Politics Central

This week on Politics Central, Chris Bishop joins the show to discuss the National Party Conference, plus Dr. Paul Buchanan joins us to unpack the developments in Russia.

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The National Party announced their new gang policy that would make a change to the sentencing act. Specifically, it would make being a member of a gang an aggravating factor. Paul Goldsmith joins Tim to discuss the policy in full.

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This week on Politics Central- Greens co-leader Marama Davidson explains theParty's new tax policy, OliverShaw's Robin Oliver explains whether or not a wealth tax could work, and Judith Collins shares why we need to end the ban on GE & GM.

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National have promised to end New Zealand's ban on gene editing and genetic modification, if elected.

Their Harnessing Biotech Policy would also streamline approvals for trials and use of non-gene editing biotech, in line with other OECD countries.

Judith Collins, National's Science, Innovation, and Technology spokesperson says New Zealand is too far behind when it comes to utilising research and meeting climate change targets.

"We have 7 different Crown Research Institutes, we've got 8 universities, all of which do research. And then we have 18 different independent research institutes. We're researching everywhere, but then nothing is really able to move outside of the lab."

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One tax expert says a wealth tax is unworkable and unnecessary.

The Green Party wants to introduce a wealth tax of 2.5 percent on assets worth more than 2 million.

This would extend to assets worth more than $4 million owned by a couple.

OliverShaw tax advisor Robin Oliver says it's difficult to calculate one's wealth.

"Some things you can value- listed company shares. But outside of that with small businesses, everything else, artwork, it's a matter of judgement and you don't know until someone fronts up with the cash."

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The Green Party wants the wealthiest New Zealanders to pay their fair share of tax.

The party's new tax policy will raise the top rate to 45 percent while raising the corporate tax rate to 33 percent.

In addition, a new 2.5 percent wealth tax will be charged on any asset worth more than $2 million.

Party co-leader Marama Davidson says these changes will affect only 0.7 percent of people.

"We've got what we need to end poverty, and so we're asking those on the highest, highest income and wealth to contribute."

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ACT's Deputy Leader is certain Kiwi voters will be in the mood for change this election.

Brooke Van Velden today delivered an impassioned speech to a sold-out party conference at Auckland's SkyCity Theatre and criticised Labour's management of the economy and Covid-19.

She says the 600-person crowd were in the mood for real change and less regulations going forward.

"Not only are we opposing what a lot of the Government's been putting out for the last few years, we've been putting forward real, practical ideas today."

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A new ACT Party policy proposes new powers to interrogate ministries and cut excess regulation.

If elected, ACT will introduce a new Minister and Ministry for Regulation which would go sector by sector asking what rules are getting in the way.

Political commentator Peter Dunne says there are issues with regulations that need addressing, as they don't follow a similar process to legislation.

"A lot of them remain on the books long after their relevance has passed, and a lot of them could be scrapped without any noticeable impact."

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This week on Politics Central, Peter Dunne joins the show to talk about dirty politics and whether that changes your opinion on an MP's ability to lead.

Later, ACT's Brooke Van Velden joins us live in the studio to discuss their new policy announcement around regulation to control the impact ministers have over the decisions they make for Kiwis. 

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The National Party's new housing policy comes with strong conditions for councils.

The opposition has had an about-face on the bipartisan Medium Density Residential Standards allowing three storey housing in all residential areas

Under National's new policy, councils have the option to exclude certain areas from housing development.

Housing spokesperson Chris Bishop says councils still have the chance to use the Medium Density Residential Standards.

"What we are saying is- you can exempt particular areas if you'd like to, but you've got to find the growth elsewhere. In fact, you've got to find even more growth than before."

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