19 September 2026 - Saturday Squiz

It’s Batman Day today, so our minds turned to which movie did the character best. So far, Lego Batman has been a strong contender… This weekend, if you’re watching the footy finals, going for a long walk on the beach, or have anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Listen to the News Club with Kate Watson and Eliza Harvey

This week’s top 5 news stories

The week’s most mentioned news stories in Australia across TV, radio and print, according to media analytics firm Streem.

1. Grab your passport and my hand - One Nation announced its migration policy on Monday, including plans for negative net migration (meaning more people would be leaving Oz than arriving) - some experts say that could lead to a recession. Then on Thursday, Home Affairs Minister Tony Bourke announced the government’s plans, which included cuts to student and working holiday visas. It’s going to be a talking point for a while to come.

2. Oil is the word - Russia and Ukraine have been targeting each other’s energy infrastructure. That saw US President Donald Trump blame this week’s record-high fuel prices on the troubles - but oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have also slowed down. More on that in a moment…

3. Copyright(s) and wrongs - The Albanese Government is currently working through revamping our copyright laws, and this week leaked consultations with stakeholders point to a new arrangement where Aussie copyright holders opt out of their content being used to train AI models, rather than the tech giants seeking permission to include it. Independent Senator David Pocock says that's tantamount to throwing creators “under the bus”.

4. An escalation from the Houthis - The Iran-backed Yemen terror group has taken control of the port of Mocha and key islands in the Red Sea, which had been used as alternative routes for the Strait of Hormuz. It’s put an extra squeeze on shipping routes, with oil-producing nations in the region saying free navigation of the area is desperately needed. 

5. Another week, another resurfaced clip - One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said in a podcast interview in September 2025 that First Nations Australians were “the most primitive race on Earth”. She came under fire from pollies across the political spectrum this week, and she sorta-kinda apologised “if I offended people”.

It’s you against the news…

Reckon you know which British fashion house is returning to London Fashion Week this week? Test your news knowledge from the last week with the Squiz Quiz.

Pic of the week

Hacks star Megan Stalter attended the Emmy Awards this week dressed as an Emmy. She might not have taken home the award this year, but maybe you don’t need an Emmy if you are an Emmy…

In the Kitchen

For the nights you’re unapologetically after a beige meal, a baked mac and cheese will do the trick. This one from Recipe Tin Eats is tasty and pretty simple for when you’re after a comfort meal.

What we Shortcut for you this week

The Snowtown murders - One of Australia's most notorious murder cases - known as the Snowtown murders, or the 'bodies in barrels' case - is back in the news this week with the announcement that the youngest man involved is set to be released on parole. In this Squiz Shortcut, we’ll get you across what happened and the concerns raised over releasing a convicted serial killer back into society. Have a read here or listen up.

Australia and the UN Security Council - PM Anthony Albanese is off to the UN General Assembly this week, kicking off the government’s campaign to get on the Security Council in 2029. So in this Shortcut, we’ll explain what the Security Council actually is and what it would mean for Australia if we were part of it. Read it here or listen to the pod.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - It’s a big day of footy finals - at 4.05pm there’s an NRLW elimination final between Brisbane and Newcastle in Brisbane. You can watch on 9Now. Then at 5.15pm, the Hawthorn v Brisbane AFL preliminary final is on in Melbourne, which is on 7Plus. And the NRL semi-final for Sydney Roosters and Cronulla Sharks is on in Sydney - catch it on 9Now.

Sunday - The John Farnham tribute concert is on in Melbourne at 7pm, featuring Keith Urban, Jimmy Barnes, Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman. And Yom Kippur (aka the Day of Atonement, aka the holiest and most solemn day of the year in Judaism) begins at sundown.

Monday - Treasurer Jim Chalmers will release the 2026 Intergenerational Report - it’s the once-every-5-years snapshot of how the economy is expected to change over the next 40 years. And the AFL Brownlows are on at 7.30pm 🏅

Tuesday - That sound you can hear is the squeals of Team Squiz… Fat Bear Week begins - you can check out the contestants here 🐻 

Wednesday - The movie adaptation of Love Hypothesis drops on Amazon Prime (and yes, we are a bit excited as a fan of the book…).

Thursday - PM Anthony Albanese is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly’s 81st session in New York. And US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are set to meet at the White House.

Friday - At 8pm, the Socceroos will play Brazil in the first of 2 friendly matches in Townsville - watch that on 10Play. And Victoria has a public holiday in anticipation of the AFL Grand Final (lucky ducks… ).

*Times in AEST