⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Federal contracts: $13,720,923 awarded; largest to PODCON Pty Ltd ($1,500,000); Parliament: sitting; MP expenses: Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) — $624,777 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $9,750 (YTD $2,155,350); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607).
Today’s digest includes:
- Federal contracts: $13,720,923 awarded; largest to PODCON Pty Ltd ($1,500,000)
- Parliament: sitting
- MP expenses: Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) — $624,777 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $9,750 (YTD $2,155,350); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607)
Bluesky says Israel’s bulldozing of Australian war graves sparks anger over government silence.
BlueSky #auspol · 03 June 2026, 05:29 AEST · 740 posts · AI-generated
A standoff over Australia’s complicity in Middle Eastern conflicts dominated the #auspol conversation in the 24 hours to Tuesday morning. Senator David Shoebridge drew sharp attention to Israeli damage of at least 146 Australian soldiers’ graves at the Gaza War Cemetery, noting the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot confirm how many are Australian because Australia lacks access to the site. The issue crystallised broader frustration with government accountability across defence, foreign policy, and domestic affairs.
Key Issues dominating the feed were: the AUKUS submarine deal, with Peter Garrett launching a community-based independent inquiry into the $368 billion pact after sustained criticism of its opaque terms; One Nation’s rise in polling and opposition to cost-of-living relief, including backing a minimum wage freeze while billionaire backer Gina Rinehart’s wealth surged $25.67 billion in a year; and minimum wage negotiations, where Albanese’s government supported a 4.75 per cent increase while Coalition and One Nation opposed meaningful rises.
A post from emergencybk.bsky.social comparing Israel’s destruction of war graves to public outrage over other disrespect garnered over 200 reposts, capturing the raw frustration: “Piss on a war memorial, mainstream media & politicians lose their shit, destroy 146+ graves, nothing.” The tone across the feed was one of escalating alienation—anger at political inaction, media complicity, and inequality, with users oscillating between calls for tax reform and exasperation at what many saw as rhetorical gestures masking systemic capture by wealthy interests.
Top topics: Israeli War Graves Damage · AUKUS Submarine Deal · Minimum Wage Negotiations · Government Accountability · Cost-of-Living Relief
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Register of Interests Update — Leon Rebello
McPherson, Queensland
Liberal National Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | 27 April 2026 to 3 May 2026, sponsored international travel, accommodation and meals for self for a visit to Taiwan as part of a Parliamentary delegation. Provider of the benefit was the Taiwan Economic & Cultural Office in Australia. |
Deletions
None
What they’re talking about
Most used words in parliament on 02 Jun 2026: TAX (870) PEOPLE (522) LABOR (362) BUDGET (304) … [link]
Queensland Fitout Specialist Wins $1.5m Attorney-General’s Contract
PODCON Pty Ltd, a Brisbane-based construction company specialising in interior fitouts, has secured a $1.5 million contract with the Attorney-General's Department for internal fitout works. The five-week project, running from late May to late June 2026, was awarded through a limited tender process valued below the construction threshold.
PODCON operates across Australia's east coast states, delivering interior fitouts, building refurbishments and modular construction projects for corporate, education, legal and retail clients. The company reported annual revenue of $5.3 million in 2024 and has previously completed government work, including fitouts for the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability in Sydney and Brisbane. Those projects featured inclusive design elements such as height-adjustable joinery, textured flooring and visual aids.
Internal fitout work typically involves transforming interior spaces into functional offices by installing partitions, ceilings, flooring, lighting, electrical and communications infrastructure, and furnishings. For government offices, fitouts must comply with accessibility standards, building codes and energy efficiency requirements. The Attorney-General's Department is headquartered at Robert Garran Offices in Barton, Canberra.
Sources: podcon.com.au; rocketreach.co [link]
All tenders
Fed govt contracts given today came to $13,720,923. The winner is PODCON Pty Ltd ($1,500,000) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$139,905,314 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $697,678 yesterday. – KPMG: $340,536 – Deloitte: $357,142 {1373} [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for Australian Research Council: $3,304,657 {817} [link]
Politician Expenses
Rebekha Sharkie (Reps, Mayo, Centre Alliance) claimed $624,777 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $99,107 less than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Visa AP (Australia) donated $123,000 in 2023-24. That was $75,500 to Labor and $47,500 to the Coalition. {7572} #auspol [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Mark Butler (representatives, Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party) attended 89.2% of possible votes. [link]
Votes-Like-Taylor-O-Meter
Pauline Hanson (Sen, Queensland, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation) is 74.11% Angus Taylor [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $9,750. (YTD: $2,155,350) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $93,552. (YTD: $642,607) [link]
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