Monday, 24 February - Everybody needs good neighbours

Good morning, it’s Monday, 24 February. In your Squiz Today…

• The PM splashes the cash on Medicare

• Prayers for Pope Francis

• And the GOAT of Aussie cheeses… 🧀

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Squiz Sayings

Said our Princess of Pop Kylie Minogue after being honoured with a commemorative star outside Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne - a nod to her long music career. While she's there, she might be able to find a new home for Neighbours after it was dumped by Amazon Prime...

A cash splash on Medicare

The Squiz

Medicare is the word on politicians’ lips as PM Anthony Albanese announced an $8.5 billion “legacy defining” Medicare overhaul as a priority if Labor wins the upcoming federal election. A big chunk of that would go towards incentivising doctors to provide more bulk-billed services, with Albanese saying the goal is to have “9 out of 10 GP visits … bulk-billed by 2030”. Hot on his heels was Coalition leader Peter Dutton matching the promise “dollar for dollar” if he becomes our next PM - paired with an earlier promise of $500 million extra for mental health support.

That’s a lot of dosh…

Yep - $8.5 billion would be the biggest investment into Medicare since it was launched more than 40 years ago. The state of our primary healthcare system has been under a lot of scrutiny recently, with the Australian Medical Association (AMA) saying we’re at a “tipping point” in terms of needing more funding and longer appointments to cater to our ageing population - many of whom have chronic health conditions. You can read more on that here, but AMA President Dr Danielle McMullen says after years of underfunding, “Medicare rebates just don't meet the cost of providing care”. She - and other doctors - welcomed the announcements but said more action is needed to support patients with complex health needs. 

Does it mean an election is getting closer?

Big policy announcements like this hint at us being a heartbeat away from an election being called… There’s a lot of speculation around the date Albanese might choose - and he may face more questions on that tonight - but it has to happen by mid-May. Recently, the pundits have said they don't think Team Albanese wants to do the Budget, which has been set down for 25 March. Given an election campaign has to be at least 33 days, if you look at the calendar and factor in things like Easter and ANZAC Day, this hot money is on the election being called next weekend or the one after for a 5 or 12 April poll. Either way, the latest poll results show things aren’t looking great for Labor (paywall)…

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The Pope takes a turn for the worse

The Vatican says 88yo Pope Francis is in critical condition after suffering a "respiratory crisis" on the weekend. The Pontiff was admitted to hospital a week ago with bronchitis, which developed into double pneumonia. After improving slightly on Friday, the Vatican says he became "more unwell" and needed blood transfusions. Medical experts say that usually patients with pneumonia can use their other lung to breathe, but the fact it’s in both - and the Pope had part of one lung removed when he was younger - would be making things more difficult. Despite the unclear prognosis, the Vatican says the Pope is alert, and overnight he posted on X, thanking people for their prayers and letters, and children for the drawings they’ve sent. 

More delays in the Middle East

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out releasing more than 600 Palestinian detainees until Hamas agrees to stop parading Israeli hostages in front of crowds before they’re freed. It comes after the latest hostage release, on Saturday, saw 6 people returned to Israel, but not before they had to take part in what Netanyahu called “​​degrading ceremonies” in front of Palestinians in Gaza - a claim Hamas rejects… The PM’s order meant that truckloads of Palestinians who had just left Israel’s Ofer military prison were sent back in - leaving the final hostage/prisoner swap of the ceasefire’s first phase incomplete. What that means for the next stage of the ceasefire - due to begin in a little over a week - is anyone’s guess…

Monsieur Macron goes to Washington

A couple of European leaders are off to the US to meet President Donald Trump this week with the Russia/Ukraine war top of mind. First up today is French President Emmanuel Macron, who said he plans to tell Trump that he’s open to upping France’s defence spending, but also that it was important not to “be weak” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It comes as Russia launched the largest drone attack on Ukraine since the start of the war, on the eve of the conflict’s third anniversary. Macron’s visit will be followed by UK PM Keir Starmer on Thursday, who analysts say will be trying to balance keeping Trump sweet while maintaining support for Ukraine in any peace talks. 

*Need an update on the latest in Ukraine? We’ve got a Shortcut for you… 

That’s a lot of Moneypenny

Bond fans are making their picks for the next actor to take on the tux after news that the big tech company Amazon paid a reported $1 billion US for creative control of the franchise. Amazon already shelled out $8.5 billion for the rights back in 2022, but creative control remained with 2 producers - Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson, who've been in charge for 30 years. They've said they'll be stepping back as Amazon takes over, which prompted founder Jeff Bezos to ask who fans would like to see in the role. Popular suggestions included Henry Cavill, who was a runner-up to Daniel Craig the first time around, long-time fan favourite Idris Elba - and even Aussie Jacob Elordi might be in with a shot… 

A legendairy win

A goat’s cheese has been picked as the best cheese in Australia for the first time in 150 years. The Royal Agricultural Society’s dairy awards picks a Champion Cheese every year, but a goat’s cheese has never been the GOAT until now… Head judge - with maybe the best job ever - Tiffany Beer said the semi-hard cheese from South Oz took the crown thanks to its complexity and craftsmanship. You can see the full range of winners here, including gongs for best butter and gelato, but the best dessert winner Shuddh Rasmalai caught our eye… It's cottage cheese dumplings soaked in milk syrup, and it took the makers nearly 3 years to perfect it. Weigh to go…

Apropos of Nothing - Magic moments edition

Why have just one wicketkeeper when you can have 2? Australian keepers Josh Inglis and Alex Carey had a day out in a Champions Trophy win over England - Inglis scored 120, Carey scored 69 of his own and took this ripping catch as well. Gloves are overrated anyway… 

Harry Potter fans are competing in a real-life version of Quidditch… It’s called Quadball and players get around astride lengths of PVC pipe instead of flying broomsticks, and in place of the golden snitch, they chase someone with a yellow ball stuck to their behind. They’re the first to admit that it’s not quite as magical…

And after decades of being whisker-averse, the New York Yankees have decided to bring back the beard. Facial fuzz has been banned by the world-famous baseball team since the 70s, but they went as far as holding a press conference to say “well-groomed” beards are now allowed. Phew…

Squiz the Day

9.00am (AEDT) - Soccer: SheBelieves Cup, Matildas v USA - Glendale, AZ, and watch on Paramount+

9.00am (AEST) - Critical Minerals and Energy Investment Australia conference - Brisbane 

9.20am (AEDT) - Rugby Union: Sevens series quarterfinal, Australia v France - Vancouver, and watch on Stan Sport

10.30am (AEDT) - Presentation of the inaugural Australian Animal Distinguished Service Award - Canberra

12.30pm (AEDT) - Screen Actors Guild Awards - LA, and streaming on Netflix

9.35pm (AEDT) - PM Anthony Albanese will take questions from a live studio audience on the ABC’s Q+A  - Melbourne, and watch live on ABC

US President Donald Trump will host a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House

Company half-year results for Adairs, Ampol, Lovisa, and NIB

Drive.com car of the year announcement

Senate Estimates

Independence Day - Estonia

🤫 Quiet Day

Birthdays for boxer Floyd Mayweather (1977), and tennis champ Lleyton Hewitt (1981)

Anniversary of:

• the sinking of the SS Gothenburg after hitting the Great Barrier Reef, killing approximately 100 (1875)

• the birthday of Steve Jobs (1955)

• Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s wedding (1992)

• former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein being found guilty in New York following associations that ignited the #MeToo movement (2020)

• Russia invading Ukraine as President Vladimir Putin declares a "special military operation" (2022)