Rob of Melbourne
@robert24039377.bsky.social
Doer of things, sayer of words.
Longer form writing found here: https://gaijinrobert.wordpress.com/
Longer form writing found here: https://gaijinrobert.wordpress.com/
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
The news has been coming so fast, I did another later which might not otherwise see the light.
November 20, 2025 at 10:01 PM
The news has been coming so fast, I did another later which might not otherwise see the light.
Mutual obligations are suspended for Inclusive Employment Australia and for the old Disability Employment Services. If you're asked to attend appointments, this is not mandatory.
Don't let the providers mislead you.
Workforce were sneaky with the announcement.
Don't let the providers mislead you.
Workforce were sneaky with the announcement.
November 21, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Mutual obligations are suspended for Inclusive Employment Australia and for the old Disability Employment Services. If you're asked to attend appointments, this is not mandatory.
Don't let the providers mislead you.
Workforce were sneaky with the announcement.
Don't let the providers mislead you.
Workforce were sneaky with the announcement.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
"We're having the wrong conversation about unemployment" by Anglicare's Kasy Chambers #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
We're having the wrong conversation about unemployment
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au
November 20, 2025 at 2:07 AM
"We're having the wrong conversation about unemployment" by Anglicare's Kasy Chambers #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Centrelink and the government don't want disabled people to have financial autonomy or safe relationships. They're cool with soft eugenics.
Boy do I have a few things to tell them!
Boy do I have a few things to tell them!
November 19, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Centrelink and the government don't want disabled people to have financial autonomy or safe relationships. They're cool with soft eugenics.
Boy do I have a few things to tell them!
Boy do I have a few things to tell them!
If anyone is adversely affected by the Centrelink Partner Rules or wants to campaign against them, feel free to hit me up.
I'm part of an action group opposing it.
A viral Tiktoker who got a petition with 20k signatures is interested in joining in.
I'm part of an action group opposing it.
A viral Tiktoker who got a petition with 20k signatures is interested in joining in.
November 19, 2025 at 9:45 AM
If anyone is adversely affected by the Centrelink Partner Rules or wants to campaign against them, feel free to hit me up.
I'm part of an action group opposing it.
A viral Tiktoker who got a petition with 20k signatures is interested in joining in.
I'm part of an action group opposing it.
A viral Tiktoker who got a petition with 20k signatures is interested in joining in.
Any financial shock to a very low income person can send them spiralling.
November 18, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Any financial shock to a very low income person can send them spiralling.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
"The average mortgage pays $200,000 in profit over its life to the banks," says Richard Denniss, co-CEO at The Australia Institute.
You can read more on good ideas for economic reform on The Point.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
You can read more on good ideas for economic reform on The Point.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 18, 2025 at 12:09 AM
"The average mortgage pays $200,000 in profit over its life to the banks," says Richard Denniss, co-CEO at The Australia Institute.
You can read more on good ideas for economic reform on The Point.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
You can read more on good ideas for economic reform on The Point.
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
$500 fine for riding through a completely pedestrian crossing at low speed while I had brain fog.
A week's wages.
If I had dismounted and walked through it at the same speed, I wouldn't have been fined.
I had a mental breakdown after receiving the fine.
A week's wages.
If I had dismounted and walked through it at the same speed, I wouldn't have been fined.
I had a mental breakdown after receiving the fine.
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 AM
$500 fine for riding through a completely pedestrian crossing at low speed while I had brain fog.
A week's wages.
If I had dismounted and walked through it at the same speed, I wouldn't have been fined.
I had a mental breakdown after receiving the fine.
A week's wages.
If I had dismounted and walked through it at the same speed, I wouldn't have been fined.
I had a mental breakdown after receiving the fine.
I just don't get it. What the government is doing to welfare recipients now is just as scandalous as Robodebt - but nobody cares except a handful of activists and welfare recipients themselves.
It is an utterly brutal, degrading and unforgiving system.
These are human beings.
It is an utterly brutal, degrading and unforgiving system.
These are human beings.
November 17, 2025 at 4:44 AM
I just don't get it. What the government is doing to welfare recipients now is just as scandalous as Robodebt - but nobody cares except a handful of activists and welfare recipients themselves.
It is an utterly brutal, degrading and unforgiving system.
These are human beings.
It is an utterly brutal, degrading and unforgiving system.
These are human beings.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
There's an 11year old girl sitting in adult cells in Perth lockup because she got caught shoplifting a drink and a pastry from Coles.worth less than $10
'7NEWS can reveal the Adelaide teen accused over a sickening attack on a homeless woman at Hawthorn is the son of prominent business leaders. The Youth Court has been told the former private schoolboy was already on bail at the time of the alleged assault which was filmed and posted online.'
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 AM
There's an 11year old girl sitting in adult cells in Perth lockup because she got caught shoplifting a drink and a pastry from Coles.worth less than $10
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
This is all pretty abhorrent and gets to the heart of how successive federal governments & the bureaucracy have demonised social security recipients as a criminal class undeserving the legal rights and protections afforded them by law.
The public service is a tool for violence against the poor.
The public service is a tool for violence against the poor.
NEW: I have obtained, under FOI, a secret Department report that initially recommended the Targeted Compliance Framework - aka, the unlawful "mutual obligations" scheme
It reveals that, like Robodebt, they recklessly built this thing to punish "entitled" frauds who never existed
It reveals that, like Robodebt, they recklessly built this thing to punish "entitled" frauds who never existed
November 17, 2025 at 12:05 AM
This is all pretty abhorrent and gets to the heart of how successive federal governments & the bureaucracy have demonised social security recipients as a criminal class undeserving the legal rights and protections afforded them by law.
The public service is a tool for violence against the poor.
The public service is a tool for violence against the poor.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
NEW: I have obtained, under FOI, a secret Department report that initially recommended the Targeted Compliance Framework - aka, the unlawful "mutual obligations" scheme
It reveals that, like Robodebt, they recklessly built this thing to punish "entitled" frauds who never existed
It reveals that, like Robodebt, they recklessly built this thing to punish "entitled" frauds who never existed
November 16, 2025 at 11:47 PM
NEW: I have obtained, under FOI, a secret Department report that initially recommended the Targeted Compliance Framework - aka, the unlawful "mutual obligations" scheme
It reveals that, like Robodebt, they recklessly built this thing to punish "entitled" frauds who never existed
It reveals that, like Robodebt, they recklessly built this thing to punish "entitled" frauds who never existed
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
you will learn nothing useful or consequential from the ABC news piece and should read this one from @deepcutnews.bsky.social instead
November 16, 2025 at 12:39 AM
you will learn nothing useful or consequential from the ABC news piece and should read this one from @deepcutnews.bsky.social instead
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
Greg Jericho posted earlier this week that Zohran Mamdani would have been expelled from Albanese’s Labor Party. And he’s right
November 8, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Greg Jericho posted earlier this week that Zohran Mamdani would have been expelled from Albanese’s Labor Party. And he’s right
If I worked in my job every day of the week pulling double shifts from the beginning of civilisation to the present day, I still wouldn't be a billionaire.
The world doesn't need billionaires.
The world doesn't need billionaires.
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
If I worked in my job every day of the week pulling double shifts from the beginning of civilisation to the present day, I still wouldn't be a billionaire.
The world doesn't need billionaires.
The world doesn't need billionaires.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
Nobody deserves
a billion dollars.
Everyone deserves food.
The end.
a billion dollars.
Everyone deserves food.
The end.
October 27, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Nobody deserves
a billion dollars.
Everyone deserves food.
The end.
a billion dollars.
Everyone deserves food.
The end.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
I've long criticised the dehumanising and patriarchal partner income test embedded everywhere in the Australian welfare state. The tax on love really does hurt families, and has a real impact on relationship formation or termination.
www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink...
www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink...
From the Centrelink community on Reddit
Explore this post and more from the Centrelink community
www.reddit.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:39 AM
I've long criticised the dehumanising and patriarchal partner income test embedded everywhere in the Australian welfare state. The tax on love really does hurt families, and has a real impact on relationship formation or termination.
www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink...
www.reddit.com/r/Centrelink...
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
A reminder - governments *can* do things.
A progressive government *should* do things.
A better country is possible.
Governments *choose* what they do (or do not do).
#ThePoint #Gough
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
A progressive government *should* do things.
A better country is possible.
Governments *choose* what they do (or do not do).
#ThePoint #Gough
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
November 10, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A reminder - governments *can* do things.
A progressive government *should* do things.
A better country is possible.
Governments *choose* what they do (or do not do).
#ThePoint #Gough
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
A progressive government *should* do things.
A better country is possible.
Governments *choose* what they do (or do not do).
#ThePoint #Gough
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reading a book on the history of postmodernism and Neoliberalism. I discovered the word lubricious.
I never know if I will have the opportunity to use it - but what a word!
I never know if I will have the opportunity to use it - but what a word!
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Reading a book on the history of postmodernism and Neoliberalism. I discovered the word lubricious.
I never know if I will have the opportunity to use it - but what a word!
I never know if I will have the opportunity to use it - but what a word!
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
Seems to be a bit of a global issue that centre-right/right wing parties do whatever the right wing media tell them to do and centre-left parties do whatever the right wing media tell them to do
November 10, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Seems to be a bit of a global issue that centre-right/right wing parties do whatever the right wing media tell them to do and centre-left parties do whatever the right wing media tell them to do
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
1/ wtf is going on at Home Affairs? I’ve lost count of the number of offshore detention-related scandals
2/ check out how hard the whistleblower tried to alert authorities, only to be ignored
3/ both Labor and Lib govts have actively turned a blind eye to this corruption. Prob the NACC too.
2/ check out how hard the whistleblower tried to alert authorities, only to be ignored
3/ both Labor and Lib govts have actively turned a blind eye to this corruption. Prob the NACC too.
‘Mind-boggling’: Whistleblower reveals how global bikie boss won Nauru security deal
A former soldier recruited to support an Albanese government deportation plan wants an inquiry after finding a gang had infiltrated the border security operation.
www.theage.com.au
November 8, 2025 at 4:06 AM
1/ wtf is going on at Home Affairs? I’ve lost count of the number of offshore detention-related scandals
2/ check out how hard the whistleblower tried to alert authorities, only to be ignored
3/ both Labor and Lib govts have actively turned a blind eye to this corruption. Prob the NACC too.
2/ check out how hard the whistleblower tried to alert authorities, only to be ignored
3/ both Labor and Lib govts have actively turned a blind eye to this corruption. Prob the NACC too.
Before Musk receives his one trillion dollar paycheck, he needs to test ride his rocket on a one way trip to Mars.
November 8, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Before Musk receives his one trillion dollar paycheck, he needs to test ride his rocket on a one way trip to Mars.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
“Labor sources have told ABC Investigations the prime minister's office has been putting pressure on advocates for gambling reform within the parliamentary Labor party to prevent them from speaking up.”
So pathetic. Backbenchers scared of taking a moral position, Albanese scared of any reform.
So pathetic. Backbenchers scared of taking a moral position, Albanese scared of any reform.
'Broad, unspoken consensus': silent Labor MPs want action on gambling
Andrew Wilkie has asked the PM to allow a free vote on banning gambling advertising and it appears many Labor MPs would support it.
www.abc.net.au
November 7, 2025 at 11:04 PM
“Labor sources have told ABC Investigations the prime minister's office has been putting pressure on advocates for gambling reform within the parliamentary Labor party to prevent them from speaking up.”
So pathetic. Backbenchers scared of taking a moral position, Albanese scared of any reform.
So pathetic. Backbenchers scared of taking a moral position, Albanese scared of any reform.
Reposted by Rob of Melbourne
I have zero expectations for LNP - and they exceed those expectations every day.
I did however have some expectations for Labor - and I now feel completely betrayed.
I truly didn’t think they would be this bad.
Could and should be so different 😞😞 #auspol
I did however have some expectations for Labor - and I now feel completely betrayed.
I truly didn’t think they would be this bad.
Could and should be so different 😞😞 #auspol
November 8, 2025 at 3:01 AM
I have zero expectations for LNP - and they exceed those expectations every day.
I did however have some expectations for Labor - and I now feel completely betrayed.
I truly didn’t think they would be this bad.
Could and should be so different 😞😞 #auspol
I did however have some expectations for Labor - and I now feel completely betrayed.
I truly didn’t think they would be this bad.
Could and should be so different 😞😞 #auspol
Reading Marcus Aurelius' Meditations has been helpful in managing the weight of all the depressing things in my life.
I don't have the power to change everything I don't like, but I do have access to the "ruling principle" and to my opinion of the world around me.
I don't have the power to change everything I don't like, but I do have access to the "ruling principle" and to my opinion of the world around me.
November 7, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Reading Marcus Aurelius' Meditations has been helpful in managing the weight of all the depressing things in my life.
I don't have the power to change everything I don't like, but I do have access to the "ruling principle" and to my opinion of the world around me.
I don't have the power to change everything I don't like, but I do have access to the "ruling principle" and to my opinion of the world around me.