Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The Government has made a u-turn and promised to fund the cancer treatments that were left off last week's Budget. During last year's election campaign, National campaigned on spending over $280 million on 13 treatments. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this has been a PR disaster for the Government. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's Defence Force is eyeing up New Zealanders to bolster its military. From July, Kiwis who have lived in Australia for 12 months can apply to join the ADF - and British, US and Canadian residents can join from next year. Their citizenship will be fast tracked. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says we celebrate ANZAC day every year. "As much as we take the mickey out of each other,...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 4 June 2024, the Government is promising that it will make a decision on funding the 13 promised cancer drugs "very shortly". Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather when we can expect news. Oncologist Dr Chris Jackson says the 13 handpicked drugs aren't even the best drugs anymore. More than two thirds of Australians think...

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog contributor and Curia pollster David Farrar and Hauraki host and author Matt Heath joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Has the Government made the right call in promising to deliver on the promised cancer drugs that got left off last year's Budget? Are they u-turning after seeing the public reaction? Should they just leave it...

The Finance Minister promises there's been no change of mind when it comes to delivering on the promised cancer drugs.  The Government campaigned on spending about $280 million on 13 treatments, but the drugs weren't funded in last week's Budget. Nicola Willis says the Government will deliver on this commitment very soon.  "What we've had is a commitment to New Zealanders that we would fund those...

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster wants tighter alcohol regulation. RNZ has obtained documents under the Official Information Act showing police estimate alcohol harm costs about 7.8 billion dollars a year, compared to $1.8 billion for illegal drugs. Coster says measures should be considered, including only letting bottle stores open in day-time hours and charging more for alcohol. Alcohol Healthw...

One parenting expert warns increased age limits on social media won't stop kids from being harmed by the platforms. A new Guardian Essential poll revealed two-thirds of voters supported raising the minimum age for social media to 16 - a step above the 13+ limit for Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and the like. Expert Anna Martin says it's also important to develop trusting relationships with kids so t...

A change to defence recruitment in Australia is likely to put more heat on New Zealand's Defence Minister. In July, its Government will let Kiwis who have lived there for a year join their armed forces. They'll also let residents from the UK, US, and Canada join up from January. Former Kiwi Defence Minister, Wayne Mapp, says it will add pressure back here. "Especially for things like special force...

An expert says the Government should aim for the best drugs available, not be tied to an old list. National pledged to fund 13 cancer drugs during the election campaign, but didn't allocate any money in last week's Budget. The Prime Minister says an announcement on treatments will be made this year. Otago University Cancer Medicine Professor, Chris Jackson, says the list was based on what Australi...

I'm fascinated by the fact that around the world, there seems to be a growing acceptance from parents that we have got to limit kids’ access to social media. There's a poll out of Australia today showing more than two thirds of voters over there support raising the minimum age of social media from 13 to 16. And this comes off the back of the Australian Government and the UK Government and various...

Famed Kiwi influencer and mental health advocate Jazz Thornton is calling for a law change to make stalking illegal. She's recently revealed she'd been receiving 'unsettling' messages from an obsessive fan, who eventually flew all the way from the Netherlands to her home address. Thornton says the perpetrator was eventually arrested, but it took escalation before the authorities could intervene. "...

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 31 May 2024, a shock conviction for Donald Trump! Republican strategist and former George W Bush adivser Scott Jennings reacts to the former president's guilty verdict. Is he going to jail? Will this help his re-election chances?     Some rare good economic news as the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter commits to staying in operation for th...

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has been moved from hospital, two weeks after being seriously wounded in an assassination attempt.   Fico has served as prime minister for more than 10 of the last 18 years - returning to power last September, leading a populist-nationalist coalition.   UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He’s not out of the woods yet - he was shot severa...

The Government's Budget centrepiece has passed in the House - and tax cuts will become law.   By shifting income tax brackets, it will give earners earning more than $14,000 dollars an extra $4-$40 a fortnight.   Senior Political Correspondent Bary Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “We’ve seen nothing like it in 14 years – since the tax brackets were last moved.”   Soper said they should have be...

Eden Park hopes to be Auckland’s frugal stadium option.   Proposals for ‘Eden Park 2.0’ and a brand-new stadium at Quay Park will undergo a feasibility study.   Eden Park CEO, Nick Sautner told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We can introduce a whole range of new activities – from boxing, UFC to religious festivals.”   Sautner said the government invests in Eden Park for events of naitonal significance....

There's another $1.2 billion for the Regional Infrastructure Fund - to support regional economies.   It’s also allocating $2.7-billion package for roads, rail and public transport. The package includes a billion-dollars to speed up Roads of National Significance construction, 940-million to repair weather-damaged roads and an investment in rail networks.   Regional Development Minister Shane Jones...

Local businesses are thrilled a 20-year deal's been struck with the Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter.   The deal was signed with three energy companies - guaranteeing supply to New Zealand Aluminum Smelters until 2044.   It brings certainty to hundreds of plant workers, and thousands in related jobs.   Southland Business Chamber CEO Sharee Carey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “When you’ve got both side...

The Employment Court has rejected an appeal by state broadcaster TVNZ, over how it handled staff job cuts.   E tū union alleged the broadcaster hadn't upheld a clause in its collective agreement - which vowed to support staff taking part in changes to workplace practice.   E tū Negotiator Michael Wood told Heather du Plessis-Allan “It’s a very significant ruing – it makes it clear TVNZ broke the a...

Donald Trump has been found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment to former porn star, Stormy Daniels.   He’s the first former US president to ever be convicted of a crime.   Republican Commentator and former advisor to George W. Bush, Scott Jennings, told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He’s not a violent offender, he doesn’t have a criminal record – it's hi...

The Labour Party has suggested its supporters donate their tax cuts.   The request was sent in an email by party secretary Rob Salmond - stating, "You may get a few dollars in tax cuts, but they come at the cost of services that Kiwis rely on".   The statement then asked, "Friend, will you donate some of your tax cut to Labour?"   Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper told Heather du Plessis-...

Donald Trump has been found guilty of falsifying business records to conceal a hush-money payment to former porn star, Stormy Daniels.   Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts - the first former US president to ever be convicted of a crime.   US Correspondent Dan Mitchinson told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He could face jail time, although a lot of people feel it’s unlikely.”   Mitchinson said...

We got a rare bit of good economic news today hearing that Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter is committed to staying here for at least another 20 years.    Normally, I don't have a lot for time for Tiwai. And that’s largely because of how the owners have behaved in the past: threatening to leave, going cap in hand to the government, getting saved, then a few years later threatening to leave again... g...

A number of homeless people have been removed from Edinburgh to make way for tourists ahead of Taylor Swift's tour. Taylor Swift is set to perform in the region from 7 to 9 June, and reports have surfaced of homeless people being moved amid an accommodation shortage.  UK correspondent Enda Brady says accommodation prices have skyrocketed during that timeframe - with some rooms going for $1400 per...

Over in the US, a slew of big-box retailers have slashed prices across their stores. Walmart, Target and Amazon are among the big names bringing down their prices ahead of the summer season. Sam Dickie from Fisher Funds says these moves are being made to appeal to inflation-weary customers. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert says the 2024 Budget was never going to be transformational, amid everything working against it. The Government unveiled their Budget today, and Minister Nicola Willis says keeping the books sound was her main priority. Listen to NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann unpack all of today's new updates. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.