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.

BHP tried to rush Michael West Media and injured coal miner Simon Turner into the Federal Court, seeking urgent orders to take down reporting on a story we believe is firmly in the public interest. The court declined to hear BHP’s urgent application, leaving the matter on its ordinary timetable. At the centre of this fight is a coal miner who broke his back at a BHP mine site, a small independent newsroom, and one of the biggest companies in the world trying to muzzle coverage rather than answer basic questions. Story: https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-wanted-us-silenced-now-the-federal-court-said-no/ 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 Pauline, Please Explain | The West Report https://michaelwest.com.au/pauline-please-explain-the-west-report/ BHP wins orders to keep coal miner’s evidence out of Court https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-wins-orders-to-keep-coal-miners-evidence-out-of-court/ BHP is suing us. Here is the File Number. https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-is-suing-us-here-is-the-file-number/ Wild Accusations. BHP has even its own evidence muzzled by Court https://michaelwest.com.au/wild-accusations-bhp-has-even-its-own-evidence-muzzled-by-court/ Case Muzzled. Court strikes out injured coal miner, backs BHP https://michaelwest.com.au/case-muzzled-court-strikes-out-injured-coal-miner-backs-bhp/ BHP threatens coal miner for leaking in David v Goliath court stoush https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-threatens-coal-miner-for-leaking-in-david-v-goliath-court-stoush/ ⸻ Chapters 00:00 BHP sues MWM 01:24 Court says not so fast 03:49 Simon Turner’s story Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Jim Chalmers’ 2026 Budget has landed and, despite the pearl clutching from the Rich Boomers Lobby and Murdoch press, the sky has not fallen in. Westy looks at the modest but meaningful move on negative gearing and capital gains tax, the failure to properly tax Australia’s gas exporters, the ever expanding AUKUS gravy train, Budget deficits, NDIS cuts, fossil fuel subsidies, private health insurance rorts and the latest on BHP’s lawsuit against Michael West Media. The Budget takes a small step toward rebalancing an economy tilted toward investors and asset owners, but the biggest rort in the country remains untouched, foreign gas giants making billions from Australian resources while paying crumbs back to the public. 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: Chalmers’ budget. From landlord paradise to clever country? https://michaelwest.com.au/chalmers-budget-from-landlord-paradise-to-clever-country/ Scary alert! Like negative gearing? Buy shares! https://michaelwest.com.au/scaremongers-alert-like-negative-gearing-buy-shares/ Tax relief for workers and pain for investors in budget https://michaelwest.com.au/tax-relief-for-workers-and-pain-for-investors-in-budget/ Supercharged inequality: rich investors stifle budget https://michaelwest.com.au/supercharged-inequality-rich-investors-stifle-budget/ Who benefits from negative gearing? Hint: probably not you. https://michaelwest.com.au/who-benefits-from-negative-gearing-cgt-pbo/ Negative Gearing explained https://michaelwest.com.au/negative-gearing-explained/ ‘Playing us for fools’: foreign gains fuel gas tax push https://michaelwest.com.au/playing-us-for-fools-foreign-gains-fuel-gas-tax-push/ Small beer: revenue from gas export tax set to plummet https://michaelwest.com.au/small-beer-revenue-from-gas-export-tax-set-to-plummet/ Time to make ’em pay! The big bludgers are the corporate tax dodgers https://michaelwest.com.au/taxdata-corporate-tax-dodgers-revealed/ The Verdict: some progress on the looming multinational tax dodging reforms but “enormous” task ahead https://michaelwest.com.au/progress-on-looming-multinational-tax-dodging-reforms-but-enormous-task-ahead/ Corporate tax avoidance. Who helps fund Australia, and who doesn’t? https://michaelwest.com.au/corporate-tax-avoidance-who-helps-fund-australia-and-who-doesnt/ Budget 2026 coverage, Michael West Media https://michaelwest.com.au ⸻ Chapters 00:00 Budget 2026 01:17 Negative gearing 03:44 Gas tax failure 05:16 AUKUS billions 06:40 Trump and Netanyahu war 07:41 NDIS cuts 08:14 LNG royalties 10:17 Royal Commission 11:07 Updates Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Michael West Media is being sued by BHP, The Big Australian, for our reporting on the case of injured coal miner Simon Turner. At the centre of the fight are questions of public interest journalism, confidentiality orders, labour hire, coal mining, and whether a $300 billion corporate giant should be using the courts against a small independent media outlet. Michael West breaks down the claim, the role of BHP’s lawyers Minter Ellison, the long running story of Simon Turner, and why MWM is preparing to fight back, possibly with the inaugural BHP Ball and Minter Ellison Press Freedom Oration. 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 Simon’s story Black Hole: CFMEU, governments, BHP, black coal giants in $2.5B worker wage swindle https://michaelwest.com.au/black-hole-cfmeu-governments-bhp-black-coal-giants-collude-in-2-5b-worker-wage-swindle/ Same Job, Lame Pay: BHP and the black coal wage swindle https://michaelwest.com.au/same-job-lame-pay-bhp-and-the-black-coal-wage-swindle/ BHP wage theft cover-up in the shadows of Christmas https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-fwc-keep-wage-theft-secret/ BHP’s big wage theft unveiled, the whistleblower and the coal miner https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-buries-wage-theft-as-fair-work-commission-showdown-kicks-off/ David v the Goliaths. Lone coal miner tackles BHP & co in Court over massive wage theft https://michaelwest.com.au/david-v-the-goliaths-lone-coal-miner-tackles-bhp-co-in-court-over-massive-wage-theft/ Is BHP making wild accusations about “wild accusations”? https://michaelwest.com.au/is-bhp-making-wild-accusations-about-wild-accusations/ Wild Accusations. BHP has even its own evidence muzzled by Court https://michaelwest.com.au/wild-accusations-bhp-has-even-its-own-evidence-muzzled-by-court/ Judge takes pity on BHP in case against injured coal miner https://michaelwest.com.au/judge-takes-pity-on-bhp-in-case-against-injured-coal-miner/ Hoodwinked. How BHP bulldozed a coal miner in court https://michaelwest.com.au/hoodwinked-how-bhp-bulldozed-a-coal-miner-in-court/ David v Goliath. Court gets real evidence from miner v BHP by accident https://michaelwest.com.au/david-v-goliath-court-gets-real-evidence-from-miner-v-bhp-by-accident/ Behind the coal miner v BHP, 20,000 miners and a bunch of giant mining corporations https://michaelwest.com.au/behind-the-lone-coal-miner-v-bhp-20000-miners-and-a-bunch-of-giant-mining-corporations/ BHP threatens coal miner for leaking in David v Goliath court stoush https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-threatens-coal-miner-for-leaking-in-david-v-goliath-court-stoush/ BHP is suing us. Here is the File Number. https://michaelwest.com.au/bhp-is-suing-us-here-is-the-file-number/ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻ Chapters 00:00 BHP sues MWM 01:13 The BHP Ball 02:08 Simon Turner’s story 06:02 Mike to Mike 08:52 More legal threats 09:51 Support independent media Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Brides are back, the ISIS brides are back in the headlines, and what a convenient distraction it is. This week’s Scam of the Week takes aim at the media frenzy, the antisemitism Royal Commission, the looming budget revelations on negative gearing and CGT, and the week of inevitable scare campaigns from prominent vested interests. Meanwhile, Trump celebrates war won, again. That means Albo has won his first war as Australia has backed Operation Epstein Fury. Next! 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: Transparency wins as Tribunal rebukes government secrecy https://michaelwest.com.au/transparency-wins-as-tribunal-rebukes-government-secrecy/ Aussie John’s $200m mansion sale pinpoints critical problem with real estate market https://michaelwest.com.au/soaring-real-estate-housing-crisis-family-home-rort/ ‘Most responsible’: Labor pledge for high-stakes budget https://michaelwest.com.au/most-responsible-labor-pledge-for-high-stakes-budget/ Budget handout claims fuel fears of further rate pain https://michaelwest.com.au/budget-handout-claims-fuel-fears-of-further-rate-pain/ Labor plots budget housing boost to fend off One Nation https://michaelwest.com.au/labor-plots-budget-housing-boost-to-fend-off-one-nation/ Israel lobby sells stolen Palestinian land to Australian investors https://michaelwest.com.au/israel-lobby-sells-stolen-palestinian-land-to-australian-investors/ ⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻— ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapters: 00:00 ISIS Bride Distraction 02:09 Syria and ISIS 03:22: Lobby Spin 05:56 Royal Commission Theatre 07:08 Education and Anti-Semitism 09:40 Budget Panic 10:13 Negative Gearing Scare 13:26 Julie Bishop and ABC 15:22 Hidden Budget Spending 16:31 Operation Epic Fury Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Episode two examines the lives of John Newman and Phuong Ngo, revealing two ambitious men shaped by conflict and power. Ngo is portrayed as intelligent, driven, and politically skilled, yet operating within ambiguous circles that invite suspicion. Newman, meanwhile, is shown as aggressive, confrontational, and widely disliked despite his achievements. Their rivalry unfolds within a brutal political landscape where alliances are fragile and motives are rarely clear. By deepening both portraits, the episode challenges the idea of a straightforward motive and broadens the field of potential enemies, suggesting the case is far more complicated than it first appears. Coming soon: Episode 3 - The Human Cost Creator & Narrator: Paul Searles Producer: Will Halliday Voice actors: Adam Andrews Phan Win Original score: Paul Searles Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

The Bondi Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion has begun hearing evidence, but serious questions are already emerging about how that evidence is being tested. Michael West examines claims made before the commission, the role of pro Israel lobby groups, the media’s treatment of anecdote as fact, and whether a process meant to strengthen social cohesion risks doing the opposite. Anti Semitism is real and must be taken seriously. But if a Royal Commission elevates untested claims, hearsay and political narratives without proper scrutiny, the public deserves to ask, where is the evidence? 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: Bondi Royal Commission. What this report refuses to see https://michaelwest.com.au/bondi-royal-commission-what-this-report-refuses-to-see/ The Bondi massacre interim report is out. Don’t mention the G word https://michaelwest.com.au/the-bondi-massacre-interim-report-is-out-dont-mention-the-g-word/ Antisemitism. The Royal Conflation Commission is in session https://michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism-the-royal-conflation-commission-is-in-session/ Antisemitism Royal Commission dilemma: not all Jews think the same https://michaelwest.com.au/antisemitism-royal-commission-dilemma-not-all-jews-think-the-same/ Cairo Takeaway stunt. Building antisemitism one caper at the time https://michaelwest.com.au/newscorp-ofir-birenbaum-cairo-takeaway-stunt-backfires/ NSW antisemitism inquiry. Jewish organisations reject Zionist claims https://michaelwest.com.au/nsw-antisemitism-inquiry-jewish-organisations-reject-zionist-claims/ Facts and evidence missing in claims about increasing antisemitism https://michaelwest.com.au/facts-and-evidence-missing-in-claims-about-increasing-antisemitism/ Israel lobby law firm jags plum role in Bondi Royal Commission https://michaelwest.com.au/israel-lobby-law-firm-jags-plumb-role-in-bondi-royal-commission/ Israel aligned law firm appointed to Antisemitism Royal Commission, no tender https://michaelwest.com.au/israel-aligned-law-firm-appointed-to-antisemitism-royal-commission-no-tender/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapters 00:00: Is the Royal Commission becoming a farce? 02:31: The anonymous Nazi salute claim 05:14: Untested evidence and no further questions 07:03: Gilbert and Tobin, the Israel lobby and process concerns 10:22: Virginia Bell questions Israel criticism 18:29: Protest, genocide claims and antisemitism 22:29: Palestinians, animals and the paradox 24:09: Leaving Australia for Israel 25:36: Social cohesion or whitewash? Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We warned about this China deal done by Tony Abbott. Australia’s free trade deal with China was sold as a win for exporters, investors and the national interest. But buried in the fine print was a mechanism that allowed foreign corporations to sue Australia if government decisions hurt their profits. Now, with Donald Trump’s trade war back on the agenda and tensions between Washington and Beijing reshaping global politics, Australia is once again caught in the middle. Michael West reports on how the China Australia Free Trade Agreement, the Darwin Port lease, Clive Palmer’s billion dollar legal fight and investor state dispute settlement reveal the real cost of signing away sovereignty in the name of “free trade”. Support us ❤️ patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Articles mentioned: “Free trade deal”, what? Chinese sue Australia over Darwin Port https://michaelwest.com.au/free-trade-deal-what-chinese-sue-australia-over-darwin-port/ Trade deal really translates to ‘we lose’ https://michaelwest.com.au/trade-deals-acronym-really-translates-to-we-lose/ Andrew Robb’s $880k China consultancy started day before 2016 election https://michaelwest.com.au/andrew-robbs-880k-china-consultancy-started-day-before-2016-election/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 00:00: Australia caught between China and America 03:04: How trade deals let corporations sue governments 07:02: Clive Palmer and the cost of ISDS Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.