Squiz Today / 22 June 2018
Squiz Today – Friday, 22 June
SQUIZ SAYINGS
“Toilet paper has never looked so beautiful!”
Said one enthusiastic review of the finalists' creations for America's Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest. Winner Ronaldo Cruz claimed the $10,000 prize for his A-line, two-piece floor-length gown with a beaded halter top and pleated detachable overskirt. Whatever that means…
WHOPPER INCOME TAX CUTS ON THE WAY
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“A great day” was what PM Malcolm Turnbull said yesterday of the Senate’s approval of $144 billion worth of personal income tax cuts. It’s the biggest package of tax cuts in Aussie history. The government’s chief negotiator, Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, was able to get the votes needed to pass the seven-year-long program. Labor has said it will repeal the second and third phases of the plan if elected at the next election.
GIVE ME THE QUICK AND DIRTY…
Well, you asked… The three phases of the plan are:
Phase 1 (from 1 July 2018) – the introduction of a rebate of up to $530 for low and middle-income earners claimable in 2018/19 tax returns. And the 32.5% tax bracket moves at the top threshold from $87,000 to $90,000 - meaning about 3 million Aussies will pocket up to an extra $135 a year.
Phase 2 (from 1 July 2022) - extends the 32.5% bracket top threshold from $90,000 to $120,000.
Phase 3 (from 1 July 2024) - removes the 37% tax bracket altogether so that those earning up to $200,000 pay only 32.5% tax.
Here’s a calculator to estimate your tax cut.
WHAT’S THE FALLOUT?
• Team Turnbull was saying to anyone who would listen that Australian taxpayers are the winners, not them. Ahem. But Pauline Hanson wasn’t so shy and was happy to take the credit.
• With a significant battle line now drawn between Labor and the Coalition, political strategists will get to work to nail their lines. We’ll get a glimpse of what the next election campaign will look like between now and the 28 July by-elections (times five).
• Some pundits say now that the plan will become law, it’ll be challenging for Labor to reverse. Put your hands in the air like you just don’t care if you remember Kim Beazley’s GST Rollback…
Next week? Corporate tax cuts. As this 90’s dance anthem said on repeat, it’s not over yet.
SQUIZ THE REST
FERRY TRAGEDY UNFOLDS IN INDONESIA
A ferry sank in Sumatra on Monday and as many as 192 people are missing. The 43-person capacity ferry was significantly overloaded when it capsized on a popular tourist lake. The numbers of those missing have jumped around because so many were on board without tickets. It is potentially one of Indonesia’s deadliest maritime disasters.
BP-WOOLIES PETROL DEAL OFF
It’s been a long time in the making but the white flag was raised on BP's ambition to buy Woolworths’ petrol business. After BP agreed to pay $1.8 billion for Woolies’ +500 petrol sites in late 2016, the regulator said it would oppose the sale on the basis that it would lessen competition and could drive up fuel prices for motorists. Woolies initially said it would fight the power, but yesterday announced it would look for other options. The wheels of big commerce can move slowly…
IT’S A CUZZIE SIS
Kiwi PM Jacinda Ardern and partner Clarke Gayford yesterday announced the safe arrival of a baby girl. The 3.31kg (7.3lb in the old scale) bub arrived at 4.45pm after Ardern checked in as planned at Auckland City Hospital. For a bit of trivia – the last PM to have a baby in office was the late Benazir Bhutto, then PM of Pakistan, in 1990. It was the anniversary of Bhutto’s birthday yesterday.
VALE KOKO
The much-loved western lowland gorilla has died aged 46yo. She was famous for her use of sign language and was said to understand 2,000 words, which meant she could keep up with most conversations. She also adored cats and counted the late Robin Williams as a friend. "Koko touched the lives of millions as an ambassador for all gorillas and an icon for interspecies communication and empathy. She was beloved and will be deeply missed," said her carers at The Gorilla Foundation.
WORLD CUP CLIFFHANGER FOR SOCCEROOS
Our Socceroos needed at least a draw against Denmark to have any chance of progressing out of the pool rounds of the World Cup. The good news is they did that last night via captain Mike ‘Cool as a Cucumber’ Jedinak who converted a penalty goal to level the score. Soccejoey Daniel Azani came on to try and create some magic (note: still no call up for Tim Cahill who is very warm on the bench). Next up is Peru on Wednesday morning - a must win. But even then, progressing will be hard. We need Denmark to lose against France, and then we count points. Life wasn't meant to be easy...
FRIDAY LITES – THREE THINGS WE LIKED THIS WEEK
Taking the lead from Kerri Sackville's Three Minute Squiz this week, we looked into hiker/author Cheryl Strayed’s advice column. We're converted. Here's a good entry point.
Packing tips from 25 women who travel for work. Because who isn’t dreaming of a getaway right about now?
Never shy of jumping on a bright and shiny bandwagon, we’re firing up the Netflix and watching Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette this weekend. The reviews have been glowing and it sounds like it will be an hour well spent.
SQUIZ THE DAY
Friday
Meryl Streep’s (1949) and Cyndi Lauper’s (1953) birthdays
Saturday
8.00pm (AEST) – Rugby Union – Wallabies v Ireland - Sydney
Anniversary of the Brexit referendum in the UK (2016)
Anniversary of the abdication of Edward VIII to marry Wallis Simpson (1936)
Sunday
Saudi women allowed to drive a car
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