Squiz Today – Monday, 24 July

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“It’s one thing I would love to ask her now – because I genuinely think that she got satisfaction out of dressing myself and William up in the most bizarre outfits – normally matching.”

Prince Harry says Princess Diana had a very good sense of humour. The Princes have participated in an HBO documentary honouring their late mother - they say it’s the first and probably last time they will do anything like it. It will be screened in the UK tonight, and we’ll get to see it on Seven at 7pm next Sunday night.

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FOUR-YEAR TERMS COULD IMPROVE POLITICAL STABILITY... MAYBE...

THE SQUIZ
Labor leader Bill Shorten yesterday kicked off a discussion about increasing the length of our federal parliamentary terms from three to four years. While it’s an idea that’s been kicking around for many years (and it’s been Labor’s policy position for some time), it’s not been something that has been top of mind for our federal pollies. Because, you know, hanging on to a PM for longer than two years has been beyond us for a while…

SOUNDS FINE, GET ON WITH IT
Hey, that's our democracy you're talking about! Some points to consider:

PROS - While a term of Parliament is meant to be three years, the average length since Federation has been two-and-a-half. That’s a really short time to form government, implement an agenda (don’t laugh…) fix the problems (again with the laughing…), and then start campaigning again. Supporters say an additional year will give governments an opportunity to take a longer view without the prospect of another election staring them down.

CONS – We have a very good system that has worked just fine – why tinker with it? And if you have a four-year cycle, that means you're electing senators for eight-year terms. That's a really long time. Do you know anyone you want to commit to for eight years (apart from family and close friends, of course…)? So how can anyone represent us voters for that long, particularly those elected by a handful of votes off the back of a preference deal?

OK, I’LL THINK ABOUT IT. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Reports say PM Malcolm Turnbull spoke to Shorten about it yesterday and they’ll have a further chat about it soon. But for it to become a reality there would have to be a referendum (where we vote on it) because it requires an amendment to the Constitution. And for that to happen there really needs to be bipartisan love for the idea. ATM the ball is in the PM’s/Coalition’s court, but if the idea gets roll along we could see the question put to us as soon as the next election.

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SQUIZ THE REST

NEWSPOLL - SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT
The Australian says today’s Newspoll shows the Coalition has clawed back support from One Nation supporters and Labor has taken ground from the Greens. Both the Greens and One Nation have been under pressure recently on organisational matters. The two-party preferred result remains the same; Labor leads the Coalition 53:47. On the ‘better PM' score, Turnbull has increased his lead over Shorten to 43:32

EAST TIMOR VOTES FOR STATUS QUO
Reports say there was a big turnout for Timor-Leste's (aka East Timor's) parliamentary elections on Saturday. The official result isn't in yet, but it looks like the two major parties –Fretilin and the National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction (CNRT) - are dominating with about 30% each. The two parties have experience - they governed under a power-sharing arrangement since 2015 and have committed to continuing to work together.

ARRIVAL OF ‘THE MOOCH’ SEES SPICER EXIT STAGE RIGHT
US President Donald Trump’s lost his first press secretary (feels like a safe prediction…) on Friday with Sean Spicer taking off after just six months in the job (although every month would have felt like a year). Spicer packed up his speaking notes and ‘alternative facts’ after New York financier (with no communications experience) Anthony Scaramucci was installed as communications director. Spicer never seemed to settle into the role – he was constantly at war with the journos, and reports say Trump wasn’t convinced (apparently he really didn’t like that Spicer was the subject of SNL ridicule). Cue lots of interest in Scaramucci. Check out this gem from Scaramucci’s Twitter in 2012;

“Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you’ve never been hurt and love like it’s heaven on earth. Mark Twain”

Umm, nope. Though it did trigger one of Twitter’s all-time best replies:

“Na na na na na na na nana; Na na na na nana; Getting’ jiggy wit it – Nelson Mandela”

Scaramucci's been busy already - he moved to delete his past tweets yesterday (especially the ones critical of Trump…). And he got himself in trouble over a comment about hair and make-up. Break out the popcorn people, this is going to be interesting…

DAMOND WISHES HE STAYED ON THE PHONE
Justine Damond's fiance Don Damond has given his first media interview - he wishes he stayed on the phone with her on the night she was shot and killed by policeman Mohamed Noor. The incident has had big consequences in Minneapolis - reports say Mayor Betsey Hodges forced the resignation of police chief Janeé Harteau last Friday.

BIG SPORTS RESULTS
Theme: a good day for the Brits:

TOUR DE FRANCE – Britain’s Chris Froome has taken out the Tour de France finishing 54 seconds ahead of Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran. Froome completed the race in 86hrs 20mins 55secs - that’s a long time in the saddle. Australia’s Michael Matthews won the Green Jersey as winner of the points classification. "I knew I had good form coming into it but in the Tour you need a lot of luck and it must have been with me - no major crashes and we stayed strong," he said.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP CRICKET – England are the World Cup champions after a thrilling win over India. India was on track for the win – they were chasing England’s 229 runs and looked good at 191 with just three wickets down. But a collapse in their batting saw them lose seven wickets for just 28 runs making England the champions. English bowler Anya Shrubsole achieved 6 for 46 – the best ever figures for a world cup final.

BRITISH OPEN GOLF – The Open has been taken out by young American Jordan Spieth(he’s just 23yo) by three shots. He didn’t have a great start to the final round losing his lead in the first three holes, but he finished strong and won the Claret jug.

OH TO BE YOUNG AND IN BRISSIE…
Now there’s a sentence we never thought we’d write … The USS Ronald Reagan – a 20-storey aircraft carrier – has docked in Brisbane with 3,000 sailors looking for some r&r with a few days’ leave after participating in war-game exercises with the Aussies. Made us think what we’d do if we had a few days to be tour guide. A trip to the Big Pineapple in Nambour? Maybe the Big Prawn in Ballina? Maybe some homewares shopping Prue and Trude style in Noooooorsa? Probably not. We have a feeling the Valley will be pumping.

SQUIZ THE DAY

Lifeline's Stress Down Day

National Pain Week

Pioneer Day - marks the anniversary of the day Mormon leader Brigham Young and his followers arrived in the valley of the Great Salt Lake in present-day Utah.