Squiz Today / 19 September 2019

Squiz Today – Thursday, 19 September

SQUIZ SAYINGS

"I had to carry my leg, and legs are very heavy when they’re not connected to anything.”

Said resilient bushwalker Neil Parker of his ordeal to get himself to safety. Heading out on a Sunday hike, the Queenslander fell six-metres, “clean snapped” his leg, and drowned his phone. Parker then had to crawl for 3km over two days to get to a clearing where a search helicopter found him - proving yet again that strenuous exercise is a hazard…


HANSON UNDER FIRE FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE VIEWS

THE SQUIZ
During an ABC Radio National interview yesterday, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said women make false accusations of domestic violence to stop men having access to children. Both she and the Morrison Government have copped criticism from family violence prevention campaigners over a new, wide-ranging parliamentary inquiry into the family law and child support systems that was announced on Tuesday.

BACK IT UP A BIT…
The family law and child support systems work out (among other things) the arrangements for the care of children after relationships go south. It’s an emotional and difficult area that drives many complaints to federal MPs' offices. But the new inquiry caught many stakeholders by surprise because a lot is already happening in this space. A revamp of the court system that oversees family law cases is near. And the Law Reform Commission undertook a mega-review that wrapped up in April and whose recommendations the government says are under review. That’s led campaigners against family violence to worry that this inquiry is a political exercise, particularly given Hanson’s views.

IS THIS A POLITICAL THING?
Not according to PM Scott Morrison. He says it’s an opportunity to hear directly from Australians about the system. But Labor leader Anthony Albanese has another view. "We can't support an inquiry in which he [Morrison] has unilaterally, along with Pauline Hanson, done a deal." Family violence prevention campaigner Rosie Batty yesterday said the government should get on with the reforms that have already been proposed. "This is just complete procrastination, or doing some kind of political deal with Pauline Hanson," she said. Meanwhile, on Hanson’s statement that women make false accusations of domestic violence, the experts say she’s on the wrong track.


SQUIZ THE REST


ANOTHER CRUNCH POINT FOR TAMIL FAMILY

The Federal Court has again extended the orders preventing the deportation of a Tamil family seeking to remain in Australia. The family’s temporary bridging visa ran out in March 2018, and they have been in detention ever since. Nades, Priya and their Australian-born daughters Kopika and Tharunicaa were transferred to Christmas Island at the start of this month after their deportation to Sri Lanka was stopped dramatically. The new deadline: authorities cannot deport them before 4pm today. A ruling is expected today on whether the case will go to a full hearing at a later date.


QUESTIONS OVER STRENGTH OF SAUDI’S DEFENCES

One of the lingering questions about Saturday’s attacks that knocked out half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production capabilities was how that could have happened. And the conclusion that's being reached by security experts is the Saudis are unable to defend their vital assets. Reports say billions of dollars have been spent on systems to deter high altitude attacks, but that didn’t stop low-cost drones and cruise missiles. “We are open. Any real facility has no real coverage,” a Saudi security source told Reuters yesterday. In the meantime, US President Donald Trump has upped the sanctions on Iran, and Saudi Arabia says the remnants of the weapons used in last weekend’s attack show it was Iran was behind the attack - an accusation it denies.


SPAIN OFF TO THE POLLS… AGAIN

And we thought our politics was a bit wobbly… Spain is set for its fourth election in four years after a months-long deadlock between party leaders could not be broken. Needing to form a coalition to govern, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez could not secure enough support to command a majority in the parliament. Having last voted in April, Spaniards will vote again on 10 November. Wonder if they mark the occasion with a democracy chorizo?


AIRLINES AND AIRPORTS GO AT EACH OTHER OVER COSTS

“You’re too expensive.” “No, you’re too expensive.” You're now up to speed with the battle that’s currently going on between the airlines and airports across the country. The airlines say the government needs to intervene because airports are a monopoly and travellers are being hurt by ever-increasing costs. The airports say the airlines would pocket any cost savings. The push from airline bosses for a better deal comes as Treasurer Josh Frydenberg considers a Productivity Commission report on the economic regulation of airports.


COMPLAINTS OF THOSE WHO SAW RED OVER AD DISMISSED

“Extremely offensive.” “Disgusting.” “Degrading to all women.” The most complained about TV ad of the year left plenty of people reaching for some pain relief medication and a hot water bottle… More than 600 people got their knickers in a knot over Libra’s #bloodnormal campaign depicting menstruation, but yesterday the regulator held off saying it was in line with advertising standards. Libra said ending the stigma around menstruation was important work. “Put simply, bleeding and having a period are both normal, so seeing them in pop culture and advertising should be too.” Aunt Flo was unable to be reached for comment.


AND PEOPLE HAVE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT…

...a suggestion that The Princess Bride could be remade. Gasp! Sony Pictures Entertainment chief executive Tony Vinciquerra said in an interview this week that he has lots of famous people coming to him wanting to redo the classic tale. And as a legion of fans screamed “nooo”, someone found the upside. “I like that in these chaotic times we can all put aside our differences and agree that no one should remake The Princess Bride,” she tweeted.

SQUIZ THE DAY

PM Scott Morrison departs for his state visit to the US

ABS Data Release - Labour Force, August

National Thank A Cop Day

Talk Like a Pirate Day (supporting families affected by childhood cancer)

Independence Day for Saint Kitts and Nevis

Anniversary of the first documented use of emoticons by computer scientist Scott Fahlman (1982) :-)

Anniversary of the death of Slim Dusty (2003)

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