Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Well, with senior doctors and dentists within our public health system set to strike for a couple of hours this afternoon, you might be thinking this would be a very bad time indeed to have the need to whip up to A&E.   In actual fact, staffing should probably be better than it normally is on a wet weekend in winter, given how stringent the conditions are before public health staff can actually strike. There are all sorts of protections for the public around staffing levels and as I say, it may not be as bad as trying to get up there on a Friday night.   It's very, very hard for public health sectors to strike at all, and very difficult for nurses and doctors. It just goes to show how fed up they are doesn't it?    This is the very first time senior doctors and dentists have chosen to take strike action, Nurses have gone on strike before, but not specialists. Te Whatu Ora says it's frustrated and extremely disappointed that the doctors have rejected what they offered. That was a salary increase of between 7 and 12.9%, but the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says all very well and good, but that's over 17 months and it's not in line with inflation, we're simply asking, asking them to meet what we claimed, which is reasonable.   As one of the doctors too said, the system is failing and unless we make a stand, who will? It’s important, it's dramatic. It's not a decision that these specialists have taken lightly. It's not happened before.   The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists say Te Whatu Ora and the Government are the target of these strikes, not the patients. They say doctors care about their patients, but they've decided the failure to protect the value of their work will only result in more doctors leaving New Zealand or declining to apply for jobs here. Te Whatu Ora already acknowledges we are 1700 senior doctors short across the country. And the Association thinks that's an extremely conservative estimate, they say it's much, much worse. Already, hospitals are critically short staffed, with senior doctors increasingly trying to run services with insufficient senior and junior doctors, nurses and allied health staff. And they say overseas doctors have largely stopped applying for jobs due to pay and the working condition issues. Anyone who spent any time at all in the public health service recently knows just how tough it is for these professionals to do their jobs. Mike made reference this morning on the Mike Hosking Breakfast to the number of code greys that hospital staff are dealing with, where security has to be called because the patients lost the plot.   Nurses and doctors are not just dealing with the lack of staff and a shortage of resources, they're dealing with increasingly physically and mentally ill people, who are packed together in a small space for hours while staff do their very, very best.   Now you might think that doctors earn quite enough. Well, quite frankly, when I'm lying unconscious on an operating table while skilled surgeons have spent 15 to 20 years honing their skills to do their best to improve my quality of life, or even save my life, they can earn what they like.   Cabinet ministers get more than our senior surgeons and I know who gives a better return on my taxpayer dollar.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB is hiking mortgage rates again.  The bank is lifting its one-year and 18-month rates by 20 basis points, increasing them to 7.45%  and 7.15% respectively.  It's also raising its two and three-year rates by 16 points, becoming 7.05% and 6.85%.  This comes at a time when many kiwis are struggling with the cost of living, and banks are reporting high profits.  In August ASB reported a net profit after tax of $1,550 million for the year ending on the 30th of June 2023, an increase of $132 million from the previous year.  Infometrics CEO and Principal Economist Brad Olsen told Kerre Woodham that international funding rates such as the 10 Year Bond Rate have been increasing, impacting rates in New Zealand.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So Labour and National kicked off their respective campaigns over the weekend to Labour's big wizz-bang attention-getter was the promise of free dental care for under 30s, but not until 2026.   National, having already announced 37 different policies, decided to stick to a pledge card detailing the party's eight main commitments, if and when elected. Both took potshots at one another over the weekend, Hipkins said that National's tax plan was sneaky.   He questioned the costings and he said National are people who want to win the election, whatever it takes and bugger the cost. Talk about pot calling the kettle black there.   Luxon fired back at Hipkins saying power doesn't concede easily and Labour's campaign was one of fear and disinformation.   Certainly, the CTU's gone all out with the attack ads. If you see the cover of this morning's Herald newspaper, it's pretty much a rich prick assault on the leader of the National Party with the ad they've taken out.   Still, that's democracy.   And if Citizens and Ratepayers decided to put something out about Hipkins' inability to be an effective Prime Minister, then I'm quite sure the Herald would take the money and wrap the ad around the newspaper.   You've got to survive in the media, you gotta take the ads. I did think Hipkins' whatever the cost comment was a bit rich, given that Labour's committed to free dental health care for under 30s, a policy Labour’s considered before, but did the numbers and said it was too expensive and unworkable.   And while the Labour Party luvvies got terribly excited about the announcement, it won't be rolled out until the next election. Health Minister Ayesha Verrall was on with Mike Hosking this morning and says the free dental rollout will take until the next election because of staffing.  So much to unpack from that. For a start, we've got the mental health system that's seen a million people. Has it? Has it really, Ayesha?   And this would be the same mental health system where mental health workers at Capital Coast and Hutt Valley say that they're at their wit's end, the system is in crisis, we're overwhelmed. It's an increasingly unsafe mental health public system. We have a desperate shortage of skilled and experienced clinicians.   That would be that mental health service would it Ayesha?  That one. Because it doesn't sound like it's coping terribly well.   It sounds like the staff themselves are about to have mental breakdowns because of the pressure that they're under. The unworkable conditions that they're having to work under. So there's that.   And then we've got the dental service, the free dental care to under 30s that has been dismissed by Labour before as expensive and unworkable.   There was a story about a dentist in the Weekend Herald whose kids can't get into dentistry school despite their A+ pluses, and he's packed a stroppy, rich guy sad and said my children want to be dentists and I want to give my dentist clinic to them and they can’t get into Otago.    And so Ayesha Verrall was asked why there are only 60 places offered at the University of Otago, when you get more than 500 applying every year. And she said it's very expensive, it's specialised and high cost to deliver dentistry training. And then she said there is a relatively small labour market in New Zealand for graduates.   So she's basically saying we only need 60, so this vision of universal free healthcare for under 30s must have been a relatively recent vision. Because how in the name of all that is holy are 60 new dentists going to be able to deal with the expected influx of people wanting their fangs checked?    You've also got Labour and Chris Hipkins telling the Newsroom media website last month, so not even 30 days ago, he said the health system doesn't have the capacity to deliver free dental care for all, and there would likely be a significant investment required just in order to build capacity, to meet the need for additional dental care.   So last month we didn't have the capacity in the health system to deliver universal dental care. So less than 30 days later, all of a sudden, we finesse it by saying, okay, it's gonna be for the end of 30s and it’s not going to start until 2026.   Newsroom went back to him and said, how can you do this? And he said, well, every election you have a different set of priorities.   And he said it won't be too little too late, even though it takes 6 years to train a dentist and the first tranche, won't be funded till May of next year. I mean, they're basically saying whatever it takes to get votes and we shouldn't be surprised because it's an election campaign. But can they just be even a little bit clever about it?   Last month we didn't have the capacity for universal dental care. This month we do. Because the polls say it would be a good thing. I still think the most egregious turnaround and absolute disposal of any morals and principles was when Hipkins and Kelvin Davis announced they'd build two youth prisons when they realised how badly they'd lost the room when it came to law and order.   And this despite the fact it goes against everything they believe in. But they announced they'll build 2 youth prisons, no start date. But they just say it, because they realize they're losing the room on law and order.   Sacrificing everything they believe in. Just to try and get up in the polls. This universal dental plan for under 30s comes pretty close to that egregious turnaround. Labour reckons National wants to win the election quote, whatever it takes and bugger the cost.   Really, Chris Hipkins? National weren't the ones spraying around expensive, unrealistic and unachievable promises over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I thought we would start perhaps with power companies who appear to me making rapacious profits. Are they charging too much for electricity? Now the profits would suggest they are.  The four big players —Contact, Genesis, Meridian, and Mercury—  made a combined 2.7 billion, with a 'B', billion dollars last year. Historically high profits. So surely that would suggest that they are rorting little old pensioners who are having to go to bed early in the depths of winter, because the aforementioned little old pensioners can't afford to heat their flats. Certainly Electric Kiwi chief Executive Luke Blincoe thinks the big four have excessive market power, but then you would if you're a little player in a big boy's game, wouldn't you? He told Heather du Plessis Allan last night that the market is broken, especially when Consumer New Zealand estimates that 40,000 households couldn't afford power, while the big four were making $7 million a day. The Energy Retailers Association said the transition to a zero carbon economy means that power companies have to make a profit, as investing in new developments does not come cheap. They say that they're not lying on their profits like Scrooge McDuck covering themselves in money. They are plowing their earnings back into new initiatives like solar and wind farms that will ultimately lead to more affordable power prices for anybody.  So is it as simple as saying that this is an example of paying it forward? That we haven't really seen much of this generation. That's the way it used to work in this country. One generation would pay for infrastructure, so the next generation could benefit from the improvements and then they in turn would pay for the next lot of infrastructure. It's all come to a screaming halt this time round. You can't really have it both ways can you? You can't have cheap power prices, and investment for the future. Somebody has to pay for it and that somebody is us.  Do you see it that way? I mean you can see on the websites all of the different initiatives that they're investing in, and probably if you live near some of these developments you will see it for yourself. They're not lying when they're saying they're investing in new forms of energy. It costs money and that's got to come from this generation because surely we've learnt one thing from this Government, you cannot keep borrowing money and printing money. Sometimes you actually have to suck it up and pay for it right here right now.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Questions remain over whether Air New Zealand will match its competitor and remove the expiration on Covid flight credits. Qantas is ditching the expiration dates for more than $500 million worth of travel credits that were due to run out at the end of the year.   Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran joined Kerre Woodham Mornings in studio to answer questions around what the airline's next move is. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday the National Party announced its much-anticipated tax policy and now you’ve had a night to sleep on it – how does it stack up for you?    Over the last 24 hours, Nicola Willis has done a good job of selling this policy – but this was also a policy that was designed to sell itself.    The Party is promising tax cuts through a tax bracket adjustment, credits and rebates which will cost $14.6 billion and paid for through a combination of new taxes and cuts to public spending.    The devil is in the detail and whether Willis’ novel ideas for increasing revenue by a move to user pays immigration, taxing offshore online gaming, and taxing foreigners who purchase a property over $2 million will actually be able to raise the $6.2 billion required is anyone’s guess.    Surely, it’s a collective hallelujah to see both parties promise to reduce spending on government consultants and contractors, but National’s more aggressive approach to reducing back office government spending might concern you. Or maybe after years of spending on media mergers, harbour bridge crossings and various other projects that never saw the light of day – you’re thinking about time!   Just to make sure it doesn’t sound too concerning, the National Party has been very careful to say that frontline and core agencies such as Te Whatu Ora, Ministry of Education, Education Review Office, Corrections, Oranga Tamariki, Police, Defence Force and Waka Kotahi and Kainga Ora are excluded from the reductions – they will have to make savings but these would be directed back to these services. Once again – a clever move. These are the Ministries and agencies that deal with the big issues up for debate this election.    But regardless of concerns about spending cuts or how we’re going to raise the revenue, are we at the point where you’re prepared to take the risk and get that money in your back pocket?    The distinctions have been made clear now between the two main parties – would you prefer to tackle the cost of living crisis by trimming everyday expenses – removing the GST of fresh fruit and veggies, cheaper public transport as we’ve seen from Labour – or cash in the hand to make your own decisions about how best to save or spend your hard-earned money.     It’s hard to overlook the appeal of more cash in the hand. And that’s why the optics of National’s policy is so good.    For many, this tax policy might have been the final piece in the puzzle when it comes to finalising your vote. Does it clarify your thoughts?    What do you see as best for New Zealand? Which policy do you see working best for you? The tax cuts, and spending cuts of National, or the everyday trimming of costs by Labour, or do neither of these policies go far enough for you? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Thursday the Government announced a multi-agency approach in response to 111 mental distress calls.   It means paramedics will be able to attend mental health-related police callouts, and will be available nationally within five years.  Police Minister Ginny Anderson says they've piloted co-response teams in six police districts, with great success, and they've seen data showing how it helps people, and saves resources.   According to Police Association President Chris Cahill, officers attended 77,000 mental health callouts last year.  He's in favour of the approach but is concerned about the lack of detail around costs and resources.     Mental Health Foundation Chief Executive, Shaun Robinson, joined Francesca Rudkin. LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National has unveiled their much-anticipated tax policy.  From July next year, it would shift income tax brackets for inflation and expand tax credits - giving an average family with kids a maximum $250 fortnightly bump.  To pay for it - National would slash back-office spending in the public service, roll out a 15 percent foreign buyer tax on multi-million dollar homes - and end the tax break on commercial building depreciation.  Dentons Kensington Swan Partner and tax expert, Bruce Bernacchi joined John MacDonald to discuss. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’m channelling my inner John McEnroe today. If there is such a thing.  This $4 billion cut to public service spending over the next four years that the Government has announced six weeks out from the election.  There’s only one response to it, isn’t there? And this is where tennis legend John McEnroe comes into it.  You cannot be serious!  You cannot be serious Grant Robertson. You cannot be serious Chris Hipkins. If you expect us to believe that this is anything other than a desperate attempt to cook the books and make life more difficult for whoever is running the country’s finances after October 14.  Except it’s more of a 'microwave' cooking of the books, isn’t it? On the table in no time because there’s no time to fiddle around with the slow cooker when we’re just six weeks out from an election.  Programmes like the Covid-19 Emergency Response have been cut or have had 'underspends' returned to till because they’re no longer needed. But the biggest cuts are being made to government department and agency budgets.  Not surprisingly, National and Act are saying it’s too little, too late. That’s because they’ve been banging on for a long time now about public sector spending. And they're right. It is too little, too late.  National’s already said that, if it forms the next government, the big consultancy firms can expect an end to the gravy train. And that seems to be one area where the Government has suddenly discovered it can turn the tap off. It’s announced it’s cutting spending on consultants and contractors by $165 million a year.  So that’s Labour trying to beat National at its own game.  Other cuts include $110 million from MBIE’s budget. It's is one of the government departments that Act wants to downsize. So, that’s Labour trying to steal the march on Act, as well.  MBIE’s budget cut is the biggest. Followed by the Ministry of Education, which is going to have just under $70 million less.  This will all be happening after Barry Soper reported a few weeks back that the Finance Minister had called all the Government department honchos into a meeting to demand cost cuts.  So, they’ve obviously all gone away from that meeting and have come back to him saying ‘here’s what we can do’.  The Government’s also taken the knife to the operating allowance for the 2025 and 2026 budgets.  This is the amount of new money a government can allocate in its annual Budget.  So, by doing this, the Finance Minister is doing what he can to make it difficult for other parties to pay for their election promises if they find themselves in government after the election.  Which, as far as I’m concerned anyway, makes this whole exercise reek of desperation.  As National’s Finance spokesperson Nicola Willis puts it: “Grant Robertson has reached peak Labour. After six years of spending New Zealanders’ money with reckless abandon, he’s now finally admitted he has a problem - six weeks out from an election."  A problem Grant Robertson somehow thinks he can fix - or at least try and make look a little bit better - in time for when the Government opens its books for the final time before we vote.  This is the pre-election fiscal update, which is going to be happening on September the 12 - two weeks from today.  And, by all accounts, it’s not going to be pretty. Not pretty for Labour and not necessarily pretty, either, for the other parties because it will probably raise questions about big-spending promises.  But there’s only one way to respond to this cynical move by the Government.  You cannot be serious. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crikey, a week is a long time in politics, especially with an election looming! Thomas Coghlan from the New Zealand Herald wrote this last week, “It's been a scratchy week in parliament.” He was talking about last week with MP's embarrassing themselves at every opportunity. Well, this week they've done it again. We've got National MP Tim van de Molen being stripped of all his portfolios after being a total oik and making a tit of himself in a Select Committee. He was accused of threatening behaviour and while it's not threatening behaviour on a Mallardian scale, or the handbags at dawn in Parliament with Tau Henare and Trevor Mallard again, that sort of testosterone engorged behaviour is totally unacceptable, and Christopher Luxon was quite right to strip him of his portfolios until van de Molen has learned to calm the farm and learns how to behave like a professional.     Still, with National … what the Dickens are they doing sticking with the fees free first year policy? It was a policy they roundly mocked in 2017. Simon Bridges, the then leader, called it an expensive failure. Subsequent leader Judith Collins said they wouldn't have the fees free farce that cost taxpayers $300 million, yet saw fewer people actually doing tertiary education. And yet now with an election looming we have Nicola Willis, who sees it as an important support for students and families. No, it's not. No Nicola, no. The numbers show it's a costly failure, like so many of Labour's policies. If they must stick with it, if they must try and get students on side, make it fees free for the third year so that people actually have the motivation to get the degree, not drop out halfway as they do costing taxpayers and costing the young people. This is a nonsense. And it's a big thumbs down.   Thumbs up though for ruling out granting government contracts to gangs. By all means, give contracts to community groups that something Christopher Luxon has said he's very big on. He wants ground up community support and he's happy to fund that. That's something Labour does as well, but Christopher Luxon says that actually works. He can see the value of it. By all means give contracts to community groups and former gang members. Not to those who are still actively working with gang members. So thumbs up there, good job.   Tthumbs down to Jan Tinetti. Yesterday, she sent out a press release trumpeting the free lunches and schools program as improving in attendance. It's not. She gave no figures. Treasury has done the report and looked at the data. In her press release yesterday she said teachers are reporting better attendance. Self reporting is not analysis of data. I can show her texts from teachers that say it's a waste of money in their school. Treasury did an actual report looking at actual data, not self-reporting from some teachers, either Jane's teachers or mine, and said that the program is not reaching the kids it should. So no Jan, free school lunches are another Labour costly failure. I'm not against free lunches and schools, I just want a program that works. Call me old-fashioned. I'd just like to see a return on investment, not blindly operating ideology and faith and self-reporting from some teachers.     And finally, to round up the week, what on Earth is David Seymour smoking? At the Moutere Hills Community Centre on Thursday, the ACT leader was reported as saying,  every country that has ever tried to do what this government has tried to do regarding co-governance has either ended in disaster or successfully campaigned to reintroduce liberal democracy. So far, so valid. You know, it's a point of view. And based on looking at history and. I think he's well qualified and well capable of saying that. Then he goes on and says, I dare say if Nelson Mandela was alive today, he'd be campaigning for Act. Would he, David really? I know it was a live speech and I don't want to be held accountable for everything I say when you're talking live as well. I mean, when you're doing a live audience. Sometimes you just sort of carried away with the with the crowd, and you sort of get a bit hyperbolic on it. But come on, he's the Act leader with a real chance of getting into government. Even if it’s a joke, it really doesn't read well. Did you earn nothing from Meghan Markle? Do we really think that Nelson Mandela would have the yellow rosette on going door to door in Epsom? Unlikely!   Seriously, as Thomas Coughlin said last week … “Weeks away from the last sitting day in the Parliament's dissolution, there could be no surer sign that politicians are ready to get out of the building and on to the hustings and day upon day of grumpy, unforced errors from some of our MP's.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.