June 30, 2024 • 41 mins
This week on Politics Central, Transport Minister Simeon Brown joins the Weekend Collective to discuss the scrapping of the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax - and explain why the 'wasteful' spending had to come to an end.
Later, international relations expert Alex Tan unpacks Joe Biden's shaky performance in Friday's debate against Donald Trump - and examines where the Democrats go from here.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talks Bill.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
And a very good afternoon to you. I'm Tim Beverage.
Welcome to the Weekend Collective this Sunday, the thirtieth of
Druid Gosh, last half of this last day of this
half of the year. It feels is some miles done
when we come it was the shortest day not too
long ago. But anyway, welcome to the show. You can
text your feedback anytime, and if you miss any of
the hours, you've got to dip out for a bit
and you want to come back, and you can check
(00:53):
out the podcast on iHeartRadio wherever you get podcasts, just
look for the Weekend Collective and I think that packaged
the whole show up as one big podcast. Now, so
what a treat awaits you if you missed the line broadcast. Anyway,
looking forward to your feedback. Now, what's happening in the
show today? Up next, we've got Politics Central. We're going
to be in a chat with Sam and Brown, then
(01:14):
around the transport announcement, and then Alex tan Is a
professor at a Canniba University. We could talk about the
biggest news story that seems to be trending on New
Zealand Herald and other websites around New Zealand. That's the
debate and the aftermath of the debate between Trump and
Biden and where to from here for well, for everyone,
I guess so yeah. But looking just a little further
(01:37):
to the show for their health, we joined by a
new guest. We've got personal trainer Alex Flint from TV
three's Match Fit, who's joining us. We're going to talk
about well, a whole bunch of questions around you getting
yourself in better shape, but how to do it without
injuring yourself and do you need a gym membership to
keep fit? Of course you don't, but you know what
(01:58):
are the what are the best ways to do it?
And at five o'clock for smart Money, we're joined by
Martin Whwes, who's been a regular yest on our show
for quite some time, and we're going to be talking
well money in particular. In fact, I was just looking
for the page there. I think we're talking about a
little bit of family trusts as well. How do you
(02:19):
keep it in the family and let the wealth grow?
Do you just give your kids nothing because you'll be
aware of those some of those very wealthy people who
have planned to give their kids next to nothing. Mind you,
they're next to nothing is probably a lot for most
of us, isn't it? Anyway? That and more? But right
now it is eight minutes, so it's come out to
nine minutes past three. Politics Central, So Politics Central today,
(02:41):
as I mentioned, shortly, we'll be having a chat with
Alex Tann, professor of political science and international Relations at
Canterbury University. But at the moment, we're just just trying
to hook up and connect with Simmy and Brown around
the transport, the recent transport announcement. We've got a few
(03:04):
questions for our sim We're just having a little bit
of technical problems trying to connect through there. So hopefully
that will be very long, because I'm not sure how
long I really want to add lib about this, but
of course the oh by the way, just on the
Trump and Biden debate, I do sort of a little
bit dejavo, who knows what's going to happen with the presidency.
(03:24):
But it wasn't too flash. It wasn't too flash from
Biden obviously the other day, but then we had last
night and he appeared at that rally looking like a
totally different sort of guy, and it's like, well, where
was he at the debate? And so the question will
be and there'll be people much closer to the action
than you or I who are far more energized by
(03:47):
the problem that that debate presented, who will be urgently discussing.
I mean, but Biden's basically well, he's apologetic. I guess
he acknowledged a bad performance. But then he came out
firing yesterday and I thought, well, but the fact is
neither he nor Trump are getting are getting any younger.
But the anyway, we'll get onto that in just a
(04:10):
moment when alex Town joins us. But right now, well,
of course, tomorrow, I think is when Auckland does expect
their fuel price to drop by twelve cents as the
Auckland fuel tax expires. Wayne Brown had said scraping the
tax would make it harder to fund desperately needed transport
infrastructure if it wasn't replaced with other funding. Well. Earlier
(04:32):
this week, the government's policy statement on land Transport, which
covers the next ten years. There's twenty two billion dollar
plan aiming to drive economic growth and growth improve productivity
through a series of strategic investments over the next decade,
and highlights include a forty one percent increase in funding
for public transport services, boosts for pothole prevention and road maintenance,
(04:53):
and a revival of the Roads of National Significance program
and also Roads of Regional Significance. So I thought we'd
better dig into this, and so we're joined now by
the Transport Minister. He's a local government mister of course
as well, and it is Simeon Brown.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Good afternoon, Good afternoon.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
So seven billion dollars a year over the next ten
years to build and maintain a transport system to help
us get around a cynical question, will we notice?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Well, absolutely, we're focused not just on spending taxpayers money
on improving our transport system, but actually on getting outcomes
for New Zealanders. Ultimately, when people pay fuel tech at
the pump or road user charges, they are looking at outcomes,
and so we've made it very clear that we want
to see improved dot COOM. In terms of road maintenance,
(05:47):
we're setting clear expectations of the agency around how many,
what percentage of the road actually needs to be maintained
on an annual basis, and we're setting very clear expectations
around the roads of regional significance and roads of national
significance which New Zealanders want. And starting from tomorrow, NDT
will be proving its response to potholes, improving the maintenance
(06:10):
that it's doing with writing network. And also we're going
to see been putting more money towards in sport as well,
so that we can give a more reliable service. But
ultimately you're right and New Zealanders have high expectations and
that's my job as Minister of Transport is to make
sure that this delivers the outcomes New Zealanders want.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Look, just backing up on the regional fuel tax, but
an Auckland being dumped as of tomorrow and Wayne Brown
wasn't a fan? Will Wayne Brown love your plan? Did
you check with him much? Check in with him much
about this?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Well?
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Ultimately, the regional fuel tax in Auckland was being used
to fund speed bumps and he wasn't a fan of
speed bumps and neither am I. And so we're stopping
funding for speed bumps and the reality and as people know,
hundreds of millions of dollars of that Auckland regional fuel
tax wasn't even being speed It was sitting in a
(07:01):
bank account doing nothing. And so we're filling the texts
one because it was being spent on the wrong priority,
speed bumps, cycle lanes, red light cameras. It wasn't actually
building the infrastructure that New Zealanders thought they were paying for.
Most Aucklanders thought every time they filled up they were
going to get something like mill roadball.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
Built but pasta.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
But ultimately they were getting speed bumps. So we're stopping
the waste. We're focusing it back on the basics, and
that remaining funding is going to go towards priority projects
such as the Eastern Busway, more trained to the city
rail link, in local roading upgrades across Aukland.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
So look, tomorrow we're going to be released from Auckland
Auckland's petrol tax. And again, cynically speaking, here comes another one,
just like the other one. So your plan includes a
proposed increase in fuel taxes by twelve cents a leader
in a couple three years time, rising the twenty two cents.
We're increasing registration fees by fifty bucks over two years.
What do you say to those households who are struggling
(08:00):
just with the current economic pressure.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
We've made it very clear this government is not increasing
fuel excise and road user charges in this term. That's
what we've delivered as part of our Transport PLA package
we announced last week. There were no increases in fuel
excise and road user charges. But in the long term,
we do need to pay for the infrastructure that New
Zealand does need. It does cost money to maintain our roads,
(08:26):
it does cost money to build new roads, and so
we do need to increase those revenues in the long term.
And the reality is by twenty twenty seven, there would
have been six years without any increase in fuel excise
or road user charges, and the cost of building roads
maintaining roads has continued to increase, and so we will
be increasing it in twenty twenty seven and in the
(08:47):
year's following so that we can continue to maintain those
roads and the new roads that New Zealanders expect, so
that we can grow our economy and boost productivity, which
is really important to our country.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
So the nine to one percent boost for NZTA, big boost,
fifty percent for local councils. That's the boost there to
fix and prevent potholes. That sounds impressive, just one small detail.
Have we got the manpower to get on top of
these such a simple yet frustrating.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Issue, Well we do. NDTA will be contracting with a
range of contractors that are actually looking at changes to
their contracting model to look more at how they can
use a wide array of array of contractors to assist
with the task. But ultimately this money is not just
it's not just an increase in funding for fixing and
preventing potholes, but it's ring fencing that funding towards the
(09:38):
activities which are most important. And so we'll be ring
fencing that those funds for maintaining which means reselling the road,
rehabilitating them, fixing the drainage, those key elements of maintaining
the roading network. So it's not just being spent on
other things which which it is easy. It's easy, and
I think the previous government was actually proposing to use
(09:58):
the road the road maintenance budget to actually be used
on cycle ways with ring fens that just those key
activities which are for maintaining and preventing potholes on our roads.
So we'll be very clear around our expectations and we expect.
We expect to see that the agency, but also local
(10:19):
councils really focus on those key outcomes that New Zealand
motorists expect to see.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
What about the role of tolls that will be played
when it comes to the rows of national significance. How
far have you got with your plans on what roads
will be told and sort of how much.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Well, we've said very clearly that any road that needs
recommends should have a toll. We will toll and if
you go around the rest of the world, that's how
a lot of new infrastructure is built using tolls. It
means that people who use it pay for it, and
it's another way that you can raise revenue to ensure
that we can actually fund the infrastructure that New Zealand needs.
(10:57):
We've got a massive infrastructure deficit as a country. We've
got a massive roading infrastructure deficit as a country, and
we need to get on top of it.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
What about when it comes to those sorry.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
So when it comes to building them, it's really important
we've got tolling as an option to pay for it.
But also by tolling it, it means that we're not
putting pressure on the remainder of the transport budget, which
which means we can protect those important maintenance budgets for
those rural state highways and those local councils so they
can continue to look after their own roading infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
What about the alternative revenue options like public private partnerships.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Yeah, well we've said all all types of revenue options
or funding financing options should be on the table to
build the infrastructure this country needs. We've got an ebity,
we've got an infrastructure deficit as a country, and we
need to be we need to be opened to utilizing
those and you know, the last government was very opposed
to public private partnerships. There are both to anything with
the word private in it, and we've actually said, well,
(11:57):
we need to be open to that so we can
actually get things done as a country. We're a small
country at the bottom of the world and we don't
have the lutch to sit around and pick and choose.
We've actually got to be open to using all types
of funding and financing options to get infrastructure done. But
what we won't do is what the last government did,
which was the rought of the regional fuel tax, where
(12:17):
they collected hundreds of millions of dollars and then failed
to spend it. That was a rout. We're getting rid
of it. It ends tomorrow and that's great news for Auckland.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Is where we at with congestion charging in various settings
cities obviously Auckland and Wellington probably a notable couple of
obvious ones. What's your where are we at with that?
Speaker 6 (12:36):
Well?
Speaker 3 (12:36):
The Government policy statement on transport says the government's committed
to it. It's part of our coalition agreement with the
Party to develop in past legislation to enable time of
use charging. That policy work is underway at the moment.
There's a number of things that we have to work
through as a government and we're doing that at the moment.
It's something which is a priority in Auckland. The key
(12:59):
point I back about time of use charging though it's
not a revenue tool. It's about making sure sure we
maximize the efficiency of the network. It's about making sure
that we can spread the load of traffic during peak
times so that we can get more efficiency out of
the network. That's the key priority list governments identified for
(13:19):
time of use charging, and I believe that's the same priority
the Mayor of Auckland has in regards to how it
should be done. So we're working through the policy on
that at the moment and we'll have more say once
decisions have been made.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
What about that, What do you say to that. There's
a group of about academics who criticize the plan saying
it's a step backwards on climate change, focuses too much
on road transports. What's your response to that.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Well, I just think they're totally out of touch with reality.
The vast, vast majority of New Zealanders get in wake
up and get in their cars to go to work,
and that is that is the main way New Zealanders
get around. And we actually need to make sure we
are building the infrastructure so that New Zealanders can get
where they need to go. And the reality and you know,
(14:02):
years to come, as our vehicle fleet electrifies, more and
more people will be driving on lower mission or zero
mission vehicles. But at the same time, they're still going
to be roads to drive on, and so we're building
the infrastructure for the future. Regardless of what type of
vehicle people are driving, whether it's diesel, petrol, hybrid plug
(14:23):
and hybrid electric hydrogen, they're still going to need roads
to drive on and last time I look, buses drive
on roads and so were the lirung infrastructure that New
Zealanders need, that New Zealanders rely upon, and it's the
infrastructure for the future.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
What about the walking and cycling you're doing anything with that?
Are we just going to park that for a while
and focus on the roads.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Well, well, we can actually reduce the amount going into
walking and cycling because ultimately in the last number of
years we've seen that their amount of money going into
that is a priority for the last government been too much.
We've seen the impact that it's had on many small
businesses where there's been a disregard around car parking and
those issues. We need to reb balance that. So, yes,
(15:06):
they're still funding for walking and cycling, but we want
to make sure it's going into areas where there's a priority,
where it's a priority, and we also want to make
sure we're taking the views of local communities and local
businesses with us is decisions made around where cycle ways
should happen. So it's about making sure there's a balance
rather than just simply like the last government building a
cycling bridge across the Harbor Bridge, which was an absolute
(15:28):
waste of money.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
So we've got the Roads of National Significance making comeback
seventeen projects. We've got alongside that eleven roads of regional
significance because they don't get built tomorrow. So I guess
the big question for for any government is how do
your future proof this? That obviously your plan. Ideally you
want to stand power as long as you can, but
you don't want to get what you want, So future
(15:50):
proofing wise, how do you is there have you had
any sort of across the sort of table discussions with
Labor But if there's a change of government, they're not
just going to shove it in the bin and build
a few more bikeways.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Well, I think when when you look at we're the
Labor Party was towards the end of their term they
were much more open to roading infrastructure than they were
earlier in the term. So I think they have come.
They have come the right way after having canceled the
Roads of National Significance back in twenty seventeen when they
were first elected. But the thing is, there's a number
of things we need to do. We need to make
(16:24):
sure we've actually got contracts signed, we need to make
sure we've actually got projects consented. Fast track consenting is
such a critical part of actually being able to deliver
the roading infrastructure we need. If you look at the
roads of national significance, I think only one of them,
one of the new ones we've identified, actually has a consent,
and that's because for the last six years we haven't
(16:45):
been consenting major roading projects and so having fast track
consenting is such a critical part to got to build
a pipeline of infrastructure that New Zealand needs. Is a
country and whilst you know some people might raise concerns
about fast track concent I just look at the roading
needs we have as a country and say, well, if
we don't have fast track consents, we're never going to
get th built. So we need to have fast track consenting.
(17:07):
We need to have a one stop shop so we
can actually have that pipeline, that credible pipeline of infrastructure
projects that New Zealand needs on a plan so it's
ready to go, so we can build that pipeline, give
confidence to the contracting sector, and also have that range
of funding and financing tools so we can actually have
those progressive contracts continue over time rather than the stop
(17:30):
start mentality we've had labor excellent.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Hey Simon Brown, I really appreciate your time and your
answers to staftenoon. Thanks so much. Enjoy the rest of
your day.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah, we go that Simon Brown here is the Minister
of Transport and we're going to throw this open for
calls after the after our interview with Alex tann around
the Biden Trump whatever it was debate and get your
feedback on eight hundred eighty. You can text your feedback
anytime nine two nine two, but you will take you
a feedback on eight hundred eighty ten and eighty. The
simple thing is your response to Simin Brown's plan that
(18:03):
is out laiate laid and you know how it's going
to be paid for. Are you on board with paying
for roads so long as we get them built. I'll
tell you what, He's a very thorough minister, Simeon Brown,
so I'm grateful to outline a few of those things
in a bit more detail for us. Anyway, we'll be
back in just a moment. You can text feedback as
I say, nine two nine two, can email Tim b
(18:24):
at Newstalk said BT cod in Zad, but back in
just a moment. It's twenty four past three.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
We're back to you.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Yes, welcome back to the Weekend Collective. As I say,
you can text your feedback on nine two, nine two.
We'll be doing talk back in about well for the
last part of this hour on both these subjects around
the transport, but also well. The United States, you can
say has had a new low as Joe Biden and
Donald Trump had their first presidential debate and on Fridays
(19:04):
described as a two eriatrics squaring off the rest of
the world, and fifty one million viewers tuned in and
watched with our jaws hitting the floor a little bit. Anyway, democracies,
once shining city on the Hills, hit a new low.
Throughout the night. They reached for ridiculous claims and insults,
even arguing about their golf handicap. I think at one stage, anyway,
(19:24):
it was recorded that Trump made more than thirty false
claims during the debate, but that got lost a little
bit because people just looked at Joe and thought he
didn't put on his best show, did he? And it
got a lot of people asking who should he be replaced?
Before the election and to discuss more, I'm joined by
a professor of Political Science and International Elections at the
University of Canterbury. It's Alex Tan, good afternoon.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
A little tim, are you. I'm all right.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
I'm still recovering. You watched the US debate on Friday night.
What was your what were your initial and ongoing reactions.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
That these two candidates are too old? Yeah, that it's
too bad that we didn't see the best of any
of them. To be honest, Biden was just not there
and softball answer softball questions were not really answered convincingly,
(20:21):
and it's very difficult to understand what he was saying
as well. I think he was, you know, very incoherent. Trump,
on the other hand, continue to spew his life and
never re addressed the questions that were being asked as well.
So yeah, somebody said it's just, you know, essentially the
(20:41):
old man versus the con man.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
So yeah. So the reactions from how would you describe?
I mean, the Republicans probably delighted with it, I imagined,
but no, thereaction from the Democrats. Well, they'll be I
don't know what they'd be doing a lot of frenzied meetings,
just deciding whether they shouldn't or not.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
Yeah, there's I've been hearing quite reading quite a lot
as well. For example, the New York Times have been
called talking about Biden you know, should probably just step aside.
And then these are very senior editors of New York
Times saying that, you know, maybe his time is up,
(21:22):
but it's you know, it's it will be very messy
if you do that. First of all. Secondly, you also
need to have Biden agree that he needs to step
off from this. And you know, Biden's mantras, even from
the first campaign in twenty twenty is you know, I'm
sure many of many of us have heard about this.
(21:45):
He always says that you know, you know, when you
when you're down, you know, the mark of a person
is when you get hit, and you get hit down,
is how you stand back up. And that's always been him,
you know, that's always ideas. So unlikely that he I
don't think he will step away from that position.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Well, on that same I watched on the news last
night it showed him appear the next day at a rally,
and yeah, plenty of vega I couldn't. Yeah, were you
surprised because he he looked what I saw looked impressive
and I was like, where was that guy used today?
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Well, you know he was. There's claims that he was not.
He was. He was having a little bit of cold
or not feeling very well during the debate. But the
problem with the second day thing supposed to the first
day for the debate thing, is that the debate was
being watched by fifty million people and the rally is
only being watched by a handful of people. So, you know,
(22:45):
and when you go to a rally like that, who
are you talking to? You're sensaritly talking to the people
who are already in your camp, right and the people
who are watching. You know, there are many millions and
millions of people who are watching who are uncommitted. And
that's the one that you need to convince to vote
for you, because you know that that's go be determined
(23:06):
on who who who becomes president.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
If there is a chance that Biden might step aside,
and who knows, it's still got a favorite of water
to flow on the little bridge. Who could it possibly
be a there is there a short list of names
who could amount a credible campaign or I mean, people
keep on mentioning Michelle Obama. You don't want to do it,
but your country needs you.
Speaker 5 (23:30):
No, I don't think Michelle Obama wants to do it.
I think she's been asked before about that as well.
I mean, it's very it's a very tough tough position
to be helicoptered in or passion parachuted in in the
middle of the of a race like that. So you know,
there are some names popping up. Of course, obviously the
(23:52):
Vice President Kamala Harris uh. And then you can talk
about California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a likely candidate.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (24:03):
There are others that would, but I'm not sure any
of them would want to go in in such a
situation like that. Yeah, because you have to. We have
to remind ourselves. You know, these type of American presidential
elections and elections in general, is an issue of fundraising.
(24:25):
And you know, the money that is committed to Joe
doesn't necessarily move to the next person that that's a
big question mark.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Is that money still committed to Joe? Any any fund
deserving a say on that?
Speaker 5 (24:37):
Do you think, Well, we don't know yet. We don't
know yet. But the money that he has he already has,
but whether future funding will be coming through with that performance,
it could be quite difficult for him to raise money
because if you're if you're, if you're you know, somebody
with billions of dollars there, you know, would you continue
(24:59):
to be on a bet on someone who you think
might not actually have a chance to win anymore?
Speaker 2 (25:05):
What about saying inral in this because there's been a
they've they've taken a lot of hate because Trump basically
stood up and just started lying and didn't stop till
he finished made more than thirty five times. Do you
think the scene in should have had some sort of
screen fact checker rolling underneath.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
Yeah, well, I mean that's the thing about this, the situation, right,
I don't we don't. We certainly do not know whether
that was something negotiated between the two sides, right, because
this debate was not under the rubric of the debate
by the Debate Commission, Right, And we all we also
have to remember that this is quite a strange debate
(25:46):
because both of them have not been officially been nominated
by their party yet. The convention is still you know,
amongst uh you know this, it's coming up for the Republicans.
And then followed by the followed by the Democrats. So
it's it's a weird situation, right. So so maybe these.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
Two guys negotiated what happened in the agreement on how
the conduct of the debate would be number one, But
number two, the problem is also that we are also
seeing the situation where in the media seems to be enabling,
you know, these things to happen, right, I mean, you're
giving Trump a stage where and you know he's going.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
To do that. Yeah, right, so you know he's going
to do that. And in.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
Any of the questions ask about January sixth, he just
skirted it away. You know, what's that thing about age two?
Speaker 5 (26:39):
You know?
Speaker 4 (26:39):
And and.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Nancy Pelosi for turning down a justice deploy the National God,
that's right.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
That's right, that's right, it doesn't make sense. And and yes,
you would we would have seen n would have U
fact checked him, right and U. But then again, I
mean the question really there is is more like because
Biden's performance was not good, the other guy who the
(27:07):
other guy who tells a lie but can tell it
quite coherently kind of like feels like he's doing well.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
Somebody I was chatting with a friend said to me
last night that he's chatting to people in the States,
and he said that we in New Zealand and maybe
elsewhere outside of the States don't really understand what the
US voters priorities are. They don't really care about global security.
All they care about is jobs, jobs, jobs.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Well that's true, as they say, there's no votes in
foreign policy and foreign affairs. You know, everything in politics
is really quite local, and it's about jobs. It's about economy,
it's about the cost of living. It's the same like
what we have here right, high interest rates of the
United States. Consumers are facing jobs that are really, comparatively speaking,
(27:55):
you know, not good quality jobs. You know, the president
and anyone is talking about job creation, job creation. There's
a lot of jobs created, but the quality of those
jobs are not necessarily as good as the ones that
are lost, so to speak.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Yeah, what do you think the reaction to being outside
of the States, and let's say specifically with like the
European Union and NIGHTI partners. So wouldn't would you? You'd
love to say in the ticks that were flying between
to live on the line.
Speaker 5 (28:25):
And yeah, I'm sure they're Yeah, they're all worried. They're
all very worried because the likelihood of Trump too is
is bigger now? Right and uh so, you know, just
think of the situation in Ukraine. I mean, can you
imagine how Zelenski, the Ukrainian president is, you know, is
(28:47):
feeling right now after that performance of the debate. Right, so,
and then with Trump, quite isolation is in his policy?
You know, certainly worried. It's certainly worried. It worries the Europeans,
for sure, it worries nature.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Yeah, for sure. Oh well, hey, thanks so much for
your time, Alex. We look forward to having a chatt
again sometime. Enjoy the rest of your day. Right, We're
going to take talk back on this as well. One
is your reaction to the Biden Trump debate, but more specifically,
obviously they're not going to be replacing Trump, but the
(29:26):
person who is under the microscope is Biden. Should he
be replaced? And if so, actually who should replace him?
My tape would be there is no way that Carmala
Harris is going to win any more votes than Joe Biden,
That's for sure. She looked like so promising when I
saw her initially campaign, but ever since she's been vice
president's not that impressive to be honest, but yeah, what
(29:48):
do you make of it all? And should So that's
one simple question. The other question is should see in
and have been running a fact check at the bottom
of the screen because it certainly became an issue because
he just stood out there and lied Trump that is
anyway your thoughts on that, but also just on more
domestic issues. If you want to participate in the show,
I the chat with sime and Brown, the Minister of
(30:11):
Transport around the ten year plan for transport. He is,
in my view, pretty impressive minister. I think in fact,
if you look at the young ones in national Erica
Stanford and Simme and Brown both very impressive performers. Do
you mind that you're going to be paying more at
the pump or do you mind paying a toll for
a road that gets you from me? To be a
(30:32):
bit quicker. So there's a couple of strands of talk
back to pick on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty
text nine to nine two Jump on the blower right now.
We'll be back straight after the break with your calls.
It's twenty to four. Welcome back to the Weekend Collective.
(31:19):
This is Politic Central is taking your course by the way,
it's fair to say that Biden didn't get us facts
right all the time on the debate as well. So
that's why I think, I mean would be useful. Do
you think that's an important part of it? And you
can make your own calls on who's telling the biggest whoppers?
Eight ten and eighty. Right, Let's just let's get into
the course. By the way, the one on the on
(31:39):
the road transport plan, I would pay a toll on
a road all day, every day so the government can
just get on an upgrade or build new roads as required.
We've seen it before with they pay for themselves. So
let's just get on and do it. I think there
are a lot of New Zealanders who feel that way. Right,
let's get into the course. Chuck, good afternoon.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
Oh hi, yes, so I've put one hundred dollars on
Michelle Obama. There's absolutely no way Joe Biden will be
standing against Trump.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
You seriously been one hundred bucks on it?
Speaker 6 (32:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (32:10):
Well do you one hundred?
Speaker 2 (32:12):
Where do you bet it?
Speaker 7 (32:13):
Oh? I've got an Aussie bank account Sports Sports Better
Australia okay, yeah, and if I win, it'll be two grand.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Oh okay, So they reckon, it's long odds. Yeah, well,
I guess you know we're the hell you know.
Speaker 7 (32:32):
You should have seen the odds flick flicking around. During
the debate Trump Trump dropped from one sixty seven to
one fifty seven. Obama was two seventy now he's four
thirty three, and I reckon it'll change more. He just
(32:52):
there's no way he will stand.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
How did you did you watch the Actually, I'm just
curious to know what you were, what the action was,
as an an extant said, look, he rallied the day after,
but a handful of people are watching. Oh but that's
surprise you to say, I mean it might be why
di versus the next.
Speaker 7 (33:12):
No, the thing is I expected it to be bad,
but even I don't think Donald Trump expected it to
be that bad. The guy's got mental health issues. He
can't remember anything.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
I think when you get older.
Speaker 6 (33:30):
No, you.
Speaker 7 (33:32):
Do you want Sky News Australia at all?
Speaker 2 (33:35):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (33:35):
Yes, yeah, well they certainly pointed out the stuff he's done.
But as I say, I'll bet anything he won't stand
because what was it? Yes, somebody reckon that came from
a Democrat congressman. He said he's about ready to jump
off the bridge, and the calls are just coming so
(33:58):
strong because if they keep Biden, they won't just lose
the presidency, the loser Senate in Congress as well.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Actually, I was wondering what the focus on Senate and
Congress are going to be that might focus here if
it's there as well. Thanks Chuck Ian.
Speaker 8 (34:12):
Hello, Yeah, good afternoon. Hey, look as Michelle Obama particularly
possibly in the running in place of Biden, Well okay, well, look,
I just want to put a completely different swing on
the conversation.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 8 (34:34):
I don't think a lot of people realize that the
president of the United States is the executive decision to
launch nuclear.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
With no I think we do realize that now everyone
knows that.
Speaker 8 (34:48):
Yeah, okay, well, I just wanted to make that point.
And who would you rather have with your finger on
the button, Boden or whatever, But there's there's no one
there to do it.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Well, yep, that's probably something that's at the top of
some people's mind, although I don't think the Americans said
that way. I think jobs, jobs, jobs, Tom High.
Speaker 9 (35:08):
Hi there, Yeah, Simeon. Awesome to hear someone with a
bit of rational thinking back in that seat. I'm sick
and tired of this area where I hang out, speed cameras,
bumps as in as in road hunts to try and
slow us down, to capture us. It's it's just been
mental patients the way they've carried on here. And thank god,
(35:29):
there's a man that's actually got a few a few
brains on that front.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
He he's pretty well on top of it. He gives
them an impression, the impression of being very much on
top of his portfolios, doesn't.
Speaker 9 (35:40):
He Yeah, he looks like a young kid, like he's
only just learned to shave. But I give him more
full credit.
Speaker 2 (35:48):
His entire political career isn't it, has it?
Speaker 9 (35:51):
I don't know, but I'll take that. I'll give him me.
He's rational. That was the first rational thing I've heard
from a transport minister in many, many years, in six years.
So hats off to him, and may may he prevail
with his with his go forward plans. And on the
old on the old trumpy thing, old Papa Joey must
(36:12):
have found Hunter's station, I'd say, on the second day
to be able to be jacked up that well, well.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Somebody said he had a cold. Did was he medicated
with something? That they didn't read the but may cause drowsiness.
Speaker 9 (36:23):
Yeah, yeah, if he didn't want to read the fine print.
But I mean, I'm not American politics as far as
I'm concerned anyway, Well.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Actually it is, and I think, yeah, I mean, apart
from the elderly nature both presidents and the and the
various problems that I think both of them have got,
I think American states and politics is in a dire
state given the prevalence of the sort of red neck
religious nonsense the right and then and then and.
Speaker 9 (36:53):
They're completely yes, coros of sensibilities within society.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Someone in the middle, for goodness sake, you know. Anyway, Hey, Tom,
than for that mate, Sorry, it might just disappear there
on me.
Speaker 6 (37:09):
Yeah, good afternoon, hows a going today?
Speaker 2 (37:10):
Good?
Speaker 6 (37:11):
Thanks, Really enjoying the show. Actually look forward to your
shows during the week because it's really interesting.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
Good cheers.
Speaker 6 (37:17):
That's right anyway, Talking about two things. As far as
the thing, I watched it on TV, it's like a
sad eighties comedy. And also I feel really sad for
the people over there. But in some ways, I think
you've got to take into mind that maybe he had
a few to a few things as far as with
his son and all the court things going on in
his mind, maybe in the background that you have to take.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
The account to the United States, I mean Trump. You
can say Trump's just been found guilty in a court,
He's had a lot on his mind as well.
Speaker 6 (37:44):
So yeah, yeah, I know you try and think of
the positive things of people in that. But do you think, well,
you've got places like Libya and Syria and North Korea.
We'll probably looking at Erica going oh well he gets
back in and we invade someone, Probably nothing's going to happen.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
That's I think that's most of our worries actually, because
Trump Trump would lead a more isolation to America.
Speaker 6 (38:05):
So yeah, and then as far as that the roading goes,
I think it's quite I was listening to them is
actually it seems to be really on to it because
I loved down in Hamilton and and we've got speed
bumps all over the place, and then I'm going to
work the other day there's one of those camera vans
park down a road that had speed bumps all the
way along, and think, what are you actually trying to
catch people speeding over speed bumps? So I didn't understand
(38:25):
the post.
Speaker 2 (38:26):
Look, a number of people I wonder imagine the pit
stop in places that fix shot fixed shot are doing
a great, a real fantastic trade thanks to those speed bumps.
But yeah, hey, thanks Craig, look like he last. Let's
go to Tim get egulate.
Speaker 3 (38:42):
Tim, Hey, what do you listen to?
Speaker 8 (38:43):
The most despicable thing I've ever heard?
Speaker 2 (38:47):
I don't think we bother about that. Tim, it's ten
minutes or nine minutes to four. We'll do the broadcasting. Thanks.
If you want to have your opinion, then just you
know that we'll roll with that. But I'll tell you what.
We'll take a break, come back with some texts, and
just to take nine minutes to four news talks. He'd
be yes, welcome back to Politics Central. Look, Actually, we've
(39:14):
had a lot of techs supporting Simmion Brown. Here's a
couple before we move on. I don't think we need to. Well,
there's a lot more water to flow under the Trump
Biden bridge, so we'll no doubt be able to revisit that.
But the tram Rea, the transport plan one sees. I'm
hopping and hopping mad learning that our money via the
regional fuel levy was used to make expensive speed bump
(39:37):
cycle lanes, et cetera. Who controls at I'm just so
mad when people people were straining to make payments and
they merely went round and spend it on non infrastructure.
I'm yeah on transport, Yeah, the number of speed bumps
and stuff around the place, it's just ridiculous. On main
therapies and you watch buses them to stop and lumber
(39:59):
over them. It's just crazy. I'm keen on getting the
infrastructure that we need built. However it's paid also for
the Southland as saying we're not getting nearly as many
roads the Hope and wood End bypasses are happening. Okay,
I don't know much about that great interview Tim with Simeon.
He would have to be the most thoroughly prepared and
plausible minister in Wellington. Common sense as a rare commodity, Well,
(40:21):
I think he's got some good competition there. But yeah,
he does impress. Doesn't he imagine the amount of work
you'd have to do when the um of portfolios? He
he's Minister of Local Government as well, isn't he. Somebody
does make the point regarding whether we should have seeing
in doing the false checking the checking of false claims.
I think it was about Trump thirty Biden nine. Although
(40:44):
the scale of Trump's whoppers are quite impressive sometimes. But anyway,
nobody should be surprised. That really should we. But this
person makes a good point that the entire proposition of
a debate wh the entire proposition part of a debate,
Let's say, is if someone makes a false claim, you debate,
then you make your counter argument. Let's stopping offender. But
Trump makes false claims. There is a point to that,
(41:04):
I guess. But generally the point of a debate is
to argue based on an agreed set of facts, not
spend all your time having to no, no, maybe I
don't agree with that text. It's usually we have some
sort of agreed set of facts and interpretation. But yeah, anyway, look, yeah,
thanks for your feedback. We'll be back very shortly. This
(41:25):
is news Talk Said B. It's just committed to three
minutes to four.
Speaker 7 (41:31):
And your kisses.
Speaker 2 (41:32):
Who could through them?
Speaker 1 (41:36):
For more from the Weekend Collective, listen live to News
Talk Said B weekends from three pm, or follow the
podcast on iHeartRadio.
You're listening to the Weekend Collective podcast from News Talks Bill.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
And a very good afternoon to you. I'm Tim Beverage.
Welcome to the Weekend Collective this Sunday, the thirtieth of
Druid Gosh, last half of this last day of this
half of the year. It feels is some miles done
when we come it was the shortest day not too
long ago. But anyway, welcome to the show. You can
text your feedback anytime, and if you miss any of
the hours, you've got to dip out for a bit
and you want to come back, and you can check
(00:53):
out the podcast on iHeartRadio wherever you get podcasts, just
look for the Weekend Collective and I think that packaged
the whole show up as one big podcast. Now, so
what a treat awaits you if you missed the line broadcast. Anyway,
looking forward to your feedback. Now, what's happening in the
show today? Up next, we've got Politics Central. We're going
to be in a chat with Sam and Brown, then
(01:14):
around the transport announcement, and then Alex tan Is a
professor at a Canniba University. We could talk about the
biggest news story that seems to be trending on New
Zealand Herald and other websites around New Zealand. That's the
debate and the aftermath of the debate between Trump and
Biden and where to from here for well, for everyone,
I guess so yeah. But looking just a little further
(01:37):
to the show for their health, we joined by a
new guest. We've got personal trainer Alex Flint from TV
three's Match Fit, who's joining us. We're going to talk
about well, a whole bunch of questions around you getting
yourself in better shape, but how to do it without
injuring yourself and do you need a gym membership to
keep fit? Of course you don't, but you know what
(01:58):
are the what are the best ways to do it?
And at five o'clock for smart Money, we're joined by
Martin Whwes, who's been a regular yest on our show
for quite some time, and we're going to be talking
well money in particular. In fact, I was just looking
for the page there. I think we're talking about a
little bit of family trusts as well. How do you
(02:19):
keep it in the family and let the wealth grow?
Do you just give your kids nothing because you'll be
aware of those some of those very wealthy people who
have planned to give their kids next to nothing. Mind you,
they're next to nothing is probably a lot for most
of us, isn't it? Anyway? That and more? But right
now it is eight minutes, so it's come out to
nine minutes past three. Politics Central, So Politics Central today,
(02:41):
as I mentioned, shortly, we'll be having a chat with
Alex Tann, professor of political science and international Relations at
Canterbury University. But at the moment, we're just just trying
to hook up and connect with Simmy and Brown around
the transport, the recent transport announcement. We've got a few
(03:04):
questions for our sim We're just having a little bit
of technical problems trying to connect through there. So hopefully
that will be very long, because I'm not sure how
long I really want to add lib about this, but
of course the oh by the way, just on the
Trump and Biden debate, I do sort of a little
bit dejavo, who knows what's going to happen with the presidency.
(03:24):
But it wasn't too flash. It wasn't too flash from
Biden obviously the other day, but then we had last
night and he appeared at that rally looking like a
totally different sort of guy, and it's like, well, where
was he at the debate? And so the question will
be and there'll be people much closer to the action
than you or I who are far more energized by
(03:47):
the problem that that debate presented, who will be urgently discussing.
I mean, but Biden's basically well, he's apologetic. I guess
he acknowledged a bad performance. But then he came out
firing yesterday and I thought, well, but the fact is
neither he nor Trump are getting are getting any younger.
But the anyway, we'll get onto that in just a
(04:10):
moment when alex Town joins us. But right now, well,
of course, tomorrow, I think is when Auckland does expect
their fuel price to drop by twelve cents as the
Auckland fuel tax expires. Wayne Brown had said scraping the
tax would make it harder to fund desperately needed transport
infrastructure if it wasn't replaced with other funding. Well. Earlier
(04:32):
this week, the government's policy statement on land Transport, which
covers the next ten years. There's twenty two billion dollar
plan aiming to drive economic growth and growth improve productivity
through a series of strategic investments over the next decade,
and highlights include a forty one percent increase in funding
for public transport services, boosts for pothole prevention and road maintenance,
(04:53):
and a revival of the Roads of National Significance program
and also Roads of Regional Significance. So I thought we'd
better dig into this, and so we're joined now by
the Transport Minister. He's a local government mister of course
as well, and it is Simeon Brown.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
Good afternoon, Good afternoon.
Speaker 2 (05:11):
So seven billion dollars a year over the next ten
years to build and maintain a transport system to help
us get around a cynical question, will we notice?
Speaker 3 (05:26):
Well, absolutely, we're focused not just on spending taxpayers money
on improving our transport system, but actually on getting outcomes
for New Zealanders. Ultimately, when people pay fuel tech at
the pump or road user charges, they are looking at outcomes,
and so we've made it very clear that we want
to see improved dot COOM. In terms of road maintenance,
(05:47):
we're setting clear expectations of the agency around how many,
what percentage of the road actually needs to be maintained
on an annual basis, and we're setting very clear expectations
around the roads of regional significance and roads of national
significance which New Zealanders want. And starting from tomorrow, NDT
will be proving its response to potholes, improving the maintenance
(06:10):
that it's doing with writing network. And also we're going
to see been putting more money towards in sport as well,
so that we can give a more reliable service. But
ultimately you're right and New Zealanders have high expectations and
that's my job as Minister of Transport is to make
sure that this delivers the outcomes New Zealanders want.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Look, just backing up on the regional fuel tax, but
an Auckland being dumped as of tomorrow and Wayne Brown
wasn't a fan? Will Wayne Brown love your plan? Did
you check with him much? Check in with him much
about this?
Speaker 4 (06:40):
Well?
Speaker 3 (06:40):
Ultimately, the regional fuel tax in Auckland was being used
to fund speed bumps and he wasn't a fan of
speed bumps and neither am I. And so we're stopping
funding for speed bumps and the reality and as people know,
hundreds of millions of dollars of that Auckland regional fuel
tax wasn't even being speed It was sitting in a
(07:01):
bank account doing nothing. And so we're filling the texts
one because it was being spent on the wrong priority,
speed bumps, cycle lanes, red light cameras. It wasn't actually
building the infrastructure that New Zealanders thought they were paying for.
Most Aucklanders thought every time they filled up they were
going to get something like mill roadball.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
Built but pasta.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
But ultimately they were getting speed bumps. So we're stopping
the waste. We're focusing it back on the basics, and
that remaining funding is going to go towards priority projects
such as the Eastern Busway, more trained to the city
rail link, in local roading upgrades across Aukland.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
So look, tomorrow we're going to be released from Auckland
Auckland's petrol tax. And again, cynically speaking, here comes another one,
just like the other one. So your plan includes a
proposed increase in fuel taxes by twelve cents a leader
in a couple three years time, rising the twenty two cents.
We're increasing registration fees by fifty bucks over two years.
What do you say to those households who are struggling
(08:00):
just with the current economic pressure.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
We've made it very clear this government is not increasing
fuel excise and road user charges in this term. That's
what we've delivered as part of our Transport PLA package
we announced last week. There were no increases in fuel
excise and road user charges. But in the long term,
we do need to pay for the infrastructure that New
Zealand does need. It does cost money to maintain our roads,
(08:26):
it does cost money to build new roads, and so
we do need to increase those revenues in the long term.
And the reality is by twenty twenty seven, there would
have been six years without any increase in fuel excise
or road user charges, and the cost of building roads
maintaining roads has continued to increase, and so we will
be increasing it in twenty twenty seven and in the
(08:47):
year's following so that we can continue to maintain those
roads and the new roads that New Zealanders expect, so
that we can grow our economy and boost productivity, which
is really important to our country.
Speaker 2 (08:59):
So the nine to one percent boost for NZTA, big boost,
fifty percent for local councils. That's the boost there to
fix and prevent potholes. That sounds impressive, just one small detail.
Have we got the manpower to get on top of
these such a simple yet frustrating.
Speaker 3 (09:15):
Issue, Well we do. NDTA will be contracting with a
range of contractors that are actually looking at changes to
their contracting model to look more at how they can
use a wide array of array of contractors to assist
with the task. But ultimately this money is not just
it's not just an increase in funding for fixing and
preventing potholes, but it's ring fencing that funding towards the
(09:38):
activities which are most important. And so we'll be ring
fencing that those funds for maintaining which means reselling the road,
rehabilitating them, fixing the drainage, those key elements of maintaining
the roading network. So it's not just being spent on
other things which which it is easy. It's easy, and
I think the previous government was actually proposing to use
(09:58):
the road the road maintenance budget to actually be used
on cycle ways with ring fens that just those key
activities which are for maintaining and preventing potholes on our roads.
So we'll be very clear around our expectations and we expect.
We expect to see that the agency, but also local
(10:19):
councils really focus on those key outcomes that New Zealand
motorists expect to see.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
What about the role of tolls that will be played
when it comes to the rows of national significance. How
far have you got with your plans on what roads
will be told and sort of how much.
Speaker 3 (10:37):
Well, we've said very clearly that any road that needs
recommends should have a toll. We will toll and if
you go around the rest of the world, that's how
a lot of new infrastructure is built using tolls. It
means that people who use it pay for it, and
it's another way that you can raise revenue to ensure
that we can actually fund the infrastructure that New Zealand needs.
(10:57):
We've got a massive infrastructure deficit as a country. We've
got a massive roading infrastructure deficit as a country, and
we need to get on top of it.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
What about when it comes to those sorry.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
So when it comes to building them, it's really important
we've got tolling as an option to pay for it.
But also by tolling it, it means that we're not
putting pressure on the remainder of the transport budget, which
which means we can protect those important maintenance budgets for
those rural state highways and those local councils so they
can continue to look after their own roading infrastructure.
Speaker 2 (11:29):
What about the alternative revenue options like public private partnerships.
Speaker 3 (11:35):
Yeah, well we've said all all types of revenue options
or funding financing options should be on the table to
build the infrastructure this country needs. We've got an ebity,
we've got an infrastructure deficit as a country, and we
need to be we need to be opened to utilizing
those and you know, the last government was very opposed
to public private partnerships. There are both to anything with
the word private in it, and we've actually said, well,
(11:57):
we need to be open to that so we can
actually get things done as a country. We're a small
country at the bottom of the world and we don't
have the lutch to sit around and pick and choose.
We've actually got to be open to using all types
of funding and financing options to get infrastructure done. But
what we won't do is what the last government did,
which was the rought of the regional fuel tax, where
(12:17):
they collected hundreds of millions of dollars and then failed
to spend it. That was a rout. We're getting rid
of it. It ends tomorrow and that's great news for Auckland.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Is where we at with congestion charging in various settings
cities obviously Auckland and Wellington probably a notable couple of
obvious ones. What's your where are we at with that?
Speaker 6 (12:36):
Well?
Speaker 3 (12:36):
The Government policy statement on transport says the government's committed
to it. It's part of our coalition agreement with the
Party to develop in past legislation to enable time of
use charging. That policy work is underway at the moment.
There's a number of things that we have to work
through as a government and we're doing that at the moment.
It's something which is a priority in Auckland. The key
(12:59):
point I back about time of use charging though it's
not a revenue tool. It's about making sure sure we
maximize the efficiency of the network. It's about making sure
that we can spread the load of traffic during peak
times so that we can get more efficiency out of
the network. That's the key priority list governments identified for
(13:19):
time of use charging, and I believe that's the same priority
the Mayor of Auckland has in regards to how it
should be done. So we're working through the policy on
that at the moment and we'll have more say once
decisions have been made.
Speaker 2 (13:31):
What about that, What do you say to that. There's
a group of about academics who criticize the plan saying
it's a step backwards on climate change, focuses too much
on road transports. What's your response to that.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
Well, I just think they're totally out of touch with reality.
The vast, vast majority of New Zealanders get in wake
up and get in their cars to go to work,
and that is that is the main way New Zealanders
get around. And we actually need to make sure we
are building the infrastructure so that New Zealanders can get
where they need to go. And the reality and you know,
(14:02):
years to come, as our vehicle fleet electrifies, more and
more people will be driving on lower mission or zero
mission vehicles. But at the same time, they're still going
to be roads to drive on, and so we're building
the infrastructure for the future. Regardless of what type of
vehicle people are driving, whether it's diesel, petrol, hybrid plug
(14:23):
and hybrid electric hydrogen, they're still going to need roads
to drive on and last time I look, buses drive
on roads and so were the lirung infrastructure that New
Zealanders need, that New Zealanders rely upon, and it's the
infrastructure for the future.
Speaker 2 (14:38):
What about the walking and cycling you're doing anything with that?
Are we just going to park that for a while
and focus on the roads.
Speaker 3 (14:43):
Well, well, we can actually reduce the amount going into
walking and cycling because ultimately in the last number of
years we've seen that their amount of money going into
that is a priority for the last government been too much.
We've seen the impact that it's had on many small
businesses where there's been a disregard around car parking and
those issues. We need to reb balance that. So, yes,
(15:06):
they're still funding for walking and cycling, but we want
to make sure it's going into areas where there's a priority,
where it's a priority, and we also want to make
sure we're taking the views of local communities and local
businesses with us is decisions made around where cycle ways
should happen. So it's about making sure there's a balance
rather than just simply like the last government building a
cycling bridge across the Harbor Bridge, which was an absolute
(15:28):
waste of money.
Speaker 2 (15:29):
So we've got the Roads of National Significance making comeback
seventeen projects. We've got alongside that eleven roads of regional
significance because they don't get built tomorrow. So I guess
the big question for for any government is how do
your future proof this? That obviously your plan. Ideally you
want to stand power as long as you can, but
you don't want to get what you want, So future
(15:50):
proofing wise, how do you is there have you had
any sort of across the sort of table discussions with
Labor But if there's a change of government, they're not
just going to shove it in the bin and build
a few more bikeways.
Speaker 3 (16:03):
Well, I think when when you look at we're the
Labor Party was towards the end of their term they
were much more open to roading infrastructure than they were
earlier in the term. So I think they have come.
They have come the right way after having canceled the
Roads of National Significance back in twenty seventeen when they
were first elected. But the thing is, there's a number
of things we need to do. We need to make
(16:24):
sure we've actually got contracts signed, we need to make
sure we've actually got projects consented. Fast track consenting is
such a critical part of actually being able to deliver
the roading infrastructure we need. If you look at the
roads of national significance, I think only one of them,
one of the new ones we've identified, actually has a consent,
and that's because for the last six years we haven't
(16:45):
been consenting major roading projects and so having fast track
consenting is such a critical part to got to build
a pipeline of infrastructure that New Zealand needs. Is a
country and whilst you know some people might raise concerns
about fast track concent I just look at the roading
needs we have as a country and say, well, if
we don't have fast track consents, we're never going to
get th built. So we need to have fast track consenting.
(17:07):
We need to have a one stop shop so we
can actually have that pipeline, that credible pipeline of infrastructure
projects that New Zealand needs on a plan so it's
ready to go, so we can build that pipeline, give
confidence to the contracting sector, and also have that range
of funding and financing tools so we can actually have
those progressive contracts continue over time rather than the stop
(17:30):
start mentality we've had labor excellent.
Speaker 2 (17:32):
Hey Simon Brown, I really appreciate your time and your
answers to staftenoon. Thanks so much. Enjoy the rest of
your day.
Speaker 5 (17:38):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (17:39):
Yeah, we go that Simon Brown here is the Minister
of Transport and we're going to throw this open for
calls after the after our interview with Alex tann around
the Biden Trump whatever it was debate and get your
feedback on eight hundred eighty. You can text your feedback
anytime nine two nine two, but you will take you
a feedback on eight hundred eighty ten and eighty. The
simple thing is your response to Simin Brown's plan that
(18:03):
is out laiate laid and you know how it's going
to be paid for. Are you on board with paying
for roads so long as we get them built. I'll
tell you what, He's a very thorough minister, Simeon Brown,
so I'm grateful to outline a few of those things
in a bit more detail for us. Anyway, we'll be
back in just a moment. You can text feedback as
I say, nine two nine two, can email Tim b
(18:24):
at Newstalk said BT cod in Zad, but back in
just a moment. It's twenty four past three.
Speaker 1 (18:29):
We're back to you.
Speaker 2 (18:43):
Yes, welcome back to the Weekend Collective. As I say,
you can text your feedback on nine two, nine two.
We'll be doing talk back in about well for the
last part of this hour on both these subjects around
the transport, but also well. The United States, you can
say has had a new low as Joe Biden and
Donald Trump had their first presidential debate and on Fridays
(19:04):
described as a two eriatrics squaring off the rest of
the world, and fifty one million viewers tuned in and
watched with our jaws hitting the floor a little bit. Anyway, democracies,
once shining city on the Hills, hit a new low.
Throughout the night. They reached for ridiculous claims and insults,
even arguing about their golf handicap. I think at one stage, anyway,
(19:24):
it was recorded that Trump made more than thirty false
claims during the debate, but that got lost a little
bit because people just looked at Joe and thought he
didn't put on his best show, did he? And it
got a lot of people asking who should he be replaced?
Before the election and to discuss more, I'm joined by
a professor of Political Science and International Elections at the
University of Canterbury. It's Alex Tan, good afternoon.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
A little tim, are you. I'm all right.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
I'm still recovering. You watched the US debate on Friday night.
What was your what were your initial and ongoing reactions.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
That these two candidates are too old? Yeah, that it's
too bad that we didn't see the best of any
of them. To be honest, Biden was just not there
and softball answer softball questions were not really answered convincingly,
(20:21):
and it's very difficult to understand what he was saying
as well. I think he was, you know, very incoherent. Trump,
on the other hand, continue to spew his life and
never re addressed the questions that were being asked as well.
So yeah, somebody said it's just, you know, essentially the
(20:41):
old man versus the con man.
Speaker 2 (20:43):
So yeah. So the reactions from how would you describe?
I mean, the Republicans probably delighted with it, I imagined,
but no, thereaction from the Democrats. Well, they'll be I
don't know what they'd be doing a lot of frenzied meetings,
just deciding whether they shouldn't or not.
Speaker 5 (21:01):
Yeah, there's I've been hearing quite reading quite a lot
as well. For example, the New York Times have been
called talking about Biden you know, should probably just step aside.
And then these are very senior editors of New York
Times saying that, you know, maybe his time is up,
(21:22):
but it's you know, it's it will be very messy
if you do that. First of all. Secondly, you also
need to have Biden agree that he needs to step
off from this. And you know, Biden's mantras, even from
the first campaign in twenty twenty is you know, I'm
sure many of many of us have heard about this.
(21:45):
He always says that you know, you know, when you
when you're down, you know, the mark of a person
is when you get hit, and you get hit down,
is how you stand back up. And that's always been him,
you know, that's always ideas. So unlikely that he I
don't think he will step away from that position.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Well, on that same I watched on the news last
night it showed him appear the next day at a rally,
and yeah, plenty of vega I couldn't. Yeah, were you
surprised because he he looked what I saw looked impressive
and I was like, where was that guy used today?
Speaker 5 (22:21):
Well, you know he was. There's claims that he was not.
He was. He was having a little bit of cold
or not feeling very well during the debate. But the
problem with the second day thing supposed to the first
day for the debate thing, is that the debate was
being watched by fifty million people and the rally is
only being watched by a handful of people. So, you know,
(22:45):
and when you go to a rally like that, who
are you talking to? You're sensaritly talking to the people
who are already in your camp, right and the people
who are watching. You know, there are many millions and
millions of people who are watching who are uncommitted. And
that's the one that you need to convince to vote
for you, because you know that that's go be determined
(23:06):
on who who who becomes president.
Speaker 2 (23:10):
If there is a chance that Biden might step aside,
and who knows, it's still got a favorite of water
to flow on the little bridge. Who could it possibly
be a there is there a short list of names
who could amount a credible campaign or I mean, people
keep on mentioning Michelle Obama. You don't want to do it,
but your country needs you.
Speaker 5 (23:30):
No, I don't think Michelle Obama wants to do it.
I think she's been asked before about that as well.
I mean, it's very it's a very tough tough position
to be helicoptered in or passion parachuted in in the
middle of the of a race like that. So you know,
there are some names popping up. Of course, obviously the
(23:52):
Vice President Kamala Harris uh. And then you can talk
about California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a likely candidate.
Speaker 4 (24:03):
Uh.
Speaker 5 (24:03):
There are others that would, but I'm not sure any
of them would want to go in in such a
situation like that. Yeah, because you have to. We have
to remind ourselves. You know, these type of American presidential
elections and elections in general, is an issue of fundraising.
(24:25):
And you know, the money that is committed to Joe
doesn't necessarily move to the next person that that's a
big question mark.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Is that money still committed to Joe? Any any fund
deserving a say on that?
Speaker 5 (24:37):
Do you think, Well, we don't know yet. We don't
know yet. But the money that he has he already has,
but whether future funding will be coming through with that performance,
it could be quite difficult for him to raise money
because if you're if you're, if you're you know, somebody
with billions of dollars there, you know, would you continue
(24:59):
to be on a bet on someone who you think
might not actually have a chance to win anymore?
Speaker 2 (25:05):
What about saying inral in this because there's been a
they've they've taken a lot of hate because Trump basically
stood up and just started lying and didn't stop till
he finished made more than thirty five times. Do you
think the scene in should have had some sort of
screen fact checker rolling underneath.
Speaker 5 (25:26):
Yeah, well, I mean that's the thing about this, the situation, right,
I don't we don't. We certainly do not know whether
that was something negotiated between the two sides, right, because
this debate was not under the rubric of the debate
by the Debate Commission, Right, And we all we also
have to remember that this is quite a strange debate
(25:46):
because both of them have not been officially been nominated
by their party yet. The convention is still you know,
amongst uh you know this, it's coming up for the Republicans.
And then followed by the followed by the Democrats. So
it's it's a weird situation, right. So so maybe these.
Speaker 4 (26:05):
Two guys negotiated what happened in the agreement on how
the conduct of the debate would be number one, But
number two, the problem is also that we are also
seeing the situation where in the media seems to be enabling,
you know, these things to happen, right, I mean, you're
giving Trump a stage where and you know he's going.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
To do that. Yeah, right, so you know he's going
to do that. And in.
Speaker 4 (26:32):
Any of the questions ask about January sixth, he just
skirted it away. You know, what's that thing about age two?
Speaker 5 (26:39):
You know?
Speaker 4 (26:39):
And and.
Speaker 2 (26:41):
Nancy Pelosi for turning down a justice deploy the National God,
that's right.
Speaker 4 (26:45):
That's right, that's right, it doesn't make sense. And and yes,
you would we would have seen n would have U
fact checked him, right and U. But then again, I
mean the question really there is is more like because
Biden's performance was not good, the other guy who the
(27:07):
other guy who tells a lie but can tell it
quite coherently kind of like feels like he's doing well.
Speaker 2 (27:15):
Somebody I was chatting with a friend said to me
last night that he's chatting to people in the States,
and he said that we in New Zealand and maybe
elsewhere outside of the States don't really understand what the
US voters priorities are. They don't really care about global security.
All they care about is jobs, jobs, jobs.
Speaker 5 (27:31):
Well that's true, as they say, there's no votes in
foreign policy and foreign affairs. You know, everything in politics
is really quite local, and it's about jobs. It's about economy,
it's about the cost of living. It's the same like
what we have here right, high interest rates of the
United States. Consumers are facing jobs that are really, comparatively speaking,
(27:55):
you know, not good quality jobs. You know, the president
and anyone is talking about job creation, job creation. There's
a lot of jobs created, but the quality of those
jobs are not necessarily as good as the ones that
are lost, so to speak.
Speaker 2 (28:12):
Yeah, what do you think the reaction to being outside
of the States, and let's say specifically with like the
European Union and NIGHTI partners. So wouldn't would you? You'd
love to say in the ticks that were flying between
to live on the line.
Speaker 5 (28:25):
And yeah, I'm sure they're Yeah, they're all worried. They're
all very worried because the likelihood of Trump too is
is bigger now? Right and uh so, you know, just
think of the situation in Ukraine. I mean, can you
imagine how Zelenski, the Ukrainian president is, you know, is
(28:47):
feeling right now after that performance of the debate. Right, so,
and then with Trump, quite isolation is in his policy?
You know, certainly worried. It's certainly worried. It worries the Europeans,
for sure, it worries nature.
Speaker 2 (29:05):
Yeah, for sure. Oh well, hey, thanks so much for
your time, Alex. We look forward to having a chatt
again sometime. Enjoy the rest of your day. Right, We're
going to take talk back on this as well. One
is your reaction to the Biden Trump debate, but more specifically,
obviously they're not going to be replacing Trump, but the
(29:26):
person who is under the microscope is Biden. Should he
be replaced? And if so, actually who should replace him?
My tape would be there is no way that Carmala
Harris is going to win any more votes than Joe Biden,
That's for sure. She looked like so promising when I
saw her initially campaign, but ever since she's been vice
president's not that impressive to be honest, but yeah, what
(29:48):
do you make of it all? And should So that's
one simple question. The other question is should see in
and have been running a fact check at the bottom
of the screen because it certainly became an issue because
he just stood out there and lied Trump that is
anyway your thoughts on that, but also just on more
domestic issues. If you want to participate in the show,
I the chat with sime and Brown, the Minister of
(30:11):
Transport around the ten year plan for transport. He is,
in my view, pretty impressive minister. I think in fact,
if you look at the young ones in national Erica
Stanford and Simme and Brown both very impressive performers. Do
you mind that you're going to be paying more at
the pump or do you mind paying a toll for
a road that gets you from me? To be a
(30:32):
bit quicker. So there's a couple of strands of talk
back to pick on eight hundred and eighty ten eighty
text nine to nine two Jump on the blower right now.
We'll be back straight after the break with your calls.
It's twenty to four. Welcome back to the Weekend Collective.
(31:19):
This is Politic Central is taking your course by the way,
it's fair to say that Biden didn't get us facts
right all the time on the debate as well. So
that's why I think, I mean would be useful. Do
you think that's an important part of it? And you
can make your own calls on who's telling the biggest whoppers?
Eight ten and eighty. Right, Let's just let's get into
the course. By the way, the one on the on
(31:39):
the road transport plan, I would pay a toll on
a road all day, every day so the government can
just get on an upgrade or build new roads as required.
We've seen it before with they pay for themselves. So
let's just get on and do it. I think there
are a lot of New Zealanders who feel that way. Right,
let's get into the course. Chuck, good afternoon.
Speaker 7 (31:58):
Oh hi, yes, so I've put one hundred dollars on
Michelle Obama. There's absolutely no way Joe Biden will be
standing against Trump.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
You seriously been one hundred bucks on it?
Speaker 6 (32:10):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (32:10):
Well do you one hundred?
Speaker 2 (32:12):
Where do you bet it?
Speaker 7 (32:13):
Oh? I've got an Aussie bank account Sports Sports Better
Australia okay, yeah, and if I win, it'll be two grand.
Speaker 2 (32:25):
Oh okay, So they reckon, it's long odds. Yeah, well,
I guess you know we're the hell you know.
Speaker 7 (32:32):
You should have seen the odds flick flicking around. During
the debate Trump Trump dropped from one sixty seven to
one fifty seven. Obama was two seventy now he's four
thirty three, and I reckon it'll change more. He just
(32:52):
there's no way he will stand.
Speaker 2 (32:54):
How did you did you watch the Actually, I'm just
curious to know what you were, what the action was,
as an an extant said, look, he rallied the day after,
but a handful of people are watching. Oh but that's
surprise you to say, I mean it might be why
di versus the next.
Speaker 7 (33:12):
No, the thing is I expected it to be bad,
but even I don't think Donald Trump expected it to
be that bad. The guy's got mental health issues. He
can't remember anything.
Speaker 2 (33:27):
I think when you get older.
Speaker 6 (33:30):
No, you.
Speaker 7 (33:32):
Do you want Sky News Australia at all?
Speaker 2 (33:35):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (33:35):
Yes, yeah, well they certainly pointed out the stuff he's done.
But as I say, I'll bet anything he won't stand
because what was it? Yes, somebody reckon that came from
a Democrat congressman. He said he's about ready to jump
off the bridge, and the calls are just coming so
(33:58):
strong because if they keep Biden, they won't just lose
the presidency, the loser Senate in Congress as well.
Speaker 2 (34:06):
Actually, I was wondering what the focus on Senate and
Congress are going to be that might focus here if
it's there as well. Thanks Chuck Ian.
Speaker 8 (34:12):
Hello, Yeah, good afternoon. Hey, look as Michelle Obama particularly
possibly in the running in place of Biden, Well okay, well, look,
I just want to put a completely different swing on
the conversation.
Speaker 2 (34:32):
Mm hmmm.
Speaker 8 (34:34):
I don't think a lot of people realize that the
president of the United States is the executive decision to
launch nuclear.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
With no I think we do realize that now everyone
knows that.
Speaker 8 (34:48):
Yeah, okay, well, I just wanted to make that point.
And who would you rather have with your finger on
the button, Boden or whatever, But there's there's no one
there to do it.
Speaker 2 (34:59):
Well, yep, that's probably something that's at the top of
some people's mind, although I don't think the Americans said
that way. I think jobs, jobs, jobs, Tom High.
Speaker 9 (35:08):
Hi there, Yeah, Simeon. Awesome to hear someone with a
bit of rational thinking back in that seat. I'm sick
and tired of this area where I hang out, speed cameras,
bumps as in as in road hunts to try and
slow us down, to capture us. It's it's just been
mental patients the way they've carried on here. And thank god,
(35:29):
there's a man that's actually got a few a few
brains on that front.
Speaker 2 (35:33):
He he's pretty well on top of it. He gives
them an impression, the impression of being very much on
top of his portfolios, doesn't.
Speaker 9 (35:40):
He Yeah, he looks like a young kid, like he's
only just learned to shave. But I give him more
full credit.
Speaker 2 (35:48):
His entire political career isn't it, has it?
Speaker 9 (35:51):
I don't know, but I'll take that. I'll give him me.
He's rational. That was the first rational thing I've heard
from a transport minister in many, many years, in six years.
So hats off to him, and may may he prevail
with his with his go forward plans. And on the
old on the old trumpy thing, old Papa Joey must
(36:12):
have found Hunter's station, I'd say, on the second day
to be able to be jacked up that well, well.
Speaker 2 (36:17):
Somebody said he had a cold. Did was he medicated
with something? That they didn't read the but may cause drowsiness.
Speaker 9 (36:23):
Yeah, yeah, if he didn't want to read the fine print.
But I mean, I'm not American politics as far as
I'm concerned anyway, Well.
Speaker 2 (36:33):
Actually it is, and I think, yeah, I mean, apart
from the elderly nature both presidents and the and the
various problems that I think both of them have got,
I think American states and politics is in a dire
state given the prevalence of the sort of red neck
religious nonsense the right and then and then and.
Speaker 9 (36:53):
They're completely yes, coros of sensibilities within society.
Speaker 2 (37:00):
Someone in the middle, for goodness sake, you know. Anyway, Hey, Tom,
than for that mate, Sorry, it might just disappear there
on me.
Speaker 6 (37:09):
Yeah, good afternoon, hows a going today?
Speaker 2 (37:10):
Good?
Speaker 6 (37:11):
Thanks, Really enjoying the show. Actually look forward to your
shows during the week because it's really interesting.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
Good cheers.
Speaker 6 (37:17):
That's right anyway, Talking about two things. As far as
the thing, I watched it on TV, it's like a
sad eighties comedy. And also I feel really sad for
the people over there. But in some ways, I think
you've got to take into mind that maybe he had
a few to a few things as far as with
his son and all the court things going on in
his mind, maybe in the background that you have to take.
Speaker 2 (37:37):
The account to the United States, I mean Trump. You
can say Trump's just been found guilty in a court,
He's had a lot on his mind as well.
Speaker 6 (37:44):
So yeah, yeah, I know you try and think of
the positive things of people in that. But do you think, well,
you've got places like Libya and Syria and North Korea.
We'll probably looking at Erica going oh well he gets
back in and we invade someone, Probably nothing's going to happen.
Speaker 2 (38:00):
That's I think that's most of our worries actually, because
Trump Trump would lead a more isolation to America.
Speaker 6 (38:05):
So yeah, and then as far as that the roading goes,
I think it's quite I was listening to them is
actually it seems to be really on to it because
I loved down in Hamilton and and we've got speed
bumps all over the place, and then I'm going to
work the other day there's one of those camera vans
park down a road that had speed bumps all the
way along, and think, what are you actually trying to
catch people speeding over speed bumps? So I didn't understand
(38:25):
the post.
Speaker 2 (38:26):
Look, a number of people I wonder imagine the pit
stop in places that fix shot fixed shot are doing
a great, a real fantastic trade thanks to those speed bumps.
But yeah, hey, thanks Craig, look like he last. Let's
go to Tim get egulate.
Speaker 3 (38:42):
Tim, Hey, what do you listen to?
Speaker 8 (38:43):
The most despicable thing I've ever heard?
Speaker 2 (38:47):
I don't think we bother about that. Tim, it's ten
minutes or nine minutes to four. We'll do the broadcasting. Thanks.
If you want to have your opinion, then just you
know that we'll roll with that. But I'll tell you what.
We'll take a break, come back with some texts, and
just to take nine minutes to four news talks. He'd
be yes, welcome back to Politics Central. Look, Actually, we've
(39:14):
had a lot of techs supporting Simmion Brown. Here's a
couple before we move on. I don't think we need to. Well,
there's a lot more water to flow under the Trump
Biden bridge, so we'll no doubt be able to revisit that.
But the tram Rea, the transport plan one sees. I'm
hopping and hopping mad learning that our money via the
regional fuel levy was used to make expensive speed bump
(39:37):
cycle lanes, et cetera. Who controls at I'm just so
mad when people people were straining to make payments and
they merely went round and spend it on non infrastructure.
I'm yeah on transport, Yeah, the number of speed bumps
and stuff around the place, it's just ridiculous. On main
therapies and you watch buses them to stop and lumber
(39:59):
over them. It's just crazy. I'm keen on getting the
infrastructure that we need built. However it's paid also for
the Southland as saying we're not getting nearly as many
roads the Hope and wood End bypasses are happening. Okay,
I don't know much about that great interview Tim with Simeon.
He would have to be the most thoroughly prepared and
plausible minister in Wellington. Common sense as a rare commodity, Well,
(40:21):
I think he's got some good competition there. But yeah,
he does impress. Doesn't he imagine the amount of work
you'd have to do when the um of portfolios? He
he's Minister of Local Government as well, isn't he. Somebody
does make the point regarding whether we should have seeing
in doing the false checking the checking of false claims.
I think it was about Trump thirty Biden nine. Although
(40:44):
the scale of Trump's whoppers are quite impressive sometimes. But anyway,
nobody should be surprised. That really should we. But this
person makes a good point that the entire proposition of
a debate wh the entire proposition part of a debate,
Let's say, is if someone makes a false claim, you debate,
then you make your counter argument. Let's stopping offender. But
Trump makes false claims. There is a point to that,
(41:04):
I guess. But generally the point of a debate is
to argue based on an agreed set of facts, not
spend all your time having to no, no, maybe I
don't agree with that text. It's usually we have some
sort of agreed set of facts and interpretation. But yeah, anyway, look, yeah,
thanks for your feedback. We'll be back very shortly. This
(41:25):
is news Talk Said B. It's just committed to three
minutes to four.
Speaker 7 (41:31):
And your kisses.
Speaker 2 (41:32):
Who could through them?
Speaker 1 (41:36):
For more from the Weekend Collective, listen live to News
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podcast on iHeartRadio.
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com