The Mike Hosking Breakfast

Donald Trump is set to host Israel's Prime Minister at the White House as the US pushes for a ceasefire in Gaza.  The BBC reports Israel and Hamas resumed indirect talks in Qatar but ended after three hours without a breakthrough.  Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton told Heather Du Plessis-Allan there's no compromising between the two sides.  He says Hamas' objectives are to get Israel out of Gaza, while Israel's is to destroy Hamas as a military and political force.  Discussions to strike a permanent deal with Iran in the wake of recent airstrikes on its nuclear facilities are expected to also be on the table.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian mushroom murder trial could end up in the appeals court.  Erin Patterson's been found guilty of murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt, and attempting to kill his uncle with a beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms.  Newstalk ZB's Lesley Yeomans is in Victoria, following developments.  She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Patterson's legal team now has 28 days to decide whether they'll appeal the verdict.  Yeomans says we’ll have to wait for the next month or so to see if they’ll do so, but you would assume it’s likely.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doubts over the amount of admin needed for families to get the FamilyBoost scheme.  The Government's announced changes, which mean eligible families can now get 40% early childhood education fee rebates, up from 25%.  The threshold household income has risen to $229 thousand.  Early Childhood NZ chief executive Kathy Wolfe told Heather du Plessis-Allan ECE providers have to help families access the scheme, which creates more admin for services.  She says it would better for providers to have more control, and help families afford the fees.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iwi-owned commercial entities have outperformed some of New Zealand’s largest listed companies.  ANZ’s annual Te Tirohanga Whanui report shows the entities emerged from the economic downturn in good shape, faring better on a return on assets basis.  Waikato-Tainui’s among the strong performers, having a balance sheet of $1.9 billion.  Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka told Heather Du Plessis-Allan there are some reasons behind the uplift.  He says many iwi and Māori businesses are land and people based, they have low debt levels, and are often generational players.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Acting Prime Minister says judges need to hear the message when it comes to tougher sentencing. The Government's increasing maximum sentences for several offences and isn't ruling out more minimum, or mandatory, sentences in the future. David Seymour told Heather du Plessis-Allan judges need to think outside their position of privilege. He says someone who has been attacked, or has had their car or property stolen, wants the perpetrator to be punished.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Education Ministry data shows three and a half thousand kids have been missing from the education system for more than a year since 2022.  Lead Principal of the Manurewa Attendance Service Cathy Chalmers told Heather du Plessis-Allan having to find these kids is part of the problem.  She says a multi-agency approach is needed, as there are normally other issues that contribute to disenrollment or low attendance.  The Government says it's putting information-sharing agreements in place, between agencies like Kainga Ora and the Health Ministry See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A law expert says the court system can be fixed by understanding facts - not mandatory sentences.  Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith hasn't ruled out the policy which would see a minimum standard set for various crimes.  Judges currently have discretion to give discounts based on aggravating or mitigating circumstances.  Former High Court judge Sir Ron Young says New Zealand has a lot of people in prison as it is.  He told Heather du Plessis-Allan the courts are already on the heavy end of sentencing, with people serving up to 20 years for murder compared to just ten, 30 years ago.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second phase of the Covid Inquiry starts today, with vaccine mandates proving to be a hot topic.   The hearings will be held in Auckland, available to watch online and will be chaired by KC Grant Illingworth.   Phase two is focused on aspects of the Covid response like vaccine mandates, the approval process and vaccine safety.  Illingworth told Heather du Plessis Allan that there are 31-thousand submissions, with a fair chunk focused on the mandates.  He says there's a number of people who think the mandates protected them, and many others who have an opposite view. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There appears to be a feeling we don't like the fact that banks make money.  Inland Revenue's digging into the tax settings being applied to banks at the Government's request - as it seeks to ensure they're paying their fair share.   But Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews told Heather du Plessis-Allen she believes it's motivated by a general bad attitude towards banks.   She claims the Government's looking to take more money off them, as they're perceived as big organizations that make a lot of money.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.