⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Friday, 23 October 2026

Bluesky says Helen Haines attack dominates #auspol as debate turns to political violence and Labor’s “dirt sheet” row

BlueSky #auspol  ·  23 October 2026, 04:29 AEST  ·  598 posts  ·  AI-generated

The assault on Independent MP Helen Haines, who has lost both legs, drove most of the day’s conversation, with posters split between calls for civility and attacks on the government and media. Many posts linked the attack to a reported dirt sheet on Haines sent from the Prime Minister’s office, which Anthony Albanese confirmed, while others argued the wider problem is male violence against women and the rhetoric of One Nation and Murdoch outlets. Opinion has hardened on both sides, with the PM’s call to “turn down the temperature” widely mocked.

Key issues included political violence and the tone of public debate, with several posts calling for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation to be deregistered and for media outlets to be held to account. Climate and resources drew sustained attention, with a Great Barrier Reef-adjacent mine proposal, fossil fuel bushfire costs estimated at $6 billion a year, and calls for a gas export tax. Housing and cost of living featured heavily, from falling capital house prices to renewed attacks on the RBA and corporate tax conduct, including Santos reportedly paying no company tax. AUKUS and Israel policy were also prominent, with many posts urging Australia to end the alliance or sanction Israel.

The most-engaged post was a commentary on the Haines attack by Ronni Salt, widely shared for arguing that male violence against women is “the elephant in the room” that politicians and media avoid naming. The tone across the day was angry and polarised, with frequent accusations of hypocrisy against Labor, the Coalition and the media, though a number of users urged restraint and respect in political discussion.

Top topics: Political Violence  ·  Haines Attack Response  ·  Climate and Resources  ·  Housing and Cost of Living  ·  AUKUS and Israel Policy

AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.

AIHW to deliver National Maternity Data Development Project

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has won a $13.7 million Department of Health, Disability and Ageing contract for the National Maternity Data Development Project.

The project is not new. Its aim is a nationally consistent and comprehensive maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity data collection in Australia. Stage 1 began in 2011 in response to the National Maternity Services Plan. It focused on identifying data gaps and inconsistencies in the National Perinatal Data Collection, which holds data on almost every birth in Australia.

Earlier stages produced several tools. They include the Maternity Care Classification System, which was developed with UNSW's National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit. They also include a national maternal mortality data collection covering deaths from 2006 onwards, and the National Core Maternity Indicators. The indicators cover the antenatal period, labour and birth, and birth outcomes. The AIHW is currently reviewing them with its expert advisory groups.

The work is guided by an advisory group of experts in obstetrics, midwifery, research, statistics, consumer advocacy and health policy. In its current stage, the AIHW continues maternal and perinatal data development to support the national strategic directions for maternity services, titled Woman-centred care.

Sources: aihw.gov.au [link]

All tenders

$29,064,889 in Fed Govt contracts given today. Top spend was with Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ($13,733,000) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has received $80,896,071 in contracts this year. [link]

Consultant Tenders

$515,113,474 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $69,319 yesterday. – Deloitte: $69,319 {291} [link]

Flights

The VIP fleet flew at least 4,348 km in the last few days. That’s 2 planes doing 10 flights over 15 hrs and 20 mins and costing around $210,251. [link]

What’s Parliament doing

Parliament… is not sitting today. There are committees today. {35} [link]

Fed Govt Outsourced labour costs

Government Temporary Staff Tenders in the last day: $7,918,531 [link]

How does the tender money flow…

YTD tenders for Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: $349,700,778 [link]

Donations

Scott Farquhar made $3,022,870 in Federal political donations. [link]

Politician Expenses

Jodie Belyea (Reps, Dunkley, Labor) claimed $551,047 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $96,659 less than the median. #auspol [link]

Double Donors

SingTel Optus donated $63,200 in 2024-25. That was $33,000 to Labor and $30,200 to the Coalition. {8492} [link]

Parliamentary attendance

Chris Gatenby (Sen, TAS, Liberal Party) attended 43% of possible votes. [link]

Political advertising on Google

Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $28,200. (YTD: $4,021,650) [link]

Political advertising on Facebook

Political advertising on Facebook on 19 Oct: $163,834 ($34.0m so far in 2026). Top spender: These ads ran without a disclaimer ($12,049). Biggest categories: Party/Candidate $43k, Advocacy $28k, Business $25k. Full breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/facebook_stats/2026-10-19.html [link]

Votes-Like-Taylor-O-Meter

Daniel Repacholi (Reps, Hunter, Lab) is 9.60% Angus Taylor [link]