Sign in

Michelle Fahy

@michellefahy.bsky.social
488 followers 121 following 487 posts

Independent reporting on arms industry and its dealings with Australian government. Revolving door. Conflicted interests. Undue influence. Corruption. Signal: @undue_influence.46 Archive: undueinfluence.substack.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 4h
The erasure, by Cathy Wilcox (see cartoon below). Also read, The Distinguished Reporting Award, 2026 Winner: 👇 www.europeanpressprize.com/article/what...
europeanpressprize.com
What the wounds are telling us - European Press Prize
To view the full article in English in its original layout, including all images and graphics, please follow this link. Please note: the original publication contains explicit and disturbing images an...
185
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 4h
"I don't call it mainstream media anymore," Goodman says. "I call it the corporate media" "How do we learn about the world? It has to be through something other than a corporate lens." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10... Doco screens at Adelaide Film Festival then Aust'n cinemas nationally from Oct 22
abc.net.au
Journalist Amy Goodman won't take 'no comment' for an answer
Oscar-nominated filmmakers Tia Lessin and Carl Deal documented years in the life of an indomitable newshound.
31512
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
Joe Hockey's lobbying firm operates in US & Aust "I can't point to a single act of corrupt behaviour, but various parts of the US government are very forward-leaning in their partnerships with the private sector," he said. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10...
abc.net.au
Hockey adamant corruption flourishing in Washington
Donald Trump might be the most influential US president of the past 100 years, according to Joe Hockey, but that does not mean he has not "diminished" the standing of the US globally.
021
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Curious, Mr Mackney picked up the object before realising what it was. "I'm a bit of an idiot…" he said. Police officers attended and guarded the site until Department of Defence personnel arrived. Defence bomb squad detonated the 11kg device at 4am www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10...
abc.net.au
Shock wake-up for residents as WWII shell detonated on beach
A dog walker and his friend chanced across the ordnance while going for a midnight stroll on Wurtulla Beach.
032
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
AUKUS Dr Andrew Gaczol, fmr international political analyst & policy officer w Defence: Nuclear subs are about “projecting power into another part of the world...That’s not protecting our patch. That’s going into someone else’s patch and poking them in the eye.” www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Hegseth calls US-built nuclear submarines the ‘apex predator’ of the seas. But are they right for Australia?
Some experts argue Virginia-class submarines government is buying second hand are good for fighting American wars, but not for defending Australia
0115
Reposted by Michelle Fahy
Jommy Tee @jommytee.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Slow learners ...
14226
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
"According to Politico, US authorities became aware of the missing components in June, triggering 'an ongoing series of briefings' for congressional staff on key national security committees, but Mr Marles would not reveal when Australia was first alerted." thenightly.com.au/australia/au...
thenightly.com.au
Australia confirms search for missing F-35 aircraft parts
Technological secrets may have been accidentally divulged to China after a logistics company mistakenly rerouted ‘unserviceable’ F-35 fighter aircraft parts.
21210
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
A [US] Government Accountability Office report from 2023 found that more than 1 million F-35 spare parts have gone missing in the past five years. GAO concluded the Pentagon hasn’t been able to review spare part losses because Lockheed controls the information. www.politico.com/news/2026/09...
politico.com
Hill investigates after F-35 parts diverted to Hong Kong
The incident raises the possibility that top secret weapons technology may have been exposed to a foreign adversary — including China.
11213
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
F-35 parts 'mistakenly' diverted doesn't support Defence claim it runs a 'robust' arms export regime Lockheed claim it handles parts w "utmost diligence" is fantasy, given it lost >1 million F-35 spares in 5yrs to 2023 (see link in comments) And now 👇 www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/f-...
australiandefence.com.au
F-35 freight provider partnered with blacklisted Chinese company - Australian Defence Magazine
The owner of a logistics company with prior involvement in F-35 parts freight, and reported to have diverted a shipment of classified parts to Hong Kong, recently partnered with a blacklisted firm lin...
31818
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Link for above Marles quotes re Australian weapons supply to Israel undueinfluence.substack.com/p/buck-passi...
undueinfluence.substack.com
Buck-passing inside the murky arms trade
Australia bears responsibility for how Australian-made weapons are used in conflict zones around the world
062
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
"Def Min Marles says the F-35 fighter jet parts mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong were not technologically 'sensitive'." www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09... Maybe. But Marles used to insist claims Aust supplied weapons to Israel were “absolutely false”, “a total lie”, “completely wrong” & “utterly false”
abc.net.au
Live: F-35 parts mistakenly diverted to Hong Kong not 'sensitive', Marles says
Richard Marles told journalists in Adelaide that Australia has been "made aware" of the development, and was helping the US investigate what happened. Follow live.
295
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Re the F-35 parts gone missing story. Overseas reports have more info: Original story: www.politico.com/news/2026/09... Good extra detail www.channelnewsasia.com/world/austra...
channelnewsasia.com
Australia says it protects tech, after report F-35 fighter parts diverted
SYDNEY: Australia said on Monday (Sep 21) it protects classified defence technology and has "robust" export controls following a media report that F-35 fighter jet parts were diverted to Hong Kong, sp...
061
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
2 of 2 US Govt report, 2021→2026 F-35 costs ↑↑↑, but failed to meet performance goals. Performance trending down. Mission capable rate (% time F-35 performs a tasked mission) ↓ 67% to 44% Full mission capable rate (% time it can perform all missions) ↓ 38% to 25% www.gao.gov/assets/gao-2...
gao.gov
023
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
1 of 2 Defence & Lockheed Martin red-faced after major security fail Refuse to provide details for "security reasons" (aka damage control) F-35: an eye-wateringly expensive public interest fiasco (Lockheed's made a motza tho') See post 2 www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/cl...
australiandefence.com.au
Classified Australian F-35 parts disappear in Hong Kong - Australian Defence Magazine
A shipment of classified Australian F-35 parts has gone missing after being unexpectedly diverted to Hong Kong.
2128
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
SMH "The senate inquiry into the crash, which began in June, heard claims from former test pilots Major Ian Wilson and Major David Lamb that an independent Defence Flight Safety Bureau report exhibited an obvious conflict of interest and contained fabricated evidence" www.smh.com.au/national/que...
smh.com.au
Corruption claims haunt fatal Defence helicopter crash
An investigation into the 2023 Taipan helicopter crash that killed four soldiers should be reviewed due to claims of corruption, a senate committee recommends.
011
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The #NACC's failure to investigate the Morrison govt's rorting of grants schemes for political purposes gave a green light to Albanese govt to do the same. It's well past time for the NACC to ditch its 3 year old training wheels and start getting serious www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Labor seats get more than 90% of funding distributed under controversial multimillion-dollar grants program
Guardian Australia analysis adds to concerns over the federal scheme, which is to be the subject of a Senate inquiry
33216
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
55 seconds well worth listening to. This is a must-do for Australia: "to establish a transparent national arms control system with robust monitoring and end-user verification mechanisms" ...as opposed to the blanket of secrecy Defence currently imposes over our arms exports.
0179
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
NB This article contains a screenshot - and a link to the original page still saved at the Wayback Machine web archive - that shows Lockheed's text stating that every F-35 contains Australian parts and components.
03226
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Also see this on the Australian government's farcical claim that the Australian-made parts in the world's most lethal fighter jet are somehow "non-lethal"... undueinfluence.substack.com/p/decoded-de...
undueinfluence.substack.com
Decoded: Defence Department's deadly deceits
After nine months of denial and disinformation, the Australian government has been forced to confirm its deadly exports to Israel
062
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
The now deleted ‘Industrial Partnerships’ section of the Lockheed Martin F-35 website used to state plainly: "As a programme partner, Australian businesses are supplying components for the entire F-35 fleet, not just Australian aircraft." undueinfluence.substack.com/p/lockheed-m...
undueinfluence.substack.com
Lockheed Martin deletes Australian F-35 ties
The world’s biggest weapons manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, has deleted from its website details about Australia’s key role in building F-35 fighter jets, which Israel is using to bomb Gaza.
182
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Ministers Wong and Marles at it again, gaslighting the Australian public. For the record, every F-35 globally has Australian parts in it - including those Israel uses. Lockheed itself confirmed this. See my 2024 article with the proof, in first comment below. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
Crossbench MPs launch push to stop Australian military exports being used in human rights breaches
‘Red lines’ legislation would forbid defence equipment technology or services being used, includes parts for F-35 fighter jets
16127
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
UPDATE on naval contracts case Court martial postponed, prob to 2027 The Nightly says case caused "widespread discussion" across arms industry, incl "crisis meetings" at top level of European-based global arms giant over concerns its Aust arm may be implicated thenightly.com.au/politics/sen...
thenightly.com.au
Unusual problem holds up secretive navy contracts trial
A senior naval officer facing prosecution over the handling of lucrative defence contracts has attended a pre-trial hearing, but the highly sensitive and complicated case is now expected to be delayed...
022
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Few would argue Victoria is facing an integrity and governance crisis The Victorian Govt has introduced leg'n to expand the jurisdiction of its anti-corruption commission, the IBAC The reforms are not perfect, but they allow Vic to start tackling key problems theconversation.com/the-victoria...
theconversation.com
The Victorian government’s new integrity laws are not perfect. But they are vital for restoring good governance in the state
Premier Ben Carroll’s new laws, along with the building royal commission, are vital in ensuring accountability and restoring good governance in Victoria.
023
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Australia lectures others on what it won't do itself "At the Arms Trade Treaty meeting last week Australia talked about transparency, even presented a paper about the importance of transparency. But [focused] on pointing the finger not looking in the mirror" pearlsandirritations.com/post/2026/09...
pearlsandirritations.com
Australia faces international criticism for lack of transparency in military trade
Australia’s military exports are growing, but parliament and the public still lack clear information about what is being exported, where it goes and how it is used.
03922
Reposted by Michelle Fahy
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"This is a massive institutional failure in Australia" Powerful new research by Prof Richard Tanter shows US military-industrial complex deeply embedded on Australian soil US military/arms co's have access to 100+ defence facilities, 17 of which US controls www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war?
Exclusive: US-controlled weapons corporations and forces have control or access to more than 100 facilities across the continent, which some analysts describe as a ‘colonisation’ of Australia’s milita...
153
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
"This is a massive institutional failure in Australia" Powerful new research by Prof Richard Tanter shows US military-industrial complex deeply embedded on Australian soil US military/arms co's have access to 100+ defence facilities, 17 of which US controls www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
The US now has access to more than half Australia’s military bases – could it drag the country unwillingly into war?
Exclusive: US-controlled weapons corporations and forces have control or access to more than 100 facilities across the continent, which some analysts describe as a ‘colonisation’ of Australia’s milita...
153
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Important action Hold the NSW Police Commissioner accountable for this bashing. Support White Shirt Guy’s historic legal battle. Many small donations together make a big difference chuffed.org/project/1806...
chuffed.org
Hold the Police Commissioner accountable for this bashing. Support White Shirt Guy’s historic legal battle.
Photo courtesy of Oliver Risi.
055
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Good column, Laura Tingle: In Washington this week, Marles put a different spin on what "making real progress in relation to AUKUS" means AUKUS is morphing into an arrangement where the US has a base in Australia, as opposed to Australia having its own capabilities www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Everyone but Australia reconsiders relationship with America
No-one inside federal politics seems interested in discussing the large orange elephant in the room and how it is materially changing every other country's views of the world.
184
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Note actual details from first two pars (vs misleading headline): Coles *will* cut ties with Palantir, the controversial US data giant... The supermarket has confirmed its contract with the company *will not extend beyond 2027* Ties not yet cut www.theage.com.au/technology/c...
theage.com.au
Coles cuts ties with controversial CIA-linked data giant Palantir
The 2024 deal handed the Peter Thiel-founded company 10 billion rows of data covering every store, shift and one of Australia’s largest workforces.
34116
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
“the UK is no longer capable of managing a nuclear submarine program”: former British director of nuclear policy, Rear Admiral Philip Mathias Yet the UK (BAE Systems) is Australia's partner in producing the AUKUS subs 👇 by ret'd RAN sub cmdr Peter Briggs pearlsandirritations.com/post/2026/09...
pearlsandirritations.com
AUKUS is a $368 billion gamble Australia does not need to take
US production shortfalls, Britain’s submarine crisis and Australia’s own infrastructure delays are eroding the assumptions behind AUKUS. It's time to take a different path.
03318
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Link to Peter Briggs' earlier articles, mentioned in previous post: johnmenadue.com/authors/pete...
johnmenadue.com
Peter Briggs
Peter Briggs retired from the RAN in 2001 after a 40-year career, specialising in submarines. This included two submarine commands, command of the RAN Submarine Squadron, director of Submarine Policy ...
011
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
AUKUS subs: I recently shared a series of important pieces by Rear Admiral Peter D Briggs RAN (ret'd). Link in comments, ICYMI. Here's a shorter article he wrote, summarising key issues in plain English, published on Malcolm Turnbull's Substack substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com
Australia’s AUKUS Plan relies on a dangerous nuclear misapprehension
Former submarine commander Rear Admiral Peter Briggs responds to the Minister Pat Conroy’s argument that there is no alternative to AUKUS if Australia is to have nuclear powered subs
132
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Revolving door: Australians are onto it. Said NO THANKS - loud and clear. thepoint.com.au/opinions/260...
thepoint.com.au
WA Labor chose a Woodside lobbyist for the Secret Harbour by-election. Voters sent a clear message back
In the face of surging support for One Nation, driven by cynicism about politics and vested interests, WA Labor chose to run a current Woodside lobbyist in the Secret Harbour by-election, with disastr...
032
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Interesting - Harborne owns 15% of QinetiQ. QinetiQ is a solid contractor to Defence Dept in Australia and has a close alliance with Defence Science and Technology (weapons R&D side) @lucyham.bsky.social www.theguardian.com/business/202...
theguardian.com
Arms and the £5m man: Farage megadonor Christopher Harborne’s military empire
Reform UK denies donor and crypto-billionaire’s global interests in arms and military could present a conflict of interest over its defence spending policy
177
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Indeed. Who knows. A senior judge is unlikely to be influenced in the role; I see no reason to keep their identity secret. Secrecy of 4th member of panel (if used) is troubling. Will it be a third senior govt insider as before? Panels were heavily weighted w senior govt insiders last time.
011
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Western Australia’s Cook government has been lambasted over its proposed “extraordinary powers” for police to use against those protesting Land Forces - a major Australian biennial weapons expo - to be held in Perth in October. thepoint.com.au/new/260828-p...
thepoint.com.au
Proposed police powers for WA defence expo could have 'chilling effect' on peaceful protest, advocates warn
Human rights advocates have lambasted Western Australia’s Cook government over its proposed “extraordinary powers” for police to use against those protesting a major defence and weapons expo in Octobe...
253
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Dr Albert Palazzo, fmr long-serving Director of War Studies for the Australian Army Truth-telling on how AUKUS could destroy Australia: "Rarely has so much been given away in the art of international relations with the prospect of so little in return." www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/defe...
thesaturdaypaper.com.au
How AUKUS could destroy Australia
Recently, both Anthony Albanese and the Pentagon’s No. 3 official, Elbridge Colby, have separately reiterated that the AUKUS project remains ‘full steam ahead’.
14125
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Yes, she does. Ridiculous. I took it apart in this article, which includes: " 'Lethal’ is the first word that arms manufacturer Lockheed Martin uses to describe its F-35 fighter jet. It markets the aircraft as the most lethal fighter jet in the world." undueinfluence.substack.com/p/decoded-de...
undueinfluence.substack.com
Decoded: Defence Department's deadly deceits
After nine months of denial and disinformation, the Australian government has been forced to confirm its deadly exports to Israel
000
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Disturbing picture of corporate investment in weapons manufacture in Australia. One private equity company now owns five Australian companies that make F-35 parts. It is funded by a multi-million dollar federal government loan granted last November. declassifiedaus.org/2026/08/24/b...
declassifiedaus.org
‘BLUE-WASHING’: CORPORATE PROFITS AND THE DESTRUCTION OF GAZA  - Declassified Australia
Behind a corporate web of Australian companies making lethal parts for Israel’s F-35 fighter jets.
285
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
“I don’t talk about private dinners,” PM Albanese said. "There are so many problems with this," Geoffrey Watson responds (former counsel assisting the NSW ICAC) www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
It shouldn’t be a secret who the prime minister has dinner with, and what was discussed. Australians deserve to know | Geoffrey Watson
Any money being paid to dine with Anthony Albanese should be a matter of public record
033
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Secrecy of recruitment for new NACC commissioner & deputy. From me, @jommytee.bsky.social & Liz Minter AG Rowland promised greater transparency. Not getting it. Revealed: names on previous NACC selection panels. 1 'eminent' external person + 6 senior govt officials thepoint.com.au/new/260826-n...
thepoint.com.au
NACC recruitment process remains shrouded in secrecy despite government's promise to ‘reset’ corruption watchdog
A third top level recruitment process is under way for the National Anti-Corruption Commission – to appoint a new commissioner and deputy commissioner following the resignations in May of Paul Brereto...
12723
Reposted by Michelle Fahy
Senator David Shoebridge @davidshoebridge.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
This is the final vote on the ASIO Bill. Labor and the Coalition in lock step. We WILL remember this at the next election. The Greens opposed these laws in EVERY vote. Barnaby Joyce voted for this but in the Senate One Nation was dragged to vote against it due to significant community pressure.
a picture of a vote in the senate chamber  - yes on the left has Government and opposition and on the right sit the Greens and independent
1217586
Reposted by Michelle Fahy
Senator David Shoebridge @davidshoebridge.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
What is wrong with this place? Politicians are meant to be here making laws to protect democracy, to protect Australians, to protect freedom of speech. Instead, the Greens are fighting Labor and the Coalition to keep Australians safe from their own government.
13284113
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Geoffrey Robertson: The Israeli ambassador has been quoted as claiming that “a court came to a decision that there’s no criminal liability” but there is no evidence that any court – certainly not a court that is open and independent – has ever been involved. www.theguardian.com/world/commen...
theguardian.com
Zomi Frankcom did not deserve to die. Israel’s refusal to investigate her death and its failure to apologise is despicable | Geoffrey Robertson
The Israeli ambassador has claimed ‘a court came to a decision that there’s no criminal liability’ but there is no evidence that any court has been involved
14114
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
I don't know Gail and Jasper, but you can email and ask the Jewish Council - jewishcouncil[at]jewishcouncil.com.au
100
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
A way to focus your anger about Israel's reprehensible whitewash of the murder of Zomi Frankcom and her six courageous humanitarian colleagues.. Sign 👇 www.jewishcouncil.com.au/2026/08/dont...
jewishcouncil.com.au
Don’t let Israel define antisemitism
Israel’s defenders are pressuring Australian institutions and governments to adopt and enforce the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. Kenneth Stern, […]
54928
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Agree 100% It used to be a good program - way back when it was about regular Australians doing extraordinary things, who you would never have heard about otherwise...
280
Reposted by Michelle Fahy
Fiona Katauskas @fionakatauskas.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Very happy to have a new fortnightly gig with @crikey.com.au ! Subscribe to support independent media
58424109
Michelle Fahy @michellefahy.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Bit of light relief on a Friday arvo, courtesy of the NACC. Big bust by our lead national anti-corruption agency (SPOILER Tea bag man has already done his time and has decided to leave the country.) www.nacc.gov.au/news-and-med...
nacc.gov.au
1156