Friday, 13 March - Abracadabra abra-ooh-na-na

March 13, 2026

Good morning, it’s Friday, 13 March. In your Squiz Today…

  • A petrol plan is put in place to boost Oz supplies, as Iran ramps up attacks on oil tankers

  • One of the world’s top chefs resigns after abuse claims by staff

  • And a carrot cake you’ll want to make… 🥕

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Squiz the Weather

Calling future leaders: Last day to enter

Getting Aussie kids invested in our democracy is a big part of Squiz Kids' mission. It's why they're running the 'PM For A Day' competition, asking Aussie primary school kids what’s one thing they'd do to make Australia a better place if they were Prime Minister for a day. Entries for the comp close today.

If you know a kid who'd like to go into the running to win a trip for 2 to Canberra to meet the (actual) Prime Minister, take a private tour of Parliament House and even get a personalised tour of Government House by the Governor-General herself, then make sure they enter. Entry details can be found on the Squiz Kids website…

Squiz Sayings

"I’ll be in full witch mode.”

Said Oz actor Nicole Kidman, about her year ahead - she’s making Practical Magic 2, a sequel to the 1998 film she made with Sandra Bullock. It’s part of an interview with Variety, where she talks about her prolific career - and it seems another big year for her is brewing…

Running on fumes…

The Squiz

The squeeze on our national fuel supply, linked to the war in Iran, is still top of mind for the federal government, with Energy Minister Chris Bowen agreeing to relax petrol standards for 60 days to allow more to flow into the domestic market. He says the extra supply will be prioritised for regional areas in danger of running out - but at the same time, we’re weighing up a request from the International Energy Agency to donate some of our oil reserves as part of an effort to help keep petrol available globally and prevent prices from skyrocketing. That’s raised questions about our supplies and whether we can afford to give any away…

So are we covered?

Yes and no… We have 36 days of petrol and 32 days of diesel stored - but that’s below the IEA’s requirement that its 32 member nations keep at least 90 days’ worth on hand. Since the Iran war broke out 2 weeks ago, demand for fuel has doubled in Oz, largely due to people panic buying. Bowen says temporarily lowering fuel standards will boost supplies by an extra 100 million litres a month… It means that fuel with a higher sulphur content (which we phased out for environmental and health reasons…) will be blended into our supply instead of being exported. It’s earmarked for regional areas where the food supply chain relies on trucks and diesel. And with the IEA asking for help with the global relief effort, Bowen says that’s being considered, but he’s “focused on Australia’s best interests” first. 

And what about going forward?

Over at the source of the supply pain, Iran has stepped up attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz… And the country's new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has vowed to keep the shipping channel blocked, saying Iran will "avenge the blood" of those killed in US and Israeli attacks. Reports say Iraq has now shut its oil terminals, and the Gulf States have scaled down their fuel production so much that commercial shipping has all but stopped. It’s sent the price of crude oil above $US100 a barrel for the second time this week, wreaking havoc on global markets. We weren’t immune - the top 200 listed companies on the ASX fell 1.5% yesterday, wiping $47 billion in value (paywall). That’s sparked talk of an interest rate rise when the Reserve Bank meets again next week. And with Easter road trips ahead, Bowen’s urging drivers not to hoard fuel, saying “get as much as you need, but not less and not more”.

Guess who’s coming to Sydney?

Former First Lady, bestselling author of Becoming, producer, podcaster, and global advocate Michelle Obama. If you’d like to hear her speak, tickets have just been released for the Sydney show on 21 May. And if you're after something a little more special there are Platinum and VIP packages that come with front-section seating, cocktails and other extra goodies. Seats are limited and you can explore ticketing options here.

Squiz the Rest

Richardson’s resignation reason is revealed

That'd be Dennis Richardson, the special adviser to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, who raised a few eyebrows on Wednesday night when he stepped down from his role. Later yesterday, we found out why the former spy boss pulled the pin - he reckons he was being paid too much and doing too little. (Not sure many can relate, tbh…) Richardson was originally tapped to do a review of our security services, but that was later folded into the Commission. He said that didn't mesh, and the Commission's interim report on 30 April, which was originally going to be based on his work, will now "be a very different document." He says he was being paid $5,500 a day to be essentially a researcher, so he's left his post - but clarified he thinks the Commission will do a "highly professional job".

Off the menu

One of the world’s leading chefs, René Redzepi, stepped down yesterday from the 3-Michelin-starred restaurant he founded in Denmark, following claims that he'd verbally and physically abused members of his staff. You might've heard of Copenhagen's Noma - it's been around for 23 years, and Redzepi's famous for pioneering dishes like edible soil. But his tenure at the fine diner has finished under a cloud, after dozens of staffers accused him of creating an abusive, toxic work culture. The scandal came to light in a New York Times report published ahead of a $2,000-per-head LA pop-up for the restaurant, which sold out in minutes. The chef apologised on Instagram, posting: "I recognise these changes do not repair the past … I take responsibility for my own actions".

Atlassian wields the axe

The software company - led by Australian billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes - announced it was sacking 10% of its global workforce yesterday. That’s around 1600 people, including 480 Aussies, who found out the news before 9am via an email from Cannon-Brookes. It comes off the back of the company’s share price dropping 81% from its 2021 peak, with particularly big losses in the last 6 months. It’s one of many SAAS (software-as-a-service) companies to take a big hit as artificial intelligence has become widely used, and in his message to staff, Cannon-Brookes said “it would be disingenuous to pretend AI doesn’t change the mix of skills we need”. The company’s share price continued to drift following the announcement - finishing 3.28% down by the end of the day. 

Super Netball is here… if you need

The premier domestic netball comp in the world returns tomorrow night, after last year’s thrilling finish saw the Melbourne Vixens defeat the West Coast Fever by a single point. This year’s season tips off with 4 games over the course of the weekend - but picking a winner this time is a tough challenge… Former Diamond Bianca Chatfield says it's going to be the "most unpredictable season" ever, and she would know - the Vixens will go in as favourites again, with the NSW Swifts and Adelaide Thunderbirds considered their main competition. Speaking of tough gigs, the Matildas are back in action tonight as well, for their Women's Asian Cup quarterfinal against North Korea. We’re firmly into the pointy end now - cross everything… 

A couple of royal rock stars

Danish King Frederik and ‘our’ Queen Mary will kick off their tour of Oz tomorrow in Uluru. It's the first official state visit by a Danish monarch in 40 years, and now that they're the heads of state, things are levelling up. They'll be hosted at a formal banquet by PM Anthony Albanese, and the 2 countries will have a bunch of meetings and events to discuss trade opportunities. To help with that, 55 delegates from Danish businesses are coming along, and we're told that the green energy transition will be a focus. After the outback, the royals will visit Canberra, Melbourne and Hobart, where they'll catch up with Mary's 84yo father John Donaldson. Sorry Sydney, you miss out on this chapter - but you’ll always have bragging rights over their love story…

Friday Lites - 3 things we liked this week

Now that Autumn is here, it’s nearly time to start thinking about swapping the Birks for sneakers. If you’re thinking of upgrading, The Cut has put out this timely guide to 22 of the best in every style. You’re welcome…  

If you’re all-in on Love Story like us and want to dive further into the story of ‘90s it-couple JFK Jr and Carolyn Bessette, we’ll point you to this episode of Just the Gist. Host Rosie Waterland takes us back to the beginning of their romance, and even though we know the ending, it’s still a fascinating/tragic tale.  

Carrot cake can be divisive, but we’re devotees of this Donna Hay version with its spices and thick layer of cream-cheese icing. It’s one of our go-to recipes when there’s a birthday in the house, and it never disappoints. 

Squiz the Day

Friday
12.00 midday (AEDT) - The Commonwealth Grants Commission will release its recommendations for the distribution of GST revenue to the states and territories in 2026‍–‍27

6.00pm (AWST) - Football: Asian Women's Cup quarterfinal, Matildas v South Korea at HBF Park - Perth, watch on 10play

7.40pm (AEDT) - Aussie rules: AFL round one, Essendon v Hawthorn, MCG - Melbourne, watch on 7plus

ABS data release: Labour account, December; Multiple job-holders, December 

😴 World Sleep Day

Anniversary of:

  • William Herschel discovering the planet Uranus (which he mistook for a comet) (1781)

  • Labor PM Paul Keating's election win “for the true believers” (1993)

  • the election of Pope Francis (2013)

Saturday
1.15pm (AEDT) - Aussie rules: AFL round one, Western Bulldogs v GWS Giants, Marvel Stadium - Melbourne, watch on 7plus

5.00pm (AEDT) - Netball: Super Netball League round one, Melbourne Mavericks v Giants, Red Energy Stadium - Bendigo, watch on Kayo 

6.30pm (ACST) - Netball: Super Netball round one, Thunderbirds v Swifts, Adelaide Entertainment Centre - Adelaide, watch on Kayo

7.15pm (AEDT) - Aussie rules: AFL round one, Collingwood v Adelaide, MCG - Melbourne, watch on 7plus

10.30pm (AEDT) - Basketball: FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifiers, Australia v Hungary - Turkey, watch on Kayo

The world women's curling competition is on (until 22 March) - Calgary, watch on Curling Channel 

Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark will visit Australia for their official first visit since their coronation in 2024, kicking off in Uluru (until 19 March)

Razzie award winners announced

Pi Day

Birthdays for actor Michael Caine (1933), producer Quincy Jones Jr. (1933), actor Billy Crystal (1948), actor Jamie Bell (1986) and gymnast Simone Biles (1997)

Anniversary of:

  • Albert Einstein's birthday (1879)

  • the Cedar Revolution in Lebanon, following the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri (2005)

  • Xi Jinping becoming President of the People's Republic of China (2013)

  • the deaths of Karl Marx (1883) and Stephen Hawking (2018)

Sunday
1.00pm (AEST) - Netball: Super Netball round one, Firebirds v Vixens, Nissan Arena - Brisbane, watch on Kayo

3.15pm (AEDT) -  Aussie rules: AFL round one, Melbourne v St Kilda, MCG - Melbourne, watch on 7plus 

7.00pm (AWST) - Netball: Super Netball round one, Fever v Lightning, RAC Arena - Perth, watch on Kayo 

6.00pm (AEDT) - Motorsports: Formula 1 Grand Prix, Shanghai International Circuit - China, watch on Kayo

6.10pm (AEST) - Aussie rules: AFL round one, Gold Coast v West Coast, People First Stadium - Gold Coast, watch on 7plus 

Vietnam’s general election

World Consumer Rights Day

Birthdays for actor Eva Longoria (1975) and musician will.i.am (1975)

Anniversary of:

  • the death of Julius Caesar (44BC)

  • the first Test cricket match - Australia v England at the MCG in Melbourne (1877)

  • the wedding of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton (1964)

  • the release of The Godfather (1972)

  • the Christchurch mosque shootings that saw 51 killed (2019)

  • Sam Kerr being named the FA Women’s Super League Player of the Year for the second time in a row (2023)