⚙️ Political Gadgets News | Sunday, 25 October 2026
Today’s Political Gadgets digest covers: MP expenses: David Smith (Bean, Labor) — $472,610 over 4 quarters; Political advertising: Google $30,150 (YTD $4,075,500).
Today’s digest includes:
- MP expenses: David Smith (Bean, Labor) — $472,610 over 4 quarters
- Political advertising: Google $30,150 (YTD $4,075,500)
Bluesky says the Helen Haines attack and the “turn the temperature down” appeal dominated #auspol overnight
BlueSky #auspol · 25 October 2026, 04:29 AEST · 405 posts · AI-generated
The dominant thread in the 24 hours to Sunday morning was the attack on independent MP Helen Haines, whose condition has been upgraded from critical to serious. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s call for Australians to “turn the temperature down” drew sharp responses, with many users arguing that political leaders and media outlets had themselves raised the temperature. Commentary also focused on how mainstream outlets, including the ABC, reported the alleged attacker’s mental health and history, with several posts calling this framing harmful to women.
Key issues included Israel and Palestine, which drew some of the highest engagement, with users calling for Australia to enforce international law and criticising the Albanese government’s ties with the United States and Israel. Queensland’s youth justice and child safety portfolio, after the reshuffle that elevated Amanda Stoker, generated sustained criticism of the LNP government. The Capricornia by-election prospects, with Matt Canavan and One Nation’s James Ashby both in the frame, and the Greens senator Jordon Steele-John’s leave from parliament over misconduct complaints, also prompted heavy discussion. Tax reform, including a proposed wealth tax and a gas export levy, featured prominently among progressive users.
The standout exchange came from a widely shared post by Simon Rosenberg, which mocked the Prime Minister’s appeal by asking whether it was “you turning the temperature down”, attracting more than 60 reposts. Overall tone was angry and sceptical, with a strong current of distrust toward major parties and the press, though many posts were simply sharing news links, and the conversation remained largely partisan rather than constructive.
Top topics: Attack on Helen Haines · Political Temperature Rhetoric · Israel and Palestine · Queensland Youth Justice · Capricornia By-election
AI-generated from BlueSky #auspol posts.
Duratec wins Defence building and roofing work
Duratec Australia has won two Department of Defence contracts worth about $6.7 million for building and roofing works.
Duratec is an ASX-listed (DUR) contractor based in Wangara, Western Australia. It was established in 2010 and describes itself as a specialist in asset remediation and protection. Business News reports that its major shareholder is contractor Ertech. Its segments are Defence, Mining & Industrial, Building & Facade, and Energy. It serves defence, mining, oil and gas, commercial and civil infrastructure clients. One profile says it had 857 full-time employees and 15 branches across capital cities and regional centres.
Defence is a core client. In 2022 Duratec announced about $25 million of Defence awards. Most were building and asset refurbishment jobs, including $11 million at the Australian Defence Force Academy and $6.5 million at the Russell Offices in Canberra. It later won a $36.5 million Defence communications upgrade, Project Phoenix, covering refurbishment of existing buildings at 15 sites. In a 50:50 joint venture with Ertech, it also holds planning-phase contracts at HMAS Stirling. Government contract tracker GovMarket lists 82 awarded contracts for the company, with about 67% of that value coming from Defence.
Sources: businessnews.com.au; marketscreener.com; listcorp.com; kalkinemedia.com; thesentiment.com.au; govmarket.com.au [link]
Consultant Tenders
$515,477,574 in Federal contracts to the big consultants in 2026. $0 yesterday. {841} [link]
Flights
The VIP fleet flew at least 236 km in the last few days. That’s 1 plane doing 1 flight over 0 hrs and 29 mins and costing around $2,267. [link]
Politician Expenses
David Smith (Reps, Bean, Labor) claimed $472,610 in expenses over the last 4 reported quarters for major categories such as travel, offices and cars. That is $175,096 less than the median. #auspol [link]
Double Donors
Idameneo (no.123) ATF The ARTLU UNIT TRUST donated $22,500 in 2024-25. That was $15,000 to Labor and $7,500 to the Coalition. {5175} [link]
Parliamentary attendance
Christopher Bowen (Reps, McMahon, Australian Labor Party) attended 90% of possible votes. [link]
Political advertising on Google
Political advertising spend with Google in last 24 hours: $30,150. (YTD: $4,075,500) [link]
Political advertising on Facebook
Political advertising on Facebook on 21 Oct: $163,908 ($34.3m so far in 2026). Top spender: Australian Energy Producers ($8,717). Biggest categories: Party/Candidate $42k, Advocacy $34k, Business $25k. Full breakdown: https://politicalgadgets.com/SocialMedia/facebook_stats/2026-10-21.html [link]
© Copyright PoliticalGadgets.com