Burnt cars, tear gas, and calls for Emmanuel Macron's resignation: the French are at it again with the protest. This time, it is the Gilets Jaunes (literaly "Yellow Jackets") fighting for social justice. And if it all stemmed online because of a hike in petrol prices due to new taxation, the movement has managed to gain momentum, asking now for more purchasing power and better lives. The revolt has been compared to the events of May 1968, but is France's uprising worse than usual? Or is it just the same feeling of being fed up of being taken for fools?
Trigger Warning: This piece discusses sexual violence. If you or anyone you know is suffering with the effects of sexual violence you can reach out to the free helpline, Safe To Talk, on 0800 044 334.
This week our media has been filled with coverage around the Grace Millaine case. United Kingdom coverage released the name of the alleged man involved which has potentially damaged the case.
This Wire Worry Week, we’re talking about Media Responsibility.
Producer Grace Watson spoke with AUT lecturer, John Buttle who explains the media’s approach on this coverage.
The government has announced a ban on smoking in cars when people under the age of 18 are present. The ban has been a long time coming, with the select committee recommending in 2016 that the then National Government introduce it. Despite them not doing so, it appears most parties are in agreement that the ban, which includes cigarettes as well as vapes, is the right move. Lachlan spoke with Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft about the ban.
It was announced this week that the government has a new initiative to reinvigorate all of the polytechnic institutions around the country. As of recently, many polytechs have been struggling financially & failing to make their student quota.
The Minister of Education, Chris Hipkins, wants to change this, and has proposed to unify all sixteen polytechnic, as well as to combine all the funding for these institutions across the board.
I also got in touch with James Ranstead, President of the New Zealand Union of Students’ Associations.
He shared with me his thoughts on the progress which is taking a step in the right direction, as well as the consultation needed by students themselves.
A report commissioned by the Human Rights Foundation has found the New Zealand SIS has been engaging in immoral and possibly illegal interviewing practices of muslims. Interviews are being disguised as informal chats, with serious allegations then put to the interviewee after they are made comfortable. This can have devastating effects on their relationship with their community and pressure them into revealing information. Lachlan spoke with Peter Hosking from the Human RIghts Foundation about the report.
The Hamilton City Council has voted to reimplement a bylaw that restricts the solicitation of sex on the city’s streets. The bylaw has been in place for the last 10 years and imposes a $20,000 fine on those sex workers who contravene the law. By their own admission, the Council are on shaky legal ground and possibly going against the decriminalisation of sex work that occured in 2003. Lachlan spoke with Catherine Healy from the New Zealand Prostitutes collective about the bylaw
The government has announced 200 million dollars of funding for the housing first initiative in an effort to tackle homelessness. Housing first aims to house long-term homeless people and provide them with a permanent residence. The programme has, until now, been funded by local government. The 200 million will be rolled out over 4 years, with roughly half going towards existing projects and the other half to new developments. Lachlan spoke with Ricardo Menendez-March from Auckland Action Against Poverty about the funding announcement.
For years now, the development of Ihumātao has been a contentious topic for everyone involved. In 2014 Auckland City, using the Special Housing Areas Act, designated 32 hectares adjacent to the Ōtuataua Stonefields Historic Reserve as a 'Special Housing Area'. This decision has since divided both iwi and public opinion. Here are a few segments dedicated to this, firstly the history of Ihumātao, then the Prime Minister commenting on the issue, an excerpt from a speech made by organiser Pania Newton, and some live coverage and discussion around what was happening at the site on the morning of the 24th July - the day after Fletcher officials and NZ Police moved onto the site to serve an eviction notice.
It's a packed Thursday Wire this week! Host Stewart Sowman-Lund is joined in studio by Deb, Mary-Margaret and Justin. This week:
Newshub’s Patrick Gower has a new doco coming out… all about weed. He talks to Mary-Margaret first up.
Then, staying on the topic… Ross Bell from the Drug Foundation is here.
After that, National’s Judith Collins breaks down the KiwiBuild reset from an Opposition perspective.
Then, Internal Affairs has been providing funding to anti-abortion charities’ counselling services through their Community Organisations Grants scheme. Deb chats to Terry Bellamak, National President of ALRANZ Abortion Rights Aotearoa.
Plus - Brexit is crumbling… even more than thought possible. Justin explains what is happening in the UK.
And finally… Neighbourhood Watch catches us up on Aussie news from the last week.
All that plus another Poll Position and texter feedback. It's The Thursday Wire and it's wired!
Cotton On workers walked off the job on Monday to protest the company's refusal to pay them the living wage. Members of FIRST Union picketed outside the clothing store on Queen Street in Auckland’s CBD. Union members have been attempting to negotiate a pay increase since april this year however they’ve stated that the latest offer they’ve received was “worse than the first”. Cotton on themselves have stated on their website that they are committed towards paying a living wage, however workers in their retail and distribution centers are currently paid under that. Jared Abbott, FIRST Union Secretary for Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing has stated that Cotton On is duping customers with false claims of ethical employment practices. He has also highlighted a severe pay inequity for Pasifika and Maori staff compared to Pākehā workers. William Boyd spoke with Jared about the situation at Cotton On for its employees. William started off by asking him how Monday’s strike went.
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