Colin E Penter
@colinpenter.bsky.social
policy & project work in mental health & social policy; opposes marketisation, privatisation and corporations; campaigner, researcher & writer; voracious reader of poetry & non-fiction, lives in Boorloo (perth) on Whadjuk boodjar
Reposted by Colin E Penter
You'd normally have to go to the coincidence factory to see a coincidence that perfect.
Scoop: the pro-teen social media ban lobby group 36 Months was funded & co-staffed by its co-founder's ad production firm that was simultaneously making gambling ads
The federal government has ignored calls for a gambling ad ban while pursuing the social media ban.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
The federal government has ignored calls for a gambling ad ban while pursuing the social media ban.
www.crikey.com.au/20...
December 12, 2025 at 7:53 AM
You'd normally have to go to the coincidence factory to see a coincidence that perfect.
Reposted by Colin E Penter
"Australia passes a shameful milestone: over one million children now living in poverty" #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/news/251212-...
thepoint.com.au/news/251212-...
Australia passes a shameful milestone: over one million children now living in poverty
For all the focus on inflation, interest rates and cost-of-living pressures this year, the nation quietly passed a shameful milestone in 2025, ensuring a bleak Christmas for more Australian families t...
thepoint.com.au
December 11, 2025 at 10:45 PM
"Australia passes a shameful milestone: over one million children now living in poverty" #ThePoint
thepoint.com.au/news/251212-...
thepoint.com.au/news/251212-...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Which is why there should be taxes on unrealised capital gains, because these greedy pricks are not using super for their retirement but to AVOID PAYING TAX
Reminder - they are not self-funded retirees, they are tax-break funded retirees.
Reminder - they are not self-funded retirees, they are tax-break funded retirees.
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Which is why there should be taxes on unrealised capital gains, because these greedy pricks are not using super for their retirement but to AVOID PAYING TAX
Reminder - they are not self-funded retirees, they are tax-break funded retirees.
Reminder - they are not self-funded retirees, they are tax-break funded retirees.
Excellent work by all at the Anti-poverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org
Our backgrounder on the unlawful use of Centrelink payment penalties has now been updated with key excerpts and analysis from the Ombudsman's report. Check it out here: bit.ly/TCF_backgrou...
December 11, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Excellent work by all at the Anti-poverty Centre @antipovertycentre.org
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Who could have predicted any of this? Oh that’s right - anyone paying attention
www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...
www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...
The welfare system isn't just on fire, it's burning out of control
A second report into the use of job-seeker mutual obligations is even more damning then the first – but will the government act?
www.thenewdaily.com.au
December 10, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Who could have predicted any of this? Oh that’s right - anyone paying attention
www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...
www.thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2025...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Excellent new @commsdeclare.bsky.social work out today - read the whole thing here: commsdeclare.org/wp-content/u...
The Shell-funded education program urging students to 'design their own CCS' inspired me to re-share an original artwork of mine from a few years ago:
The Shell-funded education program urging students to 'design their own CCS' inspired me to re-share an original artwork of mine from a few years ago:
December 7, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Excellent new @commsdeclare.bsky.social work out today - read the whole thing here: commsdeclare.org/wp-content/u...
The Shell-funded education program urging students to 'design their own CCS' inspired me to re-share an original artwork of mine from a few years ago:
The Shell-funded education program urging students to 'design their own CCS' inspired me to re-share an original artwork of mine from a few years ago:
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Now is the time to talk about nationalising essential services – Max Chandler-Mather open.substack.com/pub/deepcutn...
Now is the time to talk about nationalising essential services – Max Chandler-Mather
If we’re serious about tackling the cost-of-living crisis, we need to put services like electricity and childcare back into public hands.
open.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Now is the time to talk about nationalising essential services – Max Chandler-Mather open.substack.com/pub/deepcutn...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
When public services become PR: How charities and corporations blur the line between care and self-promotion
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
When public services become PR: How charities and corporations blur the line between care and self-promotion
There are certainly cases where working with a charity lets government draw on specific expertise and enhance service delivery. But too often, that’s not the case.
thepoint.com.au
October 30, 2025 at 5:03 AM
When public services become PR: How charities and corporations blur the line between care and self-promotion
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Grog's rule of privatisation:
"The day you decide to allow the private sector deliver a public service is also the day you should set the future date for the Royal Commission into abuses in the system."
"The day you decide to allow the private sector deliver a public service is also the day you should set the future date for the Royal Commission into abuses in the system."
Adele Ferguson (journalist leading an ABC investigation into child abuse at childcare centres) just told ABC AM that 84% of child abuse occurs in "for profit" (eg privatised) centres.
These centres are putting making money ahead of checking for pedophiles. Who cares about pedos? There's $$ to make
These centres are putting making money ahead of checking for pedophiles. Who cares about pedos? There's $$ to make
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Grog's rule of privatisation:
"The day you decide to allow the private sector deliver a public service is also the day you should set the future date for the Royal Commission into abuses in the system."
"The day you decide to allow the private sector deliver a public service is also the day you should set the future date for the Royal Commission into abuses in the system."
Reposted by Colin E Penter
The dishonesty around the use of Robodebt in prosecuting the government’s Freedom of Information secrecy drive is galling in the extreme. I set out some facts that deflate the specious claims being used as cover. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
‘Absurdist leaps of logic’: Robodebt misused in FOI reforms
I am furious. Angry, certainly, about the federal government’s proposed freedom of information laws, which mock the very idea of transparency, but seething especially about the justification for them,...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
October 25, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The dishonesty around the use of Robodebt in prosecuting the government’s Freedom of Information secrecy drive is galling in the extreme. I set out some facts that deflate the specious claims being used as cover. www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topi...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Democratic states need a defense pact to protect them from the fascist federal government. Lawsuits and press conferences are fine, but not enough. We need coordination of defensive action. I’ve an essay on this coming out next week. But we need it now.
October 10, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Democratic states need a defense pact to protect them from the fascist federal government. Lawsuits and press conferences are fine, but not enough. We need coordination of defensive action. I’ve an essay on this coming out next week. But we need it now.
Well surprise surprise. The National Press Club of Australia has cancelled a speech by acclaimed American journalist and author Chris Hedges who was scheduled to speak on the betrayal of Palestinian journalists.
The National Press Club of Australia, caving to the Israeli lobby, Cancels My Talk on Our Betrayal of Palestinian Journalists
The National Press Club of Australia cancelled my talk on how the media, by amplifying Israeli lies, have betrayed Palestinian journalists, 278 of whom have been assassinated by Israel.
chrishedges.substack.com
October 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Well surprise surprise. The National Press Club of Australia has cancelled a speech by acclaimed American journalist and author Chris Hedges who was scheduled to speak on the betrayal of Palestinian journalists.
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Good to see that Centrelink and the govt learnt their lessons from robodebt
More than 300,000 Australians had Centrelink payments cancelled illegally, new analysis shows
Peak body for community legal centres finds number of payments suspended due to IT glitch higher than department initially identified
www.theguardian.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Good to see that Centrelink and the govt learnt their lessons from robodebt
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Was just reminded of this episode of Q&A from 12 years ago - You would never see anyone like Ilan Pappe be able to speak like this on Australian TV today.
Israel, a democracy? Ilan Pappe on Q&A (ABC) youtu.be/XIKuqjhyTeA?...
Israel, a democracy? Ilan Pappe on Q&A (ABC) youtu.be/XIKuqjhyTeA?...
September 18, 2025 at 7:17 AM
Was just reminded of this episode of Q&A from 12 years ago - You would never see anyone like Ilan Pappe be able to speak like this on Australian TV today.
Israel, a democracy? Ilan Pappe on Q&A (ABC) youtu.be/XIKuqjhyTeA?...
Israel, a democracy? Ilan Pappe on Q&A (ABC) youtu.be/XIKuqjhyTeA?...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
A new paper in @thelancetph.bsky.social with a great team of researchers (inc @katemason.bsky.social). We lay out an updated framework for thinking about housing as a social determinant of health www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Housing as a social determinant of health: a contemporary framework
Housing is a key social determinant of health. Healthy housing is affordable, suitable, and secure. It is characterised by warmth, dryness, and proper…
www.sciencedirect.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:48 PM
A new paper in @thelancetph.bsky.social with a great team of researchers (inc @katemason.bsky.social). We lay out an updated framework for thinking about housing as a social determinant of health www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
The heat is on- my #Auspol cartoon for @australia.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Who’s part of the opposition within the Opposition? | Fiona Katauskas
Seems like there’s someone new every week
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:59 AM
The heat is on- my #Auspol cartoon for @australia.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Thanks to Amy Remeikis, one of this country's finest journalists who puts into words what many people feel and think. @amyremeikis.bsky.social
Given this is making some waves - here is the piece and you can judge for yourself.
(I'm fine, there are no issues - right wing ecosystem just doing what right wing ecosystem does).
Take care of you - it's rough out there! Ax
amyremeikis.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
(I'm fine, there are no issues - right wing ecosystem just doing what right wing ecosystem does).
Take care of you - it's rough out there! Ax
amyremeikis.substack.com/p/charlie-ki...
Charlie Kirk died in the America he wanted
I mourn the loss of human life. I feel compassion, empathy and grief at an inexcusable killing. But I find nothing to lionise in his legacy.
amyremeikis.substack.com
September 15, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Thanks to Amy Remeikis, one of this country's finest journalists who puts into words what many people feel and think. @amyremeikis.bsky.social
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Aged care is 'free market', older people are 'consumers'. Strong report by Dr Sarah Russell on home care packages and RC recommendations passed by in favour of privateers
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/aged-care-fr...
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/aged-care-fr...
Aged care "free market" where a home care package deal masks a crisis - Michael West
The Labor Government continues to prevaricate on actioning the recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission.
michaelwest.com.au
September 9, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Aged care is 'free market', older people are 'consumers'. Strong report by Dr Sarah Russell on home care packages and RC recommendations passed by in favour of privateers
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/aged-care-fr...
#auspol
michaelwest.com.au/aged-care-fr...
Wonder why politicians are so unwilling to address the crisis affecting renters? Or why they support negative gearing and other policies that directly landlords and homeowners? Here is the answer. They benefit personally from these policies.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Australian politicians reveal their housing portfolios, with some owning as many as six homes
Dozens of politicians are landlords, having also declared rental income from their investment properties
www.theguardian.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Wonder why politicians are so unwilling to address the crisis affecting renters? Or why they support negative gearing and other policies that directly landlords and homeowners? Here is the answer. They benefit personally from these policies.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Good, careful review justifying calls for action on alcohol marketing – and also noting that in some areas such as sport and sporting events, gambling exposure and advertising were even more common than alcohol. As so often, predatory industries use similar strategies.
🧵 New Public Health Scotland review finds alcohol marketing is pervasive & harmful.
Key takeaways ⬇️
📢 Alcohol ads are everywhere – from sport to supermarkets – with children & young people heavily exposed.
📊 Evidence is consistent: marketing drives...
publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
Key takeaways ⬇️
📢 Alcohol ads are everywhere – from sport to supermarkets – with children & young people heavily exposed.
📊 Evidence is consistent: marketing drives...
publichealthscotland.scot/media/34628/...
publichealthscotland.scot
September 2, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Good, careful review justifying calls for action on alcohol marketing – and also noting that in some areas such as sport and sporting events, gambling exposure and advertising were even more common than alcohol. As so often, predatory industries use similar strategies.
Excellent and important piece by Amy Remeikis about the failure of the Australian media to seriously scrutinise the allegations of Iran's involvement in anti-Semitic attacks
New from @amyremeikis.bsky.social: Allegations that Iran is behind antisemitic attacks in Australia demand further scrutiny – but our media is already treating them as gospel.
www.deepcutnews.com/p/asios-sens...
www.deepcutnews.com/p/asios-sens...
ASIO’s sensational Iran claims raise plenty of questions. Why isn’t the media asking them?
Allegations that Iran is behind antisemitic attacks in Australia demand further scrutiny – but our media is already treating them as gospel
www.deepcutnews.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Excellent and important piece by Amy Remeikis about the failure of the Australian media to seriously scrutinise the allegations of Iran's involvement in anti-Semitic attacks
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Not to mention the impact on health and healthcare!
#Auspol
#Auspol
Imagine having a Productivity Summit with the theme of Resilence and failing to address first up the impact on Australian life, community, landscape and infrastructure of existential twin crises of global heating and biodiversity collapse. Instead it’ll be Env is a handbrake on ‘jobs and growth’.
August 19, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Not to mention the impact on health and healthcare!
#Auspol
#Auspol
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Imagine having a Productivity Summit with the theme of Resilence and failing to address first up the impact on Australian life, community, landscape and infrastructure of existential twin crises of global heating and biodiversity collapse. Instead it’ll be Env is a handbrake on ‘jobs and growth’.
August 19, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Imagine having a Productivity Summit with the theme of Resilence and failing to address first up the impact on Australian life, community, landscape and infrastructure of existential twin crises of global heating and biodiversity collapse. Instead it’ll be Env is a handbrake on ‘jobs and growth’.
Reposted by Colin E Penter
Sickening. Every journalist in America should think deeply about the fact that most American politicians are willing to accept and indeed facilitate the murder of our colleagues.
never take freedom of the press or access to news for granted. www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...
August 11, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Sickening. Every journalist in America should think deeply about the fact that most American politicians are willing to accept and indeed facilitate the murder of our colleagues.
Journalists are increasingly becoming a loathed profession.
Such a horrifying example of media “complicity” in punching down. Aided and abetted by “progressive” politicians.
open.substack.com/pub/amymcqui...
open.substack.com/pub/amymcqui...
‘Complicity’ is an insufficient word: the violence of western media
The story of Palestinian author Mona Zahed and the violence of western media.
open.substack.com
August 10, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Journalists are increasingly becoming a loathed profession.