Controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews Liam Hehir, a trusted advisor to farming families and a political commentator. They discuss upcoming election, differences between political parties, potential impact of past leaders, government responses to events, and the importance of values and focusing on education and health.
The podcast discusses the upcoming election and the choice between voting for the National Party or the more radical Act Party.
The conversation focuses on education policies and the challenges of implementing reform within the education system.
The podcast highlights the need for reform in the public sector and the concerns about the long-term outlook for New Zealand.
Deep dives
Discussion on the National Party and Act Party
The podcast episode features a conversation between the host and Liam, a strong supporter of the National Party. They discuss the upcoming election and the choice between voting for the National Party or the more radical Act Party. Liam has been a long-time member of the National Party, while the host leans towards Act. They explore the reasons why some people may consider voting for New Zealand First and the potential impact of anti-vax support on Winston Peters' voter base. Liam expresses confidence in Peters' support base and believes he will be re-elected. The conversation delves into the case for voting for the National Party, emphasizing that it provides an alternative government to the existing one. The discussion also touches on the importance of reducing the tax burden and the distinction between the major political parties.
Education Policies and Reforms
The conversation then turns to education policies, specifically within the National Party. The host and Liam discuss the idea of teachers being required to teach for an hour a day and the challenges of implementing reform within the education system. They touch on the variability of the system and the importance of teachers' influence. The host expresses support for the ending of the teacher registration monopoly, allowing alternative paths into teaching and giving more autonomy to school boards. However, they highlight the difficulties of implementing significant reforms within the education system.
The Challenges of Political Change and Ambitions of Leadership
The conversation ends with a broader discussion on the challenges of implementing political change and the ambitions of political leaders. They discuss the role of political parties and the limitations they face within the current system. The host expresses skepticism regarding the ability of any party to bring about radical reform due to party politics and resistance from various stakeholders. They debate the philosophical differences between conservatives and libertarians and the pragmatism required in politics. Ultimately, the conversation reflects on the need to balance principles with practicality and the challenges of delivering on campaign promises.
The need for public sector reform
There is a need for reform in the public sector in New Zealand. The public sector is seen as flabby and unfit, unable to deliver effectively. The solution to this problem lies in holding public sector bureaucrats accountable and pushing for reform. The ACT Party is seen as having a hunger and desire for public sector reform, although the specifics of how to achieve this are unclear. The hope is that a Luxon administration or ministry would address these challenges and work towards getting the public sector in order.
Long-term outlook and concerns
There are concerns about the long-term outlook for New Zealand. The country is facing challenges in terms of productivity and is far away from markets. There is also a worry about the potential impact of an economic downturn or recession. The hope is that the government, whether it is ACT or another party, will prioritize making long-term changes and improvements. It is suggested that focusing on specific areas such as education or health and putting political capital into those areas could lead to significant and lasting improvements for the country.
Liam is a “general practitioner” of the law and has strong connections to the rural community. He is a trusted advisor to many farming families. He has also developed a strong practice advising start-ups and not-for-profit organisations.
Liam also frequents national radio, television, digital and print publications as a political commentator.
Tune in as controversial writer and podcast host, Damien Grant, interviews a wide selection of interesting and entertaining individuals, authors, business people, politicians and anyone else actually willing to talk to him.
