#auspol on Bluesky: Monday 19 October 2026

1. TOP 3–5 TRENDING TOPICS

• Greens senator misconduct allegations: Steele-John's alleged behaviour towards women dominated the thread, with his "factionalism" defence and the party-room fallout drawing heavy commentary.
• Pauline Hanson and One Nation: Hanson's comments about Jacqui Lambie's medical condition drew the most-liked posts of the window, alongside criticism of One Nation's superannuation policy and its polling momentum.
• AUKUS and US alignment: Posts questioned Albanese's stance on Trump, the US "off switch" risk in defence technology, and whether the government is too subservient to Washington.
• Advance and political disinformation: Commentary targeted the Advance campaign group's tactics in the Victorian state election, its funding sources, and calls to ban disinformation from political advertising.
• Cost of living and economic policy: Discussion covered JobSeeker adequacy, Grattan's warning on state debt, and the government's economic narrative ahead of a possible reshuffle.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• [pdutts68.bsky.social] (23 likes, 7 reposts): "Pauline Hanson's attack on a medical condition impacting Jackie Lambie should result in every politician calling a media conference and utterly condemning the comments..." This was the highest-engagement post in the set and reflects a broad cross-party call for accountability, not just partisan attack.
• [simonrosenberg.bsky.social] (25 likes, 10 reposts): Quoting a line on the Starlink episode and US "off switch," asking Albanese whether he has "taken that lesson." It was the most-engaged AUKUS post and captures the sovereignty anxiety driving much of the conversation.
• [coalisdead.bsky.social] (16 likes, 3 reposts): Contrasts Albanese's September UN remarks ("a safer world is one governed by rules, not power and force alone") with his stance towards Israel and the US. It is a clear example of the left-leaning critique of the government's foreign policy consistency.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is predominantly hostile and distrustful, with the government, the opposition and the major parties all drawing criticism. Left-leaning and anti-far-right voices dominate, targeting Hanson, One Nation, Trump-aligned figures, AUKUS and perceived corporate or media influence, and the Greens' internal crisis is a source of frustration as well as schadenfreude. Some posts are sharply abusive, and a notable share are reposted or amplified content from international or activist sources rather than original Australian commentary. Engagement is modest overall, with most posts receiving few or no likes, and there are signs of a fragmented, polarised conversation rather than a unified response. A recurring theme is a sense that democracy is being undermined by money, far-right populism and foreign influence, though a few posts (on cost of living and the Labor record) show more measured, policy-focused engagement.

Most active: @ashrafghebranious.bsky.social (10 posts) · Most engaged: @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (25 likes, 10 reposts, 2 replies)

1. TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• One Nation cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie's health condition: The most-discussed thread, with critics noting Albanese and Ley have been silent while Hanson's party attacks are called "despicable," and Lambie calls the videos "full of hatred."
• AUKUS and US alliance doubts: Posters question the cost of AUKUS and whether Australia should stay so close to Washington under a "Trump" administration.
• Israel, Gaza and Palestinian-related accountability: Calls for sanctions and an ambassador's expulsion, plus a Royal Commission-related story on alleged Israeli lobby conduct, drew strong engagement.
• Starlink and Palantir dependence: Posters argue government reliance on Starlink and Palantir creates security risks, especially given the owner's political influence.
• Snowy 2.0 cost secrecy and the Full Federal Court FOI case: A high-engagement thread alleging Minister Bowen is withholding monthly cost projections.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• @twangmaker.bsky.social (18 likes, 9 reposts): "So why haven't the two main men of politics, Albo & Angus, spoken out about Pauline Hanson's disgraceful cartoon..." This is one of the clearest expressions of the bipartisan-silence frame, and it frames the Lambie story as a test of leadership.
• @simonrosenberg.bsky.social (58 likes, 26 reposts): "It's an insult to our intelligence that Penny Wong pretends to find the Israeli ambassador's response insulting." This was the highest-engagement post in the set and reflects deep left-leaning frustration with Labor's Middle East policy.
• @mrrexpatrick.bsky.social (46 likes, 25 reposts): On Snowy 2.0, arguing Minister Bowen is refusing to release monthly cost data and that the Full Federal Court will decide if this is unlawful. It is a substantive, accountability-focused post with real policy stakes, unlike much of the set.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is predominantly angry, cynical and distrustful, with the strongest reactions aimed at One Nation, the major parties' perceived complicity, and US/Israel-related policy. Many posts express frustration that both Labor and the Coalition are seen as aligned on issues like the blocked women's-rights bill, AUKUS and Israel, which fuels a sense of a "duopoly" failing voters. Engagement is modest overall, with many posts consisting of hashtags alone, and a number of posts are spam or unrelated trending tags. Some constructive policy discussion appears (crypto tax transparency, housing, GST reform, cyber security inquiries), but it is a minority. Humour and sarcasm are common, and tone frequently tips into hostility toward political opponents, including some sharply personal attacks.

Most active: @hagatha42.bsky.social (6 posts) · Most engaged: @michaelwestbiz.bsky.social (47 likes, 35 reposts, 4 replies)

1. TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• Pauline Hanson / One Nation and Jacqui Lambie: Widespread condemnation of a One Nation cartoon mocking Lambie's health, alongside criticism of One Nation's anti-immigration rhetoric and its policy on reversing negative gearing changes.
• NSW police and Premier Chris Minns over protest clashes: A Guardian story prompted calls for Minns and Police Commissioner Lanyon to resign after claims protesters "set upon police" were disputed.
• AUKUS and defence spending: Ongoing opposition to AUKUS, with critics arguing the roughly $400 billion cost should go to domestic defence capability or other priorities.
• EU free trade deal: AAP coverage and commentary warn the deal risks collapse amid domestic party politics, with Labor framing the Coalition as wanting to "slam doors shut."
• Victorian state election (#VicVotes): Discussion of Greens and independents, Jess Wilson's budget gap claims, and campaign sign vandalism.
• Israel/Gaza and the NSW "Mossad Minns" framing: A recurring, highly charged strand linking Labor, the NSW government and the Greens to Israel-related controversies.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• @peterwmurphy1.bsky.social (63 likes, 13 reposts): "Sending love, respect and kind thoughts to @jacquilambie... Pauline Hanson's One Nation has published an utterly vile, cruel cartoon about her, mocking her health situation." This was the most-engaged post in the set and typifies the day's cross-party outrage over personal attacks.
• @ajgardineresq.bsky.social (19 likes, 4 reposts): A data-driven rebuttal to French-riot-inspired fears: "there are 7m Muslims in France... We have less than 1m... we're in no danger of a France-like situation." It counters Barnaby Joyce and Ben Fordham's rhetoric with figures.
• @paulwa14.bsky.social (0 engagement, but substantive): On the EU deal, warning it "risk[s] being scuttled on the altar of domestic party politics leaving us all with nothing." It captures the broader frustration that trade policy is being held hostage to partisanship.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is predominantly hostile and combative, with left-leaning and progressive voices dominating and expressing anger at One Nation, the Coalition, the NSW government and the major parties generally. Much of the conversation is oppositional and mobilising, urging voters to back the Greens and independents ahead of the Victorian election, and frequently framing politics as a fight between "the billionaires" and ordinary people. Anger is also directed at Israel-related policy, AUKUS and media coverage, while a smaller number of posts are neutral, news-sharing (AAP feed, Indymedia links) or lightly humorous. Engagement is modest overall, with most posts receiving few or no likes, and the highest engagement concentrated on the Lambie/One Nation story. Some posts use heavy profanity and conspiratorial language, which lowers the tone, though the day's discussion is largely driven by genuine policy and personal concerns.

Most active: @indymediaaus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy (5 posts) · Most engaged: @peterwmurphy1.bsky.social (63 likes, 13 reposts, 7 replies)

1. TOP TRENDING TOPICS

• One Nation, Pauline Hanson and satirical cartoons: The largest thread, covering Hanson's defence of a cartoon mocking Jacqui Lambie, the Mark Nicholson/Stepmates controversy, and sharp criticism of One Nation's conduct.
• AUKUS and US/Trump-related criticism: Posts on Ghost Shark and Speartooth drone arming, Marles, and calls to pull out of AUKUS, often framed around distrust of the US.
• NACC leadership and corruption oversight: Robert McClelland's appointment as anti-corruption watchdog chief after Brereton's resignation, with a highly engaged post saying "No NACC was better than this NACC."
• Gaza, Israel and Australian foreign policy: Recurring criticism of Penny Wong, Israel-linked funding lists, and calls for an end to Israeli impunity.
• Cost of living, housing and gas/fossil fuels: Rent stress, corporate tax avoidance (PRRT), coal and gas approvals, and NSW Labor's coal legislation.

2. NOTABLE POSTS

• @deniseshrivell.bsky.social (35 likes, 10 reposts): "No NACC was better than this NACC #auspol." The most-liked post in the set, and a concise distillation of public frustration with the federal integrity body.
• @nickofnz.bsky.social (20 likes, 10 reposts): Greenpeace delivering a 47-metre petition with half a million signatures to Woodside HQ. The strongest mainstream-style activism signal in the sample, pointing to organised climate pressure on gas.
• @jessicaperthwa.bsky.social (23 likes, 9 reposts): "anyone who still supports Hanson and ON is a lowlife." Highly engaged and representative of the hostile tone aimed at One Nation.

3. OVERALL SENTIMENT

The mood is predominantly hostile and cynical, with strong anger directed at One Nation and Pauline Hanson, the major parties (particularly Labor on coal, AUKUS and gas), and perceived corporate impunity. Concern over the cost of living, housing and rent is widespread and often expressed with raw frustration. Foreign policy posts are sharply critical of the US, Israel and AUKUS, and several posts use profanity and strong language. Engagement is generally low, with most posts receiving fewer than five likes. A significant share of the volume comes from automated or cross-posted accounts (for example, AAP feed reposts and Mastodon bridges), and some posts are spam or promotional (for example, the Stepmates listings). Pockets of positive activity appear around animal welfare (the brumby shooting pause) and Jacqui Lambie's favourable reception, but the dominant tone is one of distrust and dissatisfaction.

Most active: @kimwingerei.bsky.social (8 posts) · Most engaged: @deniseshrivell.bsky.social (35 likes, 10 reposts, 5 replies)