Stephen McDonald
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Stephen McDonald
@mcdonald.link
400 followers 940 following 110 posts
Ethical Leadership & Strategy - Humanitarian, Climate, Environment - people, communities, orgs

Centre for Humanitarian Leadership founder.

Exec @ BirdLife Aus & Duntulm Partners

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenbmcdonald/
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
reneweconomy.com.au
The IEA blows up claims that weather dependent variable energy resources have a greater cost impact on bills.
reneweconomy.com.au
November 13, 2025 at 12:04 AM
mcdonald.link
Well done #canada and good luck against #england #womensrugby #rugby
September 27, 2025 at 4:30 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
albomp.bsky.social
My statement formally recognising the State of Palestine.
September 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
older.bsky.social
Reminder that I'm hosting a new podcast at @issuesinst.bsky.social where I basically invited a bunch of my friends who work in really interesting areas and we talk about what they do with a lens of disaster studies and speculative fiction. The conversations have been amazing!
Not Now, But Soon Archives
Not Now, But Soon challenges the stories we often tell about disasters and explores how we can use speculative fiction to create better futures.
issues.org
September 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
vanbadham.bsky.social
THIS SEEMS RELEVANT
September 13, 2025 at 4:26 AM
mcdonald.link
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
‘We took the gloves off’: ex-IDF chief confirms Gaza casualties over 200,000
Retired general Herzi Halevi says ‘not once’ had legal advice constrained Israel’s military decisions in the strip
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
mcdonald.link
Mark Howden presenting in the current state of #climate science and what it means for #farming at the Farmers for Climate Action Farming Forever National Summit.

The data is beyond confronting.
September 1, 2025 at 1:16 AM
mcdonald.link
It’s been a while but great to be back in #Canberra for the #Farmers for Climate Action Farming Forever National Summit - reconnecting with Ellie Corley always brings me joy.

Looking forward to making connections and talking #renewables, #agriculture, and many other topics!
August 31, 2025 at 11:42 PM
mcdonald.link
My daughter found this on my timeline from 2014. A decade later and children are still being killed. As horrific as the attacks almost two years ago were don’t pretend this all started on October 7th 2023. #gaza #israel
August 23, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
davidgerard.co.uk
ACTUAL UK GOVERNMENT ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH WATER SHORTAGES:

> Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.

www.gov.uk/government/n...

from the office of @emmahardymp.bsky.social
"We are grateful to the public for following the restrictions, where in place, to conserve water in these dry conditions. Simple, everyday choices – such as turning off a tap or deleting old emails – also really helps the collective effort to reduce demand and help preserve the health of our rivers and wildlife." HOW TO SAVE WATER AT HOME Install a rain butt to collect rainwater to use in the garden. Fix a leaking toilet – leaky loos can waste 200-400 litres a day. Use water from the kitchen to water your plants. Avoid watering your lawn – brown grass will grow back healthy. Turn off the taps when brushing teeth or shaving. Take shorter showers. Delete old emails and pictures as data centres require vast amounts of water to cool their systems.
August 12, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
beneltham.bsky.social
From MSF www.msf.org/not-aid-orch...
This is not aid. This is orchestrated killing. | MSF
MSF's frontline medical testimony on systematic mass casualties from GHF sites in Gaza, Palestine.
www.msf.org
August 7, 2025 at 9:52 AM
mcdonald.link
@albomp.bsky.social agree with need to do comprehensive overhaul of childcare, not sure you picked the best way - plenty of local experts, SME consulting firms, not-for-profits could do this - the big global consulting firms could contribute some useful insights

www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Labor asks Deloitte to design universal childcare system as PM eyes political legacy
Exclusive: Government could redirect billions in existing spending on the childcare subsidy and introduce a daily flat fee for families
www.theguardian.com
August 10, 2025 at 10:02 PM
mcdonald.link
@davidpocock.bsky.social @davidshoebridge.bsky.social @senatorvarunghosh.bsky.social now here is an idea worth looking at
August 10, 2025 at 6:41 AM
mcdonald.link
Thinking of friends, former colleagues and communities across the Pacific this morning whilst trying to suppress the memories of 2011 - stay safe and move to higher ground if you are in a warning areas #tsunami
July 30, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
grogsgamut.bsky.social
Cripes, she is brilliant. No wonder she annoys the hell out of the mendacious right wing bigots
jonathan-cook.bsky.social Jonathan Cook @jonathan-cook.bsky.social · Jun 10
Greta Thunberg, arriving back in Europe after her abduction by Israel in international waters, explains in 40 seconds why western governments are colluding in genocide:
June 10, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
grogsgamut.bsky.social
We always hear that farmers will be smashed by the super tax changes.

But last year ASFA noted that "The reality is quite different"
"nothing to do with primary production or the only connection is owning a boutique winery that is run at a tax loss." 😬
www.superannuation.asn.au/wp-content/u...
The characteristics of those who would pay Division 296 taxation Some public commentary tends to suggest that the main categories of individuals impacted by the proposed tax are current and retired farmers and elderly widows who like to punt big on tech stocks. The reality is quite different. It would be much more accurate to categorise those more commonly affected by the proposed tax as being older wealthy males living in affluent areas of capital cities or affluent retirement regions who have never had anything to do with primary production or the only connection is owning a boutique winery that is run at a tax loss. The ATO sample of individual taxpayer data can be used to estimate the characteristics of those would be affected by the new tax as the unit record data includes both superannuation balance and other demographic and financial data. ASFA analysis of that data indicates that in terms of national split of those likely to be affected, around 40 per cent of the total affected are female and 60 per cent male. Those affected are relatively old, with 85 per cent aged over 60 with 46 per cent aged over 70. As such many of the group would be receiving tax free income from superannuation and currently tax free investment earnings on their superannuation balance up to the level of the Transfer Balance Cap. However, not all are retired, with around 30 per cent receiving wage and salary income, and with around 5 per cent having wage and salary income over $200,000 a year. Around 5 per cent of those with over $3 million in superannuation have farm income either direct or through trust or partnership distribution, but in many cases it is not substantial, with other income received. At least some of those with farm income live in inner capital cities and could be described as Pitt Street or Collins Street farmers.
June 10, 2025 at 5:32 AM
mcdonald.link
Juliano Fiori has written an excellent piece on the Starmer Government - favourite quote is “Starmer’s utter lack of conviction is his only remarkable feature, and his awkward efforts to feign some kind of political solidity appear idiosyncratic in an age of performative authenticity.”
On National Centrism
‘Starmerism’ has been defined by absence rather than a firm plan for government. Now the Labour leadership is tending towards passive acceptance of the nationalist spirit of the age.
tribunemag.co.uk
June 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
grogsgamut.bsky.social
You can see the bloke aim at her
June 9, 2025 at 1:40 AM
mcdonald.link
My friends Davina and Peter an lost her 19 year old son Cameron to an accidental overdose last weekend. I cannot even fathom the grief Cameron's family are going through right now.

You can make a small contribution to funeral costs here:

www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-...
Donate to In memory of Cameron Greene, organised by Shalee Cameron
It’s with broken hearts that we share the tragic news of the passing of Cameron: a beautifu… Shalee Cameron needs your support for In memory of Cameron Greene
www.gofundme.com
June 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
grogsgamut.bsky.social
Lot of scares about "oh but it's the unrealised gains thing". Ok but first acknowledge we're talking about a *small* number of people and also only some of those with more than $3m in super.

If you have it in a retail or industry fund, you aren't worrying about unrealised gains at all.
australiainstitute.org.au The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · May 22
Critics of the changes to super tax want to scare you by saying many people will one day be affected.

But their *own* numbers show that very few people under 30 currently working will have more than $3m in super #OffTheCharts @grogsgamut.bsky.social
australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-cha...
Chart showing that there are 5.5m people aged 15-29, 4.25m people aged 15-29 in the labour force and that the Financial Services Council expects only 204,000 people under 30 currently paying tax to be one day affected by the changes to the super tax concession applying to super balances above $3m
May 22, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
chrisbowenmp.bsky.social
The Albanese Government thanks Mr Fredericks for his service and wishes him all the best for his retirement.
May 19, 2025 at 3:10 AM
mcdonald.link
What a disgrace. This is not Britain.
May 18, 2025 at 10:34 PM
mcdonald.link
Nothing justifies this - Gaza will be entirely destroyed, Israeli minister says - apple.news/APW1mfpXuT7K...
Gaza will be entirely destroyed, Israeli minister says — Guardian Australia
Bezalel Smotrich says Palestinians will ‘leave in great numbers to third countries’, raising fears of ethnic cleansing
apple.news
May 7, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonald
amyremeikis.bsky.social
Just after the 2022 election I said (I think it was on Insiders) if the Liberal party didn’t read the room on climate, women etc - then it was consigning itself to irrelevancy. I was pretty roundly criticised at the time. But I do know what I’m talking about and I can pick a vibe
May 4, 2025 at 7:10 AM