Monday, 18 November - We’re all in this together

Good morning, it’s Monday, 18 November. In your Squiz Today…

• Federal Parliament’s back with a packed agenda

• A new defence deal with Japan

• And another win for the Wallabies…

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Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

Said comedian and talk show host Conan O’Brien, the latest person to get the golden gig. O’Brien’s a first-timer and he’s taking over for fellow talk show host Jimmy Kimmel - we’re hoping for a primetime performance of his legendary “Monorail Song” from The Simpsons…

A bit to work through…

The Squiz

Federal Parliament is back in session today to begin their final couple of sitting weeks for 2024, and the Albanese Government is facing an uphill battle to get more than 30 pieces of legislation ticked off in the Senate. Some of them are policies they went to the last federal election with, and Team Albanese is keen to move things along. 

What legislation is pressing?

You can read up here, but housing is a big one… The Help to Buy bill to help first home buyers into the housing market by splitting costs with the government ran into opposition - the Greens say it could drive prices up, and the Coalition reckons the government “shouldn’t be in the business of co-owning people’s homes”. Another big one is the government’s plan to reduce mis/disinformation online… The proposed legislation would see the social media companies fined for not squashing misleading content, but opponents say that would be at the expense of our freedom of speech by labelling alternative opinions/open discussion as mis/disinformation. It’s a topic that’s taken off in recent weeks, particularly on talkback radio…

Sounds like they’re in for some lengthy debates…

For sure, particularly in the Senate, where the crossbenchers will be crucial to the success/failure of the Albanese Government's plans. And keep in mind we've only mentioned a couple of the bills in the queue… The Albanese Government is keen to get as many pieces of legislation as possible passed over the next couple of weeks because PM Anthony Albanese says he's likely to call a federal election early next year - in "April or before". And with the next parliamentary sitting period pencilled in for February, time is of the essence… Those in the know say, given all of that, we’re likely to see the Albanese Government enter negotiating mode where a fast deal could be a good deal. Strap yourself in…

It’s all about people

Natural resources are big business in Australia, providing jobs to a lot of people, but the industry can often have a number of negative connotations, which is why BHP is committed to hiring exceptional people who are ready to challenge themselves, the industry and help them build that better world. To do that, they’re currently have a number of opportunities across the country with the support, flexibility and empowerment you need to achieve your long-term career goals. To find out more, visit bhp.com/careers.

Squiz the Rest

All (conversational) roads lead to Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told outgoing US President Joe Biden that he will “work with the new US administration” despite incoming President Donald Trump’s promise of a 60% tariff (aka a duty to be paid by China) on Chinese imports. They met for a 2-hour chat at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, and other topics included Taiwan’s independence, a hack of US communications linked to China, and China’s position on the ongoing war in Ukraine. And just on that, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he expects Trump’s election will accelerate the end of the war - one of Trump's election promises - but he didn't say how… There's no sign of that happening yet as Russia has pummelled Ukraine’s power grid overnight with a “massive” missile and drone attack, killing 10 people and causing mass blackouts.

The more the militarily merrier

Japanese troops will start training with US Marines and Aussie forces in the Northern Territory, in a military first between the countries. Defence Minister (and Acting PM) Richard Marles made the announcement at a summit with his counterparts from the US (Lloyd Austin) and Japan (Gen Nakatani). Note: the 3 countries have recently expressed concerns about China’s military intentions, which they reiterated yesterday, saying the “destabilising actions” by China in the East and South China seas against vessels from the Philippines and last month were a problem. China was condemned by the US Government after running drills of a potential invasion of Taiwan in October. Marles didn’t answer questions about whether the announcement would upset China, focusing on what he called a “fantastic opportunity” to work with Japan. We’ll see if China responds…

Fire season flares up

Meteorologists were on the money when they tipped that several states were in for an early bushfire season… After fires kicked off in Queensland last week, it was western Victoria’s turn over the weekend, with hot and windy conditions on Saturday fuelling about 80 blazes. At least 2 fires were still burning out of control last night, with hundreds of people evacuated. One was at Kadnook, in the Wimmera region near the South Oz border, where at least one home was lost. Authorities say that number could rise as they inspect the damage, and they’ve also warned that livestock and other agricultural losses are still being counted. The other out-of-control blaze forced locals and tourists to flee towns along the Great Ocean Road. Take that as your reminder to brush up on your bushfire plan…

The Wallabies get their bounce back

Wallabies fans who got up early to watch them take on Wales in the Autumn Internationals were rewarded with a cracking game where they beat the hosts 52-20 in Cardiff. The win - which subjected the Welsh side to an 11th straight loss - brings our national men's team a step closer to their first British Isles Grand Slam in 40 years, meaning there might be a few more early birds up to watch them take on Scotland next Monday morning… In other footy closer to home, both Adelaide and Port Adelaide claimed victory in the AFLW semis on the weekend. And the Aussie men's cricket team snuck through to win their T20 series against Pakistan in a topsy-turvy second game that came down to the final over. The final game is tonight in Hobart…

Dairy-ing to dream

A raw ewes’ milk cheese called Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado has taken out the top gong at the World Cheese Awards in Portugal (which we’d like an invite to next year…). The winning cheese was also Portuguese (and yes, we do have a sideline in poetry…), and it’s made by a small team in the town of Soalheira. Described by one of the judges as “voluptuous”, it beat 4,786 cheeses from 47 countries. Side note: it’s been a tough year for UK cheese after some notable cheese heists in recent weeks, and sadly the British contenders didn’t make it to the awards after getting stuck in customs... If 8+ hours isn’t too much to camembert, you can see the whole ceremony on YouTube. Here’s a photo of the winners saying, you guessed it…

Apropos of Nothing

An Airbnb stunt to promote Gladiator II, where tourists can sign up to stage mock gladiatorial contests in the Colosseum, has upset Roman cultural officials. Italian officials signed it off, but it’s been called “insulting” by members of Rome’s council. Mamma mia…

A 3-metre-long oarfish - also known as the ‘doomsday fish’ - has washed up on the shores of southern California for the second time in 2024. Oarfish live so deep in the ocean that they're largely mysterious, but they've often washed up ahead of significant natural disasters like earthquakes. Fingers crossed, that's just a coincidence… 

Lots of notable people have visited President-elect Donald Trump’s resort Mar-a-Lago in recent times - but any interlopers will have to get past a robot guard dog named Spot. The words ‘do not pet’ are written on his legs, but he’s not the cutest canine we’ve ever seen, so that shouldn’t be an issue…

Squiz the Day

10.00am (AEDT) - Woolworths to appear at the ACCC supermarkets inquiry public hearings (on until 19 November) - watch the livestream here 

11.00am (AEDT) - The National Innovation Policy Forum - Tasmania

12.00pm (AEDT) - US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy to address the National Press Club - Canberra

12.30pm (AEDT) - Lowy Institute event to discuss the aftermath of the US election - watch the livestream here 

5.30pm (AEDT) - Australian of the Year Richard Scolyer will discuss his cancer research in the inaugural Jane Dahlstrom Annual Lecture at ANU - Canberra

6.00pm (AEST) - Queensland Australian of the Year Winners announced - Brisbane

6.30pm (AEDT) - Sport Australia Hall Of Fame annual awards dinner - Melbourne

7.00pm (AEDT) - Cricket: Third Men’s T20I, Australia v Pakistan - Hobart, and watch on Kayo

The 2024 G20 Summit begins - Rio de Janeiro (on until 19 October)

Final sitting period for the year - both houses (until 28 November) - Canberra

AIHW Release - Residential Aged Care Quality Indicators Annual Report, 2023-24

Birthdays for Margaret Atwood (1939), Steven Moffat (1961) Owen Wilson (1968), and Peter Dutton (1970)

Anniversary of:

• the consecration of St. Peter's Basilica (1626)

• Brooklyn toymaker Morris Michton naming the teddy bear after US President Teddy Roosevelt (1902)

• Mickey Mouse's birthday - on the anniversary of the release of his first appearance in Walt Disney's Steamboat Willie (1928)

• the Jonestown Massacre when cult leader Jim Jones convinced more than 900 people to drink poison (1978)

• the release of One Direction's debut album Up All Night, and video game Minecraft (2011)