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Timothy Gassin

@timothygassin.bsky.social
477 followers 328 following 2.4K posts

Historian, former Chair of Oz Kiwi, and student of Hokkien/Taiwanese. A Melbournian living in Wellington.

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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 4h
Many of these developments are pretty pointless, even if they happen. Having exactly the same requirements, but simply shifting some things from paper to an electronic device doesn't really make things easier.
1news.co.nz
No passport to show: Luxon promises NZ-Australia border trial
But the passport would not disappear from the process as travellers would have to register online ahead of time.
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Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa @sanjanah.bsky.social · 8h
The eye-watering sums of funding directed at National, and ACT is something Cooke also writes about. And this doesn't capture disclosed campaign spending, as well as clandestine propaganda funding, offline, and online, leading up to election day. Should all be something MSM writes/talks about more.
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the Juice Media @thejuicemedia.com · 10h
For our friends in Aotearoa-New Zealand as they head to an election on Sat 7 Nov 🇳🇿 👉 Make sure you’re enrolled to vote: https:/:vote.nz 🚨 Enrolments close October 25!
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Tze Ming Mok 莫志明 @tzemingdynasty.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Good article with the correct amount of @laragreaves.bsky.social touching on the self-selective nature of the recent exodus: You leave cos of no jobs, & everything NZers are traditionally proud of when abroad is being destroyed, while suffering as a migrant under rising xenophobia now infecting NZ.
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Rob✅✅ @robdickinson.bsky.social · 18h
"If it was my business and my money this is what I would do." Its not a business, and its *our* money, its meant to fund health, infra, police, education Not some techbro datacenter in USA and Nvidia stock price #nzpol www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...
rnz.co.nz
How to cut public sector jobs? A much more aggressive approach to AI
The government's recipe for cutting thousands more public sector jobs demands using AI much more. RNZ looks through 16 documents that led up to Nicola Willis's announcement in May that 8700 jobs would...
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Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 21h
When Quebec first purported to unilaterally amend the Constitution of Canada, few seemed to care. I dove headlong into writing a scholarly treatment calling out the BS: digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca/ohlj/vol60/i... Now QC politicians falsely claim the prov can abandon core institutions of gov't.
digitalcommons.osgoode.yorku.ca
Provincial Constitutions, the Amending Formula, and Unilateral Amendments to the Constitution of Canada: An Analysis of Quebec’s Bill 96
This article critically analyzes provincial authority to unilaterally amend the Constitution of Canada. Via an assessment of the purported amendments in Quebec’s Bill 96, which would recognize Quebece...
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 16h
The PQ's proposal is complete nonsense and entirely incompatible with the structure of Canadian federaliam. It is their right to advocate independence. However, trying to engineer a constitutional dispute at a time when Canada's (and Quebec's) sovereignty is threatened is grossly irresponsible.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 16h
Grossly irresponsible governance - mass sackings of public servants without consideration of the cost of their 'AI' replacements or whether 'AI' can actually do their jobs. If Labour forms government, Roche must go.
rnz.co.nz
How to cut public sector jobs? A much more aggressive approach to AI
The government's recipe for cutting thousands more public sector jobs demands using AI much more. RNZ looks through 16 documents that led up to Nicola Willis's announcement in May that 8700 jobs would...
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Canadian unions are right to point out how easily such a law could be abused. There may be times when industrial disputes harm broader national interests. Compulsory arbitration could be useful in these circumstances.
cbc.ca
Facing criticism, Carney says he has a 'very clear mandate' to push through major economic changes | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government received a clear mandate from voters in the last general election — and in subsequent byelections — to "build Canada strong," and he's pressing ahead wit...
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Andrew @openpolicy.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
I hope NZ journalists, and MPs like @teanau.bsky.social and @duncanwebbmp.bsky.social are going to press Winston Peters and the PM hard on this. To not only place themselves outside international law, but to sanction a core institution is US behaviour that Aotearoa cannot ignore. #nzpol
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Phil Garnock-Jones @theobrominated.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026
He will know by Wednesday morning.
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Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
At some point this is on us - we must know Labour is offering magic beans and National is assuring us we won't miss the cow - why vote for either? That may indeed be filtering through finally tho, what with the sub 60% major party combined vote.
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Eddie Clark @dreddieclark.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Who are the voters Labour thinks they're marketing themselves to? And where does if think it's going to get the revenue for the services it has promised them? I'm genuinely confused.
thepost.co.nz
Labour will not reverse what it called a ‘landlord tax cut’
Chris Hipkins says his party will not remove interest deductibility for residential landlords.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
It's infuriating that, as govts keep insisting they need more power to intrude on people's rights in the name of security, people at the highest levels of govt don't take even the most basic of security precautions. #auspol
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
A cabinet minister driving a vehicle in which the Chinese govt (or others with some tech know-how) can listen in to your conversations, lock you in, switch off the lights while you're driving, etc. What could possibly go wrong? 🤦‍♂️
abc.net.au
Australians love these cars. Experts have 'real security concerns'
To test the risks of surveillance and sabotage, Four Corners asked a hacker to show what China's top EV brand could see and do remotely.
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Bernard Hickey @bernardchickey.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
I’ve opened this up to all immediately. Labour wants to structurally separate groceries duopoly; National wants to break up Foodstuffs; But will either actually happen? It’ll be hard without lobbyist & donor reform; NZ First loves vitamins thekaka.substack.com/p/how-nzs-ca...
thekaka.substack.com
How NZ’s captured economy is eroding democracy & choking progress
Labour wants to structurally separate groceries duopoly; National wants to break up Foodstuffs; But will either actually happen? It’ll be hard without lobbyist & donor reform; NZ First loves vitamins
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Te wookie o te tāngata @chewienz.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
this government's minister are having an absolute generational run of ignoring advice and making decisions that are the WORST use of public money every single time
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Matthew Bradford @matthewbradford.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Where Hong Kong leads, Macau follows. ‘Au Kam San was one of the organisers of annual vigils in Macau — a former Portuguese territory which reverted to China in 1999 — in memory of the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown’.
hongkongfp.com
Macau concludes first closed-door nat. security trial against ex-lawmaker
Macau has concluded its first national security trial behind closed doors, a court said on Friday, days after proceedings began in a former pro-democracy lawmaker's case.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It says much about the rightward shift in Israeli politics and the weakness of the Aus and NZ govts' positions that Ehud Olmert—a man who spent most of his political career as a Likud member—supports the sanctions that Aus and NZ have refused to back. #auspol #nzpol
theage.com.au
Ex-Israeli PM blasts lack of charges over Frankcom killing
Ehud Olmert says the Israeli military bears a “terrible criminal responsibility” for the strike that killed the aid worker.
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Musical Chairs @musicalchairs.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Auckland is a big service economy; it's stalled because there is not enough money flowing through it. There are tens of thousands of people ready to work, but not enough work for them. Low demand = low consumption = more stagnation. Luxon can't see it because he believes in magic markets. [🧵 1/n]
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/361083029/luxon-auckland-stop-talking-and-get-some-stuff-done
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Andrew @openpolicy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
It has to not only boost the number of researchers in the Parliamentary Library able to provide MPs with assistance, but also have the Clerk employ many more people to support select committees by doing *independent* analysis of submissions on bills.
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Andrew @openpolicy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This election, more than any other in my lifetime, it is critical that after we throw out the current vandals and nihilists, the new government acts fast to strengthen our democracy, devolve power and make it far harder for that power to be taken away in future. Big increases to Parliament’s budget.
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Tze Ming Mok 莫志明 @tzemingdynasty.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I don't know how we make it happen, but the abuse of urgency under this term of government has been so nakedly damaging to our democratic infrastructure, that it's the strongest argument for constitutional change I've seen in a while.
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Andrew @openpolicy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
This is just disgusting: an assault on how the kāwanatanga should be meeting its obligations under the Tiriti being pushed through using urgency. Opposition parties should make clear they will require a supermajority for urgency in future.
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André Brett @drdrehistorian.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
And for Kiwis abroad like myself, if you've been back home at any time in the last three years you are eligible to vote, so check that your enrolment is up to date:
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Matthew Somerville @dracos.co.uk · 19/09/2026
I’m not scared, I’m angry. My sites still work, as I have spent a lot of time dealing with the issue (especially last week when scrapers started to overload the server). I wouldn’t even care about them scraping (for my specific things) if they had any indication of community, care or consideration
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Andrew @openpolicy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
For those appalled by the ongoing authoritarianism being pushed through under urgency, here’s @nzccl.org.nz’s submission on the Bill. The NZCCL is going to need your support to help resist more of this, and help reverse the slew of dangerous legislation. nzccl.org.nz/submission-p... #nzpol
nzccl.org.nz
Submission: Policing Amendment Bill
The Council strongly objects to the Policing Amendment Bill. This bill removes all limits on Police powers to record people’s activities. This bill enables police to break up any gathering, remove peo...
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Dr Dean Knight @drdeanknight.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
Saturday afternoon in Parliament and legislation is being passed under urgency that has the potential to adversely affect our protest rights.
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Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 17/09/2026
This is flatly incorrect & ahistorical. The American founders clearly intended the much-vaunted 'checks and balances' of the constitution to not only deal with but prevent this very sort of despotism. That the system has so abjectly failed is not proof it wasn't *explicitly intended* to prevent it.
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Emmett Macfarlane 🇨🇦 @emmettmacfarlane.com · 17/09/2026
This absolute horseshit from the Washington Post is more proof the problem isn't just Trump, but a society of Trump enablers, one Canada indeed should be 'decoupling' with a helluva lot faster than it is.
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Steve Hugh Westenra 🕷️🧛‍♂️🏳️‍⚧️📚✒️ @stevewestenra.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Holy shit this is good
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
This seems like a remarkably stupid decision.
rnz.co.nz
Decades of building industry research at risk
The future of our world-respected building research association is looking shaky with a government move to cut the dedicated levy that funds it.
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Lotta @gemmy.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
This piece from @michaelturton.bsky.social is an interesting look at another type of pro-PRC narrative where Taiwan's own unique identity & culture gets subsumed under "Taiwan as the alternative China" framing... www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/ar...
taipeitimes.com
Notes from Central Taiwan: The ‘Wall Street Journal’s’ Taiwan blind spot - Taipei Times
The comical bit of parachute journalism by Simon Shuster in the Atlantic last week under the title “Will Taiwan Just Give Up?”, drew much attention for its numerous minor errors, largely forgivable, i...
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Owen Jones @owenjones.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
No, this is not a joke. UK Lawyers for Israel are trying to proscribe *Médecins Sans Frontières*. That’d mean they’d be treated as terrorists. On the same legal footing as ISIS. Membership would mean 14 years in prison. This is what we’re dealing with
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Guy Body @bodycartoon.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
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Yung En Chee @yungenchee.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It is precisely because "Hanson’s racism isn’t merely a character flaw but a sophisticated political device" that Labor, Trades Hall & GetUp should learn to see Hanson's fascist, far-right politics more clearly
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Some interesting discussion in this article. However, the statement that in the 19th century 'Britain has almost complete control over who is allowed to move to the colonies' is completely wrong.
abc.net.au
We put 165 years of migration data into four charts. Here's what we learned
The story of Australia is a story of migration, and the country's immigration system is once more at the centre of heated political debate.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I'm hoping to update the Community Law Manual's section on information security and online surveillance, so thought it would be good to draw on the collective wisdom here. What information is out of date? What should be added? What doesn't capture the full reality of the digital panopticon?
communitylaw.org.nz
Keeping your personal information private: Some practical advice - Community Law
Activism Keeping your personal information private: Some practical advice The use of surveillance devices is regulated in New Zealand, however technology and human error can allow your personal inform...
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
It's only $435,000 of ratepayers' money...
rnz.co.nz
Wellington City Council not seeking refund for flawed report
Wellington City Council won't be asking for a refund for a $435,000 report which officials have said contains flaws, and which the mayor has described as largely written by AI.
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Bernard Hickey @bernardchickey.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
All for the sake of a smidgen of a skerrick of a basis point lower in the Government bond yield and (maybe) mortgage rates.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Winston's policy for a cap of 20,000 grants would see the door closed for new residents and Australian visitors on approx. 5 January each year. On average, there would currently be more than 4,000 resident visas granted to Australians each day. 🤦‍♂️
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
,The interviewees detail the secret methods used by the Israeli military in Gaza, including AI-based systems built to identify large numbers of potential low-ranking Hamas targets, who were then bombed in their homes at night, in the knowledge attacks would also kill their families.'
theguardian.com
Secret systems used by Israel in mass killings of Gaza civilians revealed in new film
Testimony from Israeli military insiders involved in surveillance and remote killings features in documentary produced by the Guardian
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Te wookie o te tāngata @chewienz.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
what a wonderful night to get arrested. Paul henry is in fact, not up to a debate. Dunedin police on a hair trigger, and very keen to escalate over next to nothing
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nzjanette @nzjanette.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This is what happens when you rush through ill-advised, undercooked, and punitive legislation. It’s also what happens when you pile extra demands on an organisation that was previously forced to make swingeing financial and staff cuts. #nzpol
stuff.co.nz
Tens of thousands of people underpaid after ministry errors, review finds
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has released its review into two issues that left tens of thousands of pensioners, veterans and beneficiaries underpaid.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
MSD shouldn't be entirely let off the hook for this mess, but it is pathetic for ministers to blame public servants when it was ministers who 1 Bypassed parl. processes that are supposed to catch these errors, & 2 Took an axe to public service staffing, increasing the risk of such errors being made
stuff.co.nz
Tens of thousands of people underpaid after ministry errors, review finds
The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) has released its review into two issues that left tens of thousands of pensioners, veterans and beneficiaries underpaid.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
It is fascinating how the party that supposedly wants limited government seems intent on waging war on institutions that hold the state to account.
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Timothy Gassin @timothygassin.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Dishonest bullshit from Seymour. The Tribunal is doing exactly what it was established to do in 1975. The historical jurisdiction was only added in the 1980s.
stuff.co.nz
ACT announces plan to end Waitangi Tribunal
Under the policy, all remaining historical Treaty claims will be completed, while the Waitangi Tribunal’s contemporary jurisdiction will end.
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Berin Szóka @berinszoka.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Photo of the decade: AfD leader Alice Weidel
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Lao Ren Cha (Jenna) @channamasala.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I really wanted to say that Gibo has BJWE -- Big Joseph Wu Energy. But I can't, because Wu would never have been able to give a straight-up murder reply like this when it comes to the South China Sea. laorencha.substack.com/p/gibo-sets-...
laorencha.substack.com
Gibo Sets the Standard
That is, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is the hero we need when it comes to standing up to China. I only wish Taiwan could match that energy but for complicated reasons, it can’t.
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Robert Saunders @robertsaunders.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
90 years ago, Parliament responded to the rise of Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts by passing the Public Order Act, which banned political uniforms, private militias and the threat of force for political objects. The debates make very resonant reading today. Here's the Liberal Robert Bernays. (Short 🧵)
You cannot conduct a fair match when one side is playing with a ball and the other with bombs and, if democracy is to survive, it must be conducted according to definite and recognised rule. One of them is that no political party should resort to any weapon other than reason and argument. The introduction of private armies, as I see it, strikes at the root of democracy. I know it is contended that the Blackshirts are not armed and, therefore, are not an army, but I do not think that argument can be upheld. … Uniformed men in military formation suggest, and are meant to suggest, the idea of force. It is no argument to reply that at this or that demonstration no force is intended. It is an inescapable fact that a uniform in politics symbolises force, to be used either now or in the future.
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