MHLoppy2

A 27 year old inner city art student has revealed her horror at the meeting between Albo and Trump earlier this week.

Sofia Hurley, the daughter of a magistrate judge and a well-known art dealer, has lived in her city’s once working-class inner suburbs ever since her parents bought the place as an investment.

She now insists that Prime Minister Albanese has “let the country down in a big way.” [...]

Former Labor Prime Minister and Labor Prime Minister destroyer Julia Gillard has thrown her hat back into the political scene by releasing a glowing endorsement of US President Donald Trump.

The tribute comes just seconds after Gillard was sent the video of Trump telling Kevin Rudd that he “doesn’t like him.”

“It turns out I am much more aligned with President Trump than I thought I was,” Gillard said, “sure we have our differences on climate change, treatment of women, equality, democracy, yada yada… But when it comes to humiliating Kevin Rudd in front of the entire nation we are both on the same page.” [...]

Satirically-themed context: https://www.betootaadvocate.com/headlines/trump-now-on-borrowed-time-after-making-an-enemy-out-of-the-most-vindictive-and-cunning-operator-in-global-politics/

In a move aimed at bolstering its grassroots campaign, there are rumours that One Nation is set to announce Barnaby Joyce as its “man on the ground” for the next election — a role for which the party says the former Deputy PM is uniquely qualified.

“We’ve always said our party needs to connect with people on the streets. While other parties waste time knocking on doors, Barnaby will be lying on the footpath, connecting directly with the pavement,” One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said. [...]

As former Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce announces his plan to leave the Nationals Party at the next election, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has decided to rev up her push to pick him up from the Canberra footpath he drunkly lays on.

Pauline went into her torn shopping bag of tricks to try and finalise a deal, by offering Barnaby what he wants more than anything: the power to pick the next batch of party interns. [...]

Barnaby Joyce is in advanced talks to defect from the Nationals to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

Joyce, who represents the NSW regional electorate of New England, declined to comment when asked if he would change parties.

Hanson did not deny the ongoing discussions when asked by this masthead on Friday afternoon.

“If Barnaby wants to come to One Nation, I’d be happy to have him,” she said, also suggesting other MPs in the Coalition who were disaffected could join her party. [...]

Avantis Investors, a subsidiary of American Century Investments, has launched the Avantis Small Cap Value Active ETF (AVTS), Avantis Global Equity Active ETF (AVTG), and Avantis Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF (AVTE) in the Australian market.

The ETFs are available on Cboe, with each charging a distinct management fee. AVTS charges the highest at 0.49% per annum, followed by AVTE (0.45% p.a.) and AVTG (0.30% p.a.). [...]

Senator Pauline Hanson has announced her newest bizarre campaign, this time attacking brown paper bags, demanding all stores start stocking white bags instead.

“These bags are coming here and ruining our way of life,” she rambled, “I’m not against all paper bags the way some in the media try to claim I am, I am just against these brown ones.” [...]

SBS staff remain unable to use the word Palestine in news stories despite the federal government recognising its statehood at the UN last month, as tensions over reporting on the conflict in Gaza remain high in newsrooms across the country two years after the October 7 massacre.

While some of those tensions have been momentarily alleviated after Australia last month became one of more than 150 nations that recognise the State of Palestine, staff at the multicultural broadcaster say their organisation’s own response to meet the moment – or lack thereof – is stark. [...]

In short:

Detectives are yet to interview a 60-year-old man who allegedly opened fire on a street in Sydney's inner west.

A man in his 50s was left injured and has undergone emergency surgery for gunshot wounds to his neck and chest.

The alleged gunman had no known mental health history, according to police.

Acting Superintendent Stephen Parry said between 50 to 100 shots were fired "indiscriminately" at passers-by over a two-hour period.

The 60-year-old had no connections to organised crime or terrorism, police said.

Acting Commissioner Trent King said the shooting did not appear to be drug or alcohol-related.

In short:

Andrew Hastie has resigned from shadow cabinet, citing disagreement over immigration policy.

Mr Hastie said he could not abide cabinet solidarity, and Sussan Ley deserved to lead "unencumbered" by interventions from shadow colleagues.

What's next?

Ms Ley says formal changes to the shadow ministry will be announced shortly.

Customers in Australian restaurants and cafes will soon be able to add a small gratuity to their bill, reminding the establishment they are not in America.

Early feedback from customers has been positive, with many saying they are already using it. “When I go into pick up my takeaway pizza, it’s nice to know I have the choice to add a little extra … context about what country we’re in,” one diner said. [...]

In short:

The vast majority of compensation claims for hazards on Victorian roads are being rejected, new data shows.

In 2023 and 2024, 1709 notices were lodged but only 23 resulted in a settlement offer and more than two thirds of hazards were described as pavement or surface defects.

What's next?

The Victorian government has allocated $976 million to road maintenance for 2025/26, with the majority of funding to be spent in regional areas.