Bill Browne
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browne90.bsky.social
Bill Browne
@browne90.bsky.social
3.8K followers 670 following 440 posts
Director at The Australia Institute's Democracy & Accountability Program. Views posted are my own.
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Reposted by Bill Browne
australiainstitute.org.au
Research undertaken by The Australia Institute during the height of the PwC scandal showed it was a popular move, with polling finding that most Australians supported a long-term ban on the consulting firm after it breached public trust.

Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/3Zv6Vp5
February 11, 2026 at 2:48 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Australia drops out of top 10 countries in @anticorruption.bsky.social Corruption Perceptions Index.

More on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
Australia dips in Corruption Perceptions Index
live.thepoint.com.au
February 11, 2026 at 1:47 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Crisis? What crisis?

Govt's own docs prove that there was no "swarm" of FOI requests that required Australians' FOI rights to be restricted.

No wonder govt delayed 150 days before releasing.

@skyelark.bsky.social on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog: live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
Graph shows FOI decisions were much higher in 2016-17 than under the Albanese Government.
February 10, 2026 at 1:57 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Australia has a proud history of protest, but protesters have too often been met with violence.

Politicians set the tone by how they talk about our democratic right to protest.

More from me on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog:
live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
Australia has a proud history of protest – but protesters have too often been met with violence
live.thepoint.com.au
February 9, 2026 at 10:09 PM
browne90.bsky.social
Most power-sharing agreements between major parties and minor parties/independents are public --

So why is the Coalition Agreement secret?

@skyelark.bsky.social on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog live.thepoint.com.au?post=928adea...
The Point Live: Mass protests planned in response to Israeli president visit, Codependent Coalition back together
Mass protests are planned around the country in response to the visit from Israeli head of state Isaac Herzog, who has been accused of inciting the commission of genocide. The Coalition have reunited...
live.thepoint.com.au
February 9, 2026 at 3:26 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Nationals have for many years held what were thought of as the safest starts in the country, with One Nation preferences helping ward off Labor.

One Nation's rise is a another reminder that there are no safe seats. On @thepointau.bsky.social live blog live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
The single largest category of seats "to watch" re One Nation's rise is safe seats, followed by fairly safe. Few "marginal" seats are among the 25 most vulnerable.
February 9, 2026 at 2:20 AM
browne90.bsky.social
With the Victorian state election less than a year away, here's five ways to strengthen democracy in the state:

On @thepointau.bsky.social thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
February 6, 2026 at 3:08 AM
browne90.bsky.social
My take on the politics of the week -- for the @australiainstitute.org.au newsletter.

If you want regular updates straight to your inbox, sign up on the website: nb.australiainstitute.org.au/subscribe
February 6, 2026 at 12:16 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
rodcampbell.bsky.social
Let's get this straight.

Adani donates $600k the Qld LNP before election.

After the election, Qld LNP ends legal action over $400 MILLION in unpaid royalties.

Dodgy, dodgy, dodgy. Thread.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
February 5, 2026 at 11:32 PM
browne90.bsky.social
Why are we still going on about the "friendless" FOI bill? Isn't it doomed?

When even the Liberals tell us "Never say never", it would be a mistake to let up now.

More from me on The Point live blog. live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
Why the “bitch and fold” strategy could mean Liberals still vote for “dog” FOI bill
live.thepoint.com.au
February 4, 2026 at 3:55 AM
browne90.bsky.social
It's not just about federal politics - the South Australian election is less than two months away.

Four things to watch for, on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog.

live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
South Australian election less than two months away
live.thepoint.com.au
February 4, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
australiainstitute.org.au
Loopholes in Victoria's political donation laws mean the major parties receive uncapped gifts from their fundraising arms while donation caps apply to everyone else.

@browne90.bsky.social #auspol
February 4, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
brenthodgson.bsky.social
This is a WILD case for those following along at home.

Seems the Government agrees their own donation laws are unconstitutional(!)
February 3, 2026 at 9:50 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Albanese Government dragged out the 30-day freedom of information process for another 120 days to disguise how flimsy their arguments are.

Now we have the docs, there's nothing in them to support the Govt's push to limit freedom of information rights.

live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
live.thepoint.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 5:42 AM
browne90.bsky.social
The Nationals are the party of the bush, making Liberals the party of the city, right?

In fact, Libs have lost most of their metro seats -- so One Nation's rise in the regions threatens the Libs as much as the Nats.

@skyelark.bsky.social on @thepointau.bsky.social live.thepoint.com.au#732cfc1bdd
The Point Live: RBA raises rates to 3.85%, Liberals, Nationals abort leadership moves amid talent deficit
Parliament officially returns for 2026 with the Nationals and Liberals still in turmoil and unable to agree on a new leader, while One Nation continues to establish itself as the new conservative forc...
live.thepoint.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 5:17 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Sussan Ley has apparently escaped leadership challenge today --

Breaking a pattern of summertime "libspills" that have already made Ms Ley the second-most senior Liberal opposition leader in the country.

More on @thepointau.bsky.social live blog: live.thepoint.com.au/2026/02/the-...
live.thepoint.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 12:15 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Two former independent candidates are at the High Court today, arguing that loopholes in Victoria's donation laws unfairly benefit the major parties.

Has implications for unfair and rushed federal and SA laws.

On @thepointau.bsky.social live blog -- live.thepoint.com.au?post=4eaadbf...
The Point Live: Liberals, Nationals abort leadership moves amid talent deficit, reserve bank tipped to raise rates.
Parliament officially returns for 2026 with the Nationals and Liberals still in turmoil and unable to agree on a new leader, while One Nation continues to establish itself as the new conservative forc...
live.thepoint.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
australiainstitute.org.au
“Last year, Labor, Liberal and the Nationals voted together to dramatically increase taxpayer funding – to the extent that when the next election comes around, the taxpayer will be funding over half of the cost of major party election campaigns.” - Bill Browne

Read more: https://theaus.in/45Lcjbb
February 2, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
australiainstitute.org.au
“In Australia, it’s perfectly legal to lie in a political ad. And thanks to taxpayer funding of election campaigns, you could be the one paying for the ad that lies to you," writes Bill Browne from The Australia Institute.

Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kn5u5S
February 2, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Reposted by Bill Browne
meganjherbert.bsky.social
Adding fuel to the fires.
My cartoon in today's @theageaustralia.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 2:31 AM
browne90.bsky.social
Politicians don't always want power -- being forced to do something or blocked from doing something can be a great excuse to get what you want without copping the fallout.

More from me in @thepointau.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
Albo’s Odyssey (and the politics of having your hands tied)
When politicians claim to be constrained, it is too often an excuse to escape responsibility for an unconscionable decision.
thepoint.com.au
January 29, 2026 at 2:41 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
emmashortis.bsky.social
As @parkermolloy.com asks in this brilliant piece, “What part of this was hard to see coming?”

In the Australian context, pretty telling that it was @aunz.theconversation.com that had the space for that kind of evidence-based analysis.

www.readtpa.com/p/this-is-li...
This is Literally the Job
Political journalists need to stop pretending they don't know what Republicans are going to do.
www.readtpa.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:36 PM
browne90.bsky.social
The Nationals only won NSW and Vic Senate seats thanks to joint ticket with Libs -- SMH reports this is not lost on Libs who now only have to win two seats, not three. www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
‘Not even in with a look’: Nationals face Senate wipeout if Liberal split continues
Two of the rebel Nationals whose votes led to the historic Coalition split face losing their jobs at the next federal election, with senior Liberals warning the junior Coalition partner will struggle ...
www.smh.com.au
January 28, 2026 at 12:02 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
aushumanrightsact.bsky.social
Countries including UK, Norway, NZ and South Africa called on Australia to implement an Australian Human Rights Act last night. They heard 150+ Australian orgs calling for human rights at the heart of our laws so everyone can enjoy their rights.

Support a Human Rights Act: humanrightsact.org.au
January 27, 2026 at 4:27 AM
Reposted by Bill Browne
markogge.bsky.social
If you think coal and gas corporates like Woodside, Chervron, INPEX and Glencore, who are fuelling these disasters should pay the costs…instead of YOU!

Support @ausinstitutearchi.bsky.social call for a Climate Disaster Levy on fossil fuel exports👇

nb.australiainstitute.org.au/climatedisas...
January 26, 2026 at 9:59 PM