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Labour's Carmel Sepuloni

Our weekly catch-up with Deputy Leader of the opposition, Carmel Sepuloni, every Thursday on The Wire.

A shift in bi-partisan foreign policy, the Treaty Principles Bill select committee process, and Bird of the Year w/ The Labour Party’s Carmel Sepuloni: 12 September, 2024

A shift in bi-partisan foreign policy, the Treaty Principles Bill select committee process, and Bird of the Year w/ The Labour Party’s Carmel Sepuloni: 12 September, 2024 A shift in bi-partisan foreign policy, the Treaty Principles Bill select committee process, and Bird of the Year w/ The Labour Party’s Carmel Sepuloni: 12 September, 2024, 21.27 MB
Thu 12 Sep 2024

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.

Palestine Protests and the National Land Transport Programme w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 5 September, 2024

Palestine Protests and the National Land Transport Programme w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 5 September, 2024 Palestine Protests and the National Land Transport Programme w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 5 September, 2024, 20.89 MB
Thu 5 Sep 2024

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host spoke to Shanan Halbert about the Palestine protests in Taamaki Makaurau and the new national land transport programme.

Celebrity Treasure Island and the Reversal of the Oil and Gas Exploration Ban w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 29 August, 2024

Celebrity Treasure Island and the Reversal of the Oil and Gas Exploration Ban w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 29 August, 2024 Celebrity Treasure Island and the Reversal of the Oil and Gas Exploration Ban w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 29 August, 2024, 21.35 MB
Thu 29 Aug 2024

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.

Labour’s Greg O’Connor’s stance on benefit sanctions and the undermining of Whaikaha: The Ministry for Disabled People w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024

Labour’s Greg O’Connor’s stance on benefit sanctions and the undermining of Whaikaha: The Ministry for Disabled People w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024 Labour’s Greg O’Connor’s stance on benefit sanctions and the undermining of Whaikaha: The Ministry for Disabled People w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024, 19.98 MB
Thu 22 Aug 2024

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire Host Caeden spoke to Carmel Sepuloni about Labour MP Greg Connor’s comments on benefit sanctions and the dismantling of parts of the Whaikaha.

Increased benefit sanctions and the New Plymouth mayor’s call for gas exploration until 2050 w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024

Increased benefit sanctions and the New Plymouth mayor’s call for gas exploration until 2050 w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024 Increased benefit sanctions and the New Plymouth mayor’s call for gas exploration until 2050 w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 15 August, 2024, 15.59 MB
Thu 15 Aug 2024

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.

Sanctions on Israel and the protests against the 7AA repeal w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 8 August, 2024

Sanctions on Israel and the protests against the 7AA repeal w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 8 August, 2024 Sanctions on Israel and the protests against the 7AA repeal w/ Labour’s Shanan Halbert: 8 August, 2024, 23.22 MB
Thu 8 Aug 2024

The Labour Party has announced a new policy of sanctions against Israel following a recent ICJ ruling. The ruling states Israeli has breached international law with their long-term illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. 

This week Ngāpuhi also led a protest to Parliament in response to the repeal of section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The section is primarily intended to give practical effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi within the act.

It measures and reduces disparities for Māori, creates partnership with iwi, delegates function of the Act to Māori organisations and ensures cultural competency of staff. It is not concerned with decision-making to individual children.

National Iwi Chairs Forum Spokesperson Rahui Papa told MPs, “with the scrapping of 7AA we believe more harm will come to our mokopuna.”

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire host Caeden spoke to MP Shanan Halbert about both of these topics.

Tax cuts and lowering child poverty reduction targets w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 August, 2024

Tax cuts and lowering child poverty reduction targets w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 August, 2024 Tax cuts and lowering child poverty reduction targets w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 1 August, 2024, 20.2 MB
Thu 1 Aug 2024

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.

The Abuse in Care Inquiry and this week in Parliament w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 25 July, 2024

The Abuse in Care Inquiry and this week in Parliament w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 25 July, 2024 The Abuse in Care Inquiry and this week in Parliament w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 25 July, 2024, 9.8 MB
Thu 25 Jul 2024

Yesterday the Abuse in Care Inquiry was released to the public. It came with a set of formal recommendations, including a suggestion for a formal apology from the government, compensation, and new legislation to do with mandatory reporting. 

Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also acknowledged Labour’s role in beginning the inquiry and their response to the 2021 interim report, stating, “We didn't do enough and the ball now falls to you and your government.” He added that “this must be bigger than politics.”

And Data released last week showed the number of benefit sanctions being issued by the government is up 50% compared to this time last year. This has been met with criticism but the Minister for Social Development says the sanctions are because the government is serious about getting people into work.

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asks about both of these topics, as well as a bill that was dumped yesterday because the Minister failed to turn up to its first reading. 

They started by asking about the number of benefit sanctions.

Boot Camps and funding cuts to Oranga Tamariki contracts w/ Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime: 18 July, 2024

Boot Camps and funding cuts to Oranga Tamariki contracts w/ Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime: 18 July, 2024 Boot Camps and funding cuts to Oranga Tamariki contracts w/ Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime: 18 July, 2024, 10.27 MB
Thu 18 Jul 2024

The government’s controversial “boot camps” for youth offenders begin on the 29th of July. These boot camps have been the subject of recent news due to their huge cost and military component.

The arrival of boot camps comes as funding has been slashed at Oranga Tamariki, causing the organisation to abruptly cancel hundreds of contracts. These contracts included organisations who say the work they do is “frontline” despite the Government stating their funding cuts won’t impact frontline workers.

Wire Host Caeden speaks to Labour Spokesperson for Children and Youth, Willow-Jean Prime about both of these topics.

The Government’s new Climate Change Stategy w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 11 July, 2024

The Government’s new Climate Change Stategy w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 11 July, 2024 The Government’s new Climate Change Stategy w/ Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni: 11 July, 2024, 5.93 MB
Fri 12 Jul 2024

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced a new climate strategy. The strategy is based on five core pillars, including:

  • Infrastructure is resilient and communities are well prepared
  • Credible markets support the climate transition
  • Clean energy is abundant and affordable
  • World-leading climate innovation boosts the economy
  • And nature-based solutions address climate change.

This strategy has been met with controversy, with Greenpeace describing it as being “as useful as teats on a bull.”

Wire Host Caeden asked Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about this new climate strategy as well as about the recent controversy surrounding former Green MP Darleen Tana.

They started by asking for her thoughts on the government’s new Climate strategy.