Oliver Pocock
@oliverpocock.bsky.social
Curious observer of all things Australian, US and UK politics. Student of international relations via Western Sydney University.
I was just entering some house effect calculations into my 2PP aggregate and pressed the wrong key. Or was it the right key? The spreadsheet produced the following response:
#SPILL
#SPILL
February 8, 2026 at 10:22 AM
#Newspoll declining to do a two-party preferred breakdown for the first time since 2002 (thanks to @kevinbonham.bsky.social for that stats nugget) is both very funny as it conjures the image of them staring at a map, rotating it over and over, before eventually throwing it at us and wishing us luck.
February 8, 2026 at 10:18 AM
#Newspoll declining to do a two-party preferred breakdown for the first time since 2002 (thanks to @kevinbonham.bsky.social for that stats nugget) is both very funny as it conjures the image of them staring at a map, rotating it over and over, before eventually throwing it at us and wishing us luck.
I swear this was straight up the ending to 'House of Dynamite' - (former) US President seeing a moment of imminent destruction and going 'There was this podcast I listened to once...'
Here’s a podcast that does a good job of laying out what’s at stake, and why all of us need to get off the sidelines to demand change.
Opinion | Minneapolis Reveals Where Trump’s Deportation Agenda Is Going
www.nytimes.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:45 AM
I swear this was straight up the ending to 'House of Dynamite' - (former) US President seeing a moment of imminent destruction and going 'There was this podcast I listened to once...'
Roll up, roll up, come see the amazing Chuck 'Chuckles' Schumer, the man who never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
SCHUMER says Democrats are “united” behind three DHS reforms
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
1/ End roving patrols; tighten the rules on warrants and require ICE to coordinate with local authorities.
2/ Enforce accountability; a uniform code of conduct.
3/ Require masks off, body cameras on, agents carry ID.
January 28, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Roll up, roll up, come see the amazing Chuck 'Chuckles' Schumer, the man who never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
I'll admit I've never studied journalism, but surely the primary role of a journalist when there exists a contested set of facts is to report as to what is actually true.
Person A: "The sky is blue"
Person B: "The sky is red with pink polka-dots"
Journalist: "Dispute rages as to colour of sky"
Person A: "The sky is blue"
Person B: "The sky is red with pink polka-dots"
Journalist: "Dispute rages as to colour of sky"
January 28, 2026 at 10:21 PM
I'll admit I've never studied journalism, but surely the primary role of a journalist when there exists a contested set of facts is to report as to what is actually true.
Person A: "The sky is blue"
Person B: "The sky is red with pink polka-dots"
Journalist: "Dispute rages as to colour of sky"
Person A: "The sky is blue"
Person B: "The sky is red with pink polka-dots"
Journalist: "Dispute rages as to colour of sky"
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
Incidentally, many of the redundant checks, verifications and additional hoops to jump through were introduced after a tabloid story about someone getting something they shouldn't caused a government to vow to 'take action' and make the application process even more rigorous.
June 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Incidentally, many of the redundant checks, verifications and additional hoops to jump through were introduced after a tabloid story about someone getting something they shouldn't caused a government to vow to 'take action' and make the application process even more rigorous.
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
Civil servants will privately tell you that a major reason every process is slow, full of redundant checks and forms is that, "government accidentally granted benefit to someone who shouldn't get one" is a front page tabloid story, and "government was annoying, slow and painful for citizen" is not.
June 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Civil servants will privately tell you that a major reason every process is slow, full of redundant checks and forms is that, "government accidentally granted benefit to someone who shouldn't get one" is a front page tabloid story, and "government was annoying, slow and painful for citizen" is not.
#4Corners just had an interview as part of their program on the impacts of Trump's tariffs where the man said that should Republicans lose the midterms, you would see Democrats launch a third impeachment where they'd be spoilt for choice as to the charges.
I'm not holding my breath.
#AusPol
I'm not holding my breath.
#AusPol
June 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
"And another thing. The Australian political press are not mad that they didn't get to see Trump abuse Albanese in Canada. Please don't put in the newspaper that they got mad."
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
This column is basically "we journalists have decided this must be done because we had a lousy time in Canada because you didn't tell us everything immediately, so we pretty much wasted our organisations money"
June 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
"And another thing. The Australian political press are not mad that they didn't get to see Trump abuse Albanese in Canada. Please don't put in the newspaper that they got mad."
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
If you want an example of how nothing has changed for the Liberal Party even with their new lick of paint as a 'modern party for modern Australians', you need only look at the Cabinet v. Shadow Cabinet postings.
#AusPol
#AusPol
May 28, 2025 at 6:35 AM
If you want an example of how nothing has changed for the Liberal Party even with their new lick of paint as a 'modern party for modern Australians', you need only look at the Cabinet v. Shadow Cabinet postings.
#AusPol
#AusPol
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
your regular reminder that buying Harry Potter stuff gives money to Rowling and she uses that money directly and in large quantities to fund attacks on trans people
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
The upcoming Hogwarts Legacy 2 could potentially feature more characters from the Harry Potter books and movies.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Could Feature Characters from the Books and Movies
The upcoming Hogwarts Legacy 2 could potentially feature more characters from the Harry Potter books and movies.
bit.ly
May 17, 2025 at 10:17 PM
your regular reminder that buying Harry Potter stuff gives money to Rowling and she uses that money directly and in large quantities to fund attacks on trans people
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
A complete disassembly of David Littleproud's actions these past few weeks by the wonderful Karen Middleton, in which Littleproud appears to have made the fatal mistake of attempting to retroactively build the ladder while he was standing on it.
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
David Littleproud’s own goal • Karen Middleton
The week the Nationals’ leader overplayed his hand
insidestory.org.au
May 24, 2025 at 5:12 AM
A complete disassembly of David Littleproud's actions these past few weeks by the wonderful Karen Middleton, in which Littleproud appears to have made the fatal mistake of attempting to retroactively build the ladder while he was standing on it.
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
Liberal Party agrees to suck it up while Nationals Party agrees to fuck it up (again) at indeterminate date in the future.
The Liberal party room met today to discuss Nationals Leader David Littleproud's four policy demands as part of discussions over the coalition agreement.
Liberals agree to 'suck it up' and back Nationals demands in principle
The Liberal party room met today to discuss Nationals Leader David Littleproud's four policy demands as part of discussions over the coalition agreement.
www.abc.net.au
May 23, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Liberal Party agrees to suck it up while Nationals Party agrees to fuck it up (again) at indeterminate date in the future.
If you want an indication as to how bad the fighting is between the Liberals and the Nationals post-divorce, Sussan Ley's office just responded to Bridget McKenzie's interview on the ABC's 7.30 Report in real-time by sending a note to the production team.
#AusPol
#AusPol
May 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
If you want an indication as to how bad the fighting is between the Liberals and the Nationals post-divorce, Sussan Ley's office just responded to Bridget McKenzie's interview on the ABC's 7.30 Report in real-time by sending a note to the production team.
#AusPol
#AusPol
Sussan Ley intends not to re-form a Coalition with David Littleproud before the 2028 election as she moves to seize on the Nationals’ shock split to promote up to nine additional Liberal MPs to her new opposition frontbench.
— via the Australian
#AusPol
— via the Australian
#AusPol
May 20, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Sussan Ley intends not to re-form a Coalition with David Littleproud before the 2028 election as she moves to seize on the Nationals’ shock split to promote up to nine additional Liberal MPs to her new opposition frontbench.
— via the Australian
#AusPol
— via the Australian
#AusPol
For those who are helped by visuals, the #AusPol 48th Parliament House of Reps
GOVERNMENT - 93
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
GOVERNMENT - 93
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
May 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
For those who are helped by visuals, the #AusPol 48th Parliament House of Reps
GOVERNMENT - 93
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
GOVERNMENT - 93
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
The year is 2052.
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
May 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
The year is 2052.
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
To quote a former occupant of the West Wing...
May 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
To quote a former occupant of the West Wing...
According to ABC:
- There are 54 votes in the Liberal Party Room.
- The winner of the leadership contest requires 28 votes to win.
- The Party Room will vote for the Leader and then the Deputy Leader separately.
- 3 presumed votes for Ley are departing Parliament on June 30.
#AusPol #LibSpill
- There are 54 votes in the Liberal Party Room.
- The winner of the leadership contest requires 28 votes to win.
- The Party Room will vote for the Leader and then the Deputy Leader separately.
- 3 presumed votes for Ley are departing Parliament on June 30.
#AusPol #LibSpill
May 12, 2025 at 11:55 PM
PK:
"I'll give [Husic] the last word on this topic [climate change] before we move onto our next question."
EH:
"Well I think..."
*a cacophonous wall of noise from the other panelists*
PK:
"Well, thanks Ed, moving on..."
EH:
"Well hang on, I haven't actually finished my point."
#QandA #AusPol
"I'll give [Husic] the last word on this topic [climate change] before we move onto our next question."
EH:
"Well I think..."
*a cacophonous wall of noise from the other panelists*
PK:
"Well, thanks Ed, moving on..."
EH:
"Well hang on, I haven't actually finished my point."
#QandA #AusPol
May 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM