While Michael West Media was being dragged through court by BHP, and while serious questions were being raised about AUKUS, suppression orders and allegations involving Australia’s allies overseas, much of the mainstream media was focused elsewhere. This week’s Scam of the Week looks at one of the biggest media stories of the week, Luke Sayers’ infamous court battle, and asks a simple question: what determines what becomes news in Australia? From wall to wall coverage of a former AFL president’s anatomy, to the billions being spent on AUKUS submarines that may never arrive, it’s a look at media priorities, public interest journalism and the stories that get buried when the headlines go elsewhere. ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻—–– Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au 00:00 The week’s biggest story? 01:52 Luke Sayers and media priorities 06:05 AUKUS and the missing scrutiny 09:06 Scam of the Week winner Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

BHP has dropped its case against Michael West Media, but the legal battle is far from over. After dragging this masthead and coal miner Simon Turner into the Federal Court, BHP has now discontinued proceedings against us while continuing its case against Turner. At the same time, sweeping suppression orders have been imposed over large parts of the case, preventing public scrutiny of matters we believe are clearly in the public interest. Why did Australia’s biggest company back away from its case against Michael West Media? Why are key documents and allegations now hidden from public view? And what does this mean for press freedom, open justice and ordinary Australians trying to take on powerful corporations? Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au ⸻ 00:00 BHP drops its case against MWM 00:53 Suppression orders and secrecy 04:58 Why BHP sued 08:17 Simon Turner's fight continues Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Influencers are now a major force in Australian politics, but when online creators promote policies, campaigns or advocacy groups, how much does the audience actually know about who is behind the message? Josh sat down with Hannah Ferguson, founder of Cheek Media, to ask directly about lobbying, advocacy groups, political outreach, paid partnerships, disclosure, and where the line sits between education, sponsorship and political influence. As more Australians get their news and politics through Instagram, TikTok, Substack and podcasts, the question is no longer whether influencers matter. They do. The question is whether the same transparency expected of media, lobbyists and political campaigns should apply to the people shaping politics in your feed. Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au Disclaimer: AI has been used in elements of the thumbnail production. 00:00 Lobbying and social media 00:14 Cheek Media’s reach and ethical responsibility 01:18 Political outreach requests 03:31 Paid partnerships and transparency 05:27 Authentic content or lobbying influence? 07:35 Final thoughts Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Michael West Media has just faced BHP in the Federal Court. The first hearing meant that Michael West Media has to take down some of its own reporting before we go back to court next week the 4th of June BHP got what they wanted but we do have a small win Celebrating 10 years of Michael West Media https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1588972 Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Guest post featuring Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf of "We used to be journos" of Ette Media Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Pauline's gas policy, Chris Minns's people arresting punter for wearing a scarf, more Budget meltdown, more IDF crimes, BHP threatening people, Penny Wong deeply concerned, Angus Taylor of migrants. #auspol Support Us here https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Is Australia missing out on a proper gas tax because the mining lobby scared Labor off before Budget night? Michael West reports that Labor was looking at winding back diesel fuel rebates for big miners and taxing gas exporters, before both ideas suddenly junked. An insider told MWM that "We can’t afford another fight with BHP” echoing the campaign that helped bring down Kevin Rudd in 2010. BHP is currently suing MWM to muzzle our coverage of wage theft allegations. #auspol #bhp Support independent journalism ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au ⸻ Articles mentioned Budget: whopping subsidies, private health profiteering as waiting lists rise https://michaelwest.com.au/budget-whopping-subsidies-private-health-profiteering-as-waiting-lists-rise/ Hanson lashes gas tax ‘vandalism’, reveals energy plan https://michaelwest.com.au/hanson-lashes-gas-tax-vandalism-reveals-energy-plan/ Murdoch’s Tax Whinge, Exxon’s Gas Heist and Labor’s Budget Panic | The West Report https://michaelwest.com.au/murdochs-tax-whinge-exxons-gas-heist-and-labors-budget-panic-the-west-report/ The Minerals Council, coal and the half a billion spent by the resources lobby https://michaelwest.com.au/the-minerals-council-coal-and-the-half-a-billion-spent-by-the-resources-lobby/ Resource tax deal shows power of advertising and public relations https://michaelwest.com.au/resource-tax-deal-shows-power-of-advertising-and-public-relations/ Mining lobby busted for “fake tax paid” claims https://michaelwest.com.au/murdoch-media-nine-entertainment-mining-lobby-busted-for-record-bullartistry-go-into-hiding/ Fossil fuel fiesta: Australia’s coal and gas giants get more in subsidies than they pay in royalties https://michaelwest.com.au/fossil-fuel-fiesta-australias-coal-and-gas-giants-get-more-in-subsidies-than-they-pay-in-royalties/ ⸻ 00:00 Is this why Australia has no gas tax? 03:12 BHP’s diesel rebate billions 07:18 Madeleine King rules it out 09:16 Labor backs away from gas tax 12:02 The mining lobby playbook 13:17 Pauline Hanson’s gas plan 15:15 Cricket Australia conflict scandal 15:39 Private health profiteering Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Gemma O’Toole was aboard the Freedom Flotilla when it was intercepted by Israeli forces. Her father, Patrick Kaiser, says the family went more than 64 hours without hearing from her, while the main footage they had seen showed detained activists zip tied, placed in stress positions and taunted by Israeli minister Itamar Ben Gvir. As Australia summons the Israeli ambassador and condemns Ben Gvir’s behaviour, Gemma’s family is calling for stronger action, sanctions, and a serious reckoning with Australia’s selective approach to international law and human rights. Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Gemma O’Toole Kidnapped 00:42 Ben Gvir’s taunting video 01:28 No contact from Australian officials 03:28 Australia’s response and calls for sanctions Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Check it out: https://taxdata.michaelwest.com.au/data_analytics Australia’s media has gone into full budget meltdown mode, with screaming front pages about death taxes, trust limbo and Labor betrayal. But while the Murdoch press and the Financial Review howl about modest tax changes, the low-hanging fruit is sitting somewhere else entirely, multinational gas giants making billions from Australian resources while paying a fraction back to the public. Michael West looks at the latest ExxonMobil Australia accounts, the numbers the gas lobby does not want discussed, and why the real budget scandal is not small business trust changes, it is the continuing failure to properly tax the companies exporting Australia’s gas. #auspol #budget Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au *some of the assets in the thumbnail were made with AI* ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Budget hysteria hits the papers 01:36 Murdoch’s zero tax record 03:44 ExxonMobil’s $15.8 billion revenue 09:39 The $1 billion dividend Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Budget pearl-clutchers had a pearler this week. Michael West looks at the budget backlash over negative gearing and capital gains tax, the Liberal Party’s latest by-election disaster, Angus Taylor’s numbers problem, the government burying its response to gambling ads reform on Budget Day, and the biggest winner from Budget by far ... a foreign lobby group. #auspol #royalcommission #budget #economy Support us ❤️ https://www.patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 https://michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au ⸻ Articles mentioned The Bondi Royal Commission. Truth telling and uncontested falsehoods https://michaelwest.com.au/the-bondi-royal-commission-truth-telling-and-uncontested-falsehoods/ Barnaby Joyce, Angus Taylor, Australia and the Caribbean https://michaelwest.com.au/barnaby-joyce-angus-taylor-australia-and-the-caribbean/ Who benefits from negative gearing? Hint: probably not you. https://michaelwest.com.au/who-benefits-from-negative-gearing-cgt-pbo/ Chalmers’ Budget in search of more productivity and less rent-seeking https://michaelwest.com.au/chalmers-budget-in-search-of-more-productivity-and-less-rent-seeking/ BHP wanted us silenced NOW. The Federal Court said no https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-wanted-us-silenced-now-the-federal-court-said-no/ ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Budget whingers 02:29 Negative gearing 06:04 Farrer’s Liberal wipeout 07:48 Angus Taylor’s reply 09:08 Gambling report dumped 11:04 Budget’s big winners 13:59 Scam of the Week 14:57 BHP lawsuit update Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.