Tuesday, 15 September - You're the voice

September 15, 2026

Good morning, it’s Tuesday, 15 September. In your Squiz Today…

  • Hundreds of jobs to go at Whyalla steelworks in South Oz

  • President Trump dismisses AI safety concerns

  • And it’s been 40 years since John Farnham released You’re the Voice… 🎤

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🙋🏻‍♀️ This newsletter was written by Andrew Williams, Anna Pykett, Larissa Huntington, Jono Liondis and Sophie Felice

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“I’ve won?”

Said German tennis star Alexander Zverev - who was so focused on each point against American Ben Shelton in yesterday’s US Open final, he lost track of the score and didn’t realise that he aced the last point to take his first singles title at Flushing Meadows…

A Whyalla wipeout

The Squiz

After having a question mark over its future for months, a 60yo blast furnace at the Whyalla Steelworks in South Oz is set to shut down permanently, meaning around 500 workers and 100 contractors will be out of work (about a third of the total workforce). The steelworks is one of only 2 left in the country, but Premier Peter Malinauskas says it’s not the end for the site - it’s transitioning away from coal-fired manufacturing towards a long-term plan to make ‘green steel’ using renewable energy. He says a sale is still in the works, but in the interim, he’s announced a support package worth $10.2 million for affected workers. 

Remind me about Whyalla…

The steelworks has been in the news before (which gives us another chance to resurface this gold from former MP Craig Emerson…). As mentioned, the furnace is old and hasn’t been operating since April - and attempts to get it back online have failed. Btw, if you’re wondering what exactly a blast furnace does, it turns iron ore into liquid iron before it becomes steel. This one’s especially important because it’s our main source of structural steel - the kind used for large bridges, buildings and infrastructure. Long story short, the previous owners promised upgrades that weren’t done, and the state government forced it into administration in February last year. They’ve been looking for a buyer, having spent more than $1 billion of taxpayer money alongside the Commonwealth keeping it afloat.

So where does that leave it?

There are 2 bidders looking to buy it - Indian company Jindal Steel and Oz-owned M Resources. Malinauskas said the administrator’s decision happened sooner than he’d have liked, but his long-term plans for the site remain unchanged. Together with PM Anthony Albanese, the state has committed $2.4 billion, including $1.9 billion to invest in new equipment at Whyalla alongside the new ownership. But Coalition MP Andrew Hastie said it was a “brutal blow” for the workers, the town and Australia’s sovereign capability. Reports say it could be years before it can produce steel from scratch again - until then, it’ll keep making things like railway tracks, but just using steel shipped in from elsewhere.

More’s possible with Google AI

Hearing loss is an important risk factor for dementia because of the social isolation it causes people. The good news is that it’s reversible. Bringing back clear sound and conversation is one of the most effective ways to stay connected to loved ones and protect cognitive health. That’s why researchers are using Google AI to help hearing devices better isolate sound, just like the human ear, and restore those vital connections. When medical research joins forces with Google AI - more's possible.

Squiz the Rest

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

Yesterday we told you about warnings from artificial intelligence bosses on the pace of the tech’s development - which is something US President Donald Trump is continuing to dismiss. He’s posted on his socials saying safety guardrails aren’t necessary, calling concerns a "sick conspiracy”. Analysts say this suggests Trump thinks outpacing China (which is also developing powerful models) is more of a priority than pumping the brakes. For its part, Chen Yixin, China’s top intelligence official, says the country must "balance development and security" when it comes to AI. We’ve heard more from Anthropic - its co-founder Jack Clark says the tech is "getting smarter and more capable", which could become a "major risk to society".

One Nation’s migration plan

Pauline Hanson’s party has announced that if it’s elected to government, it’ll cut 750,000 temporary visas over 3 years, putting the country in a “net-negative” migration position before introducing a “ceiling” net migration number of 130,000. Net negative means more people would be leaving Oz than rocking up, and Hanson says it’ll “reset” the immigration system and create “breathing space” for Australians. Both Labor and the Coalition have heavily criticised the idea, saying it could lead to a recession. Hanson hasn’t fronted the media to defend the policy yet - she’s also copping criticism over some more past podcast comments The Australian newspaper resurfaced - this time, for calling Indigenous Australians “the most primitive race on Earth” last September.
*For the background to the ongoing migration debate, check out our Squiz Shortcut

I bless the gains down in Africa

The largest IPO in the continent’s history kicked off yesterday - meaning Africans can now become investors in the Dangote oil refinery in Nigeria. This is the work of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, who says the money he raises by selling shares to the public will be used to double the amount of oil the refinery can, well, refine. Dangote said that it’s not just about raising money, though - he’s set the minimum buy-in at a low level (about $6), so more Africans have the opportunity to invest. He says it’s an IPO for the people - though critics have argued the share price is inflated and smaller investors might get crowded out anyway. The IPO will run to 13 October this year.

Seething over Sweeney

Over the past couple of days, a range of athletes have smashed a new ad for a US prediction market company called Novig that they say is sexualising and diminishing women’s sport. The ad features the actor Sydney Sweeney posing naked or nearly naked, covered only by sporting equipment, to promote Novig’s sports betting platform. Aussie Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus said the ad was a “kick in the face to every woman who has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft”. In response, athletes around the world have been taking the opportunity to show what being a woman in sport actually looks like. No response from Novig (which isn’t legal or available in Oz) just yet… 
*Want to know more about the growing controversy over prediction markets? Our Squiz Shortcut has you covered…

Make a noise and make it clear

It’s 40 years today since John Farnham’s You’re the Voice - and its accompanying iconic bagpipes - was released in Australia. Since then, it’s become one of the most enduring Aussie songs of all time (even though it was written by 4 Brits - shhh). Released as a single ahead of Farnham’s album Whispering Jack, it was a massive hit here and in parts of Europe - and it’s been covered by everyone from rock band Heart to popstar Delta Goodrem since. On its 40th anniversary, Head and Neck Cancer Australia is calling for donations to their Lend Your Voice campaign, following Farnham’s oral cancer diagnosis in 2022. As a result of his cancer, Farnham can’t perform the song anymore, but expect a rousing rendition at his upcoming tribute concert on Sunday. That crowd is not gonna sit in silence…

Apropos of Nothing

An Angus bull named Wyatt (Millah Murrah Wyatt W50 is his full government name) is getting ready to become one of the most prolific dads in the beef industry. His owners are hoping to make over $1 million in semen sales from the “ultimate all-rounder”.  

You’ve likely heard of (or seen with your own 2 eyes) the Big Banana or the Big Merino, but there’s also a Big Peg… It lives on a property at Canowindra in NSW, but the owners are ready to downsize. We suggest they should add a Big Hills Hoist…

The wait is over for Oasis fans - the British rock band have confirmed they’re dusting off their parkas and bucket hats and going on tour again next year, but at this stage it doesn’t look like they’re coming to Oz. I guess Sally will have to keep waiting…

Squiz the Day

8.00am (AEST) - The Financial Review Asia Summit. Former PM and President of Asia Society Kevin Rudd will deliver a keynote address - Sydney 

9.00am (AEST) - The LGBTIQA+ Leadership Summit begins (until 18 September) - Melbourne 

9.00am (AEST) - Australian Public Health Conference, hosted by the Public Health Association of Australia, begins (until 17 September) - Geelong 

10.00am (AEST) - The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards - Los Angeles, watch on Binge

10.00am (AEST) - Duty hearing in the case between Karl Stefanovic and his company co-founder Keshnee Ibrahim in a dispute over their shares of the company following the podcast going on hiatus - Sydney

5.30pm (AEST) - Cricket: Zimbabwe v Australia First Men's ODI - Zimbabwe, watch on Kayo 

Global State of Democracy 2026 Report released 

The Schools Plus Teaching Awards - Canberra 

Independence Days for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua

World Afro Day

40 years since You're the Voice by John Farnham was released 

Birthday for Prince Harry (1984), and actors Tom Hardy (1977) and Tommy Lee Jones (1946)

Anniversary of:

  • the birthdays of Marco Polo (1254) and Agatha Christie (1890)

  • google.com being registered as a domain name (1997)

  • the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games (2000)

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