⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Friday, 14 August 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: Federal contracts: $19,895,796 awarded; largest to Cushman and Wakefield ($2,438,000); Parliament: not sitting; MP expenses: Andrew Bragg (NSW, Lib) — $543,623 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $10,050 (YTD $3,227,250); Facebook $61,745 (YTD $3,970,586).
Today’s digest includes:
- Federal contracts: $19,895,796 awarded; largest to Cushman and Wakefield ($2,438,000)
- Parliament: not sitting
- MP expenses: Andrew Bragg (NSW, Lib) — $543,623 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $10,050 (YTD $3,227,250); Facebook $61,745 (YTD $3,970,586)
Bluesky says thousands of Australian students have skipped school to protest Pauline Hanson and One Nation racism, with the youth-led demonstrations generating more engagement than the government’s “melon gate” controversy.
BlueSky #auspol · 14 August 2026, 05:29 AEST · 609 posts · AI-generated
The dominant story across the 609 posts is the nationwide student walkouts against One Nation and Pauline Hanson’s policies, which attracted thousands and dominated social media sentiment. This civic engagement contrasts sharply with the media focus on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s crude remarks involving melons—an incident that appears to many as a distraction from substantive policy failures.
Key Issues discussed include the cost-of-living crisis and housing affordability, with posts criticising the Coalition’s proposal that low-income earners accept substandard housing and the Labor government’s $2.5 billion bailout of Rio Tinto’s Tomago aluminium smelter despite the company’s record profits. Political divisions over the GST distribution between states intensify as Western Australia contests its allocation. Gambling reform, AUKUS defence commitments, and the release of whistleblower David McBride after serving his full sentence also feature prominently, with many questioning why he was imprisoned while military officials escaped accountability for Afghan war crimes.
The overall tone is one of frustration and cynicism. A standout post by Ronni Salt characterized Australian politics as “a farce and you’re paying for the tickets,” while another by Sydney EV noted taxpayers are forking out $200 million to clean up an abandoned oil rig after owners went bankrupt—yet environmental concerns about wind farms provoke outrage. Young Australians’ activism is widely praised as a sign the “kids are alright,” even as broader disenchantment with both major parties deepens.
Top topics: Student Protests Against Racism · Cost-of-Living Crisis · Housing Affordability · Government Spending Controversies · Defense and War Crimes
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Register of Interests Update — Christopher Bowen
McMahon, New South Wales
Australian Labor Party · Minister for Climate Change and Energy
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 11. Gifts | On Wednesday 5 August, I received a decorative vase, a box of sweets and two ties from the Deputy Climate Minister of Turkiye, Fatma Varank |
| Self | 11. Gifts | On August 5, following a tour of carbon farming initiatives I stayed as guest of Mr Alasdair MacLeod at his home. |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Matthew Thistlethwaite
Kingsford Smith, New South Wales
Australian Labor Party · Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | Tickets supplied by South Sydney Rabbitohs Rabbitohs v Eels – Round 23 NRL game Saturday 8 August, 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park |
Deletions
None
Register of Interests Update — Kate Thwaites
Jagajaga, Victoria
Australian Labor Party
Additions
| Person | Item | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self | 12. Travel Or Hospitality | 1 x ticket to Press Club address by Minister Bowen provided by Hawker Britton |
Deletions
None
What they’re talking about
Most used words in parliament on 13 Aug 2026: ALP (226) SOUTH (217) NEW (184) DEFENCE (179) … [link]
Governor-General’s Office Awards $2.4 Million in Property Services to Cushman & Wakefield
The Office of the Official Secretary to the Governor-General has awarded seven contracts totalling $2.44 million to Cushman and Wakefield for facilities management and property services across the two official vice-regal residences for the 2026-27 financial year. The contracts cover Government House in Canberra and Admiralty House in Sydney, the two official residences of the Governor-General.
Cushman & Wakefield is a global commercial real estate services firm founded in New York in 1917 and now headquartered in Chicago. The publicly traded company reported revenue of $10.3 billion in 2025 and employs approximately 53,000 people across 350 offices in nearly 60 countries. The firm provides facilities management, property management, leasing, capital markets, and project management services to corporate, government, and institutional clients worldwide. In Australia, Cushman & Wakefield was awarded contracts under the Whole of Australian Government Property Services Arrangements in March 2026, providing property and facilities management services to Commonwealth agencies.
The contracts include core facilities management fees, pass-through costs for utilities and maintenance, pool restoration work, gatehouse remediation, and reclassified operational funds. Government House in Canberra sits on 54 hectares in Yarralumla and serves as the primary residence where the Governor-General conducts constitutional duties, hosts state functions, and receives foreign dignitaries. Admiralty House, located in Kirribilli on Sydney Harbour, functions as the secondary residence and hosts investiture ceremonies, receptions, and community events.
Sources: cushmanwakefield.com; gg.gov.au; naa.gov.au; grokipedia.com [link]
All tenders
Fed govt contracts given today came to $19,895,796. The winner is Cushman and Wakefield ($2,438,000) [link]
Consultant Tenders
$292,036,368 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {1452} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 45 km in the last few days. That’s 1 plane doing 1 flight over 1 hrs and 25 mins and costing around $6,534. [link]
Fed Govt Outsourced labour costs
Government Temporary Staff Tenders in the last day: $19,280,507 [link]
How does the tender money flow…
YTD tenders for Australian Fisheries Management Authority: $8,188,856 {485} [link]
Politician Expenses
Andrew Bragg (Sen, NSW, Lib) claimed $543,623 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $176,507 less than the average. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Westpac Banking Corporation donated $157,770 in 2023-24. That was $77,250 to Labor and $80,520 to the Coalition. {2051} #auspol [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Alison Byrnes (representatives, Cunningham, Australian Labor Party) attended 93.7% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $10,050. (YTD: $3,227,250) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook yesterday: $61,745. (YTD: $3,970,586) [link]
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