Finn McHugh
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finnmchugh.bsky.social
Finn McHugh
@finnmchugh.bsky.social
410 followers 200 following 14 posts
Federal political reporter at @capitalbrief. Views my own. Reposts ≠ endorsements. finn.mchugh@capitalbrief.com
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finnmchugh.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Playing loose with virtue leaves questions for Arsenal to answer over Thomas Partey | Jonathan Liew
The club trumpet their moral creed but the lengths to which they were willing to champion one of their own demands answers
www.theguardian.com
July 9, 2025 at 10:48 PM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Liberal MP Andrew Wallace, wearing an Israeli flag pin, says: “I think [Ley] has seen the light on Israel in recent years".

Ley has a history of pro-Palestinian comments, but has shifted her rhetoric since entering Lib leadership team👇

#auspol

www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
She once said Palestinians are 'airbrushed'. Now she says calls for restraint are 'disgraceful'
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has labelled Penny Wong's call for restraint in Israel and Gaza as "disgraceful".
www.sbs.com.au
May 13, 2025 at 1:33 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Strong comments from a fmr Lib minister on Sky After Dark’s impact — attacking “puritanical litmus test Liberals”.

On Sunday, Sky host Rita Panahi demanded the party “address the bedwetters, quislings, the enemy within”.

Full story via Capital Brief 👇
www.capitalbrief.com/article/sick...
'Sick to death': Former Liberal minister blasts influence of Sky News on party
Scott Ryan, who served as a minister under Tony Abbott, warns the Liberal Party is being driven away from mainstream voters by hardline voices.
www.capitalbrief.com
May 7, 2025 at 11:45 PM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Voters have brought Peter Dutton’s time in public life to a shuddering halt. A devastating night for the Liberal Party, and no clear sense of the path out #auspol

Full story in @CapitalBrief 👇

#auspol25 #AusVotes2025
May 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Early in the campaign, one reporter opened his phone to a Find My Friends request from a Liberal staffer, eager to track the prime minister in real time. He politely declined.

Inside the circus, via @capitalbrief.com 👇

#auspol #australiavotes

www.capitalbrief.com/article/insi...
Inside the circus: a week on Albanese’s campaign roadshow
Capital Brief spent the first week on Anthony Albanese’s campaign — where every selfie, stumble and stage-managed stop tells a bigger story.
www.capitalbrief.com
April 4, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
johnbuckley.bsky.social
News: Labor, Liberals agree to election leaders' debate on ABC via @capitalbrief.com #auspol www.capitalbrief.com/article/labo...
Labor, Liberals agree to election leaders' debate on ABC
Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are set to square off in the first debate hosted by the public broadcaster in two election cycles.
www.capitalbrief.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:49 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has landed in Brisbane for his first stop of the federal election campaign. Means he, OL Peter Dutton and Adam Bandt will all be in the same city on day one of the campaign #2025election #auspol
March 28, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
capitalbrief.com
Read our full story on Peter Navarro by Jennifer Duke and @finnmchugh.bsky.social 👇
From a fictional alter ego to attacks on Australia, meet Trump's trade advisor Peter Navarro
Whenever US tariffs are discussed, Peter Navarro’s name isn’t far behind. Here’s what Australians need to know about their new antagonist in the White House.
www.capitalbrief.com
February 14, 2025 at 3:57 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Retiring MP Graham Perrett kicked out of Question Time in what is likely to be his last appearance. He’s applauded out by Labor colleagues. “That’s his valedictory,” one says. #auspol
February 13, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
lowyinstitute.bsky.social
“In the background is the reality al-Sharaa must answer to – a militant base of fighters who are unlikely to have fought a war to establish a progressive…” Read David Livingstone in The Interpreter.
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/two-faces-syria-s-interim-government
The two faces of Syria’s interim government
The regional responses will matter far more than Western influence.
www.lowyinstitute.org
February 11, 2025 at 2:27 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Terror group JI had targeted partygoers. Now, its guns were turned on the Australian government.

“At each step, we were behind the game … We found it difficult to get ahead of the terrorists,” Brigadier Ken Brownrigg says.

Full interview in @capitalbrief.com👇
www.capitalbrief.com/article/the-...
'The bastards have done it': Australia's response to Jakarta embassy bombing revealed
Newly released cabinet documents shed light on the government's response to the deadly bombing attack on Australia's embassy in Indonesia in September 2004.
www.capitalbrief.com
January 6, 2025 at 12:05 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Australia’s peak education union says it's "likely" to move a vote of no confidence in ANU chancellor Julie Bishop’s leadership, after she revealed she approved all details of vice chancellor Genevieve Bell’s paid role with a tech giant. In @capitalbrief.com

www.capitalbrief.com/article/anu-...
ANU chancellor Julie Bishop faces 'likely' no confidence vote as union ramps up criticism
The National Tertiary Education Union warns a proposed no confidence vote in the leadership of ANU's vice chancellor may be expanded to include Bishop after further damaging revelations.
www.capitalbrief.com
January 3, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
sleeplesshockey.bsky.social
in his first hour of international test cricket sam konstas has ramped bumrah thrice, gotten siraj jawing at him, and stirred up kohli enough to have the man bodily shoulder him. now he's scored 18 off a bumrah over and is actively revving the crowd. god this rules #AUSvIND
December 26, 2024 at 12:27 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
johnbuckley.bsky.social
New: Incoming ABC boss and former Nine CEO Hugh Marks insists he has learned from the findings of a damning third-party review of his former employer’s workplace culture, and signalled plans to ramp up the broadcaster's commercial activities www.capitalbrief.com/article/its-...
'It's a content business': Hugh Marks plans to shake up ABC after Nine flameout
The former CEO of legacy media operator Nine has signalled plans to boost the ABC's commercial focus as he takes over as managing director of the public broadcaster.
www.capitalbrief.com
December 17, 2024 at 1:12 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
stephenej.bsky.social
To my 🇦🇺 followers just waking up who want to know what's happening in 🇨🇦 today:
-The Deputy PM/Finance Minister (treasurer equivalent) resigned on the day she was due to table the Fall Economic Statement (like a MYEFO)
-she said she was ‘at odds' with Trudeau on 'the best path forward for 🇨🇦’ (1/8)
December 16, 2024 at 7:03 PM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
theguardian.com
Middle East crisis live: Israeli government approves plans to extend occupation of Golan Heights
Middle East crisis live: Israeli government approves plans to extend occupation of Golan Heights
Government says it acted ‘in light of the war and new front facing Syria’ and has desire to double Israeli population in area Hello and welcome to the Middle East crisis live blog. A war monitor group said early on Monday that Israeli strikes had…
www.theguardian.com
December 16, 2024 at 8:14 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
“We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom and settle in it," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Israel seizing in fall of Assad regime to expand its settlements in the occupied Golan Heights

www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Israel plans to expand settlements in occupied Golan Heights following fall of Assad
Israel's occupation of the strategic plateau is considered illegal under international law.
www.sbs.com.au
December 16, 2024 at 12:20 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
idreesahmad.bsky.social
96% of children in Gaza feel that their death is imminent and almost half want to die as a result of trauma. 92% of the children in the survey were “not accepting of reality”, 79% suffer from nightmares and 73% exhibit symptoms of aggression.
Death feels imminent for 96% of children in Gaza, study finds
Needs assessment by NGO reveals the huge psychological impact of the war with Israel on young people
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2024 at 12:51 AM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Scoop: Embattled #ANU vice chancellor Genevieve Bell faces a union no confidence motion in February if the university keeps her in place. Full details in @capitalbrief.com 👇

www.capitalbrief.com/article/sack...
Sack vice chancellor Genevieve Bell or face no confidence vote, union tells ANU
The unions are ramping up pressure on embattled ANU vice chancellor Genevieve Bell as the university struggles to cut costs after years of financial mismanagement.
www.capitalbrief.com
December 11, 2024 at 4:47 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
maxwalden.bsky.social
Syrian rebels say they have 'freed Damascus' as President Bashar al-Assad reportedly flees www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12...
Live: Syrian rebels say they have 'freed Damascus' as president reportedly flees
Syrian rebels, in a televised address, say they have "freed" the country's capital. While President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly fled. Follow live.
www.abc.net.au
December 8, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
jamesmassola.bsky.social
Best of frenemies: Tracing the Plibersek-Albanese rivalry. My column today: www.theage.com.au/politics/fed...
Best of frenemies: Tracing the Plibersek-Albanese rivalry
Tanya Plibersek and Anthony Albanese are from the same state and faction. They share a world view. So why don’t they get along?
www.theage.com.au
December 6, 2024 at 4:47 AM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
joshtaylor.bsky.social
The two Australian case studies in the Five Eyes release today about youth radicalisation are both white supremacist/far right radicalisation examples... The spy agencies tend to be a bit reluctant to call this out in isolation because of the politics around it. www.asio.gov.au/system/files...
Australia – case study 1 The Joint Counter Terrorism Team (JCTT) investigated a minor (who was 16 years at the time of offending) following initial reporting they were mobilising to commit an act of ideologically motivated violent extremism (IMVE). JCTTs exist in all states and territories of Australia and consist of the Australian Federal Police (AFP), the relevant State or Territory Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and, in New South Wales (NSW), the NSW Crime Commission. The minor was part of a loosely connected online network involving hundreds of local and international participants, some of whom shared similar IMVE ideologies. The minor was sharing IMVE documents, images and videos, and advocating for attacks on persons of non-Caucasian appearance, and urged others to prepare for an upcoming race war to ‘defend the white race’. This included discussing carrying out a mass killing offshore, posting about live-streaming a shooting on Facebook, requesting assistance in bomb-making, praising mass shooters, and suggesting the targeting of ‘high profile enemies’. During the JCTT investigation, the minor was observed to have very few real-world relationships which consisted primarily of work colleagues and family members. He did not participate in any extra-curricular activities and appeared to spend limited time socialising offline. The risk of the minor undertaking some form of physical attack was assessed as too great, so the AFP moved to overt resolution. The minor was charged with advocating terrorism and urging violence against members or groups. The arrest of the minor and dissemination of intelligence to international partners also led to the arrest of a person of interest offshore who had links to the minor’s Telegram posting. The minor was sentenced to an 18-month term of imprisonment with a non-parole period of 14 months. Upon sentence expiry, the minor was an adult and was released into the community on an Interim Control Or…
December 5, 2024 at 9:39 PM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Scoop: #ANU to axe its technology policy centre as the beleaguered institution attempts to dig itself out of a financial hole. Full details in @capitalbrief.com 👇

www.capitalbrief.com/article/anu-...
ANU axes tech policy centre as financial troubles bite
The university is making cuts as it faces a $250 million deficit in its operating budget.
www.capitalbrief.com
December 4, 2024 at 11:00 PM
Reposted by Finn McHugh
meninblazers.bsky.social
Raygun walked so Kylian Mbappe could run 😆
November 27, 2024 at 10:18 PM
finnmchugh.bsky.social
Labor has again been left stranded after seemingly positive talks with the Coalition abruptly turned sour. This time, it's on electoral reforms. And it seems to have nowhere to go after its approach for months alienated crossbenchers it could now need #auspol

www.capitalbrief.com/article/labo...
Labor stranded again as electoral reform talks break down
Labor is stranded on electoral reforms after talks with the Coalition stalled, with angry crossbenchers insisting the bill is too far gone to support.
www.capitalbrief.com
November 28, 2024 at 12:23 AM