Chris Bishop: What new government will get done by Christmas
Dec 2, 2023
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Chris Bishop, Dr Erik Monasterio, Liam Hehir, Jenée Tibshraeny, and Josephine Bartley discuss the coalition government's priorities, urgency in passing legislation, Reserve Bank's focus on inflation, proposed changes in cigarette sales, impact of Jacinda Ardern's resignation and COVID lockdowns, challenges faced by a student with autism and dyslexia in school, and addressing challenges in education.
The state of mental health care in New Zealand needs urgent attention, with long waits for care and a lack of resources for those with severe mental illnesses.
The new coalition government plans to pass key legislation before Christmas, including repealing fair pay legislation and implementing changes to the Reserve Bank Act.
Students with learning disorders, such as dyslexia, face barriers in accessing assessments and support, highlighting the need for earlier intervention and tailored support in the education system.
Deep dives
Long waits for mental health care
A top clinical psychiatrist raises concerns about the state of mental health care in New Zealand, noting that there are long waits for care and a lack of resources to effectively support those with severe mental illnesses. He emphasizes the need to reassess priorities in mental health and address the concerning trends of people with mental disorders ending up in prison rather than receiving appropriate treatment.
Coalition government's agenda and legislative plans
With the new coalition government in place, the focus is on rebuilding the economy, tackling the cost of living, ensuring law and order, and delivering better public services. The government plans to pass several key pieces of legislation before Christmas, including repealing the fair pay legislation, the Natural Built Environment Act, the Special Planning Act, and implementing changes to the Reserve Bank Act. The use of urgency is justified to fulfill election mandates and address recent legislative changes.
Challenges in addressing smoking rates
The government plans to repeal changes to smoking-related legislation made by the previous government, including the Smoke Free Action Plan. The impact and efficacy of these changes in reducing smoking rates are questioned, with different viewpoints on the evidence and speculation surrounding the outcomes. The government seeks to reduce smoking rates and explore alternative solutions like vaping, though concerns about the potential rise in youth vaping are acknowledged.
The impact of the coalition government on economic factors
The shift in political dynamics and the focus on addressing economic issues, such as rising inflation and cost of living, have significant implications for the economy and unemployment rates. The return of the Reserve Bank to a single focus on controlling inflation is seen as an important step to stabilize the economy. The government aims to implement measures to drive economic growth and productivity, helping businesses and individuals affected by inflation and boosting overall economic stability.
Challenges in accessing assessments and support for learning disorders
Students with learning disorders, such as dyslexia, face barriers in accessing assessments and support within the education system. The lack of publicly funded assessments for dyslexia and long waiting times for other diagnoses hinder students' progress. One kura took the initiative to create a Māori dyslexia screening tool to identify students who may require additional reading support, addressing the need for earlier intervention and tailored support for diverse learning needs.
