Oliver Pocock
@oliverpocock.bsky.social
Curious observer of all things Australian, US and UK politics. Student of international relations via Western Sydney University.
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
I’m begging everyone that wants to talk about ‘fog of war’ to at least read the Wikipedia article about what it means, rather than think it just refers to the way it’s implemented in the last RTS you played.
December 4, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I’m begging everyone that wants to talk about ‘fog of war’ to at least read the Wikipedia article about what it means, rather than think it just refers to the way it’s implemented in the last RTS you played.
What a deeply bizarre statement. This would be like me declaring that the best way to fix the dishwasher would be standing outside the house.
#BREAKING 🚨 Former NSW senator Hollie Hughes, who left parliament earlier this year, has announced her resignation from the Liberal Party
"I believe I can best support Sussan Ley and the good and effective members of the partyroom from outside of the party"
"I believe I can best support Sussan Ley and the good and effective members of the partyroom from outside of the party"
November 18, 2025 at 7:13 AM
What a deeply bizarre statement. This would be like me declaring that the best way to fix the dishwasher would be standing outside the house.
The scriptwriters are just getting lazy at this point.
Sen. Mike Rounds: "I think people want to see the trains run on time."
November 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The scriptwriters are just getting lazy at this point.
Speaker of the House Mike 'Sergeant Schultz' Johnson everybody.
"I see nothing. Nothing. I was not here. I did not even get up this morning."
"I see nothing. Nothing. I was not here. I did not even get up this morning."
Q: Are you aligned with the president on ending the filibuster?
MIKE JOHNSON: I've been a little busy as you know. We haven't spoken since he returned.
MIKE JOHNSON: I've been a little busy as you know. We haven't spoken since he returned.
October 31, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Speaker of the House Mike 'Sergeant Schultz' Johnson everybody.
"I see nothing. Nothing. I was not here. I did not even get up this morning."
"I see nothing. Nothing. I was not here. I did not even get up this morning."
I know citing 'The West Wing' is considered a liberal faux pas, but there was *literally* an episode about this Jeffries. You'd do well to watch it.
By the way, the words you're looking for are "Oh, good grief."
By the way, the words you're looking for are "Oh, good grief."
Democratic leadership should have to deliver all interviews from a spring loaded chair that catapults them into a giant vat of tapioca pudding anytime they say something like this.
HAKEEM JEFFRIES: "We hope and expect that Republicans will do the right thing"
September 29, 2025 at 3:01 PM
I know citing 'The West Wing' is considered a liberal faux pas, but there was *literally* an episode about this Jeffries. You'd do well to watch it.
By the way, the words you're looking for are "Oh, good grief."
By the way, the words you're looking for are "Oh, good grief."
This is not a test.
This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of the annual purge sanctioned by 6 News.
This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of the annual purge sanctioned by 6 News.
September 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
This is not a test.
This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of the annual purge sanctioned by 6 News.
This is your Emergency Broadcast System announcing the commencement of the annual purge sanctioned by 6 News.
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
Incidentally, many of the redundant checks, verifications and additional hoops to jump through were introduced after a tabloid story about someone getting something they shouldn't caused a government to vow to 'take action' and make the application process even more rigorous.
June 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Incidentally, many of the redundant checks, verifications and additional hoops to jump through were introduced after a tabloid story about someone getting something they shouldn't caused a government to vow to 'take action' and make the application process even more rigorous.
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
Civil servants will privately tell you that a major reason every process is slow, full of redundant checks and forms is that, "government accidentally granted benefit to someone who shouldn't get one" is a front page tabloid story, and "government was annoying, slow and painful for citizen" is not.
June 30, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Civil servants will privately tell you that a major reason every process is slow, full of redundant checks and forms is that, "government accidentally granted benefit to someone who shouldn't get one" is a front page tabloid story, and "government was annoying, slow and painful for citizen" is not.
#4Corners just had an interview as part of their program on the impacts of Trump's tariffs where the man said that should Republicans lose the midterms, you would see Democrats launch a third impeachment where they'd be spoilt for choice as to the charges.
I'm not holding my breath.
#AusPol
I'm not holding my breath.
#AusPol
June 30, 2025 at 11:18 AM
"And another thing. The Australian political press are not mad that they didn't get to see Trump abuse Albanese in Canada. Please don't put in the newspaper that they got mad."
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
This column is basically "we journalists have decided this must be done because we had a lousy time in Canada because you didn't tell us everything immediately, so we pretty much wasted our organisations money"
June 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
"And another thing. The Australian political press are not mad that they didn't get to see Trump abuse Albanese in Canada. Please don't put in the newspaper that they got mad."
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
Seriously, it's very tedious sometimes.
If you want an example of how nothing has changed for the Liberal Party even with their new lick of paint as a 'modern party for modern Australians', you need only look at the Cabinet v. Shadow Cabinet postings.
#AusPol
#AusPol
May 28, 2025 at 6:35 AM
If you want an example of how nothing has changed for the Liberal Party even with their new lick of paint as a 'modern party for modern Australians', you need only look at the Cabinet v. Shadow Cabinet postings.
#AusPol
#AusPol
Reposted by Oliver Pocock
your regular reminder that buying Harry Potter stuff gives money to Rowling and she uses that money directly and in large quantities to fund attacks on trans people
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
The upcoming Hogwarts Legacy 2 could potentially feature more characters from the Harry Potter books and movies.
Hogwarts Legacy 2 Could Feature Characters from the Books and Movies
The upcoming Hogwarts Legacy 2 could potentially feature more characters from the Harry Potter books and movies.
bit.ly
May 17, 2025 at 10:17 PM
your regular reminder that buying Harry Potter stuff gives money to Rowling and she uses that money directly and in large quantities to fund attacks on trans people
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
no ethical consumption under capitalism and all but “don’t buy Potter stuff” is an extremely easy baseline to follow
A complete disassembly of David Littleproud's actions these past few weeks by the wonderful Karen Middleton, in which Littleproud appears to have made the fatal mistake of attempting to retroactively build the ladder while he was standing on it.
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
David Littleproud’s own goal • Karen Middleton
The week the Nationals’ leader overplayed his hand
insidestory.org.au
May 24, 2025 at 5:12 AM
A complete disassembly of David Littleproud's actions these past few weeks by the wonderful Karen Middleton, in which Littleproud appears to have made the fatal mistake of attempting to retroactively build the ladder while he was standing on it.
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
insidestory.org.au/david-little...
Liberal Party agrees to suck it up while Nationals Party agrees to fuck it up (again) at indeterminate date in the future.
The Liberal party room met today to discuss Nationals Leader David Littleproud's four policy demands as part of discussions over the coalition agreement.
Liberals agree to 'suck it up' and back Nationals demands in principle
The Liberal party room met today to discuss Nationals Leader David Littleproud's four policy demands as part of discussions over the coalition agreement.
www.abc.net.au
May 23, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Liberal Party agrees to suck it up while Nationals Party agrees to fuck it up (again) at indeterminate date in the future.
If you want an indication as to how bad the fighting is between the Liberals and the Nationals post-divorce, Sussan Ley's office just responded to Bridget McKenzie's interview on the ABC's 7.30 Report in real-time by sending a note to the production team.
#AusPol
#AusPol
May 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
If you want an indication as to how bad the fighting is between the Liberals and the Nationals post-divorce, Sussan Ley's office just responded to Bridget McKenzie's interview on the ABC's 7.30 Report in real-time by sending a note to the production team.
#AusPol
#AusPol
Sussan Ley intends not to re-form a Coalition with David Littleproud before the 2028 election as she moves to seize on the Nationals’ shock split to promote up to nine additional Liberal MPs to her new opposition frontbench.
— via the Australian
#AusPol
— via the Australian
#AusPol
May 20, 2025 at 11:49 AM
Sussan Ley intends not to re-form a Coalition with David Littleproud before the 2028 election as she moves to seize on the Nationals’ shock split to promote up to nine additional Liberal MPs to her new opposition frontbench.
— via the Australian
#AusPol
— via the Australian
#AusPol
For those who are helped by visuals, the #AusPol 48th Parliament House of Reps
GOVERNMENT - 93
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OPPOSITION - 28
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CROSSBENCH - 27
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UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
GOVERNMENT - 93
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OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
May 20, 2025 at 10:29 AM
For those who are helped by visuals, the #AusPol 48th Parliament House of Reps
GOVERNMENT - 93
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
GOVERNMENT - 93
🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴
OPPOSITION - 28
🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵🔵
CROSSBENCH - 27
🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟤🟢🟠🟣⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪⚪
UNDECIDED - 2
⭕⭕
The year is 2052.
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
May 20, 2025 at 2:42 AM
The year is 2052.
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
The Prime Eternal, Anthony Albanese, has just been re-elected for an 11th successive term leading a Labor government with an increased majority.
The sole remaining Liberal Party and Nationals Party MPs are still divided if Australia should have nuclear power by 2045.
#AusPol
To quote a former occupant of the West Wing...
May 19, 2025 at 2:05 PM
To quote a former occupant of the West Wing...
According to ABC:
- There are 54 votes in the Liberal Party Room.
- The winner of the leadership contest requires 28 votes to win.
- The Party Room will vote for the Leader and then the Deputy Leader separately.
- 3 presumed votes for Ley are departing Parliament on June 30.
#AusPol #LibSpill
- There are 54 votes in the Liberal Party Room.
- The winner of the leadership contest requires 28 votes to win.
- The Party Room will vote for the Leader and then the Deputy Leader separately.
- 3 presumed votes for Ley are departing Parliament on June 30.
#AusPol #LibSpill
May 12, 2025 at 11:55 PM
PK:
"I'll give [Husic] the last word on this topic [climate change] before we move onto our next question."
EH:
"Well I think..."
*a cacophonous wall of noise from the other panelists*
PK:
"Well, thanks Ed, moving on..."
EH:
"Well hang on, I haven't actually finished my point."
#QandA #AusPol
"I'll give [Husic] the last word on this topic [climate change] before we move onto our next question."
EH:
"Well I think..."
*a cacophonous wall of noise from the other panelists*
PK:
"Well, thanks Ed, moving on..."
EH:
"Well hang on, I haven't actually finished my point."
#QandA #AusPol
May 12, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Results of the National Party Leadership Spill:
- David Littleproud (Maranoa, QLD) re-elected as Leader.
- Kevin Hogan (Page, NSW) elected as Deputy Leader, replacing outgoing Senator Perin Davey.
- Bridget McKenzie (Senator for Victoria) re-elected as Senate Leader.
#AusPol #AusVotes #NatSpill
- David Littleproud (Maranoa, QLD) re-elected as Leader.
- Kevin Hogan (Page, NSW) elected as Deputy Leader, replacing outgoing Senator Perin Davey.
- Bridget McKenzie (Senator for Victoria) re-elected as Senate Leader.
#AusPol #AusVotes #NatSpill
May 12, 2025 at 5:49 AM