⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Bluesky says RBA raises cash rate to 15-year high amid global energy crisis, deepening cost-of-living pain for Australian households.

BlueSky #auspol  ·  30 September 2026, 05:29 AEST  ·  591 posts  ·  AI-generated

The Reserve Bank lifted official interest rates to 4.6 per cent on Tuesday, marking the fourth hike in 2026 and the highest point in over a decade. The move dominated conversation among #auspol users, with economists and commentators divided on its effectiveness. Treasurer Jim Chalmers attributed inflation to Middle East conflict and oil price volatility rather than domestic policy, while the RBA board cited broadening geopolitical risks. Critics on the platform argued the rate rise will worsen cost-of-living pressures without addressing root causes, particularly fuel costs driven by Trump’s Iran conflict.

Key Issues: Interest rates and inflation dominated discourse, with users debating whether monetary tightening can solve energy-supply-driven inflation. An OpenAI agent breach of Medicare systems sparked calls for government accountability and tighter AI regulation, overshadowed by the RBA announcement. Greens leader Larissa Waters resigned unexpectedly due to kidney disease, triggering a leadership contest among David Shoebridge, Sarah Hanson-Young and Mehreen Faruqi. One Nation’s polling surge and internal dysfunction, revealed in a Four Corners investigation, featured prominently, with users questioning how a dysfunctional party commands 25+ per cent voter support in Queensland.

A standout exchange saw commentator Amy Remeikis quoted observing that “on every issue, Labor has done the least it can do,” crystallising frustration among left-leaning users. Overall tone was combative: sustained criticism of Albanese’s government from both progressive and populist camps, scepticism toward the RBA’s economic theory, and derision of One Nation’s competence despite its electoral traction. The day revealed a fractured electorate uncertain of major parties and alarmed by cost-of-living pressures.

Top topics: Interest Rates and Inflation  ·  Cost-of-Living Crisis  ·  Greens Leadership Contest  ·  One Nation Dysfunction  ·  AI Regulation and Medicare

AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.

Indigenous Security Firm Wins $12.7m Electoral Commission Contract

Corroboree Security Services Limited has been awarded a three-year contract worth $12.7 million to provide static, ad hoc and event guarding services to the Australian Electoral Commission. The contract, signed in September 2026, runs until June 2029.

Established in 2015, Corroboree Security is a majority Indigenous-owned not-for-profit organisation registered with Supply Nation. The Canberra-based company operates as part of the Corroboree Group, which provides security, civil construction, cleaning and recruitment services to public and private sector clients across Australia. Over 20 per cent of its workforce identifies as Indigenous, and profits are reinvested into the Indigenous Pathways to Employment Program, which provides mentorship, training and job readiness support.

Static guarding involves security personnel stationed at fixed locations to monitor access, deter threats and respond to incidents. For the Electoral Commission, physical security is a key component of election operations, with 24-hour security guards and patrols deployed at Central Senate Scrutiny sites and other facilities handling ballot papers. Event guarding would cover security at polling places, early voting centres and other electoral events during federal elections, by-elections and referendums.

Sources: gateway.icn.org.au; corroboree.com.au; aec.gov.au; buy.nsw.gov.au [link]

All tenders

The Fed Govt announced $52,357,245 in contracts. Top of the list was Corroboree Security Services Limited ($12,725,000) Corroboree Security Services Limited has received $12,725,000 in contracts this year. [link]

Consultant Tenders

$503,888,035 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {766} [link]

Flights

The VIP fleet flew at least 4,496 km in the last few days. That’s 3 planes doing 4 flights over 10 hrs and 25 mins and costing around $63,238. [link]

What’s Parliament doing

Parliament… is not sitting today. There are committees today. {75} [link]

Fed Govt Outsourced labour costs

Government Temporary Staff Tenders in the last day: $1,673,586 [link]

How does the tender money flow…

YTD tenders for Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre: $72,109,837 [link]

Donations

Paul Gilding made $20,000 in Federal political donations. [link]

Politician Expenses

Bert Van Manen claimed $18,983 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $581,140 less than the median. #auspol [link]

Double Donors

Mineral Resources donated $126,500 in 2024-25. That was $55,000 to Labor and $71,500 to the Coalition. {4219} [link]

Parliamentary attendance

Clare O’Neil (Reps, Hotham, Australian Labor Party) attended 71% of possible votes. [link]

Political advertising on Google

Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $9,000. (YTD: $3,640,650) [link]

Political advertising on Facebook

Political advertising on Facebook on 26 Sep: $111,746 ($30.6m so far in 2026). Top spender: Queensland Government ($10,071). Biggest categories: Advocacy $33k, Party/Candidate $21k, Government $16k. Full breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/facebook_stats/2026-09-26.html [link]

Votes-Like-Taylor-O-Meter

Cameron Caldwell (Reps, Fadden, Lib Nat) is 92.17% Angus Taylor [link]