In this episode of Political Playback – Trump meets Luxon; Winston challenges Luxon; Labour flip flops yet again on capital gains tax; some academics & teachers don’t like the new education curriculum – but the new RSE one has some great improvements; a new BSA report tells is what we already know; a bill to ban social media for under-16s is drawn – can it work without Government breaking privacy; more liberal drug law propaganda from the usual suspects – including the media; Te Maori Party continue to implode; and a think tank wants 50 more MPs and a 4-year parliamentary term.
Show summary auto-generated by Descript app:
- **Mega Strikes**: The hosts examine the impact of recent mega strike in New Zealand, noting that while they caused significant disruption, particularly to parents and children, they have achieved little in terms of bringing about governmental change. Simon argues that such strikes appear to be more performative than substantive, aiming to annoy the public rather than affecting real change.
- **Andrew Bailey’s Resignation**: Andrew Bailey, the MP for Port Waikato, resigns from his cabinet position following misconduct allegations. Bob and Simon delve into the politicized nature of the incident and speculate about its implications, including the possibility that the Prime Minister’s office seized the opportunity to push him out due to previous allegations and underperformance.
- **Christopher Luxon Meets Donald Trump**: Luxon’s recent informal meeting with Donald Trump during international summits like APEC and ASEAN is discussed. The hosts consider the potential benefits of such meetings, despite Trump’s unpredictability, including the unlikely removal of tariffs on New Zealand exports.
- **Internal Coalition Tensions**: Bob and Simon discuss internal tensions within New Zealand’s coalition government, specifically an incident involving a tweet by Winston Peters that was seen as undermining Luxon’s negotiation efforts. They highlight the personal rivalries and egos that characterize such political coalitions.
- **Capital Gains Tax**: The fluctuating stance of the Labour Party on implementing a capital gains tax is scrutinized. Bob and Simon debate the political expediency versus the principle of the tax, discussing its implications and associated government promises like free doctor’s visits, which they argue are misleading and impractical.
- **Education Curriculum Changes**: The new education curriculum and its controversial elements are critiqued. The discussion focuses on archaic training methods like ‘fartlek,’ and the frustration among educators regarding the consultation process, which some feel was not genuinely inclusive. However, major improvements are made to the RSE curriculum, and credit is given to Winston Peters and also the Minister of Education for listening to the concerns of parents.
- **Social Media and Age Verification**: The debate over age verification for social media users under 16 is examined. Bob and Simon discuss the technical feasibility of age estimation by private companies without government intervention, highlighting the balance between safeguarding children and protecting privacy.
- **Pro-drug Legalization Campaigns**: The hosts expose the coordinated efforts by pro-drug legalization groups and the media to push for liberalized drug laws. They express frustration over the lack of thorough scrutiny and balanced reporting in the media.
- **Te Pāti Māori Controversy**: Issues within Te Pāti Māori, including the co-leaders’ failure to declare two properties, are explored. The discussion touches on the media’s lenient attitude towards the party, possibly due to fears of being labeled racist, and the potential fallout within the party.
- **Four-year Parliamentary Term Proposal**: The New Zealand Initiative’s proposal for a four-year parliamentary term and adding 50 MPs is debated. Bob strongly opposes the idea without additional checks and balances, while Simon acknowledges the need but recognizes the lack of public appetite for such changes.
