Labour's Carmel Sepuloni

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden speaks to Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the government signalling a shift in their foreign policy stances, the allocation of 6 months in select committee for the Treaty Principles Bill and Bird of the Year.

The cast of this year’s Celebrity Treasure Island New Zealand has been announced and includes Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni, who Wire Host Caeden speaks to for our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party.

They also ask Sepuloni about the Government’s decision to reverse the ban on oil and gas exploration off the coast of Taranaki.

The Government has announced new sanctions for beneficiaries who do not meet their obligations. These include putting half a person’s benefit on a payment card and community work experience.

Social Development Minister Louise Upston said this is to move people into work and provide tougher consequences for those who repeatedly fail to meet benefit obligations. The changes will be introduced alongside a new “traffic light” warning system for beneficiaries the government campaigned on.

The move has been criticised from opposition parties, including Labour Leader Chris Hipkins who said the move would continue to push people into poverty.

In other news, the Mayor of New Plymouth has called on the Labour Party to support oil and gas exploration until 2050. Neil Holdom states energy policies affected by constraints of the electoral cycle i not working and would like to see a bipartisan approach taken to energy policy.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire host Caeden spoke to Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these issues.

This week the government is implementing their long-awaited tax cuts. The tax cuts differ but are generally small cuts. A couple earning $100,000 a year with no children would pocket an extra $80 a fortnight for example, while a single childless person on minimum wage will save $25 a fortnight.

The tax cuts have been celebrated by some while being criticised by others for being minimal relief, especially for those who need relief from the cost of living the most.

The Government has also put aside an extra $216 million to pay for the scrapping of the excise tax on tobacco. Labour’s health spokesperson has criticised this move, saying the money would be better spent elsewhere.

And the Minister for social development quietly lowered child poverty reduction targets from 13.3% to 9% for 2024/2025 and 11% for 2026/2027. The government says this to make the targets more achievable.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, WIre Host Caeden spoke to Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about these topics.