Sign in

Rob Hobson

@themelancholicskr.bsky.social
121 followers 50 following 341 posts

Ink still runs in my veins 📸🗞🌏 Views are my own, reposts ≠ endorsement. Match reports & articles: cricketfj.com Blog: melancholicseeker.blogspot.com Muck Rack: muckrack.com/robert-hobson-2

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Jim Pembroke @jimpembroke.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A great argument for taxing corporate profits sufficiently, so companies contribute when the govt underpins their losses. Shoebridge and the Greens should be all over this story. Better economically grounded argument than simply calling Bell Bay "corporate welfare." #auspol
141
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The latest corporate tax data just dropped. And congrats to Santos Ltd - 11yrs in a row of no company tax.
Table of Santos ltd company tax 2014-15 to 2024-25

Year	Total income	Company Tax
2014-15	$3,389,399,798	$0
2015-16	$3,476,002,729	$0
2016-17	$3,715,263,715	$0
2017-18	$3,498,043,596	$0
2018-19	$4,360,612,850	$0
2019-20	$5,013,931,702	$0
2020-21	$4,070,327,153	$0
2021-22	$4,746,037,784	$0
2022-23	$6,257,384,778	$0
2023-24	$8,210,276,022	$0
2024-25	$5,117,008,013	$0
Total	$51,854,288,140	$0
38550288
Reposted by Rob Hobson
International Labour Organization @ilo.org · 01/10/2026
On #OlderPersonsDay, we highlight the need for social protection systems that keep pace with demographic change. Pension schemes that ensure income security in old age & access to quality health and long-term care are essential for older persons.
012
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
#mytwocents So basically an 'honour among thieves' agreement - eff the world, just don't threaten my racket and profits, no? #AI #regulation #news #oligarchy #corruption #cronyism
140
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"Abhiram Yadav, Chairman of Persatuan Cricket #Indonesia, joined the Cricket Financial Journal to discuss the new oval, rising participation numbers and Bali’s future as a major #cricket hub in #SoutheastAsia." #news #sport #Bali www.cricketfj.com/p/feature-fr...
cricketfj.com
Feature: From Bali to the World - Building Indonesian Cricket’s Future
Indonesia is an intriguing growth market for cricket.
010
Reposted by Rob Hobson
The Associated Press @apnews.com · 30/09/2026
Artificial intelligence is turbocharging scams in unimaginable ways, as millions of Americans report being targeted and victims of AI scams. Take this AP quiz and test if you know how to spot what's real and what's AI.
bit.ly
Could you spot an AI-powered scam? See if you can tell what’s real.
Artificial intelligence is turbocharging scams in ways unimaginable just a few years ago. Ninety-eight percent of Americans say they have been targeted by scammers — many on a daily basis — according to a poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
99144
Reposted by Rob Hobson
David Marler @qldaah.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The 2017 news report about the recording of James Ashby outlining how One Nation could make money out of the Queensland state election that year & fleece their candidates. #auspol youtu.be/24HcUFHnwRQ
youtu.be
The Ashby scam: Pauline Hanson & James Ashby recorded discussing profiting from elections
YouTube video by Qldaah
15035
Reposted by Rob Hobson
The Shovel @theshovel.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Households across Australia are cancelling annual holidays, cutting back on groceries and reducing other spending because the 79-year-old little boy is out of his depth. Read the full story: theshovel.com.au/2026/05/06/i...
622177
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
So don't be disabled or have a family. Wilson really leaning into the "Just don't be poor" vibe he reeks of.
Wilson says Coalition would find savings by cutting NDIS, aged care, childcare

By Emily Kaine

Shadow treasurer Tim Wilson says a Coalition government will seek to make savings by cutting back on NDIS, aged care and childcare, as he argues spending on the schemes is out of control.
46334127
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Jim Pembroke @jimpembroke.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
One Nation can't manage themselves. They hate each other. #auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
theguardian.com
One Nation boss called David Farley an ‘asshole’ in lead-up to Farrer byelection, text messages reveal
Exclusive: Documents seen by Guardian Australia show that Kelvin Morton has also clashed with party HQ staff and Brisbane volunteers
032
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Tristan Lavalette @trislavalette.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Good interview from @shounakwa.bsky.social with new Chief Executives' Committee Associate member Abhiram Singh Yadav. His elevation to the influential CEC is another important moment for rising Indonesia, a growing cricket market www.cricketfj.com/p/interview-...
cricketfj.com
Interview: New CEC Associate Member Abhiram Singh Yadav ‘ready to serve’
Abhiram Singh Yadav won a landslide in the by-election.
023
Reposted by Rob Hobson
AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 28/09/2026
🇫🇷 🇻🇦 Pope Leo has arrived in the French border city of Metz to speak on the future of Europe, giving a distinctly political dimension to a landmark visit to France that has sparked scenes of spiritual jubilation. ➡️ u.afp.com/S9A5
0142
Reposted by Rob Hobson
AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 27/09/2026
🏉 Len Ikitau scored twice as Australia claimed their biggest scalp under new coach Les Kiss with a dramatic 42-38 win in the one-off Test against South Africa in Perth on Sunday. ➡️ u.afp.com/S9Yv
Australia's captain Harry Wilson lifts the Mandela Plate as he celebrates the victory over South Africa in Perth, on September 27, 2026.
021
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Shooti @bambooshooti.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
#ResistanceRoots Johnny Appleseed was born on this day in 1774 in Leominster, Province of Massachusetts Bay. He was a real person, and he planted a lot of apple trees, but he mainly sold them to make hard cider. He was also a pacifist, altruistic, revered nature and respected Indigenous tribes. /1
Johnny Appleseed. The romanticized image of Johnny Appleseed handing out sweet, shiny apples for children to bite into is a myth popularized much later. In the 1800s, the American frontier ran on alcohol. Water supplies weren’t safe to drink. Because fermenting killed off pathogens, hard cider became the primary daily beverage for entire families — even children. The average frontier settler drank 10.5 ounces of hard cider per day. Because Appleseed refused to graft trees due to his religious beliefs, his apples were genetically unpredictable, small and bitter. Known as “spitters” because you’d spit them out if you tried to eat them raw, these tart apples were perfect for pressing into hard cider. Resourceful frontier families used them for other staples as well, including apple butter, applesauce and livestock feed, and used a process called “freeze distillation” to make applejack. Note, however, that Appleseed rarely sold apples. He sold the young saplings and the land itself.
31791266
Reposted by Rob Hobson
AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 27/09/2026
🇨🇭 The Swiss voted Sunday on a much-debated proposal to tighten their country's cherished neutrality, with polls indicating most would reject the initiative championed by the hard-right and dubbed "pro-Russian" by opponents. ➡️ u.afp.com/S9Y5
196
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
"Yadav said: 'When more Associate teams become competitive, we create more meaningful int'l fixtures, stronger regional & global pathway events, better dev opportunities & stronger commercial, broadcast & fan proposition for the game'." #news #cricket #ICC #sport www.cricketfj.com/p/interview-...
cricketfj.com
Interview: New CEC Associate Member Abhiram Singh Yadav ‘ready to serve’
Abhiram Singh Yadav won a landslide in the by-election.
000
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"Experts say his comments do not indicate that a war is likely or that Canada is preparing to fight one, but they do show that Carney considers it a remote possibility." #news #Canada #US #security #tarrifs
000
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Barbara Pocock @barbarapocock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We have a system that tackles inflation by suppressing the household income of workers while protecting housing wealth & corporate profits. Until the concentration of wealth in the country is confronted, working people will keep paying the price.
1524297
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Abhiram Singh Yadav wins seat on #ICC Chief Executives’ Committee in a landslide, further underlining the rise of #Indonesia cricket. Voting Results: Yadav - 30 Sarah Gomersall (Jersey) - 9 Vignaesh Sankaran (Germany) - 3 Abstained - 1 #news #sport #cricket www.cricketfj.com/p/indonesian...
cricketfj.com
Indonesian cricket continues to rise after landslide Chief Executives’ Committee result
Abhiram Singh Yadav received 30 of 43 votes
013
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Greg Jericho @grogsgamut.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
If just 600 more people had been unemployed out of a labour force of 15.55m, it would have risen to 4.7%
1010538
Reposted by Rob Hobson
The Chaser @chaser.com.au · 24/09/2026
The moment the robot started interacting with myGov systems, it understood the human feeling almost too well. chaser.com.au/general-news...
ChatGPT understands wanting sweet relief of death after interacting with myGov - The Chaser
321674
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Jim Pembroke @jimpembroke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Another example of One Nation supporters wanting cuts to immigration but not on their property. The irony is so thick even the backpackers can't pick it all. #auspol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Farmers cut deal with government over backpacker visa delays
The National Farmers Federation and the federal government have reached a short-term agreement to fast-track urgent visa requests for backpacker workers.
11610
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Jim Pembroke @jimpembroke.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Just spit balling here. But if AI big tech object to regulations that mandate telling countries immediately they’ve been hacked. The bros are f**king insane. #auspol www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
OpenAI agent hacked Medicare portal, PM says
Anthony Albanese says he has spoken to the Open AI chief executive to express his concern about the incident and the length of time it took the tech company to inform the government of the breach.
022
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
What do you get when you combine the richest people in America with the biggest media corporations in America with the thinnest-skinned and most corrupt president in American history? One thing you don’t get is an informed public. robertreich.substack.com/p/now-cnn
882084696
Reposted by Rob Hobson
AFP News Agency @en.afp.com · 22/09/2026
🇦🇺 Missing F-35 fighter parts diverted from Australia to Hong Kong are not "sensitive", Defence Minister Richard Marles said Tuesday, confirming Canberra was helping to investigate the incident. ➡️ u.afp.com/S9kJ
165
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Jim Pembroke @jimpembroke.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
300,000 young people have used Labor govts 5% deposit scheme to buy a house, A young person won't have anything like the Super for a 20% deposit. The Coalition be no help at all. #auspol
1127
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Reuters @reuters.com · 21/09/2026
US watching Chinese marine presence off Alaska, Arctic Coast Guard chief says reut.rs/4iAKIAR
reut.rs
US watching Chinese marine presence off Alaska, Arctic Coast Guard chief says
The ​United States is watching China's presence in its Arctic zone "very closely" amid concerns regarding the ‌security of the US homeland, a senior US Arctic military official said.
12410
Reposted by Rob Hobson
coupdegraz7.bsky.social @coupdegraz7.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
#12Dtheater #Japan
032
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Democracy Now! @democracynow.org · 20/09/2026
As world leaders descend on New York for the United Nations General Assembly, Oxfam warns that the world is facing an "inequality emergency."
democracynow.org
“Inequality Emergency”: Ahead of U.N. General Assembly, Oxfam Urges Action on Climate, AI & Gaza
As world leaders prepare to head to New York for the United Nations General Assembly and Climate Week, Democracy Now! speaks with Amitabh Behar, executive director of Oxfam International. “We live in a very different world from 1945,” when the U.N. was ...
412660
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This is what a rigged economy looks like.
20380103299
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Paul Eric @pauleric70.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Anthony Scaramucci on Trump’s corruption: “When you say the word depraved, it is so much worse than that, so much darker than that. There’s a level of shamelessness to him. They are literally overtly now stealing money. They’re literally selling pardons, insider trading with information they get
45034
Reposted by Rob Hobson
The Saturday Paper @thesaturdaypaper.com.au · 20/09/2026
"Pauline Hanson had recently condemned a satirical ABC video about Rinehart as grotesque. Then she defended her own cartoon as 'satire'. The contradiction is not incidental: it is the whole story. This is patriotism as performance." | Marcia Langton trib.al/GpCn8xn
trib.al
Who gets to be a traitor?
When Pauline Hanson labelled SAS veteran and Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie a ‘traitor’ eight times, then animated the insult and pinned it to the top of her social media feed, she did more than provoke outrage. She exposed the conditional nature of Australia’s reverence for military service and revealed how brittle our nationalist mythology becomes when it collides with powerful, wealthy political interests.
083
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Jim Pembroke @jimpembroke.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Watch One Nation and Coalition gaslight rural Australia as they slash immigration. And then watch rural constituents vote against their own good health. #FAFO #auspol
1115
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Tristan Lavalette @trislavalette.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
There have been initial discussions over a future T20 World Cup in Europe. A multi-country tournament, with Germany as its showpiece, is envisioned. Sites in Germany, including in Munich, for major cricket infrastructure have been identified www.cricketfj.com/p/exclusive-...
cricketfj.com
Exclusive: Early discussions over a T20 World Cup in Europe with Germany as the centrepiece
A multi-country T20 World Cup, with a marquee site in Munich, is part of the vision
052
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Tristan Lavalette @trislavalette.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The field is set for the coveted Associate spot up for grabs on the influential Chief Executives’ Committee. The future of ODI cricket among Associates set to be a talking point ahead of the by-election www.cricketfj.com/p/exclusive-...
cricketfj.com
Exclusive: Candidates revealed for coveted Associate spot on influential Chief Executives’ Committee
Germany’s Vignaesh Sankaran is the frontrunner.
012
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Tristan Lavalette @trislavalette.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
China is in the mix to next year host the Hong Kong Sixes, which is expanding abroad. It’s the first steps towards a goal from powerbrokers for China to host a T20 World Cup, possibly within the next 15 years www.cricketfj.com/p/emerging-c...
cricketfj.com
Emerging China tipped to host a future T20 World Cup
China is firstly in the mix to host the popular Hong Kong Sixes
121
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 19/09/2026
Trump’s attempts to conceal his failures are prolonging a war that the White House seems determined to lose, and that has killed thousands of people across the region.
motherjones.com
What else is the Pentagon hiding from us?
Four more troops have died than Pete Hegseth's DOD has admitted, new reporting reveals.
424395
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Edward Wong @ewong.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Trump pushes ahead with a sale to Saudi Arabia of 48 F-35 fighter jets. The State Dept. announcement came one day after we reported that US intel agencies had warned about China possibly acquiring F-35 tech from Saudi Arabia. Gift link to @nytimes.com story: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Moves Ahead With F-35 Jet Sales to Saudi Arabia Despite Intelligence Concerns (Gift Article)
U.S. intelligence agencies have warned in internal reports that China could acquire or steal U.S. warplane technology if F-35 jets are sent to Saudi Arabia.
138540
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Sheera Frenkel @sheeraf.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
NEW- For the first time, groups in Iran, China, and Israel have used open source AI models to run start-to-finish influence campaigns. They told the models to create fake accounts on social media, find an agenda, and push it. Some are already targeting the US. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/t...
nytimes.com
Iran and China Create First-of-Their-Kind Autonomous A.I. Influence Campaigns
The countries, along with Israeli firms, combined Chinese open-source A.I. models and A.I. agents for the campaigns, foreshadowing future online manipulation.
68961
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"Prabowo has made building #Indonesia #defence assets & agreements a priority... (signing) an $8.1B deal in 2022, when (he) was defence minister, to purchase 42 French-made Rafale fighter jets. India confirmed this year it will supply the country with long-range missiles." #AsiaPacific #security
000
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Kent Parkstreet @kentparkskeet.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Now rural Queensland wants foreigners? After all the racist filth they’ve elected over the years? #AusPol
abc.net.au
Regional businesses alarmed as Australia limits working holiday visas
The tourism, hospitality and agriculture sectors in regional Queensland say changes to Australia's migration system, including introducing a ballot system for working holiday makers, will have devasta...
157018
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"If true, it chimes with an old sci-fi prediction and with what we know of human nature... If we build a superintelligence, we will first fall in love with it. Then we will worship it. Finally we will make sacrifices to it." #AI #Anthropic #cult futurism.com/future-socie...
futurism.com
Cult of Anthropic Insiders Rumored to Be Worshipping Claude as a God
According to a rumor that is apparently running rampant in Silicon Valley these days, some Anthropic engineers are "worshipping" Claude.
000
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 18/09/2026
Disabled people, like anyone else, may not want to be filmed by strangers in their day-to-day lives—and are uniquely affected by surveillance in ways that predate smart glasses.
motherjones.com
Is Meta using disabled people to promote its glasses?
AI glasses are a double-edged sword for disabled people, who face unique risks from surveillance.
59719
Reposted by Rob Hobson
LIV 🌻🍉😷 @mmechomski.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Richard Flanagan on how Ai is robbing writers.
Article by Richard Flanagan about how AI is robbing writers Part 2 of Article by Richard Flanagan about how AI is robbing writers
155
Reposted by Rob Hobson
The New York Times @nytimes.com · 16/09/2026
“I fear we are careening toward a future with fewer and fewer journalists to do the expensive, difficult work of original reporting.” — A.G. Sulzberger, publisher of The New York Times. We thank the reporters who have been a part of our 175 years of fact-based journalism.
2923048
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
"'These are not 'squirters' getting through," the service member added, ref Defense Secretary Hegseth after the deadly March 1 attack on Port of Shuaiba, Kuwait that killed 6 US troops. 'We're not defending these bases. We're just watching them get destroyed.'" www.cbsnews.com/news/new-pho...
cbsnews.com
New photos show widespread damage at U.S. positions caused by Iranian missile, drone attacks
The images were sent to CBS News by active service members under condition of anonymity.
000
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Twang 🍉 @twangmaker.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
👇This is corruption. The transport minister accepts a gift from Qantas of free platinum status rewards membership for her lifetime. This is the company she's supposed to be regulating. www.afr.com/rear-window/... #auspol
afr.com
Transport minister given free Qantas platinum status for life
Catherine King accepted the airline’s top-tier membership, which gives the federal cabinet minister privileges and freebies until the day she dies.
2011661
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Mother Jones @motherjones.com · 12/09/2026
The fall of the Twin Towers, one expert said, became the point when national security swallowed the world.
motherjones.com
The religion of national security
After 9/11, national security meant everything. Today, it means nothing at all.
719654
Reposted by Rob Hobson
Garfield Robinson @garfieldr.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
What if cricket had a graveyard? What would be some of the rules and tactics buried there? And what are the others that should be there? The nightwatchman tactic, the leg bye rule?Laid To Rest garfieldrobinson1.substack.com/p/laid-to-re...
garfieldrobinson1.substack.com
Laid To Rest
The doosra, and the rules and tactics buried alongside it
012
Rob Hobson @themelancholicskr.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
🙄*sigh 🤦‍♂️
000