Squiz Today – Wednesday, 28 March

SQUIZ SAYINGS

“I actually don’t have much time for TV, so I tend to find myself binge-watching on our holidays, usually when laying on the beach!”

Kudos to Aussie theatre impresario Michael Cassel for doing what 99% of binge-watching fiends can’t do - he leaves the house. Cassel was mentored by Harry M Miller and trained by Disney in New York and has produced everything from Les Mis to Kinky Boots. Please break into song and welcome him to the Three Minute Squiz.

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OZ KICKS OUT RUSSIAN DIPLOMATS

THE SQUIZ
Australia joined more than 20 other nations in expelling Russian diplomats yesterday. The move is in response to Russia’s suspected involvement in the poisoning of UK-based former Russian double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yuria. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said two undeclared Russian intelligence officers in Australia have been deemed persona non grata and have seven days to leave. She also said the prospect of Australia boycotting this year’s Russian-hosted soccer World Cup was an option, but later ruled that out.

WHAT’S WITH THE BIG REACTION?
The use of Novichok, a Russian nerve agent, on the Skripals in Salisbury on 4 March was the first act of chemical warfare in Europe since the WWII. And governments like ours have a lot of other gripes with Russia including its annexation of Crimea, the invasion of eastern Ukraine, the downing of MH17 (which claimed 38 Australian lives), state-sanctioned cyber-terrorism and election tampering. So there are issues.

WHAT DID PEOPLE SAY?
PM Malcolm Turnbull - "We are standing in solidarity with the United Kingdom that we will not tolerate this type of reckless undermining of international law, this reckless assault on the sovereignty of nations."

UK PM Theresa May - "Together we have sent a message that we will not tolerate Russia's continued attempts to flout international law and undermine our values."

Embassy of the Russian Federation in Australia – “It is regrettable that by virtue of the notorious Anglo-Saxon and Euro-Atlantic solidarity the relatively small but substantial positive asset in our relationship, which we had managed to create by a joint effort during the last two years, was jeopardised.”

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SQUIZ THE REST

CRICKET UPDATE
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland announced early this morning that Aussie captain Steve Smith, deputy David Warner and ball tamperer Cameron Bancroft have breached the code of conduct and will be suspended for a period to be announced in the coming day. They will have to tell their story walking... onto a plane home. Sutherland said CA officials found the players were the only ones involved in the ball tampering plan. Coach Darren Lehmann was cleared of any involvement and remains in his job. Sutherland also announced an independent review into the culture of the men’s teams.

NO BUSINESS TAX CUT VOTE THIS WEEK
The Turnbull Government conceded late yesterday that it needs more time to secure the two Senate votes required to drop corporate tax rates from 30% to 25%. That sound you heard? Pollies and staffers who were dreading late-night parliamentary sittings before the Easter break breathing a sigh of relief. Like former PM Tony Abbott, chief negotiator Finance Minister Mathias Cormann will let it percolate so it goes "better the second time around”. And here we were thinking that rule only applied to curries, braises and casseroles... The Business Council of Oz, which launched a new campaign yesterday, was encouraged by PM Malcolm Turnbull to advocate for the tax cut.

KIM MAKES TRACKS TO CHINA
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is thought to be in Beijing for a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Speculation was rife yesterday that Kim had taken a sneaky trip across the border on his diplomatic train (which no doubt needed a good spruce up after years of international isolation). China has been the Hermit Kingdom’s biggest ally.

NORA THE DESTROYER
Ex-cyclone Nora is a right pain in the... neck. Having dumped torrential rain on Cairns, the weather bureau said the system is heading to Townsville. Major flooding is expected, and the Barron River is tipped to reach its highest level in more than 10 years. Modelling shows it could have had an impact on the entirety of the Queensland coast by the end of Easter. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is touring affected areas.

GETTING SACKED… FRENCH STYLE
Sacked for his "aggressive tone and nature", a waiter in Canada has appealed his dismissal to the Human Rights Tribunal. His defence? He’s French. You’ve got to pay that. Guillaume Rey said his "direct, honest and professional personality" (read: tendency to be an arrogant pain in the... neck) was a consequence of his nationality. But his employer said his manner was upsetting to his colleagues. Tell your story en marchant, Guillaume.

SQUIZ THE DAY

12.30pm (AEDT) - Senator Matt Canavan, Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, will address the National Press Club on 'The Long Mining Boom' - Canberra

ABS Data Releases - Household Use of Information Technology, 2016-17; Engineering Construction Activity, December

Lady Gaga's birthday (1986)

Anniversary of the death of novelist Virginia Woolf (1941)