Michael West This is the biggest story most Australians have not yet grasped. Today, in Canberra, Australian survivors of physical, psychological and sexual abuse by Israeli authorities met with Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the Hon Dr Anne Aly MP, a Deputy Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, and a senior DFAT official. As a result, the Australian Government has committed to an independent investigation into the assaults, sexual assaults and torture of the Gaza Flotilla humanitarians. Read that again. Not an internal Israeli review. Not a department preparing a briefing note. Not a politician expressing concern. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

BHP has dropped its case against Michael West Media, but the questions are only getting bigger. This week, Simon Turner returns to court against BHP and MinterEllison as fresh allegations emerge about conflicts of interest, legal representation and the handling of his case after a decade-long fight for compensation. Michael West examines claims that Turner's entire legal file was passed to MinterEllison without his knowledge, why BHP is accused of "playing both sides", and what the case says about corporate power, the legal system and press freedom in Australia. You are invited to help us celebrate ten years of independent journalism, at Dockside, Darling Harbour, Sydney, aka the “BHP Ball”, incorporating the inaugural MinterEllison Press Freedom (Not) Oration. https://michaelwest.com.au/you-are-invited ──────────────────── 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 BHP drops its case 03:39 The conflict allegations 05:56 The Turner file transfer 12:43 What happens next Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Greens Senator David Shoebridge clash in a heated Senate Estimates exchange over Gaza, Palestine recognition and Australia’s response to the humanitarian crisis. The confrontation centres on calls to assist Palestinians seeking evacuation from Gaza, Australia’s recognition of the State of Palestine, and the government’s refusal to formally accept the credentials of a Palestinian ambassador. Wong accuses Shoebridge of spreading misinformation and exploiting grief for political purposes, while Shoebridge presses the government on what practical steps it is taking. 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 Gaza evacuation dispute 3:40 False hope on Palestine 04:13 Palestinian embassy questions 08:35 UK and France comparison #PennyWong #Palestine #Gaza #SenateEstimates #AustralianPolitics #MichaelWestMedia Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

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.