALP and LNP are repeatedly accused of voting together or of being "gutless"), at corporate and media power, and at the perceived influence of lobbies including Israel-aligned groups, fossil fuel interests and Gina Rinehart's One Nation-linked activity. Tone is often angry or sardonic, with many posts using hashtags heavily and sharing news links with minimal commentary. Engagement is generally low, with most posts receiving zero to two likes, so the sentiment reflects a small, highly committed group of activists and commentators rather than a broad public mood. Left-leaning and Greens-aligned voices dominate, though there are also pointed criticisms of the Greens and of One Nation's rise from other angles.

Most active: @coupdegraz7.bsky.social (15 posts) · Most engaged: @peterwmurphy1.bsky.social (31 likes, 17 reposts, 2 replies)

1. TOP 3–5 TRENDING TOPICS

• Plymouth Brethren and Liberal Party links: Multiple AAP-sourced posts and commentary on Brethren members allegedly campaigning for the Liberals, with calls to examine their political involvement and voting rights.
• Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John harassment allegations: Reports of a Greens dossier, a 2018 complaint, and the party exploring legal options for a probe drew heavy engagement.
• Housing affordability and rental crisis: Sustainable Australia and Fusion Party posts, plus commentary on negative gearing and CGT reform, push density, land value capture, and rent policy.
• RBA governor pay and staff wage dispute: Posts contrast Michele Bullock's $1.22 million salary with staff pushing for 11% pay rises against a 9.5% offer.
• One Nation's rise and gun law debate: Posts cover polling showing a possible dip for One Nation, its NSW candidate's push to repeal post-Bondi gun laws, and fears of weaker gun controls.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• @voxexsinister.bsky.social (35 likes, 15 reposts): "Imagine being such a racist piece of shit that you find the skull of a murdered little girl... and thought it was hilarious to use it as an ashtray when you thought it belonged to an indigenous Australian." This was the most-engaged post in the set, reflecting strong public outrage over a reported historical atrocity and racism.
• @mary-11.bsky.social (19 likes, 12 reposts): "If companies are only taxed on profits, not revenue, then citizens should only be taxed after paying for rent and bills." A widely shared take on tax fairness and cost-of-living pressure, showing how housing and wages drive engagement.
• @niallau.bsky.social (1 like, 2 reposts): Raises a potential conflict of interest and misuse of public office linked to a Guardian report, framed as possible fraud or corruption. It is notable for its legal framing, though engagement was low.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The conversation is highly polarised and largely critical of the political establishment, with frustration directed at both major parties, the Greens, One Nation, and the RBA. Cost-of-living anger runs throughout, from housing and rent to welfare, wages, and taxation, and many posts express distrust of institutions and calls for reform. Outrage is also sharp on racism, Israel and Gaza, and gun policy, with several accounts using strong language. Much of the content comes from advocacy accounts, news-feed reposts, and partisan commentary, so the tone is more combative and campaign-driven than deliberative. Engagement is generally low, with only a handful of posts gaining traction, suggesting a fragmented audience rather than a single dominant national conversation.

Most active: @peggysanders.bsky.social (9 posts) · Most engaged: @voxexsinister.bsky.social (35 likes, 15 reposts, 5 replies)