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.

The first episode reconstructs the murder of Cabramatta MP John Newman and the volatile environment in which it occurred. Set in a suburb defined by drugs, gang violence, and rising anti-Asian sentiment, the episode presents Newman as both a crime-fighting politician and a deeply divisive figure with many enemies. In the immediate aftermath, suspicion quickly narrows onto local councillor Phuong Ngo. Despite limited evidence, media narratives and public fear begin to shape the case against him. The episode establishes the central tension of the series: a complex murder reduced to a simple story, and a suspect formed as much by perception as proof. This series draws on publicly available court records and archival reporting. The primary source is Carlotta McIntosh’s book “A Marked Man: The Questionable Conviction of Phuong Ngo”. Comng soon: Episode 2 - The Trial & Evidence 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.

Helen Clark at the Women Deliver conference in Melbourne, where 6,000 people from 189 countries gathered to confront the global rise of authoritarianism, attacks on human rights, war, inequality and the collapse of the international humanitarian system. Interviewed by Aleta Moriarty for The West Report and MWM.  Clark warned that restrictions on free speech and protest are no longer confined to authoritarian states, but are increasingly appearing in democratic societies too. She also spoke about inequality, populism, the erosion of universal human rights, and the need for leaders to act with consistency rather than hypocrisy.  https://michaelwest.com.au/women-deliver-conference-glimmers-of-hope-amid-the-doom-and-gloom/ Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Pauline gets a plane from Gina, Albo caves to the gas cartel, Snowy Hydro blows out to absurd new heights, and the Bondi Royal Commission somehow tiptoes around the one word at the centre of the whole political storm. This week’s Scam of the Week is the “owned edition”, a tour through Australian politics where donors, fossil fuel giants, media monopolies and vested interests all get better representation than the public. 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: Tech giants forced to strike deals for news content https://michaelwest.com.au/tech-giants-forced-to-strike-deals-for-news-content/ From stick to carrot. The News Media Bargaining Incentive https://michaelwest.com.au/from-stick-to-carrot-the-news-media-bargaining-incentive/ Snow Job, Snowy Hydro 2.0 in a fathomless crevasse of costs https://michaelwest.com.au/snow-job-snowy-hydro-2-0-in-a-fathomless-crevasse-of-costs/ 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/ Bondi Royal Commission. What this report refuses to see https://michaelwest.com.au/bondi-royal-commission-what-this-report-refuses-to-see/ Fiscal restraint to define federal budget as costs rise https://michaelwest.com.au/fiscal-restraint-to-define-federal-budget-as-costs-rise/ PM cool on gas tax as companies prepare for grilling https://michaelwest.com.au/pm-cool-on-gas-tax-as-companies-prepare-for-grilling/ Burke gets Netflixed. Secret lobbying did the trick for the big streamers https://michaelwest.com.au/burke-gets-netflixed-secret-lobbying-did-the-trick-for-the-big-streamers/ Netflix, streamers, do the government cold on Aussie TV production quotas https://michaelwest.com.au/netflix-streamers-do-the-government-cold-on-aussie-tv-production-quotas/ Burke’s backyard. Local content deal for streamers not what it seems. https://michaelwest.com.au/burkes-backyard-local-content-deal-for-streamers-not-what-it-seems/ The NetFix is in. Streaming production quotas no bonanza https://michaelwest.com.au/the-netfix-is-in-streaming-production-quotas-no-bonanza/ Dithering over local TV content plays into hands of global streamers https://michaelwest.com.au/dithering-over-local-tv-content-plays-into-hands-of-global-streamers/ Inpex and Australia’s gas rip-off. Billions in revenue, crumbs in tax https://michaelwest.com.au/inpex-and-australias-gas-rip-off-billions-in-revenue-crumbs-in-tax/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 00:00: Introduction 00:37: The Owned Edition 00:59: Pauline’s Gina Jet 03:56: Albo’s Gas Cave 05:14: Negative Gearing Panic 08:16: Don’t Say the G Word 10:19: Snowy Hydro Blowout 11:00: Coalition Costings Chaos 12:33: Media Bargaining Code 15:05: AUKUS Spending Questions 16:38: Scam of the Week Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Australian activist Zack Schofield recounts the interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla, seized on the high seas roughly 600 nautical miles from Israel while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. He describes detention aboard a prison ship, allegations of violence by Israeli forces, and the broader legal and political implications of the operation. The account raises serious questions about maritime law, the treatment of civilians, and Australia’s ongoing support for Israel, as pressure builds on the government to respond. Support us ❤️ patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 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.

Bluey became one of Australia’s biggest cultural exports, a Brisbane-made kids show watched for billions of minutes overseas. But while Australia got the pride, BBC Studios got the global distribution and merchandising machine. Josh breaks down how the ABC helped commission a global phenomenon, why the BBC ended up with the rights that compound, and how this fits a much bigger Australian habit: funding the risk, creating the value, then watching the serious money flow offshore. Support us ❤️ patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au 00:00 - Bluey, Gas and the Ripoff 03:22 - How the Deal Worked 05:44 - Australia’s Bad Deals 10:29 - Why Didn’t the ABC Back Itself? Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We are on the biggest heist and media/political snowjob in Australia today. Shell’s Australian boss fronted a parliamentary inquiry into gas this week and somehow could not say what revenue her company made or how much Australian gas it exported. Meanwhile, Ken Henry, one of the country’s most respected tax experts, told the same inquiry to “just do it” and “stop the crap” on taxing Australia’s finite natural resources. The gas lobby has spent years convincing politicians, media and the public that foreign multinationals should keep exporting Australian gas while paying little in the way of income tax and royalties. Now they are making super profits thanks to the US/Israel war on Iran.  Support us ❤️ patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Corporate Tax Transparency Data: https://taxdata.michaelwest.com.au/ Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au Chapters: 0:00 - Scam Contenders 00:54 - Shell Boss Fronts Inquiry 01:23 - No Revenue Answers 02:39 - Shell Tax Data 04:29 - Ken Henry Says Stop The Crap 06:46 - Media Ignores Gas Tax 09:02 - Politicians And Gas Lobby 12:14 - Mining Tax Spin 14:25 - Albanese’s $22 Billion Claim 17:43 - Democracy Bought By Gas ________________________________________________________________________ Articles mentioned: 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/ Fossocracy Australia: government of the people, by the fossil fuel companies for the fossil fuel companies https://michaelwest.com.au/fossocracy-australia-government-of-the-people-by-the-fossil-fuel-companies-for-the-fossil-fuel-companies/ Worried about agents of foreign influence? Just look at who owns Australia’s biggest companies https://michaelwest.com.au/worried-about-agents-of-foreign-influence-just-look-at-who-owns-australias-biggest-companies/ Energy crisis: gas lobby cries wolf at gas export tax https://michaelwest.com.au/energy-crisis-gas-lobby-cries-wolf-at-gas-export-tax/ PM cool on gas tax as companies prepare for grilling https://michaelwest.com.au/pm-cool-on-gas-tax-as-companies-prepare-for-grilling/ Gas exporters face grilling amid 25 per cent levy push https://michaelwest.com.au/gas-exporters-face-grilling-amid-25-per-cent-levy-push/ Corporate Tax Transparency Data https://taxdata.michaelwest.com.au/ Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Drill baby drill! Are Angus and Pauline being unAustralian? Angus Taylor and Pauline Hanson want us to drill more. But who is "us", who does this drilling? Foreign multinationals, that's who. We follow the money, from the foreign influence operation which is News Corp - which is owned by Americans and pays no tax - to the Australian Energy Producers gas lobby which represents foreign players such as Exxon, Shell, INPEX, Chevron and others. Are Angus and Pauline patsies for a foreign influence operation designed to rake out massive profits from the export of our gas without paying royalties and tax? Surely not!  Support us ❤️ patreon.com/thewestreport Our Journalism 📰 michaelwest.com.au Merch 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/collections/michael-west Newscorpse Shirt 👕 https://lonelykidsclub.com/products/newscorpse-tee Linktree 🌐 https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Articles Mentioned: Barnaby Joyce signed off $80m for Angus Taylor’s old company after zero was paid for same sort of water nearby https://michaelwest.com.au/barnaby-joyce-80m-valuation-discrepancy/  ASIC searches show Angus Taylor was a director and secretary of Eastern Australia Agriculture https://x.com/MichaelWestBiz/status/1116465879921725440  Barnaby Joyce, Angus Taylor, Australia and the Caribbean https://michaelwest.com.au/barnaby-joyce-angus-taylor-australia-and-the-caribbean/  Hold my beer. Uniparty votes down Senate gas inquiry https://michaelwest.com.au/hold-my-beer-uniparty-votes-down-senate-gas-inquiry/  Top 40 Tax Heroes https://michaelwest.com.au/top-40-tax-heroes-who-pays-the-most-tax-in-australia/  Origin of the gas gouge https://michaelwest.com.au/origin-of-the-gas-gouge/  Undue Influence: oil and gas giants infiltrate Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology https://michaelwest.com.au/undue-influence-oil-and-gas-giants-infiltrate-australias-bureau-of-meteorology/  Gas Empire: how Australians are paying for foreign profiteers https://michaelwest.com.au/gas-report-how-australians-are-paying-for-foreign-profiteers/  ‘Playing us for fools’: foreign gains fuel gas tax push https://michaelwest.com.au/playing-us-for-fools-foreign-gains-fuel-gas-tax-push/  Business Council of Australia … or Business Council of Foreign Multinationals? https://michaelwest.com.au/business-council-of-australia-or-business-council-of-foreign-multinationals/  Gas lobby APPEA calls for transparency while its own financial reports vanish. What’s the scam? https://michaelwest.com.au/gas-lobby-appea-calls-for-transparency-while-its-own-financial-reports-vanish-whats-the-scam/  A gas betrayal. King plan favours foreign buyers, gas cartel over mums and dads https://michaelwest.com.au/king-plan-favours-foreign-buyers-gas-cartel-over-electricity-buyers/  Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Never let a good crisis go to waste". Albo and Jim Chalmers have a unique opportunity right now to fix the Budget and reshape Australia by taxing the foreign gas exporters properly. A big majority in Parliament - a 25% gas export tax is a no-brainer for $10B a year. Standing in their way is a powerful gas lobby which lies and bribes hard .. and the fossil media. #auspol Support Us here https://linktr.ee/michaelwestmedia.com.au Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Newcastle student Zack Schofield is heading to Gaza on the Sumud Flotilla this week, one of 17 Australians attempting to break Israel's siege and deliver food and medical aid. Zack talks with Josh Barnett about the risks, and why he is doing it as Australian politicians continue to support Israel despite its holocaust of Palestinians. Since the 'ceasefire' of 2025, the civilian slaughter has continued in the occupied territory, including bombing displaced Gazans in tents. Israel has continued to block food and other aid. 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: Millions in tax deductible donations to IDF, illegal settlements https://michaelwest.com.au/millions-in-tax-deductible-donations-to-idf-illegal-settlements/ Charities funding Israel illegal settlements untouchable, Labor says https://michaelwest.com.au/charities-funding-israel-illegal-settlements-untouchable-labor-says/ AustralianSuper profiting from genocide https://michaelwest.com.au/australian-super-profiting-from-genocide Australia sells weapons parts directly to Israel https://michaelwest.com.au/australia-sells-weapons-parts-directly-to-israel/ Genocide grants, government awards millions to F,35 suppliers https://michaelwest.com.au/genocide-grants-government-awards-millions-to-f-35-suppliers/ Ignoring genocide, the bill for Australia’s silence has arrived https://michaelwest.com.au/ignoring-genocide-the-bill-for-australias-silence-has-arrived/ Supporting genocide, Australian funds risk breaking international law https://michaelwest.com.au/supporting-genocide-australian-funds-risk-breaking-international-law/ Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.