Politics Central

Financial skills would become a core part of the school curriculum, if Labour is re-elected.

The Party's promising to make teaching financial literacy compulsory from 2025.

It would mean school leavers will know how to budget, manage bills, invest and open bank accounts.

Labour's Education Minister Jan Tinetti says research shows some schools do this well already, but others schools- not so much.

"The fact that we've got inequity that's happening there for our young people- we need to make certain that all young people come out with a basis of skills."

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National's Mark Mitchell has proposed some solutions as Countdown increases security in response to retail crime.

Over the last six years, the supermarket has seen a more than 600 percent in reported stolen goods and a 300 percent increase in physical assaults.

It's now rolling out more specific team training, store design initiatives, push to talk radios and use of CCTV.

National Police spokesperson Mark Mitchell says they'll combat this by targeting ringleaders and establishing bootcamps for serious young offenders.

"Definitely a result of the soft-on-crime Labour Government, who took their eye off the ball in terms of not just public safety, but obviously retail crime."

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Supermarket chain Countdown has reported a 663 percent increase in reported stolen goods over 6 years, Mark Mitchell joins The Weekend Collective to discuss what needs to be done about this.

Later, Jan Tinetti announces The Labour Party's plans to make financial literacy compulsory in schools.

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The Finance Minister says economists will have to get use to their latest pre-election pitch.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today announced a boost to the In-Work Tax Credit, which will benefit about 160,000 families.

They'll also cut GST from fruit and veggies, to take effect as soon as April 2024.

Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen has described the idea as pure politics, over economics.

Minister Grant Robertson says people who believe in the purity of the tax system will never like something that upsets it.

"It doesn't suit economists or tax experts, who see these things as models. When you get into real life, this will make a difference."

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This week on Politics Central, Grant Robertson unpacks Labour's plan to GST on fresh, and frozen fruit and vegetables, if re-elected.

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The Greens say hundreds of thousands of people need dental care, but are held back by the cost.

The Party's new plan includes annual check-ups and cleaning and free fillings, sealants, and tooth removals for anyone who needs them.

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says this plan will be covered by a wealth tax, which will only impact a small percent of taxpayers.

"People just aren't going because it costs too much. There's capacity out there right now, and at the same time, we'd also build up the workforce."

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The Government today announced plans to build an alternative Waitemata Harbour crossing, alongside further upgrades to Auckland's North Shore.

The alternative crossing includes two three-lane road tunnels and a 21 kilometre Light Rail tunnel between Albany and the CBD.

Transport Minister David Parker is confident the second Waitemata Harbour crossing will be built within a clear timeframe.

"We've had extra lines being put in on the railway, we've had the City Rail Link built. Those are political insults, rather than fact-based."

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This week on Politics Central, the Labour Government announced their plans to open a new Auckland Waitematā Harbour bridge and the Green Party announced their policy proposal for free dental care for all. 

Transport Minister David Parker and Greens co-leader Marama Davidson joined to elaborate further.

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The ACT Party wants to tweak the country's employment laws.

It also has its sights on the Employment Relations Authority, which ACT says is currently taking an average of 76 days to deliver a decision.

Leader David Seymour says if elected, ACT would require all decisions to be made within a month.

"And if you're a member of the ERA and you don't perform at that level, then maybe it's time for you personally to look for different employment."

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With the election looming, a political expert warns that Labour's string of bad press will have consequences in the polls.

Labour has had a turbulent week, beginning with Kiri Allan stepping down after Sunday night's crash, followed by David Parker resigning from his Revenue Portfolio and National leaking a planned GST policy.

Former Minister and commentator Peter Dunne says the combination of these incidents indicates the Government is losing control of their agenda ahead of the election. 

"If National can just keep its' focus and not get similarly distracted, then its' chances go up immeasurably. But this was the week from hell for Chris Hipkins."

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