Squiz Today – Friday, 20 July

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“#JurassicJeff”

Because who wouldn’t want to see a huge statue of Jeff Goldblum in his iconic reclining pose from Jurassic Park which for some reason has popped up next to London’s Tower Bridge? Go on, you know you want to…

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WORKING HARD FOR THE MONEY

THE SQUIZ
New official jobs numbers were out yesterday and the highlights are:

• 50,900 jobs were added in June – three times what was forecast. Most were full-time roles and looking around the grounds, Victoria was the only state to have an unemployment increase. In total, 339,000 jobs were created last financial year.

• The headline unemployment rate remained at 5.4% with the participation rate (those putting their hands up for a job) also increased.

• Youth unemployment fell to 11.3% in June, the lowest rate since April 2012. Better still, 95,200 young people got a job in 2017/18 - the best result since George Michael had Faith and Bobby McFerrin said Don’t Worry, Be Happy (ie 1988/89).

GREAT. WHERE’S MY PAY RISE?
Well, in theory, if the job market tightens and good talent is hard to find, wages will increase. So the continuing strong addition of new jobs each month is a good sign that a pay rise could be on the way, although economists said it could take some months to happen. And remember inflation also tipped to rise, which means more of your hard earned would go on paying higher prices. But all in all, PM Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison (who cracked a Taylor Swift joke) were pretty happy with the result. Labor said better, more secure jobs were needed.

SO NO PAY RISE THEN?
See above. And pause for a moment to consider a report out yesterday that said 15,000 people are living in slavery in Australia. The Global Slavery Index (backed by Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s Walk Free Foundation) also reveals US$12 billion of goods are imported into Oz a year which are likely produced by people subject to forced labour. "The responsibility that developed countries have for modern slavery, revealed by this new data, is a wake-up call," Forrest told The Australian.

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SQUIZ THE REST

PRAKASH TO STAY IN TURKISH DETENTION
Australia’s efforts to have our most wanted terrorist Neil Prakash extradited from Turkey to face our justice system have failed, according to News Corp. But just as he was to be set free, he has been ordered to stay behind bars and answer Turkish terror charges for being a member of Islamic State. If convicted, he faces a 25-year prison sentence. He returns to court in September. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the government was disappointed he would not be extradited, but they would stay in touch with Turkey.

CALLS FOR POPE TO SACK WILSON
Adelaide Archbishop Phillip Wilson, who was recently convicted of covering up child abuse, has resisted calls for his resignation from PM Turnbull, Labor leader Bill Shorten and South Australian Premier Steven Marshall. Next stop – Turnbull says the Pope should sack him. The Pope is the only one who can compel him to go. Reports say the government is working behind the scenes and has made noises with the Vatican seeking his removal.

PACKER ALL OUT
Billionaire James Packer has quit all his Aussie company directorships. Packer’s spokesman cited mental health issues as the reason for his step out of Crown Resorts in March. He has since quit the board of his private company Consolidated Press Holdings and reports yesterday said he's also quit 19 other directorships.

MARKETING THE STUDENT LYFE
Australia is making ground on the UK as a destination for international students. That’s according to a British study that says Oz could slide into second place behind the US as a place to study which is a concern to the UK because of the fees international students bring with them. The BBC reports the UK has held back student places in recent years just as countries like Australia have stepped up their efforts to attract students from overseas.

PRIDE COMES BEFORE THE FALL…
Consequences from the recent all-in basketball brawl between Australia and the Philippines were felt last night as governing body FIBA suspended 13 players and two coaches. Three of the players were Australians – they will sit out between five and one games. Two of those players were also fined for “inciting unsportsmanlike behaviour”. Aussie basketball supporters said it was a tough pill to swallow given the Philippines team’s role in the free-for-all.

And while we have you… Matilda's soccer star Sam Kerr took out a great big sports award yesterday. She won an ESPY for best women’s soccer player. In the world. The sky’s the limit.

FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
Is there anything more insightful/infuriating than another country’s system of lining up for something (aka free for all)? Here’s a global guide to queuing.

The iPhone photography award winners were announced yesterday. Gee some people are clever.

Meatballs + Bill Granger = a winning combo. This ‘best ever' recipe is an oldie, but it lives up to the name, and it's been on high rotation in our kitchen for longer than we'd care to remember. Baking the meatballs was a revelation. (PS it looks and tastes a lot better than the picture on this site...)

SQUIZ THE DAY

Friday
Colombian National Day

International Chess Day

Aussie basketball star Ben Simmons’ birthday (1996)

Anniversary of US astronaut Neil Armstrong becoming the first man to walk on the moon (1969)

Saturday
National Pyjama Day in support of kids in foster care

Belgian National Day

Sunday
Pi Approximation Day

Prince George’s 5th birthday