⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Sunday, 18 October 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: MP expenses: Angus Taylor (Hume, Lib) — $882,457 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $5,550 (YTD $3,890,550).
Today’s digest includes:
- MP expenses: Angus Taylor (Hume, Lib) — $882,457 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $5,550 (YTD $3,890,550)
Bluesky says AUKUS, Israel and One Nation dominate #auspol as Labor’s support slips in the polls
BlueSky #auspol · 18 October 2026, 04:29 AEST · 430 posts · AI-generated
The dominant tension of the day is between Labor’s foreign and defence commitments and a growing sense of frustration with the government’s record at home. Posts on AUKUS, the alliance with the United States and Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank drew heavy engagement, with many users accusing Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of subordinating Australian sovereignty to Washington. Meanwhile, commentary on polling and One Nation’s rise, which one post claimed had reached 25 per cent in the Essential poll, suggested voters are weighing Labor against a resurgent right.
Key issues included AUKUS, with several posts citing an analysis describing Pillar 1 as a Ponzi-style arrangement and calling for a royal commission, alongside renewed calls to end Australia’s reliance on Starlink. Housing and the cost of living featured prominently, with users pressing the government to raise JobSeeker, criticising NDIS cuts and noting that rents rose 5.5 per cent over the year. Gas policy was another flashpoint, as calls for a 25 per cent gas export tax gathered momentum following a Saturday Paper editorial and a Greenpeace occupation of Woodside’s Scott Reef facility. Liberal infighting over the influence of Tony Abbott and Peta Credlin, and the Exclusive Brethren’s donations to the party, rounded out the conversation.
The most widely shared post came from Denise Shrivell, who wrote that major parties legislate against the public interest and then “sell us out for” donations, drawing more than 140 likes. The tone across the day was largely angry and sceptical, with few posts offering a defence of the government. As one user put it in response to a Labor MP’s comments, “Labor rusteds be gone from my feed.”
Top topics: AUKUS Alliance · Israel and Gaza · One Nation Rise · Housing and Cost of Living · Gas Export Tax
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Consultant Tenders
$514,702,006 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {1348} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 8,514 km in the last few days. That’s 3 planes doing 7 flights over 14 hrs and 31 mins and costing around $98,310. [link]
Politician Expenses
Angus Taylor (Reps, Hume, Lib) claimed $882,457 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $234,751 more than the median. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Master Builders Australia donated $99,260 in 2024-25. That was $48,000 to Labor and $51,260 to the Coalition. {7583} [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Corinne Mulholland (Sen, Queensland, Australian Labor Party) attended 66% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $5,550. (YTD: $3,890,550) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook on 14 Oct: $160,031 ($33.2m so far in 2026). Top spender: These ads ran without a disclaimer ($20,714). Biggest categories: Party/Candidate $33k, Advocacy $27k, Business $24k. Full breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/facebook_stats/2026-10-14.html [link]
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