Exclusive NACC robodebt story by my colleague Paul Karp Guardian Australia theguardian.com/australia-news…

And this, from me, on Gaza visas. theguardian.com/australia-news…

Looking forward to this Canberra conversation on Tuesday night. Get ye along if you’re in the capital. anu.edu.au/events/meet-th…

‘It was a dream until it was a nightmare’: Richard Marles’ chief of staff alleges she was barred from her office theguardian.com/australia-news…

Sonia_Randhawa Yes!

theguardian.com/australia-news…

I’m pleased to be writing a weekly column through the federal election campaign for respected news analysis magazine site Inside Story. You can find my first musings here: insidestory.org.au/pre-election-g…

Last time the Trump administration wanted to impose tariffs on Australia, ambassador Joe Hockey traded something they needed: a diplomatic cable to help with a political problem. What this time? The exclusive story in my column for Inside Story here: insidestory.org.au/tricks-of-the-…

Community service 📣 to any & all who’ll be aged 18 or over on election day, May 3. You have til 8pm tonight - Monday - to enrol yourself to vote or update your details. Voting’s compulsory & also an excellent thing to do. Enrol easily here: check.aec.gov.au/?gclsrc=aw.ds&…

It’s that time again. A mini break from all this election biz. Hallelujah to that. NationalFolkFestival

Here’s a bit of Charlie Needs Braces. Happy Saturday. NationalFolkFestival #CBR #livemusic

I defy you to not be moved by this version of The Auld Triangle. Thanks for coming back to NationalFolkFestival, Irish Mythen. 🙏

Democracy. Love it.

We require people to turn up, get their name marked off, collect ballot papers & put them in boxes. Whether they mark a valid vote is between them & their god. But voting’s both a right & a responsibility. We accept plenty that isn’t optional in a democracy. Why should voting be?

Another excellent article by Karen Middleton #auspol insidestory.org.au/how-peter-dutt…

We have that now. It’s a blank ballot paper in the box. Not showing up doesn’t deliver any message at all.

The ballot paper is your platform for disapproval. You can vote validly & scribble a message, or not mark a vote & scribble a message. Or just cast a vote. Or just leave it blank. There are messages in all of those options. Not showing up doesn’t convey any intent.

(Also, the only options that actually influence the outcome are the ones that involve casting a valid vote.)

“The drama of the first Coalition split in almost 40 years has obscured an instructive point that may yet seal Littleproud’s fate. When the Nats leader delivered key demands to Sussan Ley last week, his party room had authorised exactly none of them.” inside.org.au/david-littlepr…