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Tony Cartledge

@decentral21.bsky.social
1.5K followers 621 following 6.4K posts

Writer interested in social equality and new forms of leadership, influenced by Taoist principles. Social Idealist/Metaphysical Idealist. Decency + Consciousness are primary. Aussie Queenslander, launching a project for a local Community Independent.

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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
Senator David Shoebridge @davidshoebridge.bsky.social · 6h
Joint statement from Senator David Shoebridge and Senator Steph Hodgins-May
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 7h
I do this dance every day on Faceblecch (I only went back because of my local political activism) where I bite my lip and scroll past the rage-baiters. I really want to post this comment on them: 'Those who post rage-baiting messages are master-baiters." So far I haven't, but the day is young.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 7h
Stop punishing homeowners. Tax the rich and the gas companies. Even just a little would make a big difference. The uber-smart Richard Denniss explains inflation. #Auspol thepoint.com.au/podcasts/260...
thepoint.com.au
What’s the point of inflation?
The Point, helping readers make sense of the issues shaping their lives today.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 8h
It's taken a while but two fearless Aussie academics finally get to face up to Zionist bullying. #Auspol michaelwest.com.au/lawfare-sydn...
michaelwest.com.au
Lawfare. Sydney University academics will finally have their day in court - Michael West
Sydney academics John Keane and Nick Riemer have finally been able to file a defence against their accusers.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 8h
We may get more great indy media but also may get more political megaphones, and the right seems to have all the money. This is a stick with two pointy ends. #Auspol pearlsandirritations.com/post/2026/09...
pearlsandirritations.com
Storming the ramparts of legacy media
James Chessell’s move from the AFR to Joe Aston’s Rampart is another sign of a media landscape being remade. Smaller outlets, subscription models, podcasts, and independent publishers are challenging ...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 8h
I hope #Auspol is smart and doesn't get left behind. We might need more Independents and Greens waving big sticks to make sure we catch up. thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
The next race is not for liquid fuels. It is for cheap electrons.
The global evidence shows electrification is no longer a distant or marginal pathway. The deployment of solar and batteries now represents the fastest energy shift in human history. This is not simply...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 8h
Albo doesn't give a tinker's dam about you. He's too busy tinkering around the edges and bragging at the UN. Vote more Independents in to make his life more difficult. #Auspol www.deepcutnews.com/p/this-labor...
deepcutnews.com
This Labor government is the Ed Sheeran of Australian politics – Amy Remeikis
There is more opportunity to push back against toxic centrism
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
David Marler @qldaah.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Disgruntlement & disintegration. It's decades of the same One Nation story. Out of the 51 members ever elected across Australia, 28 of those ended up resigning or being expelled by Pauline Hanson. #auspol www.theguardian.com/news/ng-inte...
theguardian.com
A timeline of One Nation’s instability: more than half of Hanson’s MPs have quit or been expelled
As party numbers swell to record levels, Guardian analysis reveals a three-decade history of tumult
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Put Shoebridge in, coach. The Greens need a few home runs and he has a killer bat. #Auspol theconversation.com/larissa-wate...
theconversation.com
Larissa Waters steps down as Greens leader due to health reasons
The party will decide on a new leader this week.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Great new technology makes it difficult for fossil foolers to hide behind BS arguments. I'm looking at you, Albo. #Auspol theconversation.com/we-can-final...
theconversation.com
We can finally measure the damage each new coal, gas or oil project will do to people and nature
For decades, we couldn’t trace the link between new fossil fuel projects and their damage to people and planet. But now we can.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Last night's 4 Corners only served to reinforce this conviction: that PHONy are too dysfunctional to cause any real harm and it seems most of their incompetence is driven by greed and grift. #Auspol
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Integrity pays off. "The economic case for integrity." Why we need more ethical leaders. They are not going to come from parties, but from Community Independent movements. Take heed, #Auspol publicintegrity.org.au/integrity-or...
publicintegrity.org.au
2026 Integrity Oration: Danielle Wood
Productivity Commission Chair Danielle Wood delivered the Centre’s 2026 Integrity Oration on the economic case for integrity. Read the published speech, download the PDF and listen to her podcast inte...
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
Independent Media Australia. @indymediaaus.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/09/2026
Politicians keep talking about immigration. Voters keep talking about their bills pearlsandirritations.com/e/daily/20… #Auspol
pearlsandirritations.com
Politicians keep talking about immigration. Voters keep talking about their bills
Housing costs, falling living standards and distrust of politicians are driving deep frustration among voters. Yet immigration dominates the national debate, obscuring the economic pressures behind the drift away from the major parties.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Sue Barrett at her most inspiring. A must-read for #Auspol
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
That light is a train coming to flatten you. Governments can't save you, because they're made of parties wedded to vested interests who prefer the status quo. #Auspol Only Independents will stick up for you. Decentralise politics. Ditch them all. michaelwest.com.au/promise-of-l...
michaelwest.com.au
Promise of 'light at end of the tunnel' for inflation - Michael West
Labor is determined to inject optimism into Australia's gloomy consumers as another interest rate hike appears all but certain.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Wordle 1,927 3/6 ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜⬜🟩🟩🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A good reminder to not be too alarmist about PHONY's rise. They are too dysfunctional to actually wield any power. If they get any at all, which I doubt. Any seats will be vacated before their term, per their track record. And they continually fail at simply running a party. Relax, #Auspol
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
Ursula K. Le Guin Bot @leguinbot.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
What good is power when you're too wise to use it?
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It piddles me off that governments continually ignore this simple math. Unless wages rise like the cost of everything else, we are always going to lose. The first government to make this a priority will get my vote. #Auspol thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
thepoint.com.au
New data shows wage growth is falling, further undermining the case for another rate rise
The latest Enterprise Bargaining Agreements data provides even more evidence that the labour market is not “tight” and that the Reserve Bank should not be looking to increase unemployment by raising r...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Labor is perfecting the parliamentary dodge and amassing a gigantic 'too-hard' basket. Do your frickin' job, Albo. #Auspol michaelwest.com.au/parliament-r...
michaelwest.com.au
Parliament reports still stacked in government in-tray - Michael West
Dozens of parliamentary reports remain unanswered by government months after they were handed down, while others are brushed with stock responses.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Since PHONy began and Purloin was first charged with electoral fraud, there have been around 10 other fraud cases involving members, but this is all above board and tickety-boo. #Auspol 😉 www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
One Nation admits using party funds to build $56,000 shed on James Ashby’s private property
Email to members says money lent to a party-linked company to establish a micro distillery
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Add your name to the @australiainstitute.org.au petition for A National Plebiscite for a 25% Gas Export Tax gas-plebiscite.australiainstitute.org.au
gas-plebiscite.australiainstitute.org.au
A National Plebiscite for a 25% Gas Export Tax
Voters across the political spectrum support a 25% tax on gas exports. So, let's put it to the people. Join the call for a national plebiscite and let Australians decide.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The director of Redbridge Pollsters has proof positive that no one cares about immigration, despite the tiny minority with the loudest voices. #Auspol pearlsandirritations.com/post/2026/09...
pearlsandirritations.com
Politicians keep talking about immigration. Voters keep talking about their bills
Housing costs, falling living standards and distrust of politicians are driving deep frustration among voters. Yet immigration dominates the national debate, obscuring the economic pressures behind th...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
They're all as bad as each other. Meanwhile my rent is going up again this month. #Auspol michaelwest.com.au/lies-damned-...
michaelwest.com.au
Lies, damned lies, and pollies talking about housing - Michael West
The housing debate is on again and as ill-informed as ever. But which politicians are telling the most lies about housing?
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
In the race to the bottom, the best bet is always to step on the gas. And the coal. And the oil. 'Bye, Angus. #Auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Angus Taylor pledges to repeal swathe of climate policies, saying ‘Australia has done its bit’
Several measures were previously introduced or supported by Coalition, prompting claim Liberals and Nationals would ‘let climate change rip’
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Don't believe the hype. #Auspol thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
The Government is hyping artificial intelligence, but its numbers tell a different story
Both last year’s Productivity Commission’s figures and Treasury’s in the Intergenerational Report this week promise enough benefits from AI to roughly maintain the status quo, but not so profound an i...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The closest we may every get to exposing our complicity in atrocities. Exposing also how spineless we are when it comes to the US making a mockery of our sovereignty. #Auspol
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Wordle 1,924 3/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ 🟩⬜🟨⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"The great personal challenge of hope is asking yourself, 'If not now, when? If not me, who?' … being a bystander makes you part of the problem. In a democracy, we are each responsible for the future." The Indi Way p.46
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Angus is also denying members met with PHONy for coalition talks for the next election. A sure sign someone can't keep his minions in line and is about to get rolled. #Auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Taylor distances himself from Bragg’s proposal to let homebuyers use super as collateral for mortgages
Opposition leader said the idea for Australians to use their superannuation savings as collateral for a loan ‘is not our policy’
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“The standard of leadership and political behaviour had reached such a low in Australia ... Yet it was 'we' the people who had voted for these same politicians. It was 'we' who allowed this state of political behaviour, and it was 'we' who had to show courage and challenge it.” The Indi Way p.44
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
There's too much money in Australian politics, and federal Parliament should do more to reduce it, according to a new Grattan Institute policy brief (which) shows that our democracy in the grip of an election-spending ‘arms race’. Make #Auspol fairer for everyone. grattan.edu.au/news/decoupl...
grattan.edu.au
Decoupling money from power: Getting electoral expenditure caps right
There's too much money in Australian elections. Here’s what federal Parliament should do to reduce it.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The hypocrisy. It burns. #Auspol michaelwest.com.au/worse-more-i...
michaelwest.com.au
'Worse, more intense': PM's climate warning to leaders - Michael West
Anthony Albanese has urged leaders on the sidelines of the UN for more action on climate change, arguing resilience in affected communities can only go so far.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Let's hope this is a domino movement and other states follow suit, until eventually lying for #Auspol will seem so 2020s. Once again, an Independent backs what is morally right. Vote more into the halls of power. thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
Australians want truth in political advertising. Will our politicians listen?
It’s perfectly legal to lie in a political ad in NSW – but that could be about to change. More than 31,500 NSW residents have said that they want truth in political advertising laws before the state e...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
“The standard of leadership and political behaviour had reached such a low in Australia ... Yet it was 'we' the people who had voted for these same politicians. It was 'we' who allowed this state of political behaviour, and it was 'we' who had to show courage and challenge it.” The Indi Way p.44
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
“The vision and leadership of a small group of people who began Voice 4 Indi in 2012 started a great big conversation about doing politics differently. What they created is ... as 'new power' – open, participatory and peer-driven. It operates on shared values and radical trust.” Helen Haines
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"By and large, the independents in federal parliament are doing things right." They have brought with them a set of values that seem to cross the party divide. Few of those who backed them in are having any regrets." Barrie Cassidy Introduction to The Indi Way
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
"... 54 per cent of those surveyed now supporting someone other than Labor or the coalition." If they had an ethical Independent to vote for, we could transform #Auspol into a genuine democracy. We could decentralise politics and spread fairness. michaelwest.com.au/record-low-p...
michaelwest.com.au
Record-low poll puts Labor attack dogs on offensive - Michael West
Federal government frontbenchers have arced up as their party slips to a record-low primary vote share of 27 per cent in the latest Newspoll.
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
Senator David Shoebridge @davidshoebridge.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
The Prime Minister thought he may as well make it official - Labor is run by and for Newscorp and the 1% - so he has appointed former Newscorp exec under hard-right Lachlan Murdoch to plum NY diplomatic job
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
Maria Popova @mariapopova.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination” Hear Mary Oliver, in her lovely time-rasped voice, read one of the greatest poems ever written: www.themarginalian.org/2014/09/24/m...
themarginalian.org
Mary Oliver Reads Her Beloved Poem “Wild Geese”
“Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination…”
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Australian voters told parliament it wanted more Independents in government at the last two elections. The duopoly responded by making it harder to grant that. Trust erodes, and Independents are looking far more preferable that these scaredy twonks. #Auspol michaelwest.com.au/democracys-d...
michaelwest.com.au
Democracy's despair. New donation laws to entrench Uniparty power - Michael West
Trust in our democratic process is in sharp decline, and the Federal Government's new donation laws are unlikely to change that.
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Michael West @michaelwestbiz.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Uniparty's new funding laws "will only shorten the journey towards complete disillusionment". Jack Ayoub #auspol #OneNation #democracy michaelwest.com.au/democracys-d...
michaelwest.com.au
Democracy's despair. New donation laws to entrench Uniparty power - Michael West
Trust in our democratic process is in sharp decline, and the Federal Government's new donation laws are unlikely to change that.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Opposition for opposition's sake can be costly. Conservative opposition to this proposed bill is both absurd and damaging for the Noalition and PHONy outrage. #Auspol thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
The tide has turned against big tech’s harm
A YouGov poll of more than 1000 Australians shows that the conservative parties’ opposition to regulating Big Tech is deeply unpopular with the electorate. A staggering 93 per cent of Australians agre...
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I have a dream. Community Strong, or a party like them, made up of loosely-affiliated ethical Independents, becomes the dominant party and we get a leader we can be proud of, like Zali Steggall or David Pocock, who do great things. #Auspol is maybe the only place it could happen. I have a dream.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Got a Qld LNP email asking me to sign a petition about bail reform. I asked them how they got my address. I've never voted nor given my details to any arm of the Coalition. There's dirty deeds afoot here, but I won't hold my breath for an answer. I feel like someone left a turd on my doorstep.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
True, except for a few things standing in her way, like the flirters who'll abandon her next election, and the tiny number of seats this means she'll get. And her track record of incompetence that almost guarantees the party will implode before then. #Auspol www.crikey.com.au/2026/09/17/p...
crikey.com.au
Could Pauline Hanson become prime minister as a senator? Yes, actually
The office of prime minister is not mentioned anywhere in the Australian constitution. Its existence, eligibility and function are governed by convention, not law.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Authoritarian measures are creeping in around the edges of our society. This is scary in such a freely democratic country like Australia. More people should be shocked about this. #Auspol michaelwest.com.au/cellebrite-g...
michaelwest.com.au
Cellebrite gets Government blessing to share your phone - Michael West
Cellebrite has government clearance for use by law enforcement agencies to pry into your personal life, and you can't stop them.
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
You tell 'em, Amy. I am so sick of migration being blamed for all the country's ills without one shred of proof. And conmen trumpeting false, inflated numbers. Let's put more adults in the room. Vote Independent. #Auspol www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politic...
thenewdaily.com.au
Recycled migrant fuss is just a hot-button topic looking for an issue
With all the talk about Australia’s migration "issue", there is one question that has remained noticeably absent.
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Reposted by Tony Cartledge
4fuxake @blueheartedly1.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
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Tony Cartledge @decentral21.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
A great article by Tim Dunlop on common decency. tdunlop.substack.com/p/the-ulysse...
tdunlop.substack.com
The Ulysses algorithm
What we owe the stranger
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