Larry Williams Drive

The Government may have some extra wriggle room in Budget 2022. The Finance Minister's changing how we measure our debt – with a new ceiling set at 30 percent.  It now takes into account a wider range of Crown assets and liabilities, including the Super Fund. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen told Heather du Plessis-Allan it is billions in additional money the Government could use in future, but only for investments. “This is not for day-to-day spending, this is not for starting up a new government ministry, this is for the core bones of the country which I think is important.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has asked Speaker Trevor Mallard to convene a meeting with all parties to explain trespass notices that were sent out to a number of former MPs.  NZ First leader Winston Peters and former National MP Matt King are among a number of people who attended the parliament protest... And have been trespassed from parliament for two years.  Former ACT MP and lawyer Stephen Franks has not received a notice yet... But was told personally by Trevor Mallard that he would. Winston Peters and Stephen Franks joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winston's been trespassed from Parliament for two years – how has that gone down? Has Mallard said anything publicly yet?  And what has the Prime Minister said about it all? Chief political reporter Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RBA has lifted the interest rates?  Qantas's plans to fly to London and New York have caused a health and safety row. Warnings that millions of properties will be exposed to climate change with no insurance. Australia correspondent Murray Olds joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ronnie O'Sullivan became the oldest world champion in Crucible history at age 46. Warriors player Ash Taylor announces his retirement at age 27. Reece Walsh says he's 100% committed. Sportstalk host, D’Arcy Waldegrave joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taranaki DHB is calling for the return of hundreds of oximeters, which have been loaned out to Covid patients and are yet to come back. Oximeters are small sensors that clip onto your finger to measure your pulse and blood oxygen levels and are loaned out to cases so they can monitor their symptoms without having to go to hospital. The DHB says stocks are running low, and since the oximeters cost 90 bucks each, they'd rather get their old ones back than shell out for new ones. Gillian Campbell, COO of Taranaki DHB, joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we about to see some action in the Madelaine McCann case? Netflix has cancelled development of Meghan Markle's show. A four-year-old Dutch boy took his car for a drive. UK correspondent Gavin Grey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qantas has announced direct flights from Sydney to London and New York from 2025. The airline has bought 12 new planes from Airbus to operate the routes, which will be expected to take about 19 hours. As 19 hours is rather a long time for anyone to spend in a small metal tube, Qantas is now working to make the planes as comfortable as possible with features like a "wellbeing zone". Brent Thomas from House of Travel joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Property Investors Federation has some controversial ideas to fix the rental property crisis. Do you think higher bonds and harsher penalties for bad tenants could play a valid role? The Prime Minister is refusing to rule out she might introduce a wealth tax if Labour wins the next election. Having already had to rule out the Capital Gains Tax... How's this going to go for her do you think? The borders to visa waiver tourists are finally open but we still have to test for Covid before we travel here and those who need visas still have to wait. Is it time that we just ditch the Covid rules? Dancing with the Stars, Heather's friend Brodie was the worst of the dancers last night according to the judges but Heather reckons she's the best and the judges' scores are rigged. What do you think? Lydia Ko finished third at the latest LPGA and has blamed her period for a bit of back pain. Good on her for telling it straight? Georgie Stylianou, former NZ First Press Secretary and Director at government relations firm

NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan spent the day at the US Business Summit. She joined Heather du Plessis-Allan on what went down. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Activists blocking a Southland mine say they reject continuing coal industry operations. More than 20 activists are still at the Takitimu coal mine entrance – at the small town of Nightcaps. Mine owner Bathurst Resources is planning to expand into a nearby forestry block owned by Southland District Council Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Erik Kennedy told Heather du Plessis-Allan increasing use of a fossil fuel like coal is absurd. “We came out today to make a message clear, which is that coal mining can’t expand. Fonterra, who burn the coal, can’t keep doing it. They say they’re trying to transition away, why don’t they actually do that a bit quicker?” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Will they or won't they introduce a wealth tax?  The Prime Minister has been pressed to rule out a wealth tax for the future... After David Parker put it on the table as an option last week.  Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Grant Robertson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Golfer Lydia Ko finished two shots behind the winner in a tie for third on the LPGA tour in California... But it was her interview afterwards that's got us talking... As she acknowledged period pain had been giving her some grief on the course. Lydia O'Donnell is a running coach who focuses on getting women to run in tune with their cycle. Lydia joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Property Investors Federation reckon they've got a plan to tackle the growing rental crisis in NZ.  Their five-point plan includes raising the maximum bond payment to twelve weeks’ rent – in a bid to incentivise renters to be well-behaved.  The President of the Property Investors Federation Andrew King joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It looks like the Prime Minister is gearing up to make a back-flip on introducing a wealth tax. Back in 2020 it was definitely not going to happen. But fast forward to today it sounds like a plausible option all of a sudden.  Craig Elliffe, law professor at Auckland University, was a member of the tax working group that looked at the wealth tax. Craig joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister has thrust a wealth tax well and truly back into the limelight today. What has been the opposition's reaction? Christopher Luxon has given a pre-budget speech: What did he have to say? Chief political reporter, Jason Walls joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Qantas orders heaps of new planes to fly from Sydney to New York, Paris and London. Halfway through the election, campaign polls indicate Anthony Albanese will be the next Prime Minister. NSW Government ministers reportedly advised not to use the word “mate” at work. 6PR Perth Live presenter Oliver Peterson joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nationwide shortage of workers means aged care facilities around the country are closing their hospital wings. Leaving elderly and vulnerable patients displaced from their families and support networks.  It's estimated that aged care facilities around the country are down 20% of the nurses they need to meet demand – in real terms, they're short a thousand staff and it only seems to be getting worse.  CEO of the Aged Care Association Simon Wallace joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Black Ferns Sevens pipped by Australia in the final of the Canadian World Tour stop today. Lydia Ko gives an interesting explanation as to why she was a little off her game at her most recent LPGA event. Sports commentator Phil Gifford joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No surprise. We weren’t imagining it last week. A wealth tax from Labour is definitely on the cards. We now know this because the Prime Minister was given plenty of opportunity to rule it out this morning but refused to. Do you need any more proof? You’ve got David Parker dedicating $5m to investigating how much tax the wealthy pay in New Zealand. You’ve got him giving a speech on it last week. You’ve got him refusing to rule out a wealth tax at the next election, only saying he has no plans to introduce it this term. And now you’ve got the PM leaving the option open too. Awkward, because if that happens… it’s yet another broken tax promise from Labour. Now we have to assume she will still be PM going into the next election, so that would mean a broken promise. Now the question is, what kind of wealth tax is Labour planning. The best-case scenario is that they only tax the very, very wealthy in New Zealand – the Bob Joneses and Graeme Harts and Rod Drurys – leaving most of us untouched by it. That has downsid