⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Sunday, 8 November 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: MP expenses: Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Labor) — $631,094 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $200,550 (YTD $5,191,650).
Today’s digest includes:
- MP expenses: Meryl Swanson (Paterson, Labor) — $631,094 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $200,550 (YTD $5,191,650)
Bluesky says One Nation’s Rinehart ties and AUKUS dominate #auspol as midterm fallout reshapes the debate
BlueSky #auspol · 08 November 2026, 04:29 AEST · 486 posts · AI-generated
Rinehart influence claims and AUKUS basing concerns drove the day’s conversation on #auspol, with the US midterm results sharpening the political mood. Covert recordings released this week, in which a former One Nation national campaign director alleges billionaire Gina Rinehart is dictating party strategy, prompted widespread calls for scrutiny of the party. Users also pressed the Albanese government over the AUKUS submarine program and US force posture, framing it as a sovereignty question.
Key issues included the Rinehart allegations and One Nation’s Trump-era messaging, which users said had been quietly scrubbed from the party’s website after the midterms. Debate over AUKUS centred on the $500 billion cost, the possible expansion of US bases such as HMAS Stirling, and the secrecy surrounding defence exports to Israel. Cost of living and housing also featured heavily, with posts on the home battery scheme’s possible means-testing, rental stress and social housing shortages. Separate threads targeted Jillian Segal’s special envoy role and the government’s handling of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
The most engaged post was a short Carmen Lawrence-quoted warning that communities hosting US bases are in a “fleeting, critical moment” before they become potential targets, which drew wide sharing. The overall tone was sharply critical and distrustful of both major parties, with many posts urging voters to back the Greens or independents ahead of the Victorian election.
Top topics: Rinehart Influence on One Nation · AUKUS Submarine Program · US Military Bases Australia · Cost of Living and Housing · Antisemitism and Islamophobia Handling
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Consultant Tenders
$559,709,715 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {22} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 5,518 km in the last few days. That’s 3 planes doing 9 flights over 8 hrs and 24 mins and costing around $44,225. [link]
Politician Expenses
Meryl Swanson (Reps, Paterson, Labor) claimed $631,094 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $16,612 less than the median. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Ampol donated $50,200 in 2024-25. That was $10,000 to Labor and $40,200 to the Coalition. {7755} [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Murray Watt (Sen, QLD, Australian Labor Party) attended 64% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $200,550. (YTD: $5,191,650) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook on 4 Nov: $151,026 ($36.5m so far in 2026). Top spender: Victorian Labor ($15,420). Biggest categories: Party/Candidate $52k, Advocacy $35k, Business $17k. Full breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/facebook_stats/2026-11-04.html [link]
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