⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Thursday, 4 June 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Register of Interests: Ross Cadell (NSW) — interests updated; Parliament: sitting; MP expenses: Patrick Gorman (Perth, Lab) — $1,138,762 over 4 quarters; Register of Interests: Ross Cadell (NSW) — interests updated.
Today’s digest includes:
- Register of Interests: Ross Cadell (NSW) — interests updated
- Parliament: sitting
- MP expenses: Patrick Gorman (Perth, Lab) — $1,138,762 over 4 quarters
- Register of Interests: Ross Cadell (NSW) — interests updated
- Political advertising: Google $11,100 (YTD $2,166,450); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607)
Bluesky says AUKUS dominates Australian political conversation, with Richard Marles facing sustained criticism over secondhand submarines deal.
BlueSky #auspol · 04 June 2026, 05:29 AEST · 673 posts · AI-generated
The former defence minister became the focal point of intense scrutiny as Australians voiced mounting frustration over the $368 billion submarine agreement on Bluesky. A parallel public inquiry launched by former environment minister Peter Garrett has amplified calls for the government to reconsider its commitment to the US-led defence pact, with prominent Labor figures including Ed Husic now openly questioning whether a fresh caucus vote should occur.
Key Issues
Defence and AUKUS tensions dominate, with critics arguing secondhand Virginia-class submarines represent poor value, vulnerability to US cancellation, and deepening military dependence on an increasingly unpredictable Trump administration. Separately, social policy controversy has intensified around abortion and women’s reproductive rights, as conservative MPs push bills that opponents claim are “predicated on misinformation” and designed to restrict access. Finally, data centre expansion and gas approvals fuel environmental concern, with critics arguing the government is simultaneously pursuing climate targets while enabling fossil fuel expansion to service AI infrastructure.
The broad mood across the platform is one of exasperation with political competence and strategic direction. A standout exchange saw Senator David Shoebridge pressing Defence Chief David Johnstone on Australian involvement in the sinking of an Iranian frigate, with Johnstone insisting it was “in our national interest” even as survivors drowned—a response that drew incredulous pushback. Overall, Bluesky reflects deep voter frustration: anger at cost-of-living pressures, distrust of both major parties, and fascination with One Nation’s polling surge, even as sceptics warn the far-right party offers no coherent policy beyond immigration and gas.
Top topics: AUKUS Submarine Deal · Abortion and Reproductive Rights · Environmental and Gas Policy · Defense Minister Criticism · Cost of Living Crisis
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Register of Interests Update — Emma Comer
Petrie, Queensland
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 13. Memberships | Redcliffe Art Society – Patron Redcliffe Sub Branch of the TPI Federation – Patron Redcliffe and District Family History Group – Patron |
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | 08 March 2026 Dolphins V Rabbitohs – 2 Corporate Tickets included hospitality Invitation from Redcliffe Dolphins |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Anne Urquhart
Braddon, Tasmania
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 13. Memberships | Burnie Coast Art Group Sponsorship |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Cadell, Ross
New South Wales
The Nationals
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Gifts | Examining the effects of kneejerk changes to state and federal firearms laws introduced earlier this year led me to an exciting, exhausting and action packed firsthand experience will the Gellballers of Southern Queensland. Gellball is a team sport played by young and old alike competing on various indoor arenas and designated outdoor fields using “Gellballs” which are squishy water-based projectiles that burst on impact and naturally evaporate, leaving no messy residue behind, they are safe for the environment and harmless to pets. While the sport is legal to play in Queensland and the gellblasters that discharge them are legal to own, the blaster themselves and their components have recently been regulated by the Federal Government and prohibited for import, meaning players can no longer access parts and retailers can no longer access components for service or warranty repairs, even though the blasters that fire the water beads cannot ever be converted to fire real ammunition. After my experience on the field at Gelsoft Australia I was gifted two extravagant and elaborate rings commemorating my experience by Joe of Tactical Edge Hobbies. Sadly in the days since my visit the unintended impact of the reckless changes to firearms laws has seen this fabulous facility announce its closure along with the retail store next door meaning an immediate loss of jobs and a loss of facilities used regularly by this passionate community to play their sport – Cost of the two rings Unknown, cost to the fathers and their children, boys and girls, returned veterans, homeschooled kids and NDIS recipients that that rely on this sport and this community for their enjoyment and human interaction, immeasurable |
Deletions
None
See the end of the newsletter for more Interests.
What they’re talking about
Most used words in parliament on 03 Jun 2026: TAX (1007) PEOPLE (746) BUDGET (512) HOME (381) … [link]
National Museum Secures $2.6m Digital Repository Contract with Datacom
The National Museum of Australia has awarded Datacom Information Systems a four-year contract worth $2.58 million to implement a trusted digital repository. The deal, running until December 2029, forms part of the Museum's efforts to preserve and provide access to over 250,000 objects including extensive audiovisual material and born-digital carriers.
Datacom is Australasia's largest homegrown technology company, founded in New Zealand in 1965 and employing over 6,500 staff across the region. The firm generates revenue exceeding $1.3 billion and serves more than 400 major Australian companies and government agencies, including the Australian Tax Office, Department of Home Affairs, and state government departments. The company specialises in cloud services, cybersecurity, digital platforms, and enterprise applications, with particular expertise in serving public sector clients.
Trusted digital repositories are systems designed to ensure long-term preservation and accessibility of digital assets for cultural institutions. The National Museum's Changeable and Digital team, established in 2024, has identified implementing such a repository as a priority for storing preservation files and managing collections susceptible to legacy format challenges. The Museum published a new digital preservation policy in 2025 to guide these initiatives.
Sources: datacom.com; wikipedia.org; dpconline.org; ibisworld.com [link]
All tenders
$8,648,793 in Fed Govt contracts given today. Top spend was with Datacom Information Systems Pty Ltd ($2,584,587) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$139,905,314 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {1579} [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation: $3,372,507 {440} [link]
Politician Expenses
Patrick Gorman (Reps, Perth, Lab) claimed $1,138,762 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $431,215 more than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Randazzo Properties NT donated $50,000 in 2023-24. That was $25,000 to Labor and $25,000 to the Coalition. {5188} #auspol [link]
Votes-Like-Taylor-O-Meter
Pauline Hanson (Sen, Queensland, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) is 74.11% Angus Taylor [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $11,100. (YTD: $2,166,450) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $93,552. (YTD: $642,607) [link]
Register of Interests Update — Cadell, Ross
New South Wales
The Nationals
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | Other Assets | Following the teachings of mate Matthew Fraser online and a meeting with him and some fellow crypto advocates, I decided to tentatively put my toe in the water to understand how it works and how regulation and tax changes affect it by opening a Coinstash account and buying a very small amount of Bitcoin. (Amount <$10,000) |
Deletions
None
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