Beth Spencer
@bethspen.bsky.social
Writer. Latest book - The Age of Fibs: fiction, memoir, microlit - Green lefty - she/her/dr. Living on Darkinjung land. https://linktr.ee/bethspen / substack at https://bethspen.substack.com
Pinned
Beth Spencer
@bethspen.bsky.social
· Dec 15
Mighty pleased to be in this year's Best of Australian Poems with lots of lovely writers. A very readable collection curated by Kate Lilley & @shastradeo.bsky.social & published by Australian Poetry. Great for xmas stockings (shld be able to find it in good bookshops or ask for it at your library).
an amazing love story, right to the end -
This is wonderful. I cried. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
When they chose to die together, my grandparents wrote the final chapter of a love story spanning 70 years
My Nan held my hand, convincing me this was what they wanted. I felt like a little girl, crying and being comforted by my grandmother one last time
www.theguardian.com
June 8, 2025 at 7:07 AM
an amazing love story, right to the end -
Reposted by Beth Spencer
Can the media please focus on why Australia approves fossil fuel extraction projects to give it away to foreign companies for free so they can add CO2 to the atmosphere to cause weather disasters that kill & displace Australians…?
Seems like an important topic
#auspol
Seems like an important topic
#auspol
Australia Institute research has found that 73% of gas exported from WA attracts zero royalty payments, effectively giving a public resource to multinational gas corporations for free.
Over the last four years, $111 billion worth of WA LNP was exported
australiainstitute.org.au/post/zero-ro...
Over the last four years, $111 billion worth of WA LNP was exported
australiainstitute.org.au/post/zero-ro...
Zero royalties charged on $111 billion in WA gas sales - The Australia Institute
73% of gas exported from WA attracts zero royalty payments, effectively giving a public resource to multinational gas corporations for free.
australiainstitute.org.au
May 24, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Can the media please focus on why Australia approves fossil fuel extraction projects to give it away to foreign companies for free so they can add CO2 to the atmosphere to cause weather disasters that kill & displace Australians…?
Seems like an important topic
#auspol
Seems like an important topic
#auspol
Reposted by Beth Spencer
This government approving the further destruction of Murujuga will devastate rock art over 50000 years old and add momentum to climate collapse for every future generation.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
May 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
This government approving the further destruction of Murujuga will devastate rock art over 50000 years old and add momentum to climate collapse for every future generation.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
They’re pulling off the most epoch spanning crime in human history.
So congrats I guess.
Send a sign: post & tag
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
w/ #notinourname, #letgazalive or #endthegenocide.
If you’re Jewish, take a selfie w/ a sign saying JEWS SAY STOP STARVING GAZA or JEWS SAY END THE GENOCIDE. If you’re not Jewish, take one w LET GAZA LIVE. Thxyou ❤️
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
w/ #notinourname, #letgazalive or #endthegenocide.
If you’re Jewish, take a selfie w/ a sign saying JEWS SAY STOP STARVING GAZA or JEWS SAY END THE GENOCIDE. If you’re not Jewish, take one w LET GAZA LIVE. Thxyou ❤️
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Send a sign: post & tag
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
w/ #notinourname, #letgazalive or #endthegenocide.
If you’re Jewish, take a selfie w/ a sign saying JEWS SAY STOP STARVING GAZA or JEWS SAY END THE GENOCIDE. If you’re not Jewish, take one w LET GAZA LIVE. Thxyou ❤️
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
w/ #notinourname, #letgazalive or #endthegenocide.
If you’re Jewish, take a selfie w/ a sign saying JEWS SAY STOP STARVING GAZA or JEWS SAY END THE GENOCIDE. If you’re not Jewish, take one w LET GAZA LIVE. Thxyou ❤️
@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social
Reposted by Beth Spencer
Note to Gina Rinehart.
Stand for office in a free and fair election.
See how you get on.
Otherwise, STFU.
Stand for office in a free and fair election.
See how you get on.
Otherwise, STFU.
April 25, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Note to Gina Rinehart.
Stand for office in a free and fair election.
See how you get on.
Otherwise, STFU.
Stand for office in a free and fair election.
See how you get on.
Otherwise, STFU.
"'Coral reefs are known as the rainforests of the sea because of their high concentration of biodiversity that supports about a third of all marine species and a billion people." -- heartbreaking. Thank you @lisacox.bsky.social for this sad & informative piece
#ClimateActionNow #CarefulWhoYouVoteFor
#ClimateActionNow #CarefulWhoYouVoteFor
‘As if a silent snowfall has descended’: more than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by historic bleaching event
More than 80% of the world’s reefs hit by bleaching after worst global event on record
An ashen pallor and an eerie stillness all that remains where there should fluttering fish and vibrant colours in the reefscape, one conservationist says
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 9:30 AM
"'Coral reefs are known as the rainforests of the sea because of their high concentration of biodiversity that supports about a third of all marine species and a billion people." -- heartbreaking. Thank you @lisacox.bsky.social for this sad & informative piece
#ClimateActionNow #CarefulWhoYouVoteFor
#ClimateActionNow #CarefulWhoYouVoteFor
I do feel inordinately happy when I get Square Words in 5 --
April 16, 2025 at 2:29 PM
I do feel inordinately happy when I get Square Words in 5 --
Had this little poem, called 'The Pine Forest' in the latest issue of The Marrow. Lots of international goodies in this relatively new journal, all available to read here -- www.themarrowpoetry.com/issue-three-...
..and some backstory to this poem at - bethspen.substack.com/p/pine-needl...
..and some backstory to this poem at - bethspen.substack.com/p/pine-needl...
April 11, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Had this little poem, called 'The Pine Forest' in the latest issue of The Marrow. Lots of international goodies in this relatively new journal, all available to read here -- www.themarrowpoetry.com/issue-three-...
..and some backstory to this poem at - bethspen.substack.com/p/pine-needl...
..and some backstory to this poem at - bethspen.substack.com/p/pine-needl...
utter vandalism.
Follow @datarescueproject.org for updates
Follow @datarescueproject.org for updates
Petabytes of critical government research that is marked for possible deletion cannot be archived because of technical and legal restrictions, meaning it is very likely to be lost forever:
www.404media.co/nih-archives...
www.404media.co/nih-archives...
Massive, Unarchivable Datasets of Cancer, Covid, and Alzheimer's Research Could Be Lost Forever
Days before Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that 10,000 HHS staffers would lose their jobs, a message appeared on NIH research repository sites saying they were "under review."
www.404media.co
April 5, 2025 at 11:36 AM
utter vandalism.
Follow @datarescueproject.org for updates
Follow @datarescueproject.org for updates
Reposted by Beth Spencer
My son is looking forward to voting in his first election. If you know of any 18yos that aren’t registered yet, they have a week to do so. #Auspol.
March 28, 2025 at 11:14 PM
My son is looking forward to voting in his first election. If you know of any 18yos that aren’t registered yet, they have a week to do so. #Auspol.
Reposted by Beth Spencer
I just keep thinking of the heartlessness of going to an election promising to sack 41,000 people just because they’ve chosen public service. The LNP talks of small business owners going out of business as a tragedy. How is sending thousands of people into unemployment not?
March 28, 2025 at 8:13 AM
I just keep thinking of the heartlessness of going to an election promising to sack 41,000 people just because they’ve chosen public service. The LNP talks of small business owners going out of business as a tragedy. How is sending thousands of people into unemployment not?
Reposted by Beth Spencer
The Government is rushing changes through Parliament set to weaken environmental protection laws and benefit destructive industries.
Today, 50 environment organisations have joined an open letter demanding that these changes are rejected.
Published in The Aus, Cbr Times, Fin Review, SMH & the Age.
Today, 50 environment organisations have joined an open letter demanding that these changes are rejected.
Published in The Aus, Cbr Times, Fin Review, SMH & the Age.
March 25, 2025 at 12:04 AM
The Government is rushing changes through Parliament set to weaken environmental protection laws and benefit destructive industries.
Today, 50 environment organisations have joined an open letter demanding that these changes are rejected.
Published in The Aus, Cbr Times, Fin Review, SMH & the Age.
Today, 50 environment organisations have joined an open letter demanding that these changes are rejected.
Published in The Aus, Cbr Times, Fin Review, SMH & the Age.
Reposted by Beth Spencer
I would like to nominate Maxwell Smart for national security advisor.
Pm Private GIF
ALT: Pm Private GIF
media.tenor.com
March 25, 2025 at 1:32 AM
I would like to nominate Maxwell Smart for national security advisor.
Reposted by Beth Spencer
“Essential reading.” - Bugs B.
“Utter garbage.” - Daffy D.
“Utter garbage.” - Daffy D.
March 14, 2025 at 5:36 PM
“Essential reading.” - Bugs B.
“Utter garbage.” - Daffy D.
“Utter garbage.” - Daffy D.
This was a lovely surprise at my local library. (Great company to be in!)
It's World Poetry Day/Month - so check out your library and borrow some #poetry books so they know to keep stocking them, and maybe they'll do displays like this more often.
It's World Poetry Day/Month - so check out your library and borrow some #poetry books so they know to keep stocking them, and maybe they'll do displays like this more often.
March 8, 2025 at 5:14 AM
This was a lovely surprise at my local library. (Great company to be in!)
It's World Poetry Day/Month - so check out your library and borrow some #poetry books so they know to keep stocking them, and maybe they'll do displays like this more often.
It's World Poetry Day/Month - so check out your library and borrow some #poetry books so they know to keep stocking them, and maybe they'll do displays like this more often.
Reposted by Beth Spencer
Maturing is realizing that you did hold the flashlight right. your dad was just mad he couldn't do whatever it was he was working on.
March 3, 2025 at 6:51 AM
Maturing is realizing that you did hold the flashlight right. your dad was just mad he couldn't do whatever it was he was working on.
Reposted by Beth Spencer
Reposted by Beth Spencer
ABC's 7.30 in Nov asserted falsely that poverty in Australia was worsening under the Albanese Govt. The segment failed to disclose that the appalling research findings it presented were collected several years before #Labor took office.
#auspol
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
#auspol
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Feeble defence from ABC confirms abject failure to report Labor accurately
A recent interview on ABC was the subject of a formal complaint. The official response from the national broadcaster is even more problematic.
independentaustralia.net
March 3, 2025 at 6:55 AM
ABC's 7.30 in Nov asserted falsely that poverty in Australia was worsening under the Albanese Govt. The segment failed to disclose that the appalling research findings it presented were collected several years before #Labor took office.
#auspol
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
#auspol
independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Reposted by Beth Spencer
Did you hear about the Greens new arts policy? We will:
- Pilot a living wage for 10,000 artists
- Put an artist in residence in every public school and library
- $2bn investment in the arts over a decade
- $300 million capital fund to expand and renew arts infrastructure
- Pilot a living wage for 10,000 artists
- Put an artist in residence in every public school and library
- $2bn investment in the arts over a decade
- $300 million capital fund to expand and renew arts infrastructure
March 1, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Did you hear about the Greens new arts policy? We will:
- Pilot a living wage for 10,000 artists
- Put an artist in residence in every public school and library
- $2bn investment in the arts over a decade
- $300 million capital fund to expand and renew arts infrastructure
- Pilot a living wage for 10,000 artists
- Put an artist in residence in every public school and library
- $2bn investment in the arts over a decade
- $300 million capital fund to expand and renew arts infrastructure
Reposted by Beth Spencer
I remember Albo saying that our relationship with China has “changed”, & that’s why we need AUKUS. I would argue our relationship with the US has also changed which is why we should dump AUKUS. TBH, in 40 years time, surviving climate is going to the main issue. What do you think?
February 27, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I remember Albo saying that our relationship with China has “changed”, & that’s why we need AUKUS. I would argue our relationship with the US has also changed which is why we should dump AUKUS. TBH, in 40 years time, surviving climate is going to the main issue. What do you think?
Back on Sub-stack after a break - with 2 poems, one from Best of Australian Poems, and the other from 100 Poets (Flying Islands) -
'The trees shimmy / with an invisible clutch of life... a white-trousered parrot inspects / a drunken coven of witches hats'
...& a bit of this and that.
'The trees shimmy / with an invisible clutch of life... a white-trousered parrot inspects / a drunken coven of witches hats'
...& a bit of this and that.
February 28, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Back on Sub-stack after a break - with 2 poems, one from Best of Australian Poems, and the other from 100 Poets (Flying Islands) -
'The trees shimmy / with an invisible clutch of life... a white-trousered parrot inspects / a drunken coven of witches hats'
...& a bit of this and that.
'The trees shimmy / with an invisible clutch of life... a white-trousered parrot inspects / a drunken coven of witches hats'
...& a bit of this and that.
Reposted by Beth Spencer
Calibrating renewal in tears, gardens, reflection: who can measure such joy & sorrows? 💙these shapes 🙏🏽 www.themarrowpoetry.com/issue-three-...
Issue Three Contents — The Marrow International Poetry
www.themarrowpoetry.com
February 9, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Calibrating renewal in tears, gardens, reflection: who can measure such joy & sorrows? 💙these shapes 🙏🏽 www.themarrowpoetry.com/issue-three-...
According to a now-outdated report from UNICEF, more than 14,500 children have been killed in Gaza since Oct 7th 2023, including 700+ infants. 25,000 children injured or maimed. 17,000 children have become orphaned or separated from their parents. Over a million children have been displaced.
February 22, 2025 at 5:19 AM
According to a now-outdated report from UNICEF, more than 14,500 children have been killed in Gaza since Oct 7th 2023, including 700+ infants. 25,000 children injured or maimed. 17,000 children have become orphaned or separated from their parents. Over a million children have been displaced.
I do love these guys.
February 21, 2025 at 12:14 PM
I do love these guys.