Weekend Wrap 14 November 2021: QAnon march in Melbourne, CoP26 ends, COVID surging in Europe, Morrison jobs policy failing

The QAnon march in Melbourne this weekend showed off a disturbing
willingness to use violent imagery and threats to intimidate
democratically elected leaders, our institutions and our
community.  While Nearly 93% of Victorian's have had at
least one dose of vaccine the rally, which featured US based
QAnon symbols, flags and language, roped in a who's who of
political fringe dwellers.  From Peta Credlin to the
Victorian upper house Liberal Democrat MP (bet you didn't even
know we had one) to the bloated face of foreign propaganda in
Australia, Craig Kelly, we were subjected to every wannabe
opportunist's attempts to find a political base.


The serious side was on show too as a gallows was marched through
the threats, "kill" chants were conducted and this week saw
threats levelled against the animal justice upper house MP, Andy
Meddick, as well as Labor MPs, Premier Andrews, Chief Health
Officer, Brett Sutton and the Australian Labor Party Vice
President.


It is no coincidence that Steve Bannon was indicted this week,
the Trump strategist and podcaster (Morrison government MPs have
appeared on his show), was charged with contempt of Congress as
the US mid-term election season enters the final 12 months.


For more on how QAnon is infiltrating our politics check out Van
Badham's new book "QAnon and On; A short and shocking history of
internet conspiracy cults"


Cop26 has ended with a commitment to "Phase down", not "phase
out" coal power, 130 governments increasing commitments on
emissions reductions (Not Morrison's) and agreement to end
"inefficient", not all, fossil fuel subsidies.


COVID is exploding again in Europe.  The Netherlands is
going into a three week lockdown, Austria is locking down the
unvaccinated, the UK has 500 cases per million people and Germany
has the worst outbreak since the start of the pandemic. 
Portugal and Spain, above 80% vaccinated, are doing much
better.  Get vaccinated and get a booster.


The Morrison government has announced a new uncapped seasonal
worker program expansion despite unemployment spiking this month
and hundreds of thousands of people who want to work unable to do
so due to caring responsibilities.