Squiz Today – Tuesday, 28 August

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“US$48.4 million”

Or more than $65 million in Aussie dollars - that’s how much a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO sold for at auction in the US yesterday, setting a new world record. With a steering wheel, windscreen and tyres, it’s easy to see why it cost so much…

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BOAT ARRIVAL A PEOPLE SMUGGLING EXERCISE, SAYS DUTTON

THE SQUIZ
Newly sworn-in Home Affairs Minister/PM slayer Peter Dutton confirmed yesterday that the foreign nationals who arrived by boat in Far North Queensland on Sunday belong to “the first people smuggling venture” to reach Australia in more than 1,400 days. There are contradictory reports about how many remain on the run, but the ABC this morning says there was a total of 17 people on board, and with 15 detained, just two people are at large in croc-infested waters.

WHAT DO WE KNOW?
The boat that’s been described as a Vietnamese fishing vessel ran aground off the Daintree River (about 100km north of Cairns). A witness says local fishermen put the boat under tow before it sank at the mouth of the river. Those on board then swam ashore and fled into the forest. Two of those now detained enjoyed a beer and spot of crabbing with a couple of locals before being handed into police. Dutton said there was a failure of surveillance and an investigation will look into who they are and the circumstances in which they arrived.

AND THE POLITICS OF IT?
There was some jostling for position yesterday.

• Peter Dutton, Coalition - "The arrival of this boat should be a very clear and timely message that the people smugglers will seek to put people on to boats, to take money from innocent men, women and children and to send them to our country.”

• Shayne Newman, Labor - “Unlike the chaos and division inside the Government that has put the security of Australia’s borders at risk, Labor is a united team.”

• Pauline Hanson, One Nation - “I believe they are waiting for a change (of government), let your guard down and you’re going to have boatload after boatload.”

The more things change, the more they stay the same…

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SQUIZ THE REST

MORRISON ATTEMPTS TO RESUME NORMAL TRANSMISSION
PM Scott Morrison’s already kept one promise – to head out bush sans a brand spanking new Akubra. His visit to drought-stricken south-west Queensland drew one commitment - his government will extend financial support for farmers for as long as it can. Meanwhile, others pondered their futures:

• Reports say former PM Malcolm Turnbull will retire from politics on Friday.

• Former former PM Tony Abbott isn’t wowed by Morrison’s offer to become a Special Envoy for Indigenous Affairs.

• And speculation gathered pace that Julie Bishop could become our next Governor-General after Sir Peter Cosgrove’s term ends in March next year. Someone who isn’t keen on that idea? Bill Shorten.

FLORIDA SHOOTER CLAIMS TWO VICTIMS
In Jacksonville, Florida for a football video game tournament, David Katz, a 24yo gamer from Baltimore, opened fire at the competition's venue killing two people before turning the gun on himself. Nine people suffered gunshot wounds, and they are all in a stable condition. Katz's attack was captured on an online stream of the event, and authorities say his motive is not yet clear.

POPE STAYS QUIET ON ABUSE COVER-UP ALLEGATION
Pope Francis’ visit to Ireland – a country where more than 70% of the population is Catholic – should have been a happy one. But it ended under a cloud with calls from an Archbishop/former Vatican diplomat for him to resign. It has to do with claims he covered up allegations of abuse of lower-ranking seminarians and priests by a cardinal in the US. The pontiff has refused to respond. At Mass near Dublin on Sunday (attended by far fewer people than organisers anticipated), the Pope begged forgiveness for the abuses perpetrated by the Church.

ON YA BIKE, UBER
When it comes to inner-city transport, Uber says the future is electric-powered scooters and bikes, not “a one-tonne hulk of metal to take one person 10 blocks” (aka a car). So CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says the company will shift its focus, despite the bike/scooter business being less profitable. Uber is under pressure to put its best financial foot forward ahead of a public float. It will be interesting to see if Khosrowshahi’s conviction holds.

PLAYWRIGHT NEIL SIMON DIES
If you’ve ever hummed Big Spender from the stage play Sweet Charity, revelled in the pairing of Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in the classic film Barefoot in the Park or laughed at the antics of TV's Odd Couple, then you've been touched by the genius of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Neil Simon. Simon passed away yesterday at 91yo. The great and the good of Broadway and Hollywood took to social media to honour the man described as a giant of comedy.

APROPOS OF NOTHING
Something frivolous to lighten the tone… and we have something for everyone.

• Unlikely animal friends. Always a favourite.

• Optical illusion art that will bend your mind.

• And New York kids who hire stylists to get their school wardrobe sorted. You’ll never curse getting the kids’ school uniforms ready again…

SQUIZ THE DAY

ABS Data Release - National Health Survey: First Results, 2014-15

Company Earnings Announcements - Caltex; Prime Media Group

Birthdays for Shania Twain (1965), Sonia Kruger (1965), Sheryl Sandberg (1969)