Friday, 10 May - It's a gas, gas, gas

Good morning, it’s Friday, 10 May. In your Squiz Today…

• Labor’s plan for gas in Australia

• America’s stern warning for Israel

• And the gift mums really want (hint: it’s cheap)...

🎧 Listen to the podcast

🤓 This email will take you 5 minutes to read

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

Said Dame Shirley Bassey, who’s auctioning off some of her “meaningful” jewellery collection for charity - including a vintage Van Cleef & Arpels diamond ring gifted to her by Sir Elton John. Diamonds aren’t always forever, then…

A lot of hot air

The Squiz

The Albanese Government released its Future Gas Strategy yesterday, which it says “establishes the role gas will play in the transition to net zero by 2050”. It includes support for new gas fields, initiatives to increase the extraction of gas, and “use it or lose it” provisions to stop companies sitting on untapped reserves. It also ties in with the Future Made in Australia policy to subsidise Oz’s clean energy and manufacturing. Resources Minister Madeleine King says it's “based on facts and data, not ideology or wishful thinking”, but the Climate Council has labelled it a “regressive echo of the past”. 

I am lost…

Gas currently accounts for 27% of Oz’s energy - it was our third largest export last year bringing in 14% of our export income and employing 20,000 people - so it’s big business. But like other non-renewable energy resources - e.g. coal - it's unpopular with environmentalists - especially the Greens… They don't want any new gas projects and claim the Government is bowing to pressure from fossil fuel donors. But the Government argues we can't switch off gas overnight because the energy transition will take time, it would hurt our economy, and it has to ensure Aussie homes have a reliable supply. It also says for industries like manufacturing and minerals processing, there is no realistic alternative and our gas industry is fundamental in other countries' shift towards renewables. To try and appease its critics, the Government is promising emissions reduction measures like carbon capture and storage.

What other reactions have there been?

As you’d expect, gas stock prices jumped following the announcement, with AGL up 2.4% and Strike Energy - which is involved in Aussie gas exploration/development - up a whopping 9%. Industry association Australian Energy Producers was also pleased, saying it recognises "the critical role of natural gas for Australia's energy security". Less enthusiastic were several Independent/teal MPs, including David Pocock who says it’s “stupid given we export 75% of our gas”, and Kylea Tink, who called it “‘gas-fired recovery’ 2.0”. That’s a reference to the former Morrison government’s post-Covid recovery plan. The Coalition continues to support gas, but several Labor MPs have also raised objections, including Josh Burns who says “not a cent of public money” should be spent on new gas projects unless they assist with the energy transition and there’s “so much more to do”.

Budgeting for women’s success

Our friends at Future Women with La Trobe Financial are hosting a Federal Budget Dinner next Wednesday, 15 May. It’s being held at the Great Hall inside Parliament House and there are still a few tickets available. Minister for Finance, Women and the Public Service Katy Gallagher will deliver the keynote address. You’ll also hear from some of Australia’s leading voices on the economy, gender and public policy while networking over drinks and dinner. You can purchase tickets here and to sweeten the deal use code ‘SQUIZ’ for 20% off.

Squiz the Rest

A stern warning

US President Joe Biden has threatened to stop sending weapons to Israel if PM Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) go through with a major invasion of Rafah in Gaza’s south. On Wednesday, Biden admitted US weapons used by Israeli forces in Gaza had killed civilians, and another senior US official said a delivery of bombs had already been paused. It’s a sharp turnaround from Biden - a major Netanyahu ally - but reports say it reinforces speculation the relationship is souring as the war drags on. Meanwhile, the death toll in Gaza is also climbing, with the United Nations reporting over 100 civilian deaths since Israel began its military operation in Rafah this week. Oz is also under pressure ahead of tonight’s UN Security Council vote on admitting Palestine as a full member…

A social issue

The Albanese Government will set up a new parliamentary committee to look at the effects of social media apps like Meta, X, and TikTok on the lives of Australians. The announcement comes as Oz’s eSafety Commissioner is back in court today fighting billionaire Elon Musk’s platform X over a take-down order of graphic images of the Wakeley terror attack. The joint parliamentary select committee will look at the impacts of online scams, misconduct and harmful/illegal content distributed on the platforms - and it'll also examine Meta’s decision to walk away from financial deals with news publishers. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said it’s “imperative that Australians have access to quality public interest journalism, including on social media”, adding that “social media companies have social responsibilities” and they “need to be more accountable and transparent.”

Girlfriend turns police informer 

A Mexican court has heard the man charged with murdering 2 Aussie brothers and their friend - boasted to his then partner that he had killed “3 gringos”. Ari Gisell says Jesús Gerardo, also known as "El Kekas", arrived at her house to show her the new tyres he had put on her car - allegedly stolen from the surfers' van. Gisell was originally charged in connection with the deaths but has now turned as a star witness against her former boyfriend. Jake and Callum Robinson, as well as American Carter Rhoad, were surfing and camping in a remote part of northern Mexico when they were shot dead. Prosecutors have also told the court they believe others were involved in the killings. Dozens of people held a protest last week in Ensenada calling on authorities to do more to tackle violence facing tourists and locals. 

Limping to Paris

Australia’s top gymnast has been forced out of the Olympics after suffering a nasty Achilles injury. Georgia Goodwin won the all-around gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games - and helped our team qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 2012. A teary Goodwin told her Insta followers the news was "not ideal" and she's not sure what recovery "will look like going forward". At 26yo, Goodwin is one of the older members of the squad - but she’s a few months younger than US superstar Simone Biles who’s a shoo-in for her third Olympics if she can stay fit for the next couple of months. France is now on a countdown until the opening ceremony. The Olympic flame is on tour around the country - and will visit 6 French overseas territories before it arrives in Paris on 26 July…  

Keeping mum

There's good news if you're scrambling to think of a pressie for Mother's Day - your mum actually just wants the gift of time. It’s apparently a common theme whether kids have left the nest (she just wants you to ring or visit her) - or are still small (mum just wants some time out). But it seems we all haven’t quite got the memo yet… According to a retail survey 74% shop for flowers and also grab a card. One trend we’re here for - people are celebrating more than their own mum on the day - sharing it with teachers, neighbours and family friends. Author Kathy Lette reckons mums have got to use Sunday as a time to drop all the guilt they carry. Lette says motherhood is “as easy as climbing Everest in high heels and hotpants'' - so it’s got to be the day to “put ourselves first”. Praise be…

Wanna be in the Saturday Squiz?

Friday lites - 3 things we liked this week

If you’re still reeling from Electric Fields’ sudden exit from Eurovision, why not cheer yourself up with this cosy article about the history of Australian cakes - which goes back thousands of years for our First Nations people… It’s not all lamingtons and pavlovas ya know…

If the chilly weather has you craving something warming, this recipe for ginger meatballs in coconut broth is a winner. They’re flavourful, moreish and best of all - easy to make. They’re going to be on high rotation for us…

A Gentleman in Moscow is a triple threat, with Squiz HQ's Gillian calling the book* “profoundly moving”, while our colleague Larissa says the Paramount+ series is also a winner despite Ewan McGregor's “preposterous moustache” - and if you want to really lean in there’s also this podcast discussing the book’s drool-worthy depiction of bouillabaisse…

*Buy using this link and the Squiz may earn a little commission.

Reckon you read the email each day?

Want a chance to win a $100 Woolies voucher? Hit the button below each day this week, and we’ll know you’ve read the email. That gives you a chance to go in the draw. And repeat…

Squiz the Day

Friday
10.00am (AEST) - Judgement in the case of immigration detainee ASF17 who is fighting a Federal Government deportation order to return him to Iran - Canberra

10.30am (AEST) - Opening addresses to begin in the trial of former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn, charged with murdering campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in the Vic high country - Melbourne

10.30am (AEST) - The case of Oz’s eSafety Commissioner vs X over a social media take-down order is back in the Federal Court for a hearing - Sydney

11.00am (AEST) - Bonza Aviation creditors’ meeting - Sydney

12.00pm (AEST) - Gymnastics: Australian Championships (until 22 May) - Gold Coast

12.00pm (AEST) - Vogue Online Shopping Night 2024 (until midnight 11 May)

1.00pm (AWST) - The defamation case brought by Senator Linda Reynolds against Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz is back in court for a strategic conference - Perth

2.15pm (AEST) - Costs judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Network Ten/Lisa Wilkinson - Sydney

The UN General Assembly will hold a vote on Palestine's full membership 

ABS Data Release - Medications, 2022; National Health Survey, 2022; Monthly Business Turnover Indicator, March 2024 

Are You Safe At Home? Day 

World Lupus Day 

National Small Business Day

Birthdays for Bono (1960) and Leigh Sales (1973)

Anniversary of:

• Germany’s invasion of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, and the appointment of Winston Churchill as UK’s PM after the resignation of Neville Chamberlain (1940)

• India’s population reaching 1 billion (2000)

• Apple becoming the first company to be worth more than US$800 billion (2017)

• Uber listing on the New York Stock Exchange (2019)

Saturday
12.00pm (AEST) - Boots on and buckle up, it’s the Road to Rodeo - Mt Isa

12.00pm (ACST) - And same again for the Top End Rock and Rodeo Muster - Darwin

2.00pm (AEST) - Triathlon: World Triathlon Championship Series - Yokohama

National Technology Day

World Fair Trade Day

National Train Day

Anniversary of:

• William Lawson, Gregory Blaxland and William Wentworth embarking on their expedition westward of Sydney (1813)

• the premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats (1980)

• the 1996 Mount Everest disaster when 8 climbers were caught in a blizzard and died

Sunday
5.00am (AEST) - Eurovision final - Malmö, and broadcast live on SBS/On Demand

8.30am (AEST) - March for Molly Ticehurst - Forbes

4.00pm (AWST) - Boxing: IBF World Lightweight Title Fight with Aussie George Kambosos v Ukraine’s Vasiliy Lomachenko - Perth

Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival (on until 14 May) - Margaret River 

Mother's Day

International Nurses Day 

International Day for Chronic Immunological and Neurological Diseases (CIND) 

International Day of Plant Health

Birthdays for Homer Simpson (1956), Bill Shorten (1967) and Rami Malek (1981)

Anniversary of:

• the birthdays of Florence Nightingale (1820) and Katharine Hepburn (1907)

• the wedding of Mick and Bianca Jagger (1971)

• Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction premiering at the Cannes Film Festival (1994)