⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Thursday, 14 May 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Register of Interests: Ross Cadell (NSW) — interests updated; Parliament: sitting; Register of Interests: Carol Brown (TAS) — interests updated; Register of Interests: Alex Antic (SA) — interests updated.
Today’s digest includes:
- Register of Interests: Ross Cadell (NSW) — interests updated
- Parliament: sitting
- Register of Interests: Carol Brown (TAS) — interests updated
- Register of Interests: Alex Antic (SA) — interests updated
- Register of Interests: Josh Dolega (TAS) — interests updated
- Political advertising: Google $9,900 (YTD $1,952,550); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607)
Bluesky says Australian political conversation dominated by budget tax reforms and Trump Tower withdrawal.
BlueSky #auspol · 14 May 2026, 05:29 AEST · 768 posts · AI-generated
The 2026 federal budget released by Treasurer Jim Chalmers proved divisive in the opening 24 hours, with Bluesky users divided between those celebrating reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions and those decrying them as insufficient. Simultaneously, the scrapping of a proposed Trump Tower development on the Gold Coast generated celebration among users opposed to the former US president’s involvement in Australian real estate.
Key Issues: The budget’s centrepiece changes to property investment taxation sparked fierce debate. Labor modified negative gearing to apply only to new builds and reduced the capital gains tax discount, moves supported by younger Australians and first-home buyers but criticised by property investors and opposition figures claiming “broken promises.” Separately, the NDIS experienced significant cuts of $37.8 billion, with disabled Australians expressing concern over reduced support. A third major tension emerged over funding priorities, with users questioning why $124 million went to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry whilst jobseeker payments remained unraised and below the poverty line.
Standout exchanges included Treasurer Chalmers shutting down Sky News’ Peter Stefanovic after questioning broke down, and Jim Chalmers responding to Tim Wilson’s dog-whistle immigration comments by warning that “when he blows on the dog whistle they can hear it in Goldstein too.” The overall Bluesky tone reflected fractured sentiment: celebrations from younger voters and progressive advocates mixed with bitter complaints from investors, disability advocates and those demanding JobSeeker rate increases. News Corp outlets’ “Communist Manifesto” framing drew particular scorn.
Top topics: Budget Tax Reforms · Negative Gearing Changes · NDIS Funding Cuts · Trump Tower Development · JobSeeker Payment Rates
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Printing and communications expenses
One of the great advantages of being an elected politician is that you get to advertise yourself to voters. It’s an enormous bonus for the next election… Federal Politician Spend on Printing and Communications in Q1 2026: $8,351,442 [link]
Register of Interests Update — Timothy Watts
Gellibrand, Victoria
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 7. Investments | Superannuation – Aware Super |
Deletions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 7. Investments | Telstra Superannuation Scheme |
Register of Interests Update — O'Neill, Deborah
New South Wales
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | John Curtin Research Centre dinner ticket – Australian Automotive Dealers Association |
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | Ticket – National Press Club – Treasurer's Post-Budget Address – sponsored by Westpac |
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | Travel (economy airfare) and accomodation to participate in conference in United States April 2026 – Pyne and Partners |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Cadell, Ross
New South Wales
The Nationals
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Gifts | To honour the families who support loved ones through an eating disorder, EDFA (Eating Disorders Families Australia) have assembled a powerful collection of eleven real stories from carers who have walked through the fear, exhaustion, love and resilience of supporting someone with an eating disorder. Jane Rowan, EDFA Executive Director has generously gifted my office a copy of this 148 page paperback, “Strong Enough” ISBN 978-1-7645677-0-1 – cost unknown |
| Self | Gifts | Alice Grundy, managing Editor of the Australia Institute has kindly gifted my office a copy of the 103 page paperback “What we owe the water” ISBN-13:978-1-7636621-9-3, the new Vantage point essay by Kumi Naidoo, President of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative where Kumi imagines a future where Australia stands as a courageous ally using its resources and power to build a better future rather than remaining a climate pariah, and where the pacific becomes the lighthouse guiding the way – Cost unknown |
| Self | Gifts | I've been gifted a very soft and comfortable pair of TRU Workwear Mates Bamboo Socks by Jorgen Gullestrup, CEO of Mates Australia to prompt me to take a few steps during April in support of the Mates Big Lap 2026, a national suicide prevention initiative taking place throughout the month of April raising awareness and funds for front-line suicide prevention services – cost $12.95 from the Mates website https://shop.mates.org.au/ |
| Self | Gifts | Australian mining directly employs more than 290,000 people and provides about 11,000 apprenticeships and traineeships, plus Mining also creates jobs through supply chains and related industries, totalling around 1.25 million jobs across the country.
According to the latest government data, the mining industry also paid $74 billion in tax and royalties in one year, enough to fund Medicare, and more than any other industry. The Minerals Council of Australia are proud to promote this fact and how mining benefits healthcare, education, jobs and communities and have very kindly gifted my office a 1:150 scale model of a mighty CAT 770 40 tonne rigid dump truck – cost unknown |
| Self | Gifts | As an avid plane spotter and someone that has been envious of the many, many plane models in other offices, I cant thank Alliance Airlines enough for the very kind gift of a beautiful 1:100 scale solid resin model of their Embraer ERJ-190, Registration Number: VH-UYU. This is the first one for me after nearly 4 years in this place and I no longer feel left out!
It will sit proudly on my desk as a constant reminder of our ongoing conversations around the best way to service rural and regional Australia’s air needs – Cost unknown |
Deletions
None
What they’re talking about
Most used words in parliament on 13 May 2026: PEOPLE (539) SURVIVORS (345) BUDGET (324) WORK (311) … [link]
Perpetual Corporate Trust Wins $14.5M Water Purchase Contract
Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited has secured a $14.5 million contract with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water for water purchase services running from April to September 2026. The Sydney-based firm is a specialist fiduciary and trustee business within the ASX-listed Perpetual Group, which has served as a corporate trustee since 1886.
The contract relates to water purchases in the Murray-Darling Basin, where the Australian Government acquires water entitlements to protect rivers, wetlands and floodplains. Water recovered through these programs becomes part of Commonwealth environmental water holdings managed by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder. The government is currently purchasing water under three programs, including bridging the gap to Sustainable Diversion Limits and the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program.
Perpetual Corporate Trust provides trustee, custody and fiduciary services to government bodies, managed funds and financial institutions, with operations across Australia and Singapore. The firm administers over $1.2 trillion in assets and generated $68.4 million in revenue in 2025. Its clients include banking organisations, government bodies and sovereign wealth funds, with particular expertise in debt markets, managed funds and corporate trustee services.
Sources: perpetual.com.au; dcceew.gov.au; ibisworld.com [link]
All tenders
The Fed Govt announced $33,581,253 in contracts. Top of the list was Perpetual Corporate Trust Limited ($14,538,160) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$117,171,179 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $1,558,933 yesterday. – KPMG: $1,152,261 – EY: $385,000 – Deloitte: $21,672 {54} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 478 km in the last few days. That’s 1 plane doing 3 flights over 2 hrs and 12 mins and costing around $10,048. [link]
Fed Govt Outsourced labour costs
Government Temporary Staff Tenders in the last day: $5,051,159 [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for National Commission for Aboriginal and Torres Stright Islander Children and Young People: $406,032 {630} [link]
Politician Expenses
Nick Mckim claimed $324,927 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $398,957 less than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Amgen Australia donated $57,000 in 2023-24. That was $30,000 to Labor and $27,000 to the Coalition. {9413} #auspol [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Ted O’Brien (representatives, Fairfax, Liberal Party) attended 74.1% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $9,900. (YTD: $1,952,550) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $93,552. (YTD: $642,607) [link]
Register of Interests Update — Angie Bell
Moncrieff, Queensland
Liberal National Party · Shadow Minister for Sport
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | Accommodation upgrade The Star Sydney 1 night 10 April 2026 |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Matthew Gregg
Deakin, Victoria
Australian Labor Party
Additions
None
Deletions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 6. Liabilities | Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt |
Register of Interests Update — Allegra Spender
Wentworth, New South Wales
Independent
Additions
None
Deletions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 13. Memberships | Parliamentary Sports Club |
Register of Interests Update — Brown, Carol
Tasmania
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | 26 April 2026 – 3 May 2026 – Flights, accommodation and hospitality in Taiwan. Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Australia |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Antic, Alex
South Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Gifts | Socceroos 2026 World Cup Jersey from Football Australia |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Dolega, Josh
Tasmania
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Sponsored Travel Or Hospitality | 26/04/26 – 03/05/26: Flights, accommodation and hospitality in Taiwan – Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in Australia |
Deletions
None
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