Dan Holmes
@dholmesnoise.bsky.social
Canberra based journalist with themandarin.com.au covering the Australian public sector.
Nerd. Context advocate. Recovering composer and music dude.
dholmes@themandarin.com.au
Apsanonymous@proton.me
Signal: Apsanonymous.2600
Nerd. Context advocate. Recovering composer and music dude.
dholmes@themandarin.com.au
Apsanonymous@proton.me
Signal: Apsanonymous.2600
Bit of a sleeper issue lately, but I think this is really worth talking about.
Federal government records biggest ad spend outside COVID
The federal government racked up a near-record advertising spend last year, continuing a trend of self-promotion in election years.
www.themandarin.com.au
February 3, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Bit of a sleeper issue lately, but I think this is really worth talking about.
Something that might have flown under the radar in the recent unscheduled return of parliament.
#ausnews #auspol
#ausnews #auspol
Government to establish National Firearms Safety Council
The government has agreed to set up a new national-level firearm safety body. Here's what we know so far.
www.themandarin.com.au
February 2, 2026 at 9:34 PM
My heatwave brings all the birds to the yard
January 28, 2026 at 4:09 AM
My heatwave brings all the birds to the yard
My big takeaway from this was that if I wanted a career full of adventure and opportunity, I should have studied geology. Who knew looking at rocks could be so exciting?
Peter Cook: A public service career you couldn't start today
A long public service career that began in a very different system. Peter Cook explains why it would not happen now.
www.themandarin.com.au
January 26, 2026 at 11:28 PM
My big takeaway from this was that if I wanted a career full of adventure and opportunity, I should have studied geology. Who knew looking at rocks could be so exciting?
This is a tough time of year for a lot of folks, including me. Music is one of my coping strategies.
Who has suggestions for this Grinchy playlist?
Who has suggestions for this Grinchy playlist?
Grinchy Christmas
open.spotify.com
December 17, 2025 at 2:03 AM
This is a tough time of year for a lot of folks, including me. Music is one of my coping strategies.
Who has suggestions for this Grinchy playlist?
Who has suggestions for this Grinchy playlist?
Reposted by Dan Holmes
Have spent the day resolutely focused on all the people who helped, who risked their own safety to ensure the safety of others. It’s no small thing in all that horror. Hate is a sickness.
December 14, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Have spent the day resolutely focused on all the people who helped, who risked their own safety to ensure the safety of others. It’s no small thing in all that horror. Hate is a sickness.
This is most of what I was able to gather from the APS minister yesterday on the "jobs for mates" review.
#auspol #ausnews
#auspol #ausnews
APS minister defends response to nepotism review
Katy Gallagher faced a barrage of questions in Senate estimates about the government response to the scathing Briggs review.
www.themandarin.com.au
December 2, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Reposted by Dan Holmes
🤓 GRATTAN’S 2025 WONKS’ LIST 🤓
In addition to our Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List, our Wonks’ List highlights some of the year’s best technical policy reads.
Here are our picks for 2025. buff.ly/YcFqGwm #auspol #ausecon
In addition to our Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List, our Wonks’ List highlights some of the year’s best technical policy reads.
Here are our picks for 2025. buff.ly/YcFqGwm #auspol #ausecon
buff.ly
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 AM
🤓 GRATTAN’S 2025 WONKS’ LIST 🤓
In addition to our Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List, our Wonks’ List highlights some of the year’s best technical policy reads.
Here are our picks for 2025. buff.ly/YcFqGwm #auspol #ausecon
In addition to our Prime Minister’s Summer Reading List, our Wonks’ List highlights some of the year’s best technical policy reads.
Here are our picks for 2025. buff.ly/YcFqGwm #auspol #ausecon
Back on the tools and covering senate estimates this week. tips and Q's welcome.
#ausnews #estimates #auspol
#ausnews #estimates #auspol
December 1, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Back on the tools and covering senate estimates this week. tips and Q's welcome.
#ausnews #estimates #auspol
#ausnews #estimates #auspol
