Michael Klapdor
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mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor
@mklapdor.bsky.social
790 followers 650 following 600 posts

Social policy researcher at 🇦🇺 Parliamentary Library, Canberra
Mostly welfare, social security, family payments, child care, veterans
Personal account | Impersonal observations

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The Parliamentary Library of Australia is a significant research and information service that supports the Parliament of Australia. Established in 1901, the library is an integral part of the Department of Parliamentary Services and provides independent, impartial and comprehensive information to members of Parliament, namely members of the Senate and House of Representatives, their staff and the broader parliamentary community. .. more

Political science 53%
Education 13%
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mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · Oct 31
Parl Library has updated the Digest for the Social Security Technical Changes No. 2 Bill to include analysis of the new measure allowing Home Affairs Minister to stop payments to persons subject to an outstanding warrant for a serious violent or sexual offence: parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/dow...
Screenshot of text on p. 18 of Bills Digest: 'Cancelling payments for fugitives Government amendments to the Bill, proposed and made in the House of Representatives on 29 October 2025, added new Schedule 5 to the Bill. The Schedule will enable the Minister responsible for the Australian Federal Police (AFP)—currently the Minister for Home Affairs—to issue a notice to the Minister for Social Services which requires the cessation of certain social security, family assistance, and parental leave payments as well as concession cards where a person is subject to an outstanding arrest warrant for a serious violent or sexual offence. The measure was not previously announced.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 12h
Nix somehow have more fans than any Aussie teams away in Canberra. Any excuse to get out of Wellington #CANvWEL

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 12h
Hardly a foul if you win the ball and the player charges into you. Are you supposed to just let them pass? #CANvWEL

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

artistaffame.bsky.social
Melissa @artistaffame.bsky.social · 1d
Australia has had a rise of 237,000 children living in poverty. Which brings the total up to 950,100 which means this year we are at risk of it surpassing 1 million bcec.edu.au/media/anothe...
Another 237,000 Australian children in poverty in four years - BCEC
Almost a quarter of a million children have been plunged into poverty in just four years - a 33 per cent increase.
bcec.edu.au

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

asherwolf.bsky.social
Asher Wolf @asherwolf.bsky.social · 1d
Cumberland river yesterday

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 1d
Parliamentary Library has published preliminary analysis of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Exposure Draft Legislation: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
Key points On 12 January 2026, the Prime Minister announced that the Parliament would be recalled to consider the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026. While the Bill has yet to ...
www.aph.gov.au

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 2d
Lump sum Aus Gov Disaster Recovery Payment extended to additional areas in Victoria affected by the bushfires - provides $1,000 for adults and $400 per child. Will be able to claim from Friday afternoon. www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfire...
"From 2pm local time on Friday, 16 January 2026, the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) will be available for eligible people in the following added locations: Alexandra, Carranballac, Caveat, Creightons Creek, Ghin Ghin, Gobur, Highlands, Kanumbra, Skipton, Streatham, Terip Terip, Upton Hill, Whiteheads Creek, and Yarck. AGDRP helps those who have suffered the most serious impacts, including major damage to their home, serious injury, or loss of a loved one as a result of the bushfires. It’s a one-off payment of $1,000 per eligible adult and $400 per child. "

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

abcnewsbot.bsky.social
ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 3d
Police are urging Canberrans not to touch suspicious objects after pipe bombs were discovered in Belconnen.
'Dangerous' pipe bombs found on Canberra footpaths
Police are urging Canberrans not to touch suspicious objects after pipe bombs were discovered in Belconnen.
www.abc.net.au

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 3d
we'd try and get something out ahead of the debate in the House of Reps but Library only sees a Bill when it gets tabled/publicly released so our researchers are in the same boat as everyone else.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 3d
This Disaster Recovery Payment lump sum is still the same rate as when it was introduced 20 years ago. If it had been indexed to CPI if would be more than $600 higher for an adult. www.aph.gov.au/About_Parlia...

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 3d
Disaster Recovery Allowance also announced for certain other areas in Victoria affected by the bushfires. Pays the maximum JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance rate (depending on claimants age). Claims open from Thursday 2pm www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/vic-bushfire...

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

politicalalert.bsky.social
CCH Political Alert @politicalalert.bsky.social · 4d
The Albanese Government has released details of the Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026 for consultation: www.ag.gov.au/crime/hate-c...
www.ag.gov.au

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 4d
Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security inquiry into the draft Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026. Submissions due by 4pm Thursday 15 January: www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
Review of the Exposure Draft Legislation: Combatting Antisemitism, Hate and Extremism Bill 2026
The Minister for Home Affairs, Hon Tony Burke MP, wrote to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (the Committee) on 12 January 2026 to refer an Exposure Draft of the Combattin...
www.aph.gov.au

Reposted by Parliamentary Library, Stuart White

annadent.bsky.social
Anna Dent @annadent.bsky.social · 5d
Huh. Turns out officials thought they were dealing with a tolerable risk of harm.

I really hoped that wasn't the explanation

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 5d
it's for condolence motions (Mon) and legislation (Tues) in response to the Bondi terrorist attack

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

politicalalert.bsky.social
CCH Political Alert @politicalalert.bsky.social · 5d
Prime Minister @albomp.bsky.social says Federal Parliament will resume next Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 January for condolence motions and to introduce legislation responding to the Bondi attack #auspol

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 5d
Parliament being recalled to sit next Monday and Tuesday 19-20 January

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 5d
Australian Gov Disaster Recovery Payment activated for people directly affected by bushfires in some areas in Victoria, Provides $1,000 for adults and $400 per child. Can claim from Wednesday 14/1 arvo
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/support-for-...
Text: "To be eligible for financial support, these must have occurred in one of the following areas: - Barkers Creek - Harcourt - Harcourt North - Longwood - Longwood East - Natimuk - Ravenswood South - Ruffy - Sutton Grange."

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

abcnewsbot.bsky.social
ABC News Bot (unofficial) @abcnewsbot.bsky.social · 6d
The Taliban's chief spokesman agreed to an unscripted, sit-down interview with me, there was just one non-negotiable condition, writes Meghna Bali.
A Taliban leader sat before me while millions of women remained unseen
The Taliban's chief spokesman agreed to an unscripted, sit-down interview with me, there was just one non-negotiable condition, writes Meghna Bali.
www.abc.net.au

Reposted by Parliamentary Library

phonakins.com
💜 phonakins 🍉 @phonakins.com · 6d
Employing staff who had not completed working with children checks and padlocking fire escapes were among 41 breaches identified since 2023.

It's the first closure by the new NSW child care regulator set up late last year after a litany of incidents in the sector.

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Sydney daycare first to be shut by new regulator over safety breaches
Fun2Learn in Rosehill is the first centre to have its doors forcibly shut by the new child care regulator after it uncovered 41 breaches.
www.abc.net.au

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 7d
Always weird in fire season seeing the Vic CFA Chief - he was a couple of years ahead of me at school in Wagga and his nickname was Doofus

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 14d
Yep it was packed. But didn’t have to wait long. Don’t know how Kingsleys will cope.m

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 14d
3yo had her first taste of El Jannah and spontaneously started singing ‘I like to move it, move it’. A song we’ve never played.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 14d
RIP Momo. So sorry for your loss

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 16d
It’s already started

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 16d
Happy new year. My resolution is get this bod
Photo of a koala in a tree at Tidbinbilla nature reserve looking at the camera.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 26d
And special mention to @dplunky.bsky.social whose retirement project makes things so much easier for me

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 26d
Thanks to all the Australian welfare and child care experts who shared knowledge, takes and tips with me (whether directly or indirectly) and the APS who answered questions.
Thanks especially to all the people who engage with these systems and bravely share their issues, struggles and insights.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 26d
Admiration to @ellie-malbon.bsky.social for the passion and perseverance this year, for knowing when to stop, and revealing your love of Hobbits.

mklapdor.bsky.social
Michael Klapdor @mklapdor.bsky.social · 26d
We welcomed some great people to the social policy team. Dear leader Harriet Spinks guided us through big changes and challenges. Most of my colleagues aren't on BlueSky so can't thank them but shout out to @luke-buckmaster.bsky.social for his big picture thoughts on parliamentary research services.