Menadue understands power of lobbyists

February 11, 2026

John Menadue understands better than most the power of foreign lobbyists on Australian governments. From the alleged cover up by Prime Minister Whitlam of the Balibo 5, to Australian government’s refusal to recognise the Armenian genocide, or the way they seemingly won’t prevent a powerful trading ally from spying on activists in Australia, this country has long been captive to foreign pressures. Why Israel is seen as different to Indonesia, Turkey, China, India or US, or held to a different standard, isn’t surprising in the current environment.