Squiz Today – Monday, 18 June

TAXING FORTNIGHT AHEAD

THE SQUIZ
Our federal pollies have packed their thermals and are back in Canberra today for a two-week stint before the long winter break. The main agenda item is tax. And whether Team Turnbull (with Finance Minister Mathias Cormann taking the lead) can wrangle the independent senators will be crucial to the result. In a good start to the week, PM Malcolm Turnbull would be chuffed that his personal ratings are at an equal-all time high in this morning’s Newspoll result. However, it hasn’t lifted the government’s standings – the Coalition still trails Labor 48:52 on a two-party preferred basis.

IT’S MONDAY. EASE ME IN…
Who doesn't like a chat about tax? The key points are:

On income tax cuts – Team Turnbull announced a seven-year income tax package in the Budget that has three stages. The nitty gritty is here. But the key point is Labor wants the bill split up so it can support the bit it likes (ie the measures starting in July) and try to amend/vote against the bits it doesn’t. Cormann yesterday said it’s all or nothing.

On company tax cuts – As Ariana Grande sang, one last time. But there’s still not enough love for the government’s plan to lower the corporate tax rate from 30% to 25%. At this point, holding a vote is more about the Coalition being able to say it tried when it comes to campaigning for the next election.

WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?
• Clive Palmer has found some time amid his legal disputes over the collapses of Queensland Nickel and his Coolum resort to relaunch the United Australia Party. Palmer said the party would field candidates at the next election but wasn’t specific about making a comeback himself.

• Greens Senator Andrew Bartlett will stand aside to allow the formerly citizenship-curious Larissa Waters to make a comeback. And SA newbie Tim Storer is lovin' himself sick with an application to form a new party in his name.

• Liberal Party members voted in favour of selling the ABC on the weekend forcing government ministers to rule it out quickly. But Labor has seized on it. Mediscare was so 2016…

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SQUIZ THE REST

VICTIM’S BRAVERY HAILED IN NEWCASTLE ARREST
A man was arrested on Saturday night over the attack and abduction of an 11yo schoolgirl last week. He had shaved his head in an attempt to avoid identification. His name has been suppressed, he did not apply for bail and will face court again on Wednesday. Police again praised the girl and her family for their bravery and assistance in their investigation.

CEASEFIRE TO END IN AFGHANISTAN
The end of Ramadan brought a three-day ceasefire in Afghanistan with Taliban insurgents plus a commitment from the government to hold “comprehensive peace and talks.” Hugs, selfies and the exchange of food between government and Taliban fighters ensued. But it wasn’t to last – the Taliban will pick up their weapons again today. Meanwhile, Islamic State is thought to be responsible for two separate blasts in Jalalabad that claimed 18 lives yesterday and 36 lives on Saturday.

FIGHTING ESCALATES IN YEMENI CITY
The Saudi-backed forces say they’ve captured Hudaydah’s airport but reports say the fighting continues. A UN special envoy has arrived in Yemen’s capital to appeal to the rebels to cede control of Hudaydah to UN committee to avoid further fighting. The nation faces a humanitarian catastrophe if food and supplies are unable to get through the key port city.

DIDI DOING THE DO
If you were asked what the world’s biggest startup was, what would you say? Airbnb, Twitter, Atlassian? It’s DiDi, a ride-sharing juggernaut from China (the company's valued at $60 billion = platinum and diamond encrusted unicorn status). DiDi announced that a Melbourne launch is happening next week to challenge Uber and recent entrants Taxify, GoCatch and Ola. To wet its feet here, DiDi has been running in Geelong for the last month. And it’s offering big discounts in its first week.

AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!
Loss loss loss. And so it was on a super Saturday night of sport. The Soceroos went down 2-1 on Saturday night against World Cup favourites France. No one wants to be a bad sport (ahem Phil Mickelson…) but it was unfortunate that we got so close only to be disappointed by a disputed referee call. Australia also went down in the cricket one-dayer against England and in the rugby against Ireland (21-26). Better luck next time…

VALE DJ FONTANA
Confession time: We’re going through a bit of an Elvis phase. And just when we knew who DJ Fontana was, he died at 87yo. He was a bloke who could lay claim to being a founding father of rock & roll drumming. Fontana was one of the three musicians who helped take Elvis from a nobody to superstardom by playing on his debut hit That’s Alright, Mama as well as Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock. The last time he played with the King was the famous ’68 Comeback Special. He was the last surviving member of the original grouping.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Federal Parliament resumes

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World Continence Week

Sir Paul McCartney's birthday