Wednesday, 19 August - It's the eye of the tiger

August 19, 2026

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, 19 August. In your Squiz Today…

  • Convicted mushroom murderer Erin Patterson’s back in court

  • The Sydney Swans investigation continues

  • And a googly-eyed Tassie tiger… 🐅

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

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“Will it fall apart again?”

Says Oasis member Noel Gallagher in the new trailer for an upcoming documentary on the band’s 2025 reunion tour after a long-running rift between Noel and his brother Liam. It’s produced by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, and if we know Oasis, will feature even more swearing…

A double appeal begins

The Squiz

It’s been over a year since Erin Patterson was convicted of murdering 3 people in rural Victoria, and today, the 51yo is back in court to try to overturn those convictions. Her lawyers argued that the deaths were a tragic accident, but the court disagreed, and she was jailed for life last September. The prosecution didn’t think the sentence was harsh enough and Patterson doesn’t think she got a fair trial, so a 2-day appeals hearing, featuring both those arguments, is due to kick off at Victoria's Court of Appeal in Melbourne's CBD this morning.

Remind me what happened?

Patterson served a beef wellington laced with toxic death cap mushrooms for her in-laws Don and Gail Patterson and Gail's sister Heather Wilkinson at her Gippsland home, back in July 2023. Heather’s husband Ian was the only guest to survive - but he spent weeks in hospital and is still dealing with connected health issues today. Patterson’s estranged husband, Simon, who’s the father of her 2 kids, was also invited - but he didn’t show up because he thought she’d attempted to poison him in the past. Patterson claimed she’d unintentionally included the deadly mushrooms in the meal, and she later covered up what she’d done in a panic. The trial lasted 10 weeks, and she was found guilty of deliberately poisoning her 4 guests and sentenced to life in prison with a non-parole period of 33 years.

So what is Patterson arguing?

She believes she suffered a "miscarriage of justice" and has criticised some of the evidence used against her in the trial. She also reckons the prosecution's 5-day cross-examination of her was "unfair and oppressive". If Patterson’s appeal is successful, the court could quash her convictions and order a retrial, or acquit her… If the prosecution is successful in arguing the sentence wasn’t strong enough, her convictions will stand, and her sentence could be increased - but we won’t know the court’s decision for months. One thing we do know is that Patterson won’t be appearing in court in person - she’ll beam in from the maximum security prison on the outskirts of Melbourne where she's serving her sentence. You can watch the livestream here from 10.15am AEST.

Knowing where to turn

Financial abuse can be complicated and difficult to talk about, but people don’t have to navigate it alone. CommBank’s Next Chapter program offers free and confidential support and specialist assistance to people, even if you don’t bank with them. It’s all about recovering from financial abuse and helping people move toward long-term financial independence... Whether you're seeking support for yourself or someone you care about, you can find out more here, or call 1800 222 387 Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm (AEST).

Squiz the Rest

A Swans investigation continues

Reports yesterday said police had spoken to 4 Sydney Swans AFL players in relation to an alleged sexual assault at an East Melbourne hotel early on Monday, and a fifth player had been linked to the incident but not questioned. In a statement, AFL Chief Andrew Dillon said the allegations were “serious” and that “As a sport, and as an industry, we are clear about the standards we expect and the values we stand for and the need to uphold them”. The players fronted club officials yesterday and could face multiple match suspensions over their conduct. Swans coach Dean Cox said he’s “extremely disappointed with what's happened”, and we’re likely to hear more about this today, because reports say the club’s board met last night and is working on its own sanctions.
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The dealing’s done

The Albanese Government and the Coalition struck a series of deals yesterday that’ll see an overhaul of the NDIS, tighter restrictions on gambling advertising, and the News Bargaining Incentive clear federal parliament. To lock in support for its NDIS changes, Labor agreed to scrap the ‘widow tax’, and it agreed to 12 amendments to the gambling laws, including an opt-out register and a crackdown on inducements. It wasn’t all smooth sailing - Coalition MPs Pat Conaghan and Andrew Wallace crossed the floor over the gambling bill, and several independents voted against it. But PM Anthony Albanese says: “It increases protections for people most at risk of gambling harm, while continuing to allow those who enjoy a bet to do so”. All 3 bills are set to be passed by parliament this week.

A dodgy DM for the new PM

New British PM Andy Burnham’s texting habits are in the headlines after it was reported that he exchanged messages with someone impersonating White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The reports said “a few messages” were exchanged before Burnham became suspicious, and that they were “of no significance”. But given this has happened around the same time 3 other high-profile British pollies have had their numbers published online, and it’s not the first time Wiles has been digitally impersonated, UK officials have raised a security flag with the US. This time, the White House says it had nothing to do with the texts to Burnham, and the new PM says he’s not embarrassed about the exchange, and he handled it “in the right way.”

Cannabis use linked to psychosis

A new Oz study has found that people who use cannabis are more likely to experience symptoms that make them feel disconnected from reality, 2.5 years earlier in life. This research looked at data from more than 71,000 people across 149 international studies, and delved into the impacts on different age groups for the first time.  Experts say using cannabis at a younger age can disrupt neurodevelopmental processes in the adolescent brain, which can influence how the brain develops, and impact memory, attention and growth. Researchers say the findings suggest that there’s a need for greater health warnings about the potential harms of cannabis, with more restrictions on high-potency products available in Oz.
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The eyes of the tiger

A British collector reckons he’s stumbled across the ‘holy grail’ of taxidermy after paying more than $114,000 for what he believes is the (badly) stuffed head of a Tasmanian tiger. Oddities shop owner James Cranfield came across the mounted head at an antiques auction and says it was mistakenly listed as a fox head. He says people were misled by its “plastic googly eyes”, but the specimen’s teeth reveal what it really is - a thylacine. The novelty eyes were what led the vendor to buy it for around $95 - and when told by the auctioneer how much it sold for, they “were about to pass out”. Thylacines have been extinct for nearly 90 years, so remains are rare and valuable. Cranfield is off to get scans of the head to validate his theory - which could help stuff his bank account…

Apropos of Nothing

Chinese company Unitree has unveiled a ‘Superman’ robot that can run faster than Usain Bolt and was built in just over 3 months. It can also jump from a standing position higher than any human, and in just one more flex, the company reckons it could still make improvements. 

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt has formally recognised fungi as a distinct part of Australia’s wildlife, separate from flora and fauna. Now, while the fungi might not know or care, advocates say it’s a win for conservation and ‘shroom protection…

And 150 corgis from around the world have gathered in Lithuania to compete in the annual Corgi Race, celebrating the breed. There are also competitions for loudest barks, and a parade. They are all winners to us…

Squiz the Day

8.00am (AEST) - National AI Skills Forum. Speakers include Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Amanda Rishworth - Canberra

10.15am (AEST) - A 2-day appeal hearing is scheduled to begin for Erin Patterson, who was found guilty of murdering 3 members of her estranged husband's family by serving them death cap mushrooms - Melbourne 

12.30pm (AEST) - Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino will address the National Press Club on 'protecting consumers and the promise of superannuation in an evolving financial system' - Canberra

5.30pm (AEST) - Hockey: Women's FIH World Cup Pool A, Hockeyroos v Chile - Netherlands, watch on 7Plus

8.00pm (AEST) - Cricket: First Men's Test between England and Pakistan - Leeds, watch on Kayo 

Thai PM Anutin Charnvirakul is set to meet with PM Anthony Albanese - Canberra 

Full-year company results for Whitehaven Coal, Temple & Webster, The Lottery Corporation, Breville, Mirvac, Southern Cross Electrical Engineering and half-year results for Santos

Australian Bureau of Stats data release: wage price index, June 2026; livestock products, June 2026; monthly employee earnings indicators, June 2026

Afghanistan’s Independence Day

International Orangutan Day

Birthdays for former US President Bill Clinton (1946) and Aussie singer Missy Higgins (1983)

Anniversary of:

  • the birth of fashion designer Coco Chanel (1883)

  • Soviet satellite Korabl-Sputnik 2 carrying 2 dogs, 2 rats, 42 mice, one rabbit and fruit flies into orbit (1960)

  • the Beatles’ All You Need Is Love hitting #1 in the US (1967)

  • the release of Lady Gaga’s record-breaking debut album The Fame (2008)

Housekeeping

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