Squiz Today – Thursday, 1 March

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“I would be banned for 6 years and been on every paper and news channel for the next month.”

Tweeted Aussie tennis #1 Nick Kyrgios after our #2 women’s player Daria Gavrilova chucked her racquet, narrowly missing two ball kids, in a tantie over losing a game at a tournament in Mexico. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose, Nick.

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AIRBAG RECALL EXPANDED, MADE COMPULSORY

THE SQUIZ
Australia’s biggest ever product recall was launched yesterday with the consumer regulator upping the ante to make cars fitted with faulty Takata airbags safe. The ACCC yesterday added new car models to the list and made the recall compulsory because it's not happy with the progress that was made under a voluntary recall. The defective airbags can expel metal shrapnel when deployed and have been responsible for 23 deaths (including one in Oz) and 230 injuries internationally.

GIVE ME THE NUMBERS…
You gotcha.

• In total, this massive recall affects 4 million cars.

• 2.7 million cars have been subject to a voluntary recall that started in 2009. Of those, 1.7 million have been rectified.

• And 1.3 million cars were added to the recall list today.

• That means 2.3 million cars are currently subject to this compulsory recall.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Car manufacturers and dealers will be required to locate and replace Takata airbags by December 31, 2020. The good news is the manufacturer will cover the cost of replacement. Here's a guide from the ACCC of what to do. And the current list of cars affected is here. Note that not on the list are cars with German-made Takata airbags - details of those models will be added in coming weeks.

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SQUIZ THE REST

CASH GOES FOR BROKE
“If you want to start discussing staff matters, be very, very careful. I am happy to name every young woman in Mr Shorten’s office about whom rumours in this place abound. If you want to go down this path today, I will do it,” said Jobs and Innovation Minister Michaelia Cash under pressure from Labor senators during Senate Estimates. Labor’s Penny Wong tweeted; “Her comments undermine the professionalism of the many competent, intelligent, hardworking young women who work on all sides of politics.” Cash later withdrew the comment “if anyone was offended.” Not a lot we can add to that...

MURDER CASES IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Western Australia’s criminal justice system had a big day yesterday with two significant cases before the courts.

Bradley Edwards, the accused Claremont serial killer, made his first court appearance since being charged with the murder of missing teenager Sarah Spiers who disappeared 22 years ago while on a night out in Perth’s western suburb. He’s also charged with the murders of Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon, two women who were in their 20s who went missing in similar circumstances. Edwards will return to court in July.

And the two women convicted of killing autistic teenager Aaron Pajich were yesterday sentenced to life in prison. The high profile case had many twists and turns as details of Jemma Lilley and Trudi Lenon’s unconventional lives were revealed. The Justice held both women accountable for the "morally repugnant" crime.

KUSHNER'S SECURITY DOWNGRADE
Jared Kushner, First Son-In-Law and senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, has had his security clearance downgraded from Top Secret to Secret. The levels are the equivalent of a mate telling you they like Air Supply (a nuclear-grade secret that would be friendship ending if you spread it) compared to them telling you they like Icehouse (embarrassing if it got out but not catastrophic). That’s a problem given Kushner’s meant to be working on sensitive negotiations like peace in the Middle East. Reports say there was concern over his background in business and lack of foreign affairs experience making him a target for misanthropic foreign agents.

HARVEY NORMAN HAS A COW
Electrical and furniture retailer Harvey Norman lost 12.45% off its share price yesterday after announcing its half-year profit fell by almost 20%. One of the problems seems to be the company’s stake in a dairy near Shepparton, Victoria. Yes, a dairy. And Harvey Norman’s investment in it lost $20 million in value. Chairman Gerry Harvey said when you stripped out all the bad news (ahem...), the company had a pretty good six months with sales up and profit down marginally.

FANNING CALLS TIME ON PROFESSIONAL SURFING
Shark-resistant surfing champ Mick Fanning will finish his professional career after the Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach in a few weeks' time. Fanning said he's still "super excited" by surfing but feels he can no longer give it 100%. "I'm just not enjoying it as much," he said. The Aussie sporting legend won three world champion titles in his almost 20-year-long surfing career. And of course, there was the famous/terrifying 2015 shark-punching incident in South Africa where Fanning was lucky to escape unscathed. It’s probably now time for a beer…

OSCARS RED CARPET SHOWDOWN ON THE CARDS
Entertainment industry rag Variety yesterday revealed that Ryan Seacrest has been accused by his former stylist of harassment and misconduct. Seacrest (a Mr Show Business in the US with big-time producer and presenter strings to his bow) has denied the allegations. TV network NBC said he would still take up his regular position as an E! News Oscars red carpet host this weekend. Cue Hollywood publicists promising to steer their movie star clients away from Seacrest at Sunday night’s awards. Awkward…

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data Release - Private New Capital Expenditure and Expected Expenditure, December

St David's Day - Wales

World Compliment Day

Justin Bieber's birthday (1994)