⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Thursday, 5 November 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Parliament: not sitting; MP expenses: Anne Ruston (SA, Lib) — $622,096 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $150,900 (YTD $4,894,650).
Today’s digest includes:
- Parliament: not sitting
- MP expenses: Anne Ruston (SA, Lib) — $622,096 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $150,900 (YTD $4,894,650)
Bluesky says US midterms dominate Australian political chatter as AUKUS and the Jillian Segal envoy row draw sustained fire
BlueSky #auspol · 05 November 2026, 04:29 AEST · 697 posts · AI-generated
The US midterm results, which delivered Democratic control of the House and momentum in the Senate, were the most-shared theme in #auspol on Wednesday, with many users drawing parallels to Australian politics and urging Labor and One Nation to take note. Running alongside that, the Garrett-Barrie AUKUS Public Inquiry findings, released at the National Press Club, and renewed calls to sack Special Envoy Jillian Segal kept domestic pressure on the Albanese government.
Key issues included the AUKUS submarine deal, which many posters described as unaffordable after the inquiry estimated costs of up to half a trillion dollars, with calls for it to be scrapped or subjected to a royal commission. Segal’s appointment drew repeated criticism over claims of US State Department lobbying and her recent report, while Palantir contracts with Westpac and Coles were welcomed as a rare corporate reversal after public pressure. Interest rate rises, the RBA’s outlook and calls for tax reform on gas, trusts and multinationals also featured, alongside the David Jones rent dispute and Canva’s job cuts in the business-news feed.
A standout thread saw cartoonist Cathy Wilcox’s public statement on pressure over her work draw widespread support, with posts from Imogen Ibbotson and others rallying behind her, while a high-engagement post from Michael West Media on Segal’s appointment circulated widely. Overall the tone was angry and sceptical toward both major parties, with many users framing the day as a test of whether Labor would learn from the American result.
Top topics: US Midterm Elections · AUKUS Submarine Deal · Jillian Segal Appointment · Interest Rates and RBA · Tax Reform
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Register of Interests Update — Kristy McBain
Eden-Monaro, New South Wales
Australian Labor Party · Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 11. Gifts | Received from Papua New Guinea Chiefs (PNG Chiefs): inaugural PNG Chiefs Supporter Jersey valued at $159, and inaugural PNG Chiefs Cap valued at $40. October 2026 |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Louise Miller-Frost
Boothby, South Australia
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 13. Memberships | Holdfast Bay Residents Alliance |
| Spouse/Partner | 14. Other Interests | Member of SA NT State Advisory Council for the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) |
Deletions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse/Partner | 4. Directorships Of Companies | Flinders University Governing Council |
Register of Interests Update — Xian-Zhi Soon
Banks, New South Wales
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | Wallaroos vs Scotland and Wallabies vs All Blacks – 2 x Hospitality Tickets as guest of Rugby Australia – 17 October 2026 |
Deletions
None
See the end of the newsletter for more Interests.
Consultant Tenders
$559,184,343 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {880} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 2,058 km in the last few days. That’s 2 planes doing 6 flights over 4 hrs and 07 mins and costing around $18,980. [link]
Fed Govt Outsourced labour costs
Government Temporary Staff Tenders in the last day: $6,586,348 [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General: $14,819,520 [link]
Politician Expenses
Anne Ruston (Senate, SA, Lib) claimed $622,096 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $25,610 less than the median. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Woolworths Group donated $21,000 in 2024-25. That was $11,000 to Labor and $10,000 to the Coalition. {1473} [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Tyron Whitten (Sen, WA, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party) attended 86% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $150,900. (YTD: $4,894,650) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook on 1 Nov: $152,950 ($36.1m so far in 2026). Top spender: Victorian Labor ($14,928). Biggest categories: Party/Candidate $57k, Advocacy $33k, Charity $19k. Full breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/facebook_stats/2026-11-01.html [link]
Register of Interests Update — Anne Webster
Mallee, Victoria
National Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 11. Gifts | 2 tickets to the AHA National Board Luncheon at South Yarra |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Zaneta Mascarenhas
Swan, Western Australia
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 3. Real Estate | House (East Victoria Park, WA) – Investment (joint with spouse) |
| Self | 6. Liabilities | Mortgage on investment property (joint with spouse) – P&N Bank |
| Self | 10. Income | Rental Income – East Victoria Park, WA, Property (joint with spouse) |
| Self | 8. Saving Or Investment Accounts | Offset account joint with spouse – P&N Bank |
| Spouse/Partner | 3. Real Estate | House (East Victoria Park, WA) – Investment (joint with spouse) |
| Spouse/Partner | 6. Liabilities | Mortgage on investment property (joint with spouse) – P&N Bank |
| Spouse/Partner | 10. Income | Rental Income – East Victoria Park Property (joint with spouse) |
| Spouse/Partner | 8. Saving Or Investment Accounts | Offset account joint with spouse – P&N Bank |
| Spouse/Partner | 8. Saving Or Investment Accounts | Savings account – P&N Bank |
Deletions
None
Federal Grants – Last 24 Hours
In the last 24 hours the Australian Government awarded $12,195,200 across 83 grants. Biggest: John Curtin Aged Care Inc. ($6,160,000). Full electorate breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/grants/map/ [link]
© Copyright PoliticalGadgets.com