Rob Smith
onyadon.bsky.social
Rob Smith
@onyadon.bsky.social
I've covered Olympics, World Cups, Cricket, Kangaroo tours, F1, Brit Opens, MotoGPs, Wimbledons, interest in politics/environment/music & I follow AFC Wimbledon
The cheapest tickets to the #DjokovicAlcaraz showdown at the #AusOpen going for $1899. When those were quickly snapped up on Saturday, some re-sale tickets went online for a staggering $6598. Other individual tickets ranged between $5718 and $5999. #AAP
February 1, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Australia has rejected an offer from international partners to join a public statement condemning #Israel for the demolition of an international aid organisation's headquarters.
Canberra was invited to join, but declined without an explanation, one diplomatic source told AAP. #Auspol
February 1, 2026 at 2:39 AM
#Australia is being asked to accept something extraordinary as if it were normal. Who invited #IsaacHerzog in the first place, and why did #AnthonyAlbanese say yes? Presented to us not as diplomacy, not as geopolitics, not as a strategic signal, but as “healing”. #Auspol
January 30, 2026 at 4:39 AM
Of course, Mr President, of course ... your word is your bond.. #Trump
Trump cut short a cabinet meeting on Thursday, declaring previous marathon sessions in which he was spotted resting his eyes were "pretty boring".

Trump has denied napping during previous gatherings

u.afp.com/S23s
January 30, 2026 at 4:37 AM
The #Nationals, led by the #LNP, have spent the better part of three decades dragging the #Liberals to where they are now. And like Monty Python’s Black Knight, the Liberal Party, bereft of direction, shared values, or understanding of what it is slides further and further into irrelevancy. #Auspol
“To understand what’s happening in the Coalition, you have to understand Queensland,” writes @amyremeikis.bsky.social, Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute.

Read Amy Remeikis’ full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4k7F9by
January 30, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Uses for the flag.
My @smh @theage cartoon
January 29, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Israel has now said it accepts Hamas' estimate of the Gaza death toll, 71,000+, after years of insisting it was inflated. We're about to welcome the head of that state as an official guest.
January 29, 2026 at 11:58 PM
The invitation to #Herzog to visit to Australia in the wake of the #BondiBeach atrocity also serves to add fuel to the already combustible debate about #antisemitism, #Zionism and criticism of the state of #Israel. #auspol
January 29, 2026 at 5:52 AM
The normalisation of #OneNation, through reality TV, breakfast TV slots and inclusion as a serious political player in Australia has been #media-driven, dressed up as the people’s choice. #Auspol
January 28, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Every word ... #HateSpeech
January 28, 2026 at 11:18 PM
#ScottMorrison’s speech drew swift condemnation from Labor MPs & the Australian National Imams Council, which said comments were “reckless, irresponsible & deeply ill-informed”. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Morrison was a “pretty divisive figure” #Auspol
www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Muslim leaders slam Morrison as ‘reckless, irresponsible’ after Islam speech
Andrew Bragg has urged Australian Muslims to take some responsibility for religious extremism, after Scott Morrison told an antisemitism conference in Israel that Islamic leaders should enforce stron...
www.smh.com.au
January 28, 2026 at 4:37 AM
During intergovernmental negotiations intended to determine a maritime boundary, the Australian Government bugged government offices in #TimorLeste. This led Timor-Leste to file a case with the International Court of Justice, which in 2014 ordered #Australia not to spy on Timor-Leste.
Ahead of PM Albanese’s visit to Timor-Leste this week, new @australiainstitute.org.au research reveals five things you may not know about one of Australia’s closest neighbours.

Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4qmZdbP
January 28, 2026 at 4:27 AM
#Herzog's visit has prompted legal groups to urge the AFP to investigate him for inciting #genocide. A UN Human Rights Council inquiry examining the war in #Gaza found comments Herzog made following the 7 October attacks by #Hamas against #Israel were evidence of genocidal intent. #Auspol
January 28, 2026 at 2:40 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Cathy Wilcox
January 26, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Reposted by Rob Smith
This was the most dominant of Scorchers' 6 titles - won in different ways, road success + thrashed Sixers x2 in finals.

A look into how they shaped this bolder, aggressive side starting with the recruitment of Finn Allen + fostering a successful culture

www.espncricinfo.com/story/bbl-fi...
Back to familiar territory: what went behind Scorchers' all-conquering season
It was dominance personified from start to the end in front of a packed Optus Stadium and even on the road
www.espncricinfo.com
January 26, 2026 at 4:22 AM
‪We may be entering an ugly time – and given how horrible some of the past years have been an uglier time is an awful thought. This is the nation #Albanese must try to lead and keep together. “Lucky” is not the word that comes to mind. #Auspol
@mrseankelly.bsky.social www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...
Rise of One Nation reflects deeper divisions in society
We may be entering an ugly time – an awful concept. This is the nation the PM must now try to keep together.
www.smh.com.au
January 26, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Hugh Bonneville is a decent human being.

And Israel as a whole is an abomination. #GazaGenocide
January 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Politicising the #bondiattack has its unintended consequences #Coalitionsplit #Auspol
January 22, 2026 at 3:24 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
If the question is "can you accuse Israel of genocide without fear of prosecution" and the answer is anything other than an unqualified "yes", then there is something dangerously wrong with your "hate laws".
www.youtube.com/shorts/YmEcn...
Attorney-General attempts to explain extent of hate speech laws | 7.30
YouTube video by ABC News In-depth
www.youtube.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:15 AM
What the #Israel lobby fail to realise is that whatever sympathy Australians had for people of the #Jewish faith is being eroded by the Israel lobby every time they bang their drum; and bang their drum they do. @ronnisalt.bsky.social #Auspol
theshot.net.au/uncategorize...
The dark arts - The Shot
The ideology of the Israel lobby in Australia is this - burn it to the ground rather than ever allow an opposing voice.
theshot.net.au
January 21, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Reposted by Rob Smith
Rob Hirst has had a massive impact on Australian culture. He was the engine driving one of the greatest live bands of all time. RIP, dear Rob. You are irreplaceable, one of a kind, and myself, my family, and all the rest of this great country will miss you so much.
January 20, 2026 at 7:05 AM
Mesmerising watching #RobHirst whirling in action... absolute powerhouse and such piercing backing vocals.. one of the greats. RIP 💔
January 20, 2026 at 7:04 AM
So how am I doing? #TrumpPutin
January 20, 2026 at 1:50 AM
There is a growing sense of embarrassment among mid-level and senior officials within #Fifa over the awarding of its "peace prize" to #DonaldTrump.

www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Growing sense of embarrassment at Fifa over Donald Trump peace prize
There is a growing sense of embarrassment among mid-level and senior officials within Fifa over the awarding of the peace prize to Donald Trump
www.theguardian.com
January 19, 2026 at 6:01 AM