Rex Patrick
@mrrexpatrick.bsky.social
Transparency Warrior, small business owner, former Independent Senator for SA and former submariner.
If only the Libs had held the transparency high ground, we’d have been able to judge this week’s appointment of former SA Labor premier Jay Weatherill to UK High Commissioner by reference to standards laid out in the Briggs ‘Job for Mates’ review. #auspol
Jobs4mates. Wong restores duopoly control over Senate, appoints mate. - Michael West
Two weeks ago, Coalition senators supported David Pocock’s motion to extend question time by half an hour, but it's now back to normal.
michaelwest.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 1:17 AM
If only the Libs had held the transparency high ground, we’d have been able to judge this week’s appointment of former SA Labor premier Jay Weatherill to UK High Commissioner by reference to standards laid out in the Briggs ‘Job for Mates’ review. #auspol
After two backflips by the NSW Govt and a backflip by Defence Dept at @NCATNSW today, the public will now get to see all the NSW #AUKUS sub base docs I requested.
A win for transparency, but only after needless and costly #FOI obstruction. #secrecy #waste #auspol #NSWpol
A win for transparency, but only after needless and costly #FOI obstruction. #secrecy #waste #auspol #NSWpol
November 11, 2025 at 12:42 AM
One of the objectives of my new peregrine lifestyle is to work from a different cafe ‘office’ each day. Today I’m enjoying an ‘Insane Caffeine” at Childers, Queensland. #WorkFromRoam
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
One of the objectives of my new peregrine lifestyle is to work from a different cafe ‘office’ each day. Today I’m enjoying an ‘Insane Caffeine” at Childers, Queensland. #WorkFromRoam
Economic Complexity Index (ECI) is a holistic measure of the knowledge/productive capabilities of a country. ECI indicates a lot about long term prosperity and resilience. Here’s how Australia is trending compared with our Asian neighbours. 1/2 #StopJustExportingRocks #auspol
November 9, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Economic Complexity Index (ECI) is a holistic measure of the knowledge/productive capabilities of a country. ECI indicates a lot about long term prosperity and resilience. Here’s how Australia is trending compared with our Asian neighbours. 1/2 #StopJustExportingRocks #auspol
This morning I worked on an Information Commissioner’s #FOI review submission as I try to get access to the #AUKUS ‘WHO’S PAYING WHAT’ agreement the Govt says we can’t see. This afternoon I changed modes and walked to the shifting sands of Queensland’s Carlo Sandblow. #auspol
November 9, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Today I cross-examine a secret witness on his/her secret evidence (some of which I've now seen) as to why the Australian War Memorial censored the official history of ADF operations in Timor. Although I'm allowed in, the Tribunal door will be closed to the public . #FOI #auspol
November 6, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Vice Admiral Mead, head of the Australian Submarine Agency, to retire next year. Another #AUKUS architect to depart before the project turns turtle. #auspol
Australia's 'no fail' submarine mission set for shake-up as boss quits
Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead's retirement will come just a year before the first US nuclear-powered submarine is due to be deployed to Western Australia in 2027 under the AUKUS agreement.
www.abc.net.au
November 6, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Labor and the Coalition are setting up a closed-door joint parliamentary Defence oversight committee that can receive secret testimony. Greens and independent MPs/senators will be excluded - no critical eyes welcome. Happy days for Defence and their $B in waste! #AUKUS #auspol
The duopoly's secret 'Defence Oversight Committee'. What's the scam? - Michael West
The Government has introduced a Bill to establish a Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence to have general oversight of our defence agencies
michaelwest.com.au
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The rotten fruit is starting to drop from the $368B #AUKUS tree. Against the backdrop of @albomp.bsky.social’s choice to spend so much money on a single future capability (that likely won’t arrive), other ‘now’ defence capabilities are suffering. Reckless strategy in tense times 🤦♂️. #auspol
November 6, 2025 at 7:35 AM
The rotten fruit is starting to drop from the $368B #AUKUS tree. Against the backdrop of @albomp.bsky.social’s choice to spend so much money on a single future capability (that likely won’t arrive), other ‘now’ defence capabilities are suffering. Reckless strategy in tense times 🤦♂️. #auspol
@albomp.bsky.social’s transparency crushing #FOI Amendment Bill just passed the House of Representatives. How did your MP vote?
Labor MPs: For SECRECY
Coalition MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
Greens MP: For TRANSPARENCY
Teal and independent MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
#auspol
Labor MPs: For SECRECY
Coalition MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
Greens MP: For TRANSPARENCY
Teal and independent MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
#auspol
November 5, 2025 at 11:54 PM
@albomp.bsky.social’s transparency crushing #FOI Amendment Bill just passed the House of Representatives. How did your MP vote?
Labor MPs: For SECRECY
Coalition MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
Greens MP: For TRANSPARENCY
Teal and independent MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
#auspol
Labor MPs: For SECRECY
Coalition MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
Greens MP: For TRANSPARENCY
Teal and independent MPs: For TRANSPARENCY
#auspol
Yesterday the Coalition crumbled on Senate transparency enforcement, granting the Govt time to finish dealing with the #Jobs4GovtMate review report before it’s made public.
Result: THE PUBLIC GETS NO SAY in how political cronyism is addressed. #DemocracyFail #auspol
Result: THE PUBLIC GETS NO SAY in how political cronyism is addressed. #DemocracyFail #auspol
November 5, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Yesterday the Coalition crumbled on Senate transparency enforcement, granting the Govt time to finish dealing with the #Jobs4GovtMate review report before it’s made public.
Result: THE PUBLIC GETS NO SAY in how political cronyism is addressed. #DemocracyFail #auspol
Result: THE PUBLIC GETS NO SAY in how political cronyism is addressed. #DemocracyFail #auspol
Yesterday the @greens.org.au voted with the Government to exempt the new Australian Centre for Disease Control from #FOI in relation to ‘protected information’ (which is defined in the Act as ‘Big Pharma’ information). #TransparencyFail #auspol
Remember Scott Morrison's secrecy around COVID-19?
This week the Senate is considering a Bill to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). @albomp.bsky.social is proposing to exempt the CDC from #FOI. #SecrecyAddiction! 1/2 #auspol
This week the Senate is considering a Bill to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). @albomp.bsky.social is proposing to exempt the CDC from #FOI. #SecrecyAddiction! 1/2 #auspol
November 5, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Yesterday the @greens.org.au voted with the Government to exempt the new Australian Centre for Disease Control from #FOI in relation to ‘protected information’ (which is defined in the Act as ‘Big Pharma’ information). #TransparencyFail #auspol
Lunar light on the Pacific. Rainbow Beach, Queensland.
November 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Lunar light on the Pacific. Rainbow Beach, Queensland.
The duopoly just joined forces in the Senate to vote down an #AUKUS inquiry. Never mind the political, technical & management risks associated with the program, or the $365B price tag - the two major parties are happy sleepwalking with your national security and money. #auspol
November 4, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Monthly project reports for taxpayer funded ventures should be public! Thanks to the @australiainstitute.org.au for indemnifying me against adverse costs in my Federal Court case to make Snowy Hydro project reports public. It'll hopefully set a broad transparency precedent. #FOI #RightToKnow #auspol
Spring racing fever. EPIC Cup unbackable favourite revealed - Michael West
Spring racing fever is in the air, and nowhere is the excitement more electrifying than at the starting gates of the 2025 EPIC Cup.
michaelwest.com.au
November 4, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Monthly project reports for taxpayer funded ventures should be public! Thanks to the @australiainstitute.org.au for indemnifying me against adverse costs in my Federal Court case to make Snowy Hydro project reports public. It'll hopefully set a broad transparency precedent. #FOI #RightToKnow #auspol
In a dramatised moment on the ABC’s 4Corners last night, US defense analyst Decker Eveleth ‘revealed’ US subs rotating through HMAS Stirling may in future carry nuclear weapons - a fact already known to Michael West Media readers. 👇ICYMI👇. #auspol
Government playing word games with nuclear weapons - Michael West
While a treaty prohibits nuclear weapons stationed in Australia, the Government tries to circumvent it, playing word-games.
michaelwest.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 7:31 PM
In a dramatised moment on the ABC’s 4Corners last night, US defense analyst Decker Eveleth ‘revealed’ US subs rotating through HMAS Stirling may in future carry nuclear weapons - a fact already known to Michael West Media readers. 👇ICYMI👇. #auspol
On the conduct of the #NACC Commissioner, on the Senate exercising its oversight powers, on Albanese's assault on #transparency and on working-from-roam. #auspol
Trust me, I'm from the government - ABC listen
The Albanese government came to power promising transparency, accountability and respect for the Parliament, why then is the Prime Minister being accused of leaning into a “culture of secrecy”?
www.abc.net.au
November 3, 2025 at 9:33 AM
On the conduct of the #NACC Commissioner, on the Senate exercising its oversight powers, on Albanese's assault on #transparency and on working-from-roam. #auspol
Remember Scott Morrison's secrecy around COVID-19?
This week the Senate is considering a Bill to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). @albomp.bsky.social is proposing to exempt the CDC from #FOI. #SecrecyAddiction! 1/2 #auspol
This week the Senate is considering a Bill to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). @albomp.bsky.social is proposing to exempt the CDC from #FOI. #SecrecyAddiction! 1/2 #auspol
November 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Remember Scott Morrison's secrecy around COVID-19?
This week the Senate is considering a Bill to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). @albomp.bsky.social is proposing to exempt the CDC from #FOI. #SecrecyAddiction! 1/2 #auspol
This week the Senate is considering a Bill to establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC). @albomp.bsky.social is proposing to exempt the CDC from #FOI. #SecrecyAddiction! 1/2 #auspol
NSW #AUKUS Submarine Bases
You can’t have the documents. Hang on, maybe you can? Nope, they’re too sensitive. OK, they’re not sensitive, you can have them all. Except you can’t.
👇It’s an #FOI riddle wrapped in a submarine mystery inside a nuclear enigma👇. #auspol #nswpol
You can’t have the documents. Hang on, maybe you can? Nope, they’re too sensitive. OK, they’re not sensitive, you can have them all. Except you can’t.
👇It’s an #FOI riddle wrapped in a submarine mystery inside a nuclear enigma👇. #auspol #nswpol
Subs base enigma. NSW Government doesn't know what to hide or why - Michael West
Getting access to documents on NSW nuclear subs base has become an FOI riddle wrapped in a submarine mystery inside a nuclear enigma.
michaelwest.com.au
November 3, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Sunday sunset over Tin Can Bay, Queensland.
November 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Sunday sunset over Tin Can Bay, Queensland.
Today I’m working from Rainbow Beach, Queensland.
November 1, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Today I’m working from Rainbow Beach, Queensland.
Work-from-work, work-from-home, WORK-FROM-ROAM - it seems the next logical step in human development. I’ve hit the road on one big zig-zagging #FOI lap of the country.
Work-from-roam. Transparency warrior Rex Patrick hits the road. - Michael West
Indefatigable transparency warrior is continuing his crusade for truth and fairness from an outback office, roaming this wide brown land.
michaelwest.com.au
November 1, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Work-from-work, work-from-home, WORK-FROM-ROAM - it seems the next logical step in human development. I’ve hit the road on one big zig-zagging #FOI lap of the country.
“It is revealing that so many politicians become lobbyists or consultants. Most are short of other skills. They leave with a bucket of turkey grease and a knowledge of which hallways to slide down.” #auspol
A poodle is a dog
Christopher Pyne was still a cabinet minister when he met with EY to discuss taking a job with the consultancy. There was no confusion about the purpose of the meeting.
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 31, 2025 at 8:17 PM
“It is revealing that so many politicians become lobbyists or consultants. Most are short of other skills. They leave with a bucket of turkey grease and a knowledge of which hallways to slide down.” #auspol
“Labor came to power in 2022 promising a new form of transparent, accountable politics. As recent incidents have shown, there’s little sign of that”. #auspol
Grattan on Friday: Albanese govt hasn’t walked its talk about accountability - News | InDaily, Inside South Australia
Labor came to power in 2022 promising a new form of transparent, accountable politics. As recent incidents have shown, there's little sign of that, writes Michelle Grattan.
www.indailysa.com.au
October 31, 2025 at 8:13 PM
“Labor came to power in 2022 promising a new form of transparent, accountable politics. As recent incidents have shown, there’s little sign of that”. #auspol