Squiz Today / 14 March 2017

Squiz Today – Tuesday, 14 March

SARA CONNOR JAILED FOR FOUR YEARS IN BALI POLICEMAN MURDER CASE

THE SQUIZ
Last night Byron Bay woman Sara Connor received four years jail for her part in the death of Bali policeman Wayan Sudarsa. Her British DJ boyfriend David Taylor received six years jail for ‘group violence causing death’. Indonesian prosecutors were seeking sentences of eight years for both Taylor and Connor.

WHAT EXACTLY WENT DOWN?
The couple met in Byron Bay and had been together for a few months. Friends say they took the trip as Taylor was about to leave Australia after not getting a visa to stay. They were at Legian beach on the night of 17 August last year and encountered Sudarsa. They believed he had stolen Connor’s bag, a fight between the men broke out, and Connor says she tried to break it up but was not present when Taylor inflicted the fatal blows. Taylor confessed to hitting Sudarsa with binoculars and a beer bottle. Connor’s driver’s licence and credit cards were found next to Sudarsa’s body. It was alleged Connor had destroyed evidence, namely her bloody clothes and Sudarsa’s ID. A couple of days later Connor went to the Australian consulate who advised her to turn herself in, which is what she did. Taylor maintained he was in fear for his and Connor’s life that night.

SO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Connor’s team said they would consider their options about appealing her sentence. She's particularly distressed about not seeing her two young children grow up at home. Appeals in Indonesia are fraught as judges regularly increase sentence terms. Taylor’s family said he would not appeal.


SQUIZ THE REST

RELIEF FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS?
Treasurer Scott Morrison yesterday said what we all know – it’s really hard saving for a house deposit these days. Some are even putting off having children, he says. But what to do? Speculation is the May budget may have some relief – maybe accessing superannuation savings, restricting bank lending to investors, and encouraging more housing supply have all been suggested. What’s not on the table is negative gearing changes (ie advantageous tax arrangements for those with investment properties). So keep saving and keep off the smashed avo for now. 

TIME RUNNING OUT FOR TRUMP TO SHOW WIRETAPPING EVIDENCE
President Donald Trump has just a few hours to substantiate wiretapping claims to the House Intelligence Committee as they wrap up their investigation. Trump tweeted the accusation one lonely Saturday night recently but no evidence has been provided by the White House to back it up. Former Republican prez candidate Senator John McCain yesterday said if Trump can’t put up, he has to retract the statement. Don't hold your breath.

THE RISE AND RISE OF THE CITIZEN JOURNALIST
Trump Press Secretary Sean Spicer was approached in an Apple store by a woman with some questions. The encounter was video streamed and has popped up in the media overnight. It was a soft ‘interview', topics like "How does it feel to work for a fascist" were covered. Trump took to Twitter appealing to ‘the media’ (which we now take to mean anyone with a smart phone) to be nicer to his team.

NETHERLANDS ELECTION CANARY NEARLY READY TO SING
“An election in a minor European country, so what?” we hear you ask. Well, it’s the canary in the mine of a changing political landscape (think Brexit, Trump), and the first in a string of European elections this year, so listen up.  Dutch voters cycle to the polls in their clogs (we have that on good authority) to vote on Wednesday. While the Liberal incumbent PM Mark Rutte is predicted to hold on (after forming a coalition with about five other parties), Euro-sceptic/nationalist/anti-Islamic campaigner Geert Wilders (don’t you just love those Dutch names?) campaign was leading the polling not so long ago. But can Wilders convert the attention into votes? It’s something Pauline Hanson was unable to do in WA last weekend. Watch with interest. 

BEER, BIBLES AND BLASPHEMY – WHEN PR GOES BAD
An unlikely PR disaster unfolded yesterday involving Coopers beer, the Bible Society, and same-sex marriage.  Coopers were forced to clarify their position yesterday but TBH we're finding it hard to get past the basic premise of releasing commemorative cans of beer celebrating the Bible Society. We predict it will be difficult to find a Pale Ale on Oxford Street anytime soon.

… AND IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING
An American Cocker Spaniel, splendidly named ‘Afterglow Miami Ink’, won Best In Show at Crufts.  But it wasn’t without controversy. Miami’s appearance was cruelly (but fairly, we have to say) compared to a Sia wig and the OTT hair situation led many to question his gun dog credentials. Harrumph, harrumph!  Miami was last seen departing the world’s most famous dog show to go home and swing from the chandelier. From the chandelieeeeeeer.

SQUIZ THE DAY

South Australian Government to announce a new energy security plan

ABS data release on international arrivals and departures for January

Commonwealth Games baton relay kicked off from London. The Games are on the Gold Coast in April 2018 

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