Laurie O’Brien
@lgobrien.bsky.social
Social justice, fair access to education, care of the environment and natural world.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
“Tasmania is preparing to borrow close to a billion dollars to build a stadium the state will not own, on recycled land it does not control, for a league it cannot negotiate with, to host little more than a dozen games a year.”
theaimn.net/mockery-of-d...
theaimn.net/mockery-of-d...
Mockery of Democracy: Now Brought to You by Sportsbet
The Stadium Tasmania Cannot Afford to Build – Yet Cannot Refuse Tasmania is preparing to borrow close to a billion dollars to build a stadium the state will not own, on recycled land it does [...]
theaimn.net
December 9, 2025 at 6:52 AM
“Tasmania is preparing to borrow close to a billion dollars to build a stadium the state will not own, on recycled land it does not control, for a league it cannot negotiate with, to host little more than a dozen games a year.”
theaimn.net/mockery-of-d...
theaimn.net/mockery-of-d...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
Sam Bates, known as SMUG, Australian-born, realistic street #artist. This one is in Glasgow.
In the comments, I've included different views of this piece, as well as some other pieces of this hyper-realistic street artist.
#StreetArt #WallMural #murals #UrbanArt #art
In the comments, I've included different views of this piece, as well as some other pieces of this hyper-realistic street artist.
#StreetArt #WallMural #murals #UrbanArt #art
December 6, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Sam Bates, known as SMUG, Australian-born, realistic street #artist. This one is in Glasgow.
In the comments, I've included different views of this piece, as well as some other pieces of this hyper-realistic street artist.
#StreetArt #WallMural #murals #UrbanArt #art
In the comments, I've included different views of this piece, as well as some other pieces of this hyper-realistic street artist.
#StreetArt #WallMural #murals #UrbanArt #art
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
What does Venezuela have that other countries in South America don't have? A load of fossil fuel which climate deniers cant get enough of …
caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2025/12/01/u...
caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2025/12/01/u...
US Regime Change Interventionism Is Reliably Disastrous, And Other Notes
Only idiots and sociopaths are clapping along with the war drums.
caitlinjohnstone.com.au
November 30, 2025 at 10:47 PM
What does Venezuela have that other countries in South America don't have? A load of fossil fuel which climate deniers cant get enough of …
caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2025/12/01/u...
caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2025/12/01/u...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
“Don’t kid yourself that it can’t happen here,” warns the brilliant Kerry O’Brien
youtu.be/s--oBPdngik?...
youtu.be/s--oBPdngik?...
“Don’t kid yourself that it can’t happen here,” warns Kerry O’Brien
YouTube video by The Walkley Foundation
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 10:43 PM
“Don’t kid yourself that it can’t happen here,” warns the brilliant Kerry O’Brien
youtu.be/s--oBPdngik?...
youtu.be/s--oBPdngik?...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
In a sane world, the government guilty of committing genocide would be dismantled, and forced to pay reparations. Instead they are allowed to corral their victims into a concentration camp and steal their land. We live in the most obscene of all possible timelines.
November 27, 2025 at 5:15 AM
In a sane world, the government guilty of committing genocide would be dismantled, and forced to pay reparations. Instead they are allowed to corral their victims into a concentration camp and steal their land. We live in the most obscene of all possible timelines.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
Tycoons’ tools: media, PR, Atlas Network & co. They all ramp up when it looks like the populace is gaining strength. The combined mild resurgence of workers’ campaigning for a better go after 50 years of functionally fixed wages while bosses’ pay 🚀 (plus climate protests pre covid) set them off.
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Tycoons’ tools: media, PR, Atlas Network & co. They all ramp up when it looks like the populace is gaining strength. The combined mild resurgence of workers’ campaigning for a better go after 50 years of functionally fixed wages while bosses’ pay 🚀 (plus climate protests pre covid) set them off.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
The world’s largest deforestation project in #WestPapua -
Genocide of the West Papuan people & the extinction of cute looking animals. Who cares?! Nobody cares.
#deforestation #ecocide #palmoil
Genocide of the West Papuan people & the extinction of cute looking animals. Who cares?! Nobody cares.
#deforestation #ecocide #palmoil
November 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
The world’s largest deforestation project in #WestPapua -
Genocide of the West Papuan people & the extinction of cute looking animals. Who cares?! Nobody cares.
#deforestation #ecocide #palmoil
Genocide of the West Papuan people & the extinction of cute looking animals. Who cares?! Nobody cares.
#deforestation #ecocide #palmoil
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
Henry Reynolds’ bold, new book takes a top-end view of Australian history.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Henry Reynolds’ bold, new book takes a top-end view of Australian history
First Nations people please be advised this article speaks of racially discriminating moments in history, including the distress and death of First Nations people.
johnmenadue.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Henry Reynolds’ bold, new book takes a top-end view of Australian history.
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
The salmon industry in Australia truly are the worst.
Lobster fishery off Bruny Island in TAS closed on eve of the opening of fishing season due to antibiotic use by the salmon farms.
No indication of how long for. Must be a devastating blow for fishermen approaching Xmas.
No indication of how long for. Must be a devastating blow for fishermen approaching Xmas.
Crayfish Closure Follows Salmon Antibiotic Deployment - Tasmanian Times
The commercial rock lobster fishery south of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel is now closed effective 15 November 2025
tasmaniantimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:03 AM
The salmon industry in Australia truly are the worst.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
$1 billion data centre to maybe create 100 jobs. That's likely an overstatement.
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
Meta plans $1 billion data center in Beaver Dam
The facility is expected to be completed in 2027 and will support 100 jobs, according to state officials.
www.wisn.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:17 PM
$1 billion data centre to maybe create 100 jobs. That's likely an overstatement.
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
It is truly not worth draining the living word for this vampiric tech and people are starting to realize it.
www.wisn.com/article/meta...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
"Historian William Dalrymple: British politicians bear responsibility for the destruction of Palestinian lives. In this country, no one is taught anything about Palestine”
“History is erased, crimes are whitewashed, and the victims are forgotten."
#NZPol
“History is erased, crimes are whitewashed, and the victims are forgotten."
#NZPol
October 30, 2025 at 10:35 PM
"Historian William Dalrymple: British politicians bear responsibility for the destruction of Palestinian lives. In this country, no one is taught anything about Palestine”
“History is erased, crimes are whitewashed, and the victims are forgotten."
#NZPol
“History is erased, crimes are whitewashed, and the victims are forgotten."
#NZPol
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
This is spot on. Unless we challenge the architecture of influence breaking our shared facts, we’re all screwed. Climate, work, home, affordability. Everything is on the line.
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This is spot on. Unless we challenge the architecture of influence breaking our shared facts, we’re all screwed. Climate, work, home, affordability. Everything is on the line.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
'Queensland appoints former chair of rightwing group Advance to school curriculum board as union leaders ousted'
"At the time of [Advance's] launch, he was personally advocating against Brisbane’s Tattersall’s Club admitting women as members."
#auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
"At the time of [Advance's] launch, he was personally advocating against Brisbane’s Tattersall’s Club admitting women as members."
#auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 AM
'Queensland appoints former chair of rightwing group Advance to school curriculum board as union leaders ousted'
"At the time of [Advance's] launch, he was personally advocating against Brisbane’s Tattersall’s Club admitting women as members."
#auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
"At the time of [Advance's] launch, he was personally advocating against Brisbane’s Tattersall’s Club admitting women as members."
#auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
Kath Rowley,who below guides staff on how to downplay gas emissions, has just been appointed CEO of the Climate Change Authority, the body providing 'independent' advice to govt
Safe appointment for a govt wanting fossil fuel expansion to remain at home in our climate institutions.
#auspol #climate
Safe appointment for a govt wanting fossil fuel expansion to remain at home in our climate institutions.
#auspol #climate
November 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
A massive congrats to @stopwoodsidemonash.bsky.social - absurd they have to work so hard to get the bare minimum
It's just been confirmed that Monash University is dropping Woodside as a partner because they don't align with their sustainable values. This is an incredible win for @stopwoodsidemonash.bsky.social who have run a dedicated grass roots campaign for years.
November 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
A massive congrats to @stopwoodsidemonash.bsky.social - absurd they have to work so hard to get the bare minimum
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
“Digital colonisation takes many forms but one of the most powerful is its algorithmic ability to distract us to death…” Stop scrolling for a moment to read @juliannes.bsky.social’s valuable take on safeguarding Australian culture: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Telling authentically Australian stories on screen takes more than just a content quota | Julianne Schultz
How do you create a powerful local cultural moment in the streamers’ age of algorithmic digital colonisation?
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:26 PM
“Digital colonisation takes many forms but one of the most powerful is its algorithmic ability to distract us to death…” Stop scrolling for a moment to read @juliannes.bsky.social’s valuable take on safeguarding Australian culture: www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
I remember when Albo was in Tassie during our 2018 election campaign when state Labor promised to rid pubs of pokies. Far from backing his state colleagues. Albo talked up the community benefits provided by clubs despite every single poker machine being owned by one mega rich Sydney family.
Fear rules on gambling in Albanese government
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 8, 2025 at 5:51 AM
I remember when Albo was in Tassie during our 2018 election campaign when state Labor promised to rid pubs of pokies. Far from backing his state colleagues. Albo talked up the community benefits provided by clubs despite every single poker machine being owned by one mega rich Sydney family.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
Telling authentically Australian stories on screen takes more than just a content quota | Julianne Schultz
Telling authentically Australian stories on screen takes more than just a content quota | Julianne Schultz
How do you create a powerful local cultural moment in the streamers’ age of algorithmic digital colonisation?
Digital colonisation takes many forms but one of the most powerful is its algorithmic ability to distract us to death.
Some of the largest, richest, most concentrated companies in the world have built streaming repositories that make the grand libraries of the past look like a child’s Lego building. Most of that information is digital exhaust, decipherable and valuable only to those who hold the key, but the shop window is filled with a tantalising showcase of video fairytales. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Telling authentically Australian stories on screen takes more than just a content quota | Julianne Schultz
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
This bloke doesn’t need a periscope to see what’s on the horizon.
AUKUS will be a lesson in politics for decades to come. We can all see the disaster happening in slow motion. Even the boss is distancing himself from it.
#AusPol
AUKUS will be a lesson in politics for decades to come. We can all see the disaster happening in slow motion. Even the boss is distancing himself from it.
#AusPol
Australia's 'no fail' submarine mission set for shake-up as boss quits
Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead's retirement will come just a year before the first US nuclear-powered submarine is due to be deployed to Western Australia in 2027 under the AUKUS agreement.
www.abc.net.au
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
This bloke doesn’t need a periscope to see what’s on the horizon.
AUKUS will be a lesson in politics for decades to come. We can all see the disaster happening in slow motion. Even the boss is distancing himself from it.
#AusPol
AUKUS will be a lesson in politics for decades to come. We can all see the disaster happening in slow motion. Even the boss is distancing himself from it.
#AusPol
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
The disclosure it was funded by the Institute of Public Affairs confirms Tony Abbott’s new history of Australia is less concerned with understanding the past than changing the future.
November 3, 2025 at 5:39 AM
The disclosure it was funded by the Institute of Public Affairs confirms Tony Abbott’s new history of Australia is less concerned with understanding the past than changing the future.
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
The single biggest act Australia could do for Palestinians and peace is close Pine Gap and return the land to its owners. This action too, more than any other, would signify after 125 years we have finally become an independent nation
A remote spy base and a ‘criminal’ blockade raise questions about Australia’s complicity in Gaza war
A protest over Pine Gap’s claimed role in genocide has refocused attention on the secretive US satellite base near Alice Springs
www.theguardian.com
October 26, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The single biggest act Australia could do for Palestinians and peace is close Pine Gap and return the land to its owners. This action too, more than any other, would signify after 125 years we have finally become an independent nation
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
What is the ‘idea of Australia’? What defines the soul of our nation? @juliannes.bsky.social set out to answer these questions and more in her recent book, ‘The Idea of Australia: A search for the soul of the nation’.
See you there!
6pm 10 Nov 2025 Kambri ANU events.humanitix.com/meet-the-aut...
See you there!
6pm 10 Nov 2025 Kambri ANU events.humanitix.com/meet-the-aut...
Meet the author - Julianne Schultz
Get tickets on Humanitix - Meet the author - Julianne Schultz. Kambri Cinema (Lowitja O'Donoghue Cultural Centre), Tangney Rd, Acton ACT 2601, Australia. Monday 10th November 2025. Find event informat...
events.humanitix.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:56 AM
What is the ‘idea of Australia’? What defines the soul of our nation? @juliannes.bsky.social set out to answer these questions and more in her recent book, ‘The Idea of Australia: A search for the soul of the nation’.
See you there!
6pm 10 Nov 2025 Kambri ANU events.humanitix.com/meet-the-aut...
See you there!
6pm 10 Nov 2025 Kambri ANU events.humanitix.com/meet-the-aut...
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
The left wins the Irish presidential election in a landslide https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/the-left-wins-the-irish-presidential-election-in-a-landslide #auspol
The left wins the Irish presidential election in a landslide
Catherine Connolly (born 1957) only became involved in active politics in 1999. Michael D. Higgins, the outgoing president of Ireland (2011-2025), encouraged Connolly to join the Labour Party and stand for election.
johnmenadue.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:40 PM
The left wins the Irish presidential election in a landslide https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11/the-left-wins-the-irish-presidential-election-in-a-landslide #auspol
Reposted by Laurie O’Brien
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 AM