Wednesday, 20 May - What do we think we might see?

May 20, 2026

Good morning, it’s Wednesday, 20 May. In your Squiz Today…

  • Former Governor-General Dr Peter Hollingworth has died at 91yo

  • NSW Premier Chris Minns promises to do more to address domestic violence after a triple murder in Sydney

  • And US comedian Stephen Colbert’s end of an era

🎧 Listen to the podcast

🤓 This email will take you 5 minutes to read

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

Squiz the Weather

Squiz Sayings

“Bro, I’ve got… like a frog in my lettuce.”

Said the flatmate of Kiwi couple Laura Jones and Billie Le Pine, after discovering that their purchase of a bag of greens from Woolworths had a live frog in it. Woolworths has quickly hopped to investigate how it happened, and will leave no lilypad unturned…

A former Governor-General dies

The Squiz

Dr Peter Hollingworth, who was the 23rd person to hold the role as the Crown’s representative in Oz between 2001 and 2003, died yesterday at 91yo. A former Anglican archbishop and social justice advocate, he was appointed to the G-G role in 2001, but resigned less than 2 years later after accusations that he had mishandled sexual abuse claims while he was Archbishop of Brisbane. The current Archbishop there, Jeremy Greaves, said that Hollingworth leaves behind a “complicated legacy”, as you’ll see in the obituaries today…

Tell me more about him…

He was born in Adelaide in 1935, and studied theology before joining the clergy. Before he became Archbishop of Brisbane, he spent 25 years with the Brotherhood of St Laurence - an Anglican organisation focused on preventing poverty in Oz. It was during that time he became a big name in Oz life as an advocate for the disadvantaged. In 1984, he wrote an open letter that was published on the front page of The Age newspaper, criticising the Hawke Government for not doing enough to solve the problem, especially for kids. That helped inspire Bob Hawke’s famous line that “by 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty” - and contributed to Hollingworth being named Australian of the Year in 1991.

And what about his time as G-G?

Around 6 months after Hollingworth was appointed in 2001, some allegations came up that he failed to address claims of child sex abuse against clergy while he was Archbishop of Brisbane. In particular, his handling of the case of Beth Heinrich, who was abused by priest Donald Shearman in the 1950s, was an ongoing scandal that eventually led to his resignation 2 years later. Heinrich alleged Hollingworth knew Shearman abused her, but didn’t take any action - that was confirmed by a 2023 inquiry led by the Anglican Church. In March this year, the church apologised to Heinrich for what she went through. Hollingworth later said that he has “lived with his failures every day since.” After the death of his wife Ann in 2021, he’s survived by his 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren.
*Need help?

Beyond the headlines

BHP plays a big role in Australia’s economy, supporting over 46,000 employees and contractors with training and long-term careers. That then flows through to local suppliers, small businesses and services in regional communities - all of which helps underpin our national economic stability. For BHP, there’s a growing focus on showing that impact in real terms; through transparency, accountability and the stories of people and communities who benefit day to day.

Squiz the Rest

Combatting a crisis

The NSW Government is considering upping funding for domestic violence programs after a Sydney father was charged yesterday with murdering his wife and 2 sons in the south-western suburb of Campbelltown on Monday night. Reports say the 47yo was a full-time carer for the boys, aged 12 and 4yo, who reports say had severe autism. Police said the “particularly violent” murders highlights “the scourge that domestic violence is across the community”. The issue has been described by PM Anthony Albanese in the past as “a national crisis”, and NSW police charged 993 people in a recent 4-day blitz. Premier Chris Minns said funding had “dramatically increased” in terms of police, but agreed “it’s not enough”. He said people were “rightly outraged and devastated” by the triple murder, and “so am I”.
*Need help?

Stopped at sea

The Oz government is trying to confirm that 11 Australians are safe after Israeli defence forces intercepted their flotilla off the coast of Cyprus on Monday. Reports say they were among more than 300 activists aboard 38 ships trying to deliver aid to the Gaza strip when the Israeli military stopped them. The families of the captured Aussies are calling on the government to intervene, saying Israel took them illegally in international waters. And while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade say they’re “urgently seeking” confirmation that the Australians are safe and well, they’ve also urged others not to join activists in trying to break the Israeli blockade as they’ll put “themselves and others at risk of injury, death, arrest or deportation”.

An outbreak in the NT

One of the worst diphtheria outbreaks in decades is happening in the Northern Territory right now - and spreading to nearby states. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that affects the nose and throat, which was thought to be largely eradicated - the last death from the disease in Australia was back in 2018. A vaccine is available, but it requires a booster every 5-10 years if you’re at risk. This current outbreak is mainly affecting Indigenous Aussies who haven’t been vaccinated, and cases are also being recorded in Western Oz, South Oz and Queensland. So far, there are over 200 confirmed cases and Federal Health Minister Mark Butler says he’s working with the NT government to get more vaccines and boosters into the area. 

Gunning for a win

The English Premier League, one of the biggest sporting leagues in the world, will come to a close on Monday - and it looks like London club Arsenal is on the verge of a big win. We’re talking football btw, but with one of the most dramatic finishes to a season in store, we reckon it’s worth getting across… So, after a win yesterday morning, the Gunners are in the box seat to win the club’s first premiership since 2004, and they’ve earned it - they’ve been runner-up for the last 3 years. The only team on their tail is Manchester City - who are playing Bournemouth as we hit publish in a game they have to win to stay in the race. So by the time you read this, we could have a winner…

A swansong for Stephen

That’d be US comedian Stephen Colbert, who will end his time hosting The Late Show this week. The late-night talk show has been an institution in the US since David Letterman began hosting it in 1993, but it was cancelled just under a year ago by its network, CBS. The network said it was a financial decision, but as it came right before a big merger deal involving parent company Paramount that needed government approval, some analysts said Colbert’s ongoing criticism of US President Donald Trump may have been a factor too. But Colbert’s going out with a bang -  his last week of guests include Bruce Springsteen and Steven Spielberg. The last show will air Friday our time - here’s the YouTube channel so you can catch the highlights…

Apropos of Nothing

A TV adaptation of the 2004 film Ella Enchanted is in the works at Disney, with the series set to follow Ella during her time at boarding school. The OG film’s star Anne Hathaway is a producer of the show, just in case the 5 films she’s in this year weren’t enough…

Australian Radio Network (AKA Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O’s old employers) have signed Karl Stefanovic and Eddie McGuire to co-create The Long Weekend, a weekly news, sport and entertainment show launching 19 June. Sounds like a show we know - News Club…

US tennis legend Billie Jean King has graduated from college on Monday at 82yo. The champ left partway through a history degree in 1964 to chase her dreams in professional tennis and only returned last year to square it away. That’s quite a break between sets…

Squiz the Day

12.30pm (AEST) - The Budget aftermath keeps rolling on - Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson will deliver his Budget reply speech to the National Press Club - Canberra

12.30pm (AEST) - And also… Nationals Leader Matt Canavan will deliver his post-Budget address to the Rural Press Club - Brisbane

3.00pm (AEST) - Football: Women's Asian Champions League semi-final Melbourne City v Tokyo Verdy Beleza, Suwon Sports Complex - South Korea, watch on 10Play 

7.30pm (AEST) - In Conversation with Michelle Obama event - Sydney 

ABS data release: Monthly employee earnings indicator, March 2026

Dehwa Daymaneh - a festival in the Mandaean faith, commemorating the birthday of John the Baptist

A birthday for investigative journalist Louis Theroux (1970) and an 80th birthday for singer/icon Cher (1946) 

Anniversary of:

  • Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patenting the first blue jeans (1873)

  • The Treaty of Jeddah is signed, recognising the independence of the region that would become Saudi Arabia (1927)

  • The discovery of the bodies in the barrels at Snowtown, South Australia (1999) 

  • East Timor gaining independence (2002)