⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Thursday, 11 June 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Parliament: not sitting; MP expenses: Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) — $547,238 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $22,650 (YTD $2,302,200); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607).
Today’s digest includes:
- Parliament: not sitting
- MP expenses: Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) — $547,238 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $22,650 (YTD $2,302,200); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607)
Bluesky says One Nation surges to 29.5% primary vote as Labor grapples with NDIS cuts and Gaza anger
BlueSky #auspol · 11 June 2026, 05:29 AEST · 567 posts · AI-generated
Australia’s political landscape is in unprecedented flux, with One Nation reaching its highest polling in recent history while the Albanese government faces sustained pressure over disability funding cuts and foreign policy. Across 567 posts in a single 24-hour period, #auspol discussion was dominated by three competing crises: the party’s rise amid billionaire backing, anger over NDIS reforms perceived as targeting disabled people, and calls for stronger sanctions on Israel.
The dominant story centres on One Nation’s apparent ascendancy under a machine funded by mining billionaire Gina Rinehart, with the party now polling ahead of both major parties. Posts repeatedly highlight the influence of the Atlas Network and US-style far-right ideology, with numerous users noting the party has announced no candidates yet still leads polls. NDIS overhaul legislation before Parliament drew fury from disability advocates who argue the government is punishing recipients rather than tackling provider fraud. Foreign policy criticism intensified, with consistent calls for government action on Gaza, arms embargoes, and questions about Australia’s complicity through AUKUS and defence manufacturing.
The prevailing tone was one of alarm mixed with determination. A standout post saw disability advocate Grogs Gamut warn: “And so we live in NDIS hell – worried that our daughter’s plan will not be approved, and worried that even if it is, in a year’s time it could be cut by 25% or more.” Meanwhile, commentators urged Labor to press ahead with tax reform despite predictable scare campaigns, with economist Ross Gittins noting the government must demonstrate courage on housing and wealth inequality if it hopes to stem voter defection to populist alternatives.
Top topics: One Nation Polling Surge · NDIS Cuts and Disability · Gaza and Foreign Policy · Labor Government Crisis · Wealth Inequality and Housing
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Register of Interests Update — Michelle Rowland
Greenway, New South Wales
Australian Labor Party · Attorney-General
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | Two tickets for self and guest (not spouse) from Future Women to attend the Future Women Federal Budget Dinner in Canberra on 13 May 2026 |
Deletions
None
Indigenous-Owned DDR Australia Wins $1.8m Defence Refurbishment Contract
DDR Australia Pty Ltd has been awarded a $1.83 million contract by the Department of Defence for refurbishment works, with the project running from June 2026 to June 2027. The Perth-based company was selected through a limited tender process under an exemption for small and medium enterprises with at least 50 percent Indigenous ownership.
DDR Australia is a majority Aboriginal-owned contracting and project management company founded in 2017 as a partnership between 100 percent Aboriginal-owned Hutcheson and Co Holdings and capacity partner Duratec. The company delivers engineering, construction and maintenance projects across Australia, with services including design-and-construct, new builds, infrastructure development and building refurbishment. Clients include Defence bases, mining camps, remote communities and local government facilities.
The company has previously completed multiple Defence refurbishment projects, including work at Robertson Barracks in Darwin involving 13 buildings and a petroleum operations cleaning facility, and a 16-building heritage-listed accommodation refresh at RAAF Base Darwin. Defence refurbishment works typically involve ceiling repairs, painting, replacement of air-conditioning units, electrical and hydraulic fittings, flooring, and associated upgrade works to maintain operational facilities.
Sources: ddr.com.au; buy.nsw.gov.au; businessnews.com.au; linkedin.com [link]
All tenders
$10,894,628 in Fed Govt contracts given today. Top spend was with DDR AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ($1,828,847) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$142,630,690 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $1,597,682 yesterday. – KPMG: $373,182 – EY: $124,500 – Deloitte: $1,100,000 {1568} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 469 km in the last few days. That’s 1 plane doing 1 flight over 0 hrs and 38 mins and costing around $2,948. [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for National Health and Medical Research Council: $1,288,357 {167} [link]
Politician Expenses
Mehreen Faruqi (Sen, NSW, Australian Greens) claimed $547,238 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $248,811 less than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Australian Investment Council donated $118,534 in 2023-24. That was $59,000 to Labor and $59,534 to the Coalition. {8675} #auspol [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Barbara Pocock (senate, SA, Australian Greens) attended 88.0% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $22,650. (YTD: $2,302,200) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $93,552. (YTD: $642,607) [link]
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