iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

VERY interesting… Grayndler has been held by Albo since 1996. A month ago, Hannah Ferguson announced she’s contesting it. Today she posts this pic. At this rate, Ferguson’s campaign could VERY easily become the largest (by people) in history. (Larger than when McKew beat Howard in 2007.)

Photo of an event in Grayndler. Big crowd. Looks like a pub. People standing in rows and smiling. Lots of young people in particular. Title says “Mixtape Brewing & Bar”.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

- 325 million free books for children over 30 years, reaching 1-in-6 American children under the age of 5 - a program that reaches more 3yo’s in the US than preschool (A program that touches Australia too - reaching places like Kempsey) 1/..

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A month on from this being published… Have we now witnessed the visible iceberg tip of these shadowy international networks via Hanson’s UK trip?

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

This headline reads like a Cards Against Humanity prompt: “Will _______ be the ______ of our time?” Fill in the blanks.

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Lucy Hamilton @lucyham.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Thanks to @brenthodgson.bsky.social for drawing our attention to the author of the whacky headline at the AFR. (Got to get my library app going again.) This is the IPA drone who was put onto the ABC panel to defend billionaires from @purplepingers.bsky.social Cian worked for Gina. #Auspol

Brent Hodgson & @BrentHodgson
x.com
A break-up note, quietly published in the AFR...
"Sorry, but I've found someone new."
The fact that the IPA is now backing One Nation, and de-legitimising the Liberals, is significant.
The IPA was founded to assist with the establishment of the Liberal Party.
- It had a seat at the table when the party was forming
- It wrote the Menzies' early policy platforms.
- Director CD Kemp (who founded the IPA alongside the Murdochs, Coles, and BHP) left papers from this era that became the official history of the Liberal Party.
- The IPA became an intergenerational power base.
Kemp's two sons were Liberal ex-Ministers.
- The IPA-to-MP pipeline delivered Tim Wilson, John Pesutto, James Paterson and many more.
Now, allies are abandoning ship - not leaping into a void, but abandoning the IPA's historic free-market

We can debate whether it's driven by a desire to maintain relevance, or capture by Rinehart (who bankrolls both One Nation and the IPA) - but the cause is irrelevant and the outcome is the same.
Once the IPA has legitimised One Nation as
"mainstream" and de-legitimised the Liberals as implicitly fringe, there's no going back.
(In the UK, the same story: The Institute of Economic Affairs, a stalwart Tory ally, helped undermine the Tories and drive Reform.)
The IPA has picked a side, and sorry Liberals: it ain't you.
They've run off with some redhead girl from Ipswich, and are going to spend the next few years stringing you along.
=
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Ray White Rural Victoria
Efficient Apple & Pear Orchard
Advertisement
Cian Hussey
Researcher
Cian Hussey is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Two great campaigns wrapped up tonight - and results are coming in. Well done to Clare Glade-Wright and the Voices of Tasmania community in Huon (28% primary) And so too to Tracee Hutchison in Nepean (VIC) with Indies for MP (21% primary) (CGW a potential win; TH a likely 2CP)

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

“[Hopper] confirms that the courts will occasionally police the most blatant forms of self‑dealing [by the major parties]—and boy, you don’t get much more blatant than what the Victorian Government tried here.” tdunlop.substack.com/p/careful-wh...

tdunlop.substack.com

Careful what you fish for

Campaign finance law is still failing to reflect the wishes of an electorate that has moved beyond legacy-party politics

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Big news! The High Court has struck out the entire web of major-party-entrenching electoral funding laws in Victoria. The move sends Sect 12 of Electoral Act back to parliament for re-drafting – and sets a precedent that informs a 2nd challenge to Fed laws. theconversation.com/high-court-t...

theconversation.com

High Court takes an axe to Victoria’s political donations laws - and it will make federal MPs nervous

The High Court has rendered invalid an entire part of Victoria’s Electoral Act because it favours major parties at the expense of independents and smaller parties.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Not sure they’re called heartstrings if you’re less worried about the unarmed people shot/killed than the man who allegedly shot/killed them

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Victorian? Concession card holder? (Health Care, Pensioners, or Veterans Affairs cards) The VIC Govt scheme that gives $100 for comparing your electricity bill to find cheaper options closes 31 March compare.energy.vic.gov.au Worth getting onto if you’re eligible.

compare.energy.vic.gov.au

Welcome - Victorian Energy Compare

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

“Treaty is about ensuring the next generation inherits something stronger, fairer and more truthful.”

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Here’s @wilstracke.bsky.social talking about the need to make the tent bigger, not smaller, by bringing different people together and by being strategic enough to find the values we share.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Commencing #Progress2026 On stage is Jamila Rizvi discussing the event’s shared vision for more inclusive, equal and just society.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 23/03/2026

Heading to @ausprogress.bsky.social’s #Progress2026 today. Plenty of folk I know “offline” will be there – but how about Bsky’ers? Will you be there too?

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

A good friend points out this is not “from nowhere”… That it’s been getting closer and closer each election - with the seats of Calare and Clark both very close to “IND v IND” or “IND v Minor Party” contests in 2025.

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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 12/03/2026

New Australia Institute research finds state and federal subsidies for coal, gas and oil products increased 10% in past year, growing at a faster pace than funding to the national disability insurance scheme (NDIS). Read more: theaus.in/3P2fV38

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

The Farrer by-election is on-track to become a contest between IND Michelle Milthorpe and One Nation. If this eventuates, it’ll be an extremely rare result: One of only a few times in history that two candidates with no links to Labor, the Coalition, or their forebears finished #1 and #2.

1952 Victorian state election results for Brighton

1941 South Australian election results for Stirling

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

With polls not far off closing in Nightcliff, well done to @philscott4nc.bsky.social on an exceptional campaign in a very short by-election.

Crowd of Phil Scott supporters during 2025 Federal election

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

😂 ex-One Nation campaign director Craig Kelly showing PHON’s big-city arrogance. 1. Rural INDs have run & won in orange in Albury-Wodonga region since 2013: -before Pauline in Senate (2016) -before PHON reg’d in NSW (2018) -before PHON contested Indi/Farrer (2022) -before “teals” existed (2022)

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Niki Savva on how Farrer is shaping up to be a two-horse race between One Nation and independent Michelle Milthorpe. (In her view, this leaves the Liberals at a crossroads: should they put One Nation last as they once did, or become “One Nation Lite”?) www.smh.com.au/politics/fed...

smh.com.au

Farrer byelection: One Nation may well win Sussan Ley’s seat – that would be terrible for all of us

Smart Liberals believe the coming Farrer byelection could be a two-horse race, with neither horse wearing Liberal or National colours. That would be bad enough. What would be worse, for everyone, is i...

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 04/03/2026

The Liberal Election Review contains 35 mentions of “Labor”, 42 of “ALP”, but 52 of “teal”. You’d assume a functional Opposition would be FAR more interested in the Government’s ~18 seat majority than ~6 members of the crossbench. (Interesting analysis by @browne90.bsky.social below.)

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

In case you thought the housing crisis couldn’t get any worse… Here’s the CIS advocating for big business to take a bigger role in the rental sector as build-to-rent institutional landlords:

Senator BRAGG: It seems to me that there's a lot of arbitrage here. At the moment, sure, mum-and-dad investors are incentivised to provide rental supply to other Australians. Some people think that's good; other people think that's bad. The government, nonetheless, have a whole agenda to support the idea of institutions engaging in providing properties for others to rent, whether that be through their build-to-rent tax arrangements or the changes that the Treasurer is asking ASIC to look at to the disclosure arrangements through RG 97, which I know that the Property Council and others have pushed. And there's the Housing Australia Future Fund. There appears to be a big push here to replace mums and dads with institutions. Is there any evidence that mums and dads are bad landlords?

Dr Tulip : There's a lot. Australia has some of the worst rental insecurity in the OECD. We have more turnover of tenants, and that turnover is disproportionately driven by landlords. That reflects the fact that we have the wrong landlords—that most of our rental stock is owned by mum-and-dad investors, as you mention, who only offer very short leases, and they churn. I think the median rental property in Australia only lasts as a rental for five years. It's more than double that in many European countries, because their rental stock is owned by large landlords who offer long-term leases and want the tenants to stay as long as they can. So, yes, I think there are strong arguments for preferring institutional landlords over mum-and-dad landlords.

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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 16/02/2026

“The time for action is now. The ongoing delays torment those who are losing their jobs, livelihoods or simply remaining silent due to a lack of protection and support. When whistleblowers don’t speak up, everyone suffers." Read the full article: theaus.in/4bYxw5y

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Just $278,872 was spent in Farrer by c-IND @michellemilthorpe.bsky.social – who won the major pop’n centre of Albury 2CP. A small IND campaign scaling up; retiring sitting LIB; and ON splitting LIB votes would all help narrow the 6.2% margin – potentially adding another c-IND to parliament.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Tired dog – back from a week at the beach, a trip to the market, and a bath.

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Ann @anneastern.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Time to have a representative who will truly represents and cares about their constituents of HAWTHORN Yes….Let’s go! 🩵😁🩵

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Let’s go! Hawthorn seems to be gearing up for a big independent campaign, challenging the embattled former opposition leader and incumbent Liberal MP. www.voices4hawthorn.org/candidate_no...

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

Q on Great Ocean Road Dinosaurs… Went looking for the Ornithopod footprints outside Petticoat Creek today. Didn’t find them - but did find two square-ish sections of rock that appeared to have been removed. Can anyone help me locate the footprints?

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

Four years ago today. Hard to remember life without her.

Sundae, the golden retriever, as an 8 week old puppy. She sits on a lap in a car

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

This is – in my view – an act of selfishness. Groth has no apparent urgency to resign, and is letting down his constituents by not seeing through his service, even if he were to exit the Libs & move to the Crossbench. Elections are scheduled for November. A by-election in April/May serves nobody.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Currently holidaying off the Otway Basin Cars carry “Save Scott Reef” stickers alongside orange kelpies for @voicesofwannon.bsky.social Fences carry “Stop seismic blasting” corflutes. Can’t help but think there’s a big fight ahead.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Spotted: a new Voices group emerges! This one is particularly interesting for two reasons: 1. it’s a State group 2. it sits inside the boundaries of Goldstein, previously held by Independent Zoe Daniel. Rare for me to spot them this early in their growth. I will be following with great interest!

media.tenor.com

an elderly man is standing next to a pile of moss and looking at a turtle .

Alt: David Attenborough, a famed but elderly wildlife documentary narrator, is standing next to a pile of moss and looking at a frog

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

“Victoria’s political finance laws are unfair by design… Australia Institute research shows [they] have served to concentrate financial power rather than distribute it among Victorian voters.” - Bill Browne - Director, Democracy & Accountability @ Australia Institute (@browne90.bsky.social)

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The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 04/02/2026

Loopholes in Victoria's political donation laws mean the major parties receive uncapped gifts from their fundraising arms while donation caps apply to everyone else. @browne90.bsky.social #auspol

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Sundae was very upset we packed the car. It’s always terrifying: what if she gets left behind? She perked up when she saw some cows. But wasn’t happy until we arrived at the beach: her favourite place. She sniffed the familiar campground, did zoomies and is now nap-play-swim-eat-nap repeat.

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

This is a WILD case for those following along at home. Seems the Government agrees their own donation laws are unconstitutional(!)

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

The tiredest dog in all the lands…

Sundae the golden retriever snuggles into a human bed and passes out on a pillow

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 26/12/2025

Happy slightly-more-than-an Anniversary to this interaction 🦙

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Brent Hodgson @brenthodgson.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Sundae had a wonderful Christmas, begging for ham and rolling in the backyard grass. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too.

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