Rex Patrick

Since challenging a dud #FOI decision keeping Whyalla Steelworks info secret, the Govt has twice released me more info. This evening, 16 hrs before a full tribunal hearing, its highly paid lawyers have offered me even more info. It’s transparency the expensive @albomp.bsky.social way! #auspol

The Govt enters into $100B worth of contracts each year, all with confidentiality terms that prevent citizens from knowing if the contractor is performing well. If I win in the Full Federal Court next week, that’ll all change. #transparency #Snowy #auspol

I’m into my second year of #WorkFromRoam. It’s started off with a colourful sunset. Yarrangobilly River, Snowy Mountains, NSW.

365 days have passed since I left home and commenced a #WorkFromRoam lifestyle. What’s the experience been like, and what have I learned? Being isolated, but everywhere at the same time. Being on my own, but courting a lot. Here’s my story👇. #inspire

My Snowy 2.0 matter is in the Full Federal Court. The matter will be considered and decided by Justice Stewart, Kennett and Lenehan.

The UK is 50 years late on taxing North Sea oil for a sovereign wealth fund, but still ahead of Australia on turning the North West Shelf gas bonanza to public benefit. #auspol

I’m in the Full Federal Court in 11 days seeking a precedent preventing secrecy on the performance of any publicly funded project and allowing the public to have near real time access to cost and schedule info. Who’s against me - every player in the Snowy 2.0 debacle #FOI #auspol

$25B direct cost. $6B share purchase cost. $6B transmission line cost. A $37B total for a project sold to the public at $2B . It’s a huge economic debacle delivered by LNP/ALP dunces and fat cat bureaucrats. And no one is held to account. #fail #auspol

@albomp.bsky.social’s Govt doesn’t want to confirm Australia spied on Timor to steal their oil & gas. Next month they’ll explain why in a partly closed hearing, protected by a secrecy certificate👇. Today they’re in the ART asking to ban media & the public from the “open” hearing 🤷‍♂️ #auspol

As I sit next to a river that flows into the lower reservoir planned for use in the Snowy 2.0 project, it’s only appropriate I #FOI the external cost review report into the $2B, no $6B, no $12B, now $40B project. We’re paying … we have a right to see it. #auspol

A different take on live streaming in the workplace from today’s #WorkFromRoam office. #FOI Yarrangobilly River, Snowy Mountains, NSW.

We have a Govt that doesn't have the what it takes to implement reasonable oil and gas revenue measures (as implemented by countries such as Norway, Chile and Peru) and instead focusses on cuts to social services in trying to balance the budget 🤬. #auspol

If only the information that flowed from our government was as fresh, quick-moving and clear as the water flowing past my latest #WorkFromHome office. #FOI Yarrangobilly River, Snowy Mountains, NSW.

Please please please be OK @helenhainesindi.bsky.social ❤️❤️❤️

With only 15 sleeps to go until I’m in the Full Federal Court fighting the Govt for transparency on the performance of the troubled Snowy 2.0 project, storms are a-brewing over the Snowy Mountains. #FOI Blowering Reservoir, Snowy Mountain foothills, NSW. #WorkFromRoam

After visiting Canberra to support Senator Lambie introduce a Bill to stop @albomp.bsky.social threatening financial ruin for #FOI winners, I’ve set up office at Blowering Reservoir for a week. It has a different atmosphere to Parliament House. Snowy Mountain foothills, NSW. #WorkFromRoam

@albomp.bsky.social’s Govt has started appealing citizens’ #FOI wins to the Federal Court, a course of action that could cost FOI applicants up to $300,000. Well done to Senator Lambie 💪 for introducing a Bill into the Senate that will neutralise this transparency-chilling tactic. #auspol

“It’s a bully-boy tactic!” That’s corruption-busting barrister Geoffrey Watson SC’s description of @albomp.bsky.social’s new secrecy tactic of taking #FOI winners to court, and exposing those winners to hundreds of thousands in legal costs. #DontWinAnFOI #auspol

It’s quite extraordinary Angus Taylor was critical of Mike Pezzullo being stripped of his Order of Australia. Perhaps Angus hasn’t read Lynelle Briggs’ report into his conduct that I obtained under #FOI … or he lacks judgement. #insiders #auspol

An #FOI a day stops democracy decay. Grampians, Victoria. #WorkFromRoam

I’m heading to Canberra today, but let me summarise my week in the Grampians. Work, waterfall, work, waterfall, work, waterfall, work waterfall. Nothing beats #WorkFromRoam Grampians, Victoria.

The High Court has just exposed Attorney-General Michelle Rowland’s poor judgement. In her defence, maybe she just put political interest ahead of public interest … although that would make her action (or lack of action) improper. #auspol

How well is our UK #AUKUS partner doing on national security? Reports show their Potemkin army has twice as many horses (492) as main battle tanks (227). They’re absolutely ready to refight the Battle of Waterloo, but unready for other fights. #auspol

The planned 15% uplift from the $9B spend just announced for US shipyards may shift the Virginia sub build rate from 1.1 subs per annum to 1.3, when it needs to be 2.3 to meet the US’ #AUKUS commitment to Australia. #BigShortfall #368BPipeDream #auspol

Signing up to MotoGP first and doing due dilligence second is nothing short of reckless. Luckily it's only South Australian taxpayers' money being spent 🤦‍♂! #saparli

They lost, have appealed, and want me to pay their legal costs. It’s the second time in three months, except for the new appeal they’ve also added a ‘shake-down’ to the repertoire. @albomp.bsky.social clearly hates #transparency, especially #FOI wins. #auspol

#FOI on high. The Pinnacle, Grampians, Victoria. #WorkFromRoam

The US needs to be building 2.3 subs per year to deliver us #AUKUS subs. They're only at 1.1. And they're struggling to keep built subs at sea. USS Connecticut damaged in 2021. Repairs started in 23 for a finish in 25, now 27. Deactivation in 2031. #auspol

Productivity = output/input. Receiving no #AUKUS subs (output) at a cost of billions (input) = zero productivity. As an aside, it does nothing for national security either. #TipForTheTreasurer #auspol

I made it safely to the Grampians and have set up my office for the week. A survey of the area has left me hoping the (dam) engineers have it right. Halls Gap, Grampians, Victoria. #WorkFromRoam

After a week in Adelaide teaching, doing and defending FOI wins, I’m off to Canberra for more FOI-related work. But I’m going via the Grampians for a few days of mountain-based work. I just stopped by the River Murray to finish/file an article. Tailem Bend, SA. #WorkFromRoam.

After time at the bar table of the Federal Court today, it’s nice to appreciate the colours of a nice sunset. Christies Beach, City of Onkaparinga, SA #WorkFromRoam

We have a right to know where #AUKUS nuclear waste will be buried, and how our Foreign Investment Review Board decides if Aussie companies can be sold to foreigners. Despite the Govt appealing my #FOI wins, and seeking legal costs if I lose, I’m in for the fight. Game on! #auspol

Defence Minister Richard Marles is oblivious to that which is obvious to everybody else: Britain cannot deliver our future #AUKUS subs on schedule (if at all). Luckily for Richard, it’s only our money and national security that’s at stake. #auspol

Instead of the Reserve Bank reducing inflation by increasing the amount of money we have to give to the banks, why not increase the amount of money we have to pay into our own superannuation accounts? #NewApproach #OurMoney #auspol

UK Prime Minister Burnham wants submarines and shipyards to be his country’s economic engine. Why not, especially when Australian taxpayers are helping foot the bill. #AUKUS #auspol

Please Senator Jane Hume don’t sell out Australia’s original content creators to US AI with your “getting the balance right” response. Our American friends will walk through our Copyright Act with Trump’s support. Time for our ALP/LNP duopoly to demand fair compensation for local AI training.

AI isn’t a legal person so can’t be found guilty or go to jail for its criminal acts. And if it’s AI gone rogue, the developer/operator of the AI currently can’t be found guilty either - there’s no ‘guilty mind’ needed for conviction. What to do? #auspol