Squiz Today – Tuesday, 13 June

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“When we first started, it would take a couple of weeks to fill our courses. Now they sell out online in seconds. It’s a bit like selling Glastonbury tickets.”

Pottery – it’s the hot new (old) thing to do. Studios, like the one in London run by Tallie Maughan, have waiting lists for budding crap-coffee-cup-makers hoping to become more grounded via an authentic experience. What’s next - macramé owls and leathercraft? We live in hope…

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FEELING ENERGISED? CANBERRA IS…

THE SQUIZ
Our federal pollies have made their way back to Canberra for the final parliamentary sitting fortnight before the winter recess. On the agenda is legislation for the bank levy and proposed changes to the citizenship processes, including a new ‘values’ test. But the hot item tomorrow is the discussion to be had in Coalition ranks about the Finkel Review – aka a new approach on climate and energy policy.

OH NO, NOT THAT OLD CHESTNUT AGAIN…
Well, the problem is it has never been resolved. And as Justin Timberlake says, what goes around (goes around, goes around) comes all the way back around. Putting it politely, we don’t have a good track record on sticking with a plan to reduce greenhouse emissions – worse, it’s political poison. It was a big factor in the downfall of Kevin Rudd (2010) and Julia Gillard (2013) as PM and Malcolm Turnbull as opposition leader (2009). In turn, the policy paralysis has created market uncertainty and a lack of investment in the energy sector, and time is now running out. Electricity regulators warned earlier this year that we’re heading into power shortages in 18 months time if something doesn’t change toot sweet. 

WHAT’S DIFFERENT THIS TIME?
The plan is different to what we’ve seen before (in that its goal is low emissions and doesn't call out energy or technology-type) but the reaction is eerily familiar. Turnbull is pitted against his critic Tony Abbott (again!) after the former PM made clear yesterday that he remains opposed to anything that puts renewable energy ahead of coal. The Greens worry that the proposed plan doesn’t go far enough (again!). And Labor say they prefer renewables (again!), but they are of a mind to be constructive.  We’ll know a lot more after the Coalition troops meet this morning about whether it really will be different or déjà vu all over again.

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SQUIZ THE REST

MAY NEGOTIATING TO FORM GOVERNMENT
The dust hasn’t quite settled following Thursday’s general election. PM Theresa May’s Conservatives went from 331 seats to 318, while Labour increased its representation from 232 to 262. So May won the election but she doesn't have the 326 seats needed to form government. She's now negotiating an arrangement with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party to get there. They're not a natural fit with the Conservatives, but beggars can't be choosers. And she is fighting for her political life with her ongoing leadership position called into question. Fun fact – the Queen's speech (the traditional state opening of the new parliament) has had to be delayed because it is written on goatskin parchment paper that takes days to dry. May had better hurry up and get the details settled, one hasn't got forever…

MACRON’S LA REPUBLIQUE EN MARCHE
Just weeks after taking out the presidential election and only a year after creating his political party, Emmanuel Macron has converted his personal success into an encouraging round one result in France’s parliamentary election. Reports say the centre-left La Republique en Marche party and its ally MoDem look set to take 445 of the 577 seats in the parliament. Next Sunday, the top two candidates in each seat run-off against one another for the final result. 

MELANIA IN DA HOUSE
The Trump’s long-distance relationship is over with First Lady Melania Trump and their son Barron moving into the White House yesterday. They remained in New York so Barron could finish the school year. Politics enthusiasts are eagerly waiting to see if she will embrace an advocacy role like many first ladies before her.

COSBY TRIAL CLOSE TO CLOSE
Cosby’s defence team have closed after calling just one witness who testified for only six minutes. Bill Cosby himself didn’t take the stand and many were disappointed not to hear from the comedian himself. Cosby is being tried for aggravated indecent assault - he's accused of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. The Prosecution will close and then it’s in the hands of the jury.

TEN TO FACE ITS FUTURE
An announcement on Network Ten’s financial position is expected today after three high-rolling investors (Bruce Gordon, Lachlan Murdoch and James Packer) decided not extend their $200 million loan to the business past the end of this year. That leaves Ten with two options – to continue to operate and find the money to stay afloat or go into administration. Either way, they'll be banking on proposed changes to the cross-media ownership laws (currently in Oz you can only own two out of three types of media across print, radio and tv) to give other media players an opportunity to take a slice of TV. Stay tuned…

THINGS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED OVER THE LONG WEEKEND
Plane returns to Sydney with bung engine – The China Eastern Airlines plane was an hour into its journey to Shanghai when a hole was ripped in its left engine. No one was injured, and the incident is being investigated.

Queen’s Birthday Honours – Nine hundred Aussies (many of them Republicans #justsayin’) were recognised yesterday for their contributions to the community. Notables include Cate Blanchett (actor), Peter Gago (chief winemaker at Penfolds), Alan Joyce (Qantas CEO), Julian McMahon (the lawyer, not Danni Minogue’s ex), Antony Green (ABC election whisperer) and Collette Dinnigan (designer). Full list here.

Tony Awards (Broadway’s night of nights) – It didn’t go all Blanchett’s way on the weekend - she missed out on a gong for her role in The Present. So did Tim Minchin, nominated for his score for Groundhog Day. Bette Midler (lead in Hello Dolly) stole the show (by force), and Dear Evan Hansen won 6 awards + best musical.

French Open - Rafael Nadal took out the men’s singles beating Stan Wawrinka in three sets. It’s the tenth time he’s had the title – a record in the professional era. In the women’s, Jelena Ostapenko beat Simona Halep in three. And Oz was successfully represented by 17yo Alexei Popyrin who won the boy’s singles title.

SQUIZ THE DAY

NAB Business Confidence Survey, May

ABS Data Release - Overseas Arrivals and Departures, April

2.30pm (AEST) - Queensland State Budget announced

8.00pm (AEST) - Socceroos v Brazil - MCG, Melbourne