The Wire with Joel

Recently, ACT Party MP, Laura McClure, has launched a member’s bill, proposing the disestablishment of the Broadcasting Standards Authority, or BSA.

This member’s bill follows a complaint laid to the BSA regarding Sean Plunket’s online media network, The Platform. Plunket says the content of his show does not meet the requirements of the Broadcasting Act, and that the BSA had "woefully and egregiously overstepped its bounds".

The BSA, however, says Plunket's show clearly meets the requirements of the Act.

News and Editorial Director Joel spoke to Peter Thompson, an Associate Media and Communications Professor at the Victoria University of Wellington and board member of the Better Public Media Trust, about this member’s bill and what the bill is proposing.

The Education & Training Act Amendment Bill passed its 3rd reading in Parliament on Tuesday last week, which will see changes to “school objectives” including the removal of the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

While Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds says the bill “clarifies expectations” for broad learning outcomes, the bill has been opposed by the National Iwi Chairs forum alongside a number of schools across the motu who have been reaffirming their commitment to tiriti commitments.

Fire & Emergency New Zealand has launched its biggest ever restructure in a 266 page proposal which will cut more than 140 jobs, excluding those on the frontlines.

Amidst firefighter strikes and the growing challenges presented by climate risks, the Professional Firefighters Union has said the changes will undermine the “core work” undertaken by support people within the agency.

Finally, the IPSOS New Zealand survey rating government performance has recorded the lowest public satisfaction since the survey began in 2017.

It found that 63% of kiwi believe New Zealand is on the wrong track to addressing key issues. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, starting with the Education & Training Act amendment bill

The Education & Training Act Amendment Bill passed its 3rd reading in Parliament on Tuesday last week, which will see changes to “school objectives” including the removal of the requirement to give effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles.

While Minister for Vocational Education Penny Simmonds says the bill “clarifies expectations” for broad learning outcomes, the bill has been opposed by the National Iwi Chairs forum alongside a number of schools across the motu who have been reaffirming their commitment to tiriti commitments.

Fire & Emergency New Zealand has launched its biggest ever restructure in a 266 page proposal which will cut more than 140 jobs, excluding those on the frontlines.

Amidst firefighter strikes and the growing challenges presented by climate risks, the Professional Firefighters Union has said the changes will undermine the “core work” undertaken by support people within the agency.

Finally, the IPSOS New Zealand survey rating government performance has recorded the lowest public satisfaction since the survey began in 2017.

It found that 63% of kiwi believe New Zealand is on the wrong track to addressing key issues. 

Wire Host Sara spoke with MP Carl Bates about all of these topics, starting with the Education & Training Act amendment bill

Last week saw the release of the Global Tobacco Interference Index. In it, Aotearoa ranked 53rd in the world - a whopping 52 places down from two years ago.

This ranking two years ago was reflective of our robust anti-smoking laws - since the current coalition government has repealed them, however, that reputation has come seriously into question. These rankings now serve as a warning about the role that the tobacco industry plays in health policy, and New Zealand’s failure to manage smoking and tobacco lobbying.

Monday Wire Producer Alex spoke to Professor of Public Health at the University of Auckland, Chris Bullen, about the ranking, Tobacco influence in the government, and what it says about Smoking in New Zealand as a whole.