The Wire with Joel

In the wake of multiple deadly mass shootings in the United States, Christina did some research on the gun culture deeply entrenched in US society, as well as the political reluctance to introduce stricter gun legislation. Here is her report.

The Clean Slate Act has recently been under discussion, as activists fight for the scheme to be extended to those who’ve been imprisoned. 

The scheme currently allows criminal records to be sealed, drastically assisting former criminals with getting employed, becoming a tenant and getting a mortgage. 

The scheme currently does not apply to those who've been imprisoned within their lifetime, instead focusing on those who have paid fines or undergone other forms of punishment. 

To learn more about the scheme and how it could be changed, Liam spoke to Liam Martin, a Criminology professor at Victoria University of Wellington.

We've got a nice range of climates stories, policy discussions, and more to end off The Wire this week!

Casper talked to Auckland city counsellor Pippa Coom about Phil Goff’s proposed climate action budget. 

Liam spoke to Liam Martin from Victoria University of Wellington about the Clean Slate scheme.

Casper also spoke to Abdur Razzaq from the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand about the delay of a recommended intelligence and security agency,

Liam also had a chat with Professor Craig Stevens on the recently discovered Amphipod ecosystem under Antarctica. 

And finally Casper spoke to Tom Kay from Forest and Bird about wetland preservation.

Care and support workers are “gutted and disappointed” after a Ministry of Health recommendation that will not see workers get a pay rise of more than 70 cents an hour for at least a year. In May, workers rallied around the country and presented a petition with more than 10,000 signatures calling on the Government for a bigger pay rise as part of the renewal of the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act to combat worker shortages and financial hardship.

Joe spoke with Kirsty McCully, the Director at E tū, Jocelyn Pratt, an organiser from the PSA, and Ruby Sayer, a healthcare assistant in residential aged care on the matter.