The Wire with Manny

Last week, the Labour Party announced a policy, if they win the election that would cap public transport fees at $20 a week. This has been touted as a ‘real’ cost of living boost. However, while the savings for a user of public transport are significant, questions remain about the details of these changes, how the cap will be implemented, and what else is needed to really provide assistance to those relying on public transport. 

Tuesday Wire host Alex spoke with Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland, Timothy Welch, about the policy and these questions.

Worker First Union has recently released a report covering Aotearoa’s ambulance system, calling for urgent reform and public funding from the government.

Various issues are outlined in the report including New Zealand’s aging population, a growing trans-Tasman wage gap bleeding the workforce, the collapse of charitable giving and a fuel crisis. First Union says if these problems are not addressed they risk getting significantly worse in years to come.

The report suggests catching the ambulance up with the rest of New Zealand’s health service and making it fully publically funded for the betterment of those who rely on emergency health response and its workers.

To talk about the failing Aotearoa ambulance system and how it can be fixed, producer Thomas talked to Deputy Secretary for Workers First Union Anita Rosentreter.

Pharmac has recently proposed changing who can receive funded treatment for key diabetes medication, moving it in line with a cabinet directive from 2024 saying public services should be prioritised on the basis of need, not race.

There has been an outcry from health professionals, such as the cardiac network, saying data shows that Maori and Pacific people are more at risk of diabetes, regardless of their socio-economic status, and the best way to maximise health benefit for dollars spent is by targeting these groups.

Further criticism has been directed at Health NZ, which has banned the cardio network from objecting to the removal of eligibility criteria, saying it would breach the 2024 cabinet directive. Cardiologists will be forced to make submissions as individuals, a move the network has said is silencing scientific evidence in the name of politics 

To discuss the eligibility changes and Health NZ silencing cardiologists, host Thomas spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton.

This week on the Monday Wire...

For our weekly catchup with the ACT Party, host Thomas spoke to ACT MP Simon Court about the party’s proposed Nationally Determined contribution towards the Paris Agreement, funding for the Liquified Natural gas import terminal and public transport policy.

He also talked to Victoria University Professor of Climate Science & Physical Geography James Renwick about a study which found concerns with costal flooding events in Wellington.

And he spoke to Association of Salaried Medical Specialists executive director Sarah Dalton about Pharmac changing eligibility criteria for diabetes medication and Health NZ stopping cardiology groups from objecting.

Caeden also spoke to Asthma and Respiratory Foundation New Zealand Chief Executive Letitia Harding about calls from the World Health Organisation to ban flavoured tobacco products.