#RexPatrick seems to be the only one asking the right questions, persistently. Australian #Reporters and #Journalists would do well to learn from him.

“Of course, there is a small possibility that we are wrong and there is no estimate. Maybe the Minister has told the ASA he won’t ask for one and they shouldn’t generate one.” (Rex Patrick)

Read more
https://michaelwest.com.au/where-are-the-aukus-nuclear-waste-costings-let-alone-the-dump-sites/

#AUKUS #AusPol #DefenceProcurement #ASA

In the past, I’ve had some exposure to big Defence projects and I am reminded that no project is too big to fail and the reality that all projects also have a ‘political life’ use-by-date to take into account.

@Old_IT_geek [preface: will not subvert paywalls, and do not read SMH except for DA's cryptic on Friday]

The exemption of people and organisations is such a tricky thing.
See the profoundly fabulissimo Anne Twomey here: https://youtu.be/Dt6p9c0vrt8?t=455

If we say that many Bretheren volunteered (as people) to the Liberal Party of Australia (a political party, excluded from the Privacy Act) then we are firmly in "Nothing to see here people" territory.

[oh well]

I wonder though:
#whatIf the data were handed to the Bretheren (an organisation) WITHOUT A CONTRACT with the Liberal Party of Australia?

Maybe then we are in interesting territory?

The Bretheren would not be 'subcontractors', nor 'volunteers' for the purposes of the Privacy Act, but just plain-old members of an organisation, on the face of it, subject to the Privacy Act as a section 6C 'organisation'.

I wonder if a Senator (sickem Rex) might ask to see that contract next time the Senate sits?

#Privacy #AusPol #OAIC #RexPatrick #DataBreach

It’s outrageous that Australian governments continue to prioritise the gas cartel and foreign interests over affordable electricity for Australians. As Rex Patrick reveals in the latest FOI documents, that’s exactly what’s happening.

In October 2022, nine months after Russia invaded Ukraine, then WA Premier Mark McGowan advised the federal government to follow his state’s lead on managing rising gas and electricity prices.

#auspol #energycrisis #rexpatrick #gasprices #electricitycosts #westernaustralia #markmcgowan #governmentpolicy #gascartel #abc730 #australia #gascartel
#resourcesector #gasindustry #chevron #exxonmobil #woodside #shell

https://michaelwest.com.au/fois-gas-cartel-conned-government-fixed-high-energy-prices/

#Robodebt #Auspol
“It’s the executive [Ministers & their depts] and legislature [Senate and HoR] that let Australians down...

“The government broke the law. It did so on a grand scale; it knew it was doing so.”

MPs questioned ministers, the Senate questioned department officials. There were “hearings and speeches expressing concern and calling for transparency in both houses of parliament. There was a ‘Fair Debt Recovery’ private members bill and two Senate inquiries...

The Senate ordered officials to hand over legal advice, they were ignored.

The Liberal and National Party MPs and Senators covered for the the government.

“The Westminster system only works when honour and selflessness is present.”

Here’s an argument from #RexPatrick that we need a better model.

#RobodebtRC

From: @MichaelWestMedia
https://fairdinkum.one/@MichaelWestMedia/110708890247088675

https://johnmenadue.com/opportunities-foregone-in-aukus-submarine-decision/
#RexPatrick #AUKUS #auspol

Both Keating and Patrick have ripped into this subs deal.
Rex Patrick is forensic in examining the poor choice of these subs.