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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.

The Government’s Q3 Action Plan and Labour’s new Auckland Strategy w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 4 July, 2024

The Government’s Q3 Action Plan and Labour’s new Auckland Strategy w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 4 July, 2024 The Government’s Q3 Action Plan and Labour’s new Auckland Strategy w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 4 July, 2024, 23.05 MB
Thu 4 Jul 2024

The National-led Government has recently announced their action plan for the next 3 months. It has a focus on being ‘tough on crime’ with policies like boot camps for youth offenders and roadside drug testing.

Labour has spent this week in Auckland, visiting businesses, public services and community groups to understand what’s going on in our biggest city.

For our weekly catch-up, Wire Host Caeden asks Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the Q3 Action Plan and Labour’s Auckland strategy.

Three Strikes Laws and funding cuts to community kai providers w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 June, 2024

Three Strikes Laws and funding cuts to community kai providers w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 June, 2024 Three Strikes Laws and funding cuts to community kai providers w/ Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 27 June, 2024, 17.58 MB
Thu 27 Jun 2024

The Government is reintroducing the Three Strike laws which were repealed by Labour during their last term. These laws set out mandatory, lengthy sentences for some repeat offenders.

The laws have been controversial, with experts stating that there is no evidence that they work in preventing serious crime. 

The Government has also announced a reduction in support to community food providers. Auckland City Mission has stated they may need to cut their food packages by half. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host Caeden asks Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about both of these topics.

Last week’s Labour Party Conference and scrutiny week w Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 20 June, 2024

Last week’s Labour Party Conference and scrutiny week w Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 20 June, 2024 Last week’s Labour Party Conference and scrutiny week w Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni: 20 June, 2024, 8.39 MB
Thu 20 Jun 2024

Labour had their lower North Island regional conference over the weekend, where leader Chris Hipkins spoke to what kind of opposition he wanted the party to be.

It came ahead of scrutiny week in Parliament. Scrutiny week is a chance for the opposition to analyse the budget line-by-line with a fine tooth comb, and raise any questions or concerns in front of a more than usual public eye. 

Wire Host Caeden spoke about what kind of opposition Labour has become, and what we have learnt in scrutiny week for our weekly catch-up with Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni.

How MPs take advantage of accommodation supplements and what the budget means for young people w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 13 June, 2024

How MPs take advantage of accommodation supplements and what the budget means for young people w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 13 June, 2024 How MPs take advantage of accommodation supplements and what the budget means for young people w/ Labour’s Arena Williams: 13 June, 2024, 20.9 MB
Thu 13 Jun 2024

23 MPs made the news last weekend for using their accommodation supplement to rent back their own homes. The accommodation supplement is an entitlement for out-of-Wellington-based MPs to have the place they stay when in Wellington covered under their employment. In some cases MPs used the supplement to pay off the mortgage of a second or third home.

Other recent political news includes the opposition to the proposed fast track legislation, and criticism of how the recently announced budget will negatively impact already marginalised groups. Caeden chat about all these topics with Labour’s Arena Williams for our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party.

They started by asking if she thinks it’s ok for MP’s to be enabled to become multiple homeowners as a result of the supplement they claim?

Budget 2024 and how the opposition can advocate for Palestinians in Aotearoa w/ Labour's Carmel Sepuloni: 6 June, 2024

Budget 2024 and how the opposition can advocate for Palestinians in Aotearoa w/ Labour's Carmel Sepuloni: 6 June, 2024 Budget 2024 and how the opposition can advocate for Palestinians in Aotearoa w/ Labour's Carmel Sepuloni: 6 June, 2024, 7.08 MB
Thu 6 Jun 2024

Last week the Government released the 2024-2025 budgets. Although there were no huge surprises, it’s drawn significant criticism for leaving behind many already marginalised communities. 

Protests for Palestine are also continuing across the motu, as many including New Zealanders with whānau stuck in Gaza demand special visa pathways to bring their loved ones to safety. 

This week Wire Host Caeden has a kōrero with Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni about the budget, and what more the opposition can be doing to support Palestinians and Palestinian Kiwis.

New Caledonia’s civil unrest and the Government’s comments on welfare w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 23 May, 2024

New Caledonia’s civil unrest and the Government’s comments on welfare w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 23 May, 2024 New Caledonia’s civil unrest and the Government’s comments on welfare w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 23 May, 2024, 16.75 MB
Thu 23 May 2024

Labour Deputy Leader Carmel Sepuloni has come out against Louise Upston’s comments on welfare, calling her out for leaving out context or blatantly lying about facts.

Some of Minister Upston’s comments include conflating those who are on Job Seeker who are “work ready” and those who are on it for health conditions, as well as stating that young people who go on the benefit could stay on it for 24 years without mentioning this only applies to 0.5% of people. 

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party Wire Host Caeden asks about National’s comments on welfare, as well as the civil unrest we are currently seeing in New Caledonia.

They started by asking about her comparison between what National is doing to benefits today to what Ruth Richardson did 30 years ago.

Celebrity Treasure Island Rumours and the end of election day voter enrolment w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 9 May, 2024

Celebrity Treasure Island Rumours and the end of election day voter enrolment w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 9 May, 2024 Celebrity Treasure Island Rumours and the end of election day voter enrolment w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 9 May, 2024, 11.92 MB
Thu 9 May 2024

On Wednesday Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni dominated political headlines with news that she is believed to be a contestant on this year's season of Celebrity Treasure Island. 

The last MP to compete on a reality TV show was David Seymour, who competed on Dancing with the Stars in 2018. This appearance resulted in a now infamous video of Seymour twerking in 80s getup.

Last years Celebrity Treasure Island also drew headlines for including famous political figures, notably Tame Iti. 

Political news this week has also included an announcement from Paul Goldsmith that the Government is looking at stopping election day voter enrolment due to the administrative burden.

Caeden asked about both these topics for our weekly catch-up with Carmel Sepuloni. They started by asking if she would appear in Celebrity Treasure Island.

Pay rises for MPs and social housing priorities w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 2 May, 2024

Pay rises for MPs and social housing priorities w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 2 May, 2024 Pay rises for MPs and social housing priorities w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 2 May, 2024, 12.15 MB
Thu 2 May 2024

For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party’s Carmel Sepuloni I ask about MPs getting a pay raise, recent polling results that showed an increase in support for Labour, and a new policy from Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka which would prioritise whānau with tamariki for social housing.

Funding cuts for Disability Caregivers and job cuts at DoC w/ Priyanca Radhakrishnan: 18 April, 2024

Funding cuts for Disability Caregivers and job cuts at DoC w/ Priyanca Radhakrishnan: 18 April, 2024 Funding cuts for Disability Caregivers and job cuts at DoC w/ Priyanca Radhakrishnan: 18 April, 2024, 22.58 MB
Thu 18 Apr 2024

Disability communities have been rallying against a surprise change in purchasing rules in the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha. Communities have said the changes will have massive impact, despite no consultation on these changes or a formal announcement. 

The Department of Conversation also recently proposed staffing cuts to meet funding demands. DoC controls a third of Aotearoa’s landmass which is all conservation land. It remains uncertain how job losses in the Ministry could impact conservation land management.

For weekly catch-up with the Labour party Wire Host Caeden spoke to Labour spokesperson for Disability Issues and Conservation Priyanca Rahdakrishnan about both of these issues.

Media and Democracy, Job Cuts at MSD and the Samoan Citizenship Bill w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 11 April, 2024

Media and Democracy, Job Cuts at MSD and the Samoan Citizenship Bill w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 11 April, 2024 Media and Democracy, Job Cuts at MSD and the Samoan Citizenship Bill w/ Carmel Sepuloni: 11 April, 2024, 22.07 MB
Thu 11 Apr 2024

The Ministry of Social Development is not immune to job cuts seen in other public service departments, with MSD calling for voluntary redundancies after cost-saving efforts failed to meet Government targets. For our weekly catch-up with Labour’s Carmel Sepuloni Wire Host Caeden asks her about the impact of cuts at MSD, especially amongst other Government policies disadvantaging beneficiaries.

They also ask about the Samoan Citizenship Bill led by Teanau Tuiono, and the impact of losing independent media giants such as Newshub for democracy.