26 April 2025 - Saturday Squiz

If you struggled to get out of first gear this week (🙋🏻‍♀️ ), hitting May in the next few days will surely serve as a kick in the bum… This weekend, if you have a poignant pic from the past, an insider’s POV or anything else you’d like to share, hit reply.

⏱️ Reading time: 8 minutes

🎧 Weekly Wrap’s Easter/Anzac Day hiatus continues but will return next week. In the meantime, go head-to-head with your nearest and dearest with an all-new Federal Election Quiz…

A different perspective on the election campaign…

This week, we thought we’d rise above the media bubble and have a look at what Aussies are searching for online as we get ready to vote. Let's just say that practical concerns are top of mind…

1. The early bird catches the worm - Could this search be code for ‘make it end’? Aussies are an eager bunch - when early voting opened on Tuesday, a record number flocked to centres to cast their ballot papers - over 540,000 did the deed on day one, according to the Electoral Commission.

2. Four debates (and a funeral…) - On Tuesday night, PM Anthony Albanese and Coalition leader Peter Dutton returned for the third election debate of the campaign, this time on Nine, with the panel declaring Dutton the winner. The word ‘liar’ was thrown around and probed, but the men were also asked to compliment each other. Aww… The next debate is tomorrow night on Seven.

3. International affairs flavour the campaign - It’s the only election-aligned news story to make the top 5 of Aussies’ online searches from the last week… Long story short, Indonesia has denied claims that Russia was looking to set up a base on its territory (while Russia didn’t exactly…), but not before Dutton made some remarks that landed him in hot water.

4. Trumpet of what? - If you’ve driven on, well, basically any major road in the country or watched any free-to-air telly of late, you’ve probably seen the black and yellow advertising the Trumpet of Patriots. A few thousand Aussies are curious about Clive Palmer’s new party - and if it sounds vaguely Trumpian, that’s because the billionaire has borrowed heavily from the American President…

5. When’s the election again? - If you haven’t already, mark your calendar for next Saturday, 3 May, with polling booths opening at 8am local time. Check out the AEC’s website for your nearest polling place. Or plan your trip around where the best sausage sizzle is. Whatever works for you…

Squiz the Election Quiz

Reckon you know which Aussie delicacy made election news? Test your knowledge at the Squiz Quiz.

Reflection of the Week

They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old. Anzac Day has come and gone for another year. We thought this gallery of images from the Sydney Morning Herald was rather beautiful.

Blindingly easy home improvement

Weekends are prime time for tackling home improvement projects, and changing your blinds might be a good place to start. Not only can they make your place more energy efficient, they can make it look a million bucks (or maybe $5 million if you're in a property hotspot...). For an easy home upgrade, get a consultation and quote now with DIYBlinds - they're also offering a 15% discount and a 30-day price lock in, so get on it.

In the Kitchen

With colder weather starting to creep in, a good, hearty tart will bring some warmth. This one’s got butternut pumpkin, sage and hazelnut, and it’s the perfect way to get the Autumn vibes going plus your kitchen will smell amazing. Save us a slice…

What we Shortcut for you this week

Week 4 of the election campaign - Between Trump’s tariffs, the death of Pope Francis and back-to-back long weekends, it’s fair to say this election campaign has been fighting for airtime, but don’t worry if you’ve tuned out in the past few days - that’s where we come in. You can read up on the latest policy announcements and what happened in the third debate here or listen to the podcast here.

The Canadian election - Canada’s election is on Monday/Tuesday our time, after its new PM Mark Carney called a snap election in late March. In this Shortcut, we’ll take you through the key issues leading up to the election, introduce you to the party leaders, and explain why many people around the world will be closely watching the results. You can read more here or listen to the podcast here.

Squiz the Week

Saturday - The funeral for Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at 88yo, will be held at 10am local time (6pm AEST) in front of St Peter’s Basilica, led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, before his burial at Basilica St Mary Major. With thousands expected to attend, including Prince William and US President Donald Trump, the Vatican will live stream the service, and Aussie free-to-air TV networks will also pick it up

Sunday - The fourth and final leaders’ debate between PM Anthony Albanese and Coalition leader Peter Dutton starts at 8pm AEST, live on 7News

Monday - A coronial inquest into the Westfield Bondi Junction attack that took place last year on 13 April is set to start in Sydney. And the trial for Erin Patterson - the woman charged with murder after an infamous mushroom-laced lunch - begins in Melbourne

Tuesday - Voting in Canada closes this morning, so we’ll start to see results roll through. And dream big on World Wish Day

Wednesday - It’s President Trump’s 100th day in office. Time flies when you’re having fun…

Thursday - Women’s State of Origin Game One kicks off between the NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons at 7.45pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, which you can catch on Channel 9 

Friday - It’s International Harry Potter Day. Hope it’s magical…