Politics Central

The trucking industry says it is backing the Government, in its speed limit conflict with Auckland Council.

The two groups have been having a war of words, over raising the speed limits and bringing in variable limits around schools.

Auckland Council wants more power to set their own limits, the final decision is the Government's though.

National Road Carriers Policy and Advocacy General Manager, James Smith, says that's how it should be.

"The rules around setting speed limits should be set by central Government, so you get consistency throughout the country. And then, the local Governments would need a very, very good reason to stray from those guidelines."

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The UK is undergoing a historic political change - leaving other parts of the world wondering what comes next.

The win for Labour marks the end of the Conservative's 14 years in power.

With this comes new Ministers, such as the Minister for Business and Trade as well as Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

Former High Commissioner to the UK, Lockwood Smith, says he believes the only policy change that'll come with this will be domestic.

"I don't think we'll see a big shift in the trade policy or their foreign policy - except for, I think, an attempt to warm up the relationship with the EU, which is needed."

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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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The Transport Minister is focused on building essential infrastructure as the Auckland Regional Fuel Tax is scrapped.

Auckland motorists will save 11.5 cents a litre, with the tax removed from tomorrow.

Simeon Brown says hundreds of millions of dollars from the tax wasn't being spent at all.

"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 trains for the rail link and local roading upgrades."

He adds the Government isn't increasing fuel excise and road user charges in this term.

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Joe Biden is unlikely to step aside from the US Presidential Election.

There are calls for him to stand down after he stumbled answering questions and didn't finish sentences in the debate with Donald Trump.

Many were calling it Biden's chance to prove his physical and mental fitness for another Presidential term.

Canterbury University Political Science and International Relations professor Alex Tan says it would be messy for a new presidential candidate to step in.

"There are others that could, but I'm not sure any of them would want to go into a situation like that."

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This week on Politics Central, Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot claimed cancelling the upgrade of the existing Interisland ferry fleet with two large ferries was a critical error from the Government, and Friday's Aratere grounding was a long time coming after years of warnings.

Later, Children's Minister Karen Chhour unveiled her plan to cut down youth offending by introducing a new declaration for young offenders to ensure they face tougher consequences and are better supported to turn their lives around. 

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The Children's Minister says initiatives to address youth crime will provide needed consequences for young offenders.

The Government is proposing to introduce a Youth Serious Offender declaration, meaning the courts could send them to a military style academy.

Legislation will be introduced before the end of the year, while a pilot academy begins in Palmerston North at the end of July.

Karen Chhour says we can't keep letting young offenders keep causing harm in local communities.

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Several inquiries are underway after a suspected steering problem saw the Interisland ferry Aratere run aground near Picton.

On Friday night, the ship became grounded.

It was re-floated successfully last night on the high tide.

Maritime Union spokesperson Victor Billot believes it could be a while before the ship is back sailing.

"They're going to have to look at the steering system, obviously, they're going to have to look the hull...it's going to be a long time."

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This week on Politics Central, Otago University international relations expert Robert Patman discusses whether peace in Ukraine is possible as world leaders gather in Switzerland to try and build support for Ukraine’s peace proposals - and if Putin's 'unrealistic' offer is cause for hope.

Later, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Brooke van Velden, talks about the Government's announcement of a roadshow consultation on work health and safety. 

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's demands for a ceasefire have been rejected by European leaders at a Ukraine summit.

The leaders of Italy and Germany have lambasted Putin's proposals, which included Ukraine handing over more territory to Russia.

It comes as world leaders meet in Switzerland to discuss ending the conflict.

New Zealand foreign affairs expert professor Robert Patman says Putin wants the invasion to be internationally recognised.

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