Squiz Today – 17 June 2024

The Squiz 

There were boos and cheers for Chinese Premier Li Qiang as he completed the first day of his Aussie trip yesterday as hundreds of supporters and critics of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) gathered at his first public event at Adelaide Zoo. Despite the mixed reception, China’s 2IC issued a statement saying China-Australia relations are “back on track after a series of twists and turns, generating tangible benefits to the people of both countries”. 

What’s on the agenda?

Li’s first order of business was to announce a new pair of pandas, with fan-favourites Wang Wang and Fu Ni set to retire. The pair were due back in November, and there are hopes a new couple might be able to do what they couldn’t – procreate. But Li’s visit isn’t all panda diplomacy… PM Anthony Albanese will raise some difficult issues with Li, including Chinese-Australian academic Yang Hengjun’s suspended death sentence and dangerous encounters between our militaries. That could lead to broader discussions about China’s increasingly assertive actions in the South China Sea and Taiwan, which Foreign Minister Penny Wong called one of the “riskiest flashpoints in the world”. The Coalition also wants Albanese to address allegations that 2 Aussies were secretly targeted by Chinese officials for speaking out against the CCP.

What are we getting out of the visit? 

To start with, some warm fuzzies after years of a ‘diplomatic freeze’… Li literally toasted to that at South Oz’s Magill Estate Winery yesterday with Wong – which was appropriate as the recent lifting of China’s wine tariff was huge news for our vintners. Our government hopes that’s a sign of things to come, with pressure mounting on China to also lift restrictions on Aussie lobsters that have been “catastrophic” for the industry. Experts say that could happen as China desperately needs Aussie resources – especially critical minerals – so dropping trade sanctions will likely be used as a “sweetener”. Those and other issues including opportunities to coordinate on climate change will be discussed today when Li meets with Albanese in Canberra. Li then heads to Perth tomorrow, where he’ll visit a lithium processing plant and meet with business leaders.

Pushing back against Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s plans for a ceasefire with Ukraine haven’t gone down well… World leaders gathered at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace summit in Switzerland over the weekend, and ahead of that, Putin said he wants Ukraine to surrender 4 regions to Russia and drop its bid to join the NATO military alliance. In response, Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak said there would be “no compromise on independence, sovereignty or territorial integrity”. Ukraine and its allies drafted their own list of demands, and Zelensky said he’s ready for peace talks “tomorrow” as soon as Russia pulls out of Ukrainian territory. Russia and its allies weren’t in attendance, so there are questions about what impact the summit will have… Meanwhile, leaders over at the separate G7 summit wrapped up by pledging their support for Ukraine “for as long as it takes”. 

Another day in court

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann is no stranger to a courtroom – this time it’s not related to the long-running legal challenges with his former colleague Brittany Higgins… Lehrmann’s set to face a committal hearing in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court today over 2 charges of alleged rape that occurred in his Queensland hometown in October 2021. Reports say he’s planning to plead not guilty. In the meantime, his lawyers will cross-examine the complainant – who hasn’t been named – and the magistrate will decide if Lehrmann will stand trial. You might remember this case sprang into the public consciousness in October last year when Lehrmann was named as the “high-profile” man at the centre of the allegations. A Queensland law – which was later overturned – prevented him from being named earlier.

Giving our pitch rivals a hand…

Our men’s T20 World Cup cricket team limped over the line yesterday to beat Scotland by 5 wickets, and while a win’s a win, the big takeaway from the result was that we also prevented one of our major cricketing rivals, England, from an early exit… Aussie captain Mitchell Marsh said despite the team going into the match confident, having already qualified for the next Super 8s stage of the tournament, they were “pushed right to the end” by the Scots. Marcus Stoinis was the man of the match – he got a few pats on the back for shifting the momentum our way by scoring 59 from just 29 balls. The Aussies will play the first match of the next stage in the West Indies on Friday, but our opponent hasn’t been locked in yet – so watch this space…

Inside Fido’s mind

Many pet lovers assume their animals are conscious – that is, they have thoughts and feelings. Now new scientific research supports the idea which actually dates as far back as renowned evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin, but had been pooh poohed. It all started with some bees in London that scientists observed rolling wooden balls around for fun. Then animal experts from other fields got involved with several sea creatures also displaying conscious behaviours. That includes octopuses avoiding pain and even fruit flies having trouble sleeping when they feel lonely. None of that is conclusive proof, but experts say it’s enough to suggest “a realistic possibility” that animals are conscious beings. The way our pooch rolls his eyes at us when we do something irritating proves it as far as we’re concerned… 

A return fit for a Princess

In case you missed it, the Royals marked a big milestone on Saturday… The Princess of Wales stole the show when she returned to the spotlight during the Trooping the Colour military parade – aka the King’s Birthday Parade. It was Kate’s first public appearance in more than 6 months after her abdominal surgery/subsequent cancer diagnosis. In a statement, she said her treatment is ongoing and she’s “not out of the woods yet” but she was all smiles as she waved to those who braved a wintry British summer’s day to catch a glimpse. King Charles’s attendance was also significant – given he’s been undergoing his own cancer treatment. Yesterday was UK Father’s Day, and mini royals George, Louis and Charlotte posted a message on social media to their dad Prince William, saying simply: “We love you Papa.” It was underneath an image taken by Kate, and reports say no fingers were out of place…

If you’re theme park ride-averse, the latest incident in the US state of Oregon probably won’t change your mind. About 30 people were left dangling upside down in mid-air for half an hour when the ride became stuck – thankfully, the local fire brigade got everyone down safely….

Reese Witherspoon took the chance to honour her friend/Big Little Lies co-star Nicole Kidman at the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Nicole Kidman event by impersonating her Aussie accent. It’s been described in US media as “spot on”, but we’re not so sure…

Pope Francis has cracked a few funnies for 100 of the world’s best-known comedians at an event in Rome “to celebrate the importance of humour” in the midst of global turmoil. Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert and Julia Louis-Dreyfus were all there – and even got the OK to have a laugh at God occasionally…

9.00am (AEST) – Bruce Lehrmann faces a committal hearing over 2 allegations of rape in October 2021 – Toowoomba

9.00am (AEST) – The Aussie diving team for the Paris Olympics to be announced – Brisbane

9.30am (AEST) – Chinese Premier Li Qiang will visit PM Anthony Albanese at Parliament House – Canberra

9.30am (AEST) – The RBA Board meeting begins ahead of tomorrow’s interest rate announcement (on until 18 June)

9.30am (AEST) – Public hearing into issues relating to menopause and perimenopause – Canberra

10.00am (AEST) – The jury will continue deliberations in the trial of Gregory Lynn, accused of murdering campers Russell Hill and Carol Clay in the Vic high country – Melbourne

Iceland’s National Day

Start of World Continence Week (until 23 June) 

Start of Learning Disability Week (until 23 June) 

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 

Eat Your Vegetables Day

Birthdays for former tennis star Venus Williams (1980), rapper Kendrick Lamar (1987), and former Aussie swimmer/Olympian Stephanie Rice (1988)

Anniversary of:

• Charles Goodyear obtaining his first rubber patent (1837)
• the Statue of Liberty arriving in New York aboard French ship Isere (1885)
• the last public guillotining in France (1939)
• An ISIS-linked rebel group called the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killing 41 people in a school massacre in Uganda (2023)