Royce Kurmelovs
@roycerk2.bsky.social
Journalist. Author of The Death of Holden (2016), Just Money (2020) and others.
Buy Slick: Australia's Toxic Relationship with Big Oil (2024) now: https://www.slickthebook.com.au/
For more me: https://www.roycekurmelovs.com/
Get me on Signal: RoyceK.11
Buy Slick: Australia's Toxic Relationship with Big Oil (2024) now: https://www.slickthebook.com.au/
For more me: https://www.roycekurmelovs.com/
Get me on Signal: RoyceK.11
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Royce Kurmelovs
@roycerk2.bsky.social
· Jun 6
Slick has been given a reprint --now with a fancy sticker on the cover. If you want to understand Why We Are Like This on climate change, or read about things like that one time the oil and gas industry spied on the son of a prime minister, and you haven't picked up a copy, now's your chance!
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Oh look! In 2024, the Festival Board recognised that an international reputation for supporting artistic freedom of expression was worth protecting.
(Note too that despite News Corp's desperate framing, Friedman was NOT uninvited from the 2024 Writers' Week)
(Note too that despite News Corp's desperate framing, Friedman was NOT uninvited from the 2024 Writers' Week)
I have been sent a copy of Adelaide Festival's response to the letter raising concerns about Thomas Friedman's participating in Adelaide Writers Week.
The response says that Friedman could not participate due to "last minute scheduling issues".
The response says that Friedman could not participate due to "last minute scheduling issues".
January 10, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Oh look! In 2024, the Festival Board recognised that an international reputation for supporting artistic freedom of expression was worth protecting.
(Note too that despite News Corp's desperate framing, Friedman was NOT uninvited from the 2024 Writers' Week)
(Note too that despite News Corp's desperate framing, Friedman was NOT uninvited from the 2024 Writers' Week)
I have been sent a copy of Adelaide Festival's response to the letter raising concerns about Thomas Friedman's participating in Adelaide Writers Week.
The response says that Friedman could not participate due to "last minute scheduling issues".
The response says that Friedman could not participate due to "last minute scheduling issues".
January 10, 2026 at 10:27 AM
I have been sent a copy of Adelaide Festival's response to the letter raising concerns about Thomas Friedman's participating in Adelaide Writers Week.
The response says that Friedman could not participate due to "last minute scheduling issues".
The response says that Friedman could not participate due to "last minute scheduling issues".
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
“Uruguay did what most nations still call impossible: it built a power grid that runs almost entirely on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. The physicist who led that transformation says the same playbook could work anywhere—if governments have the courage to change the rules.”
Uruguay’s Renewable Charge: A Small Nation, A Big Lesson For The World
Uruguay built a power grid that runs 99% on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. Here’s how its bold energy overhaul became a global model.
www.forbes.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:29 AM
“Uruguay did what most nations still call impossible: it built a power grid that runs almost entirely on renewables—at half the cost of fossil fuels. The physicist who led that transformation says the same playbook could work anywhere—if governments have the courage to change the rules.”
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
The world's richest 0.1% took just three days to exhaust their annual carbon budget
The UK’s richest 1% produced more carbon pollution in eight days than the poorest 50% used in a year.
We can't afford the rich - they produce corruption, poverty, environmental degradation; destroy democracy.
The UK’s richest 1% produced more carbon pollution in eight days than the poorest 50% used in a year.
We can't afford the rich - they produce corruption, poverty, environmental degradation; destroy democracy.
World’s richest 1% have already used fair share of emissions for 2026, says Oxfam
Richest 1% took 10 days while wealthiest 0.1% needed just three days to exhaust annual carbon budget, study shows
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:56 AM
The world's richest 0.1% took just three days to exhaust their annual carbon budget
The UK’s richest 1% produced more carbon pollution in eight days than the poorest 50% used in a year.
We can't afford the rich - they produce corruption, poverty, environmental degradation; destroy democracy.
The UK’s richest 1% produced more carbon pollution in eight days than the poorest 50% used in a year.
We can't afford the rich - they produce corruption, poverty, environmental degradation; destroy democracy.
For reference, here is a screenshot from the editorial published by Thomas Friedman that reportedly prompted Adelaide Festival to drop him from the program. As stated below, it is unclear what Randa has allegedly said or done that is comparable.
Noting contested facts re his non-participation, for comparison (if any) Friedman’s key bit is below. He somewhat (tepidly, IMHO) acknowledged the offence he caused in a later NYT post.
I still do not know what “comparable” risk Randa or her writing posed to warrant repudiation by the AF Board…
I still do not know what “comparable” risk Randa or her writing posed to warrant repudiation by the AF Board…
January 10, 2026 at 8:57 AM
For reference, here is a screenshot from the editorial published by Thomas Friedman that reportedly prompted Adelaide Festival to drop him from the program. As stated below, it is unclear what Randa has allegedly said or done that is comparable.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
This is why you stay home in catastrophic bushfire conditions. They ended up detouring on back roads from Castlemaine to Bendigo and surrounded by fire. They’re lucky they survived. #VicFires
January 10, 2026 at 4:03 AM
This is why you stay home in catastrophic bushfire conditions. They ended up detouring on back roads from Castlemaine to Bendigo and surrounded by fire. They’re lucky they survived. #VicFires
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
US oil giant ExxonMobil tells Trump Venezuela is ‘uninvestable’ ft.trib.al/ZkznmTx
US oil giant ExxonMobil tells Trump Venezuela is ‘uninvestable’
Chief executive Darren Woods pushes back against president’s call to rush back into troubled country
ft.trib.al
January 9, 2026 at 11:53 PM
US oil giant ExxonMobil tells Trump Venezuela is ‘uninvestable’ ft.trib.al/ZkznmTx
Adelaide's last standing metropolitan newspaper weighs into the Adelaide Writers Week decision by backing in the Premier, suggesting he played a more active role in the decision than let on and describing reaction online as a "tantrum".
Advertiser editorial (in support of the board's decision) says "Premier Peter Malinauskas [...] implored the festival board to examine Dr Abdel-Fattah’s attendance and the board responded as it should have." www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion...
www.adelaidenow.com.au
January 10, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Adelaide's last standing metropolitan newspaper weighs into the Adelaide Writers Week decision by backing in the Premier, suggesting he played a more active role in the decision than let on and describing reaction online as a "tantrum".
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
The last 3 days (Jan 7-9) have all had extreme electricity demand on Australia's NEM.
When you include demand met by rooftop solar, they rank as #1, #4 & #2 all-time respectively.
Thankfully wind & solar generation were excellent, as they typically are on extreme demand days.
/1
When you include demand met by rooftop solar, they rank as #1, #4 & #2 all-time respectively.
Thankfully wind & solar generation were excellent, as they typically are on extreme demand days.
/1
January 9, 2026 at 7:42 PM
The last 3 days (Jan 7-9) have all had extreme electricity demand on Australia's NEM.
When you include demand met by rooftop solar, they rank as #1, #4 & #2 all-time respectively.
Thankfully wind & solar generation were excellent, as they typically are on extreme demand days.
/1
When you include demand met by rooftop solar, they rank as #1, #4 & #2 all-time respectively.
Thankfully wind & solar generation were excellent, as they typically are on extreme demand days.
/1
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
would really love if some people commenting on aww would ask local journos and arts workers for details because i am honestly seeing so much disinformation. womad does not sit under the af board. the full program for aww was not released. amanda vanstone is not on the board. etc.
January 9, 2026 at 9:42 AM
would really love if some people commenting on aww would ask local journos and arts workers for details because i am honestly seeing so much disinformation. womad does not sit under the af board. the full program for aww was not released. amanda vanstone is not on the board. etc.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Malinauskas's defence of Adelaide Festival in response to the storm of criticism: do unto others.
January 9, 2026 at 7:18 AM
Malinauskas's defence of Adelaide Festival in response to the storm of criticism: do unto others.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Bushfires across VIC on Friday, as the state endures catastrophic fire weather. The effect of the incoming westerly wind change can be seen on the Big Desert fire in the north west - a narrow fire front suddenly becoming a broad one.
January 9, 2026 at 6:26 AM
Bushfires across VIC on Friday, as the state endures catastrophic fire weather. The effect of the incoming westerly wind change can be seen on the Big Desert fire in the north west - a narrow fire front suddenly becoming a broad one.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
"Bob Carr told Guardian Australia he would remain a speaker and supported the board’s decision." – first person to confirm they will be part of the program? www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
Dozens of writers boycott Adelaide festival after it dumps pro-Palestine academic Randa Abdel-Fattah
Helen Garner and Miles Franklin winner Michelle de Kretser among 40 people who have pulled out of annual writers’ festival to protest Abdel-Fattah’s axing
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:26 AM
"Bob Carr told Guardian Australia he would remain a speaker and supported the board’s decision." – first person to confirm they will be part of the program? www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
In Adelaidology, the golden rule is you don't embarass the city. Adelaide has it tough enough. If other artists start pulling out of Adelaide Festival proper, the board and state government have a real problem.
First withdrawal from the Adelaide Festival proper, DJ Haram www.indailysa.com.au/citymag/cult...
Writers’ Week controversy contagion spreads as music program headliner drops out - CityMag | InDaily, Inside South Australia
A major headliner of Adelaide Festival’s music program has withdrawn in the wake of the festival board’s decision to axe a Palestinian author from Writers’ Week.
www.indailysa.com.au
January 9, 2026 at 3:21 AM
In Adelaidology, the golden rule is you don't embarass the city. Adelaide has it tough enough. If other artists start pulling out of Adelaide Festival proper, the board and state government have a real problem.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
First withdrawal from the Adelaide Festival proper, DJ Haram www.indailysa.com.au/citymag/cult...
Writers’ Week controversy contagion spreads as music program headliner drops out - CityMag | InDaily, Inside South Australia
A major headliner of Adelaide Festival’s music program has withdrawn in the wake of the festival board’s decision to axe a Palestinian author from Writers’ Week.
www.indailysa.com.au
January 9, 2026 at 2:19 AM
First withdrawal from the Adelaide Festival proper, DJ Haram www.indailysa.com.au/citymag/cult...
Depending how this plays out, what we may be witnessing is a pattern or strategy: a letter writing campaign spooks a board who then move to sideline their director and/or drop a Palestinian author. Participants and donors can then be relied upon to pull out, killing the event.
It's also possible we're looking at a Meanjin scenario where the goal is to kill off Adelaide Writers Week.
January 9, 2026 at 12:59 AM
Depending how this plays out, what we may be witnessing is a pattern or strategy: a letter writing campaign spooks a board who then move to sideline their director and/or drop a Palestinian author. Participants and donors can then be relied upon to pull out, killing the event.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
this guy is a fucking hero
the man widely regarded as creator of Korean fried chicken has died www.koreaherald.com/article/1065...
Man who built Korea's fried chicken industry dies at 74
Yoon Jong-gye, the founder of Mexican Chicken and widely regarded as the creator of Korea’s signature sweet-and-spicy fried chicken, has died after a long illne
www.koreaherald.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:12 AM
this guy is a fucking hero
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Yesterday I wrote to the Adelaide Festival Board to withdraw my participation from Adelaide Writers Week.
Their decision to intervene in Writers Week programming and cancel the participation of author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is completely unacceptable.
Their decision to intervene in Writers Week programming and cancel the participation of author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is completely unacceptable.
January 9, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Yesterday I wrote to the Adelaide Festival Board to withdraw my participation from Adelaide Writers Week.
Their decision to intervene in Writers Week programming and cancel the participation of author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is completely unacceptable.
Their decision to intervene in Writers Week programming and cancel the participation of author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah is completely unacceptable.
The state government has got a real Devil Wears Prada situation on their hand at Adelaide Writers Week. I expect some high profile withdrawals to come. I also expect the funders, donors and supporters of the festival, people you don't usually hear about, are considering withholding funds or payment.
January 8, 2026 at 11:09 PM
The state government has got a real Devil Wears Prada situation on their hand at Adelaide Writers Week. I expect some high profile withdrawals to come. I also expect the funders, donors and supporters of the festival, people you don't usually hear about, are considering withholding funds or payment.
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Data centres are coming for what’s left of Australia’s green export superpower dream, v interesting read by @ketanjoshi.co www.crikey.com.au/2025/12/23/d...
Data centres are coming for what’s left of Australia’s green export superpower dream
Welcome to a little something I like to call 'the data centre black hole effect'.
www.crikey.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Data centres are coming for what’s left of Australia’s green export superpower dream, v interesting read by @ketanjoshi.co www.crikey.com.au/2025/12/23/d...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
January 8, 2026 at 7:39 AM
I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now. But this spectacular fallout between Saudi and UAE is going to reshape the region and impact events beyond.
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
It’s hard to overstate the Saudi anger at the UAE that’s expressed by revealing step-by-step details + officer names in the UAE operation
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
Malinauskas: “By law, I, as Premier, am prevented from directing the board ... however, when asked for my opinion, I was happy to make it clear that the State Government did not support the inclusion of Dr Abdel-Fattah on the Adelaide Writers’ Week program” www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-a...
www.adelaidenow.com.au
January 8, 2026 at 9:37 AM
Malinauskas: “By law, I, as Premier, am prevented from directing the board ... however, when asked for my opinion, I was happy to make it clear that the State Government did not support the inclusion of Dr Abdel-Fattah on the Adelaide Writers’ Week program” www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-a...
Reposted by Royce Kurmelovs
If you can leave, leave now. Vic Emergency at tonight’s briefing in Seymour. Emergency services will *not* be able to swoop into the middle of these fires tomorrow. #VicFires
January 8, 2026 at 8:15 AM
If you can leave, leave now. Vic Emergency at tonight’s briefing in Seymour. Emergency services will *not* be able to swoop into the middle of these fires tomorrow. #VicFires