24 October 2026 - Saturday Squiz

It was Wombat Day on Thursday, and we hope you get to relax and eat as much as the wombats at Australia Zoo do this weekend. If you’re hosting a BBQ, making a birthday cake, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Claire Kimball and Kate Watson

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most-mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio, and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

1. A tragedy in Wangaratta - On Monday afternoon, independent MP for Indi Dr Helen Haines was allegedly intentionally hit by a ute in front of her office. She has lost both legs and is in a critical condition - her husband Phil said that “both her heart and her mind are in good shape”. The rise of threats against our pollies is in focus, as is the availability of mental health services outside the capitals.

2. And it’s one all - After a triumphant first Test for the Aussie men in our series against South Africa, on Friday morning South Africa won the second Test by an innings and 31 runs. Captain Pat Cummins said that the team is “a long way from our best”, but the third and final match kicks off Tuesday, so a series win may still be on the cards…

3. Netball in the stars… - We’re halfway through the Constellation Cup between the Aussie Diamonds and the Kiwi Silver Ferns, with our neighbours taking the first two games on home turf. If the Silver Ferns win all 4 games, Australia could be booted from the top of the world ranking for the first time since 2013. It ain’t over until it’s over...

4. The Kiwis are just showing off… - The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 43-21 in the final game of rugby’s Bledisloe Cup last weekend, wiping the Aussies out in both games. This game marked the All Blacks’ 13th consecutive win against the Wallabies… The Wallabies’ next game will be against England in the Nations Championship in London early next month.

5. And One Nation’s cartoons strike again - …this time at Senator Jacqui Lambie. The party came under fire this week for posting a cartoon mocking Lambie’s struggles with vaginal prolapse linked to injuries from her military service. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson initially told Lambie to “lighten up” but has since apologised.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know the name of the new foldable iPhone Apple released in Australia this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Maybe we like the Kiwis’ skills the most when we’re not competing against them… The New Zealand Geographic photographer of the year awards are out, and this one is a fave - check out more of the finalists here.

Something new is coming…

We’re launching a Sunday newsletter… Out at 8pm tomorrow evening and written by our News Director Andrew Williams, it’ll get you set for the week in news. We expect it’ll be handy for every Squizer, but we’ve designed it to be particularly helpful if you work in media, politics, policy or business.

Expect a quick hit of what’s coming up, a calendar for the week, and a couple of pop culture picks. Sunday scaries, sorted.

In the Kitchen

For a salad that’s actually going to fill you up, this crispy potato and salmon salad with a herby yoghurt dressing feels fresh and tastes delicious. Natalie Chassay recommends serving it for guests on a big platter (or you can keep it all for yourself).

What we Shortcut for you this week

Helen Haines' political career - After Haines was critically injured on Monday afternoon, we thought it might be helpful to give you an idea of who Helen Haines is, her journey into parliament and what she’s best known for. Have a read here or listen up.

Why is Aussie coffee so good? - Coffee is a bit of a national obsession in Oz, and it's no secret that we think we do it pretty well. And this weekend, Australia will be defending its crown at the World Barista Championship in Panama. So we thought we’d have a look at how the competition works, how Australian coffee got so good, and why it can be so hard to find a decent cup overseas. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - At 11am, the Major League Baseball World Series kicks off between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays in Milwaukee - you can watch on ESPN on Disney+. And Media Literacy Week begins - tune in to Squiz Kids for some media literacy tips.

Sunday - The first passenger flight will take off from Western Sydney Airport at 11am to the Gold Coast 🛫

Monday - At 7am, the Formula One Grand Prix is on in Austin - watch that on Kayo.

Tuesday - The Israel Knesset election is on - check out our Squiz Shortcut about it here.

Wednesday - At 12.30pm, Greens leader Senator David Shoebridge will address the National Press Club in Canberra - watch it on ABC iView. And the fourth and final match of the netball Constellation Cup is on at 7.30pm in Melbourne - you can catch it for free on Kayo.

Thursday - Woolworths has an AGM at 10am in Sydney. And submissions are open for the AFL Tassie Devils club song.

Friday - And the last round of the AFLW season kicks off.

*Times in AEDT