⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Monday, 22 June 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Federal contracts: $35,651 awarded; largest to CHRISTOPHER KUMMEROW ($19,800); MP expenses: David Batt (Hinkler, Lib Nat) — $497,018 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $43,500 (YTD $2,701,500); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607).
Today’s digest includes:
- Federal contracts: $35,651 awarded; largest to CHRISTOPHER KUMMEROW ($19,800)
- MP expenses: David Batt (Hinkler, Lib Nat) — $497,018 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $43,500 (YTD $2,701,500); Facebook $93,552 (YTD $642,607)
Bluesky says One Nation dominance and media capture emerge as dominant political tensions in 24-hour polling cycle.
BlueSky #auspol · 22 June 2026, 05:29 AEST · 493 posts · AI-generated
The conversation centred on Pauline Hanson’s National Press Club address and the broader rise of One Nation, with users expressing alarm at both the party’s policy platform and the media’s perceived role in amplifying it. A satirical post about Vegemite releasing a “bland white edition” for One Nation supporters drew significant engagement, reflecting public anxiety about the party’s monoculturalism agenda. Simultaneously, several posts highlighted internal Coalition dysfunction as members defect—notably IPA director Colleen Harkin quitting the Liberal Party after attending a One Nation fundraiser—while former Prime Minister Tony Abbott reportedly made phone calls pleading with members not to abandon ship.
Key Issues
Three major tensions dominated discussion. First, media accountability emerged as critical, with users criticising journalists at the National Press Club for failing to robustly challenge Hanson’s claims about maternity leave, multiculturalism, and wage policy. Second, factional realignment accelerated, with a teal independent party reportedly launching this week to formalise cross-bench unity against One Nation’s rise. Third, substantive policy concerns surfaced repeatedly: users dissected Hanson’s positions on immigration, mandatory national service for teenagers, and her stated opposition to multiculturalism, alongside warnings about billionaire backing for the party.
The overall tone was one of serious alarm mixed with dark humour—satirical posts sat alongside urgent calls for fact-checking and transparent government. Several threads flagged concerns about foreign influence, media bias, and wealth concentration shaping the political landscape, while others emphasised the working-class economic grievances One Nation claims to represent.
Top topics: One Nation Rise · Media Accountability · Coalition Defections · Immigration Policy · Multiculturalism Opposition
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Safe Work Australia Engages Adelaide Barrister for Model Law Training
Safe Work Australia has awarded a $19,800 contract to Christopher Kummerow, an Adelaide-based barrister, to deliver training on the Model Work Health and Safety laws. The one-month engagement runs from mid-June to mid-July 2026.
Kummerow is a barrister at Andrew Wells Chambers with expertise in regulatory criminal law, including work health and safety prosecutions. Prior to joining the bar, he served as Director of Prosecutions for a national safety regulator and has experience advising government agencies across multiple jurisdictions. He was named a Recommended Criminal Law Barrister for South Australia in the 2023 and 2024 Doyle's Guide.
The Model WHS laws comprise a nationally consistent framework developed by Safe Work Australia in 2011, including the model Act, Regulations and Codes of Practice. While the model laws have been adopted in all Australian jurisdictions except Victoria, each state and territory maintains its own regulator and enforcement mechanisms. Training on these laws typically covers legislative duties, compliance requirements, risk management frameworks and the responsibilities of persons conducting a business or undertaking.
Sources: awchambers.com.au; safeworkaustralia.gov.au; nscafoundation.org.au [link]
All tenders
Fed govt contracts given today came to $35,651. The winner is CHRISTOPHER KUMMEROW ($19,800) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$185,764,800 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {156} [link]
Politician Expenses
David Batt (Reps, Hinkler, Lib Nat) claimed $497,018 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $226,867 less than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Telstra Corporation donated $100,500 in 2023-24. That was $33,000 to Labor and $67,500 to the Coalition. {4053} #auspol [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Dorinda Cox (senate, WA, Australian Labor Party) attended 90.8% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $43,500. (YTD: $2,701,500) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $93,552. (YTD: $642,607) [link]
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