The Panel

The Children's Commissioner is telling the government to follow the lead of the UK, South Africa and Australia, and immediately ban smoking in cars with children in them.

The idea that won't go away went in front of Auckland's council today. Our panellists weigh in with their thoughts on the idea, and how it might be received.

The Melbourne Cup kicks off in half an hour, amid unseasonal, torrential rain in Australia's second-largest city. What the Panelists Moira Lawler and Chris Wikaira want to talk about. Voters in the United States head to the polls for mid-term elections tomorrow, and both political parties are pulling out all the stops to make sure the result goes their way. Consumer NZ has harshly condemned most types of mechanical insurance, saying they're overly complicated and contain lots of technicalities which allow insurers to absolve themselves from paying up. Consumer NZ's chief researcher Jessica Wilson joins us to explain more. Air NZ has released a new safety video, but are they more useful as forms of entertainment than safety guides these days? There isn't much (visible) fallout from Guy Fawkes yesterday, but public sentiment towards the celebration seems to be shifting.

The idea that won't go away went in front of Auckland's council today. Our panellists weigh in with their thoughts on the idea, and how it might be received. The Children's Commissioner is telling the government to follow the lead of the UK, South Africa and Australia, and immediately ban smoking in cars with children in them. A report into culture and conduct at New Zealand's banks paints a murky picture, even if it lacks the outrageousness of the Royal Commission of Inquiry in Australia. NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann joins us to explain the review's conclusions. As the European Union tries to move away from daylight saving time, the panellists discuss whether New Zealand should do the same.

A case of phony cancer treatment, plus an update on all the songs President Trump is not allowed to use.

We find the answers to any queries you can think up.

Public sentiment against fireworks seems to be gaining traction, with convincing arguments being made by animal rights activists in particular. Bianka Atlas from the Companion Animal Council joins the panellists to discuss the effect loud gunpowder explosions have on animals.

Emergency departments are offering patients vouchers for private clinics to steer them away, with the Waitemata DHB alone handing out more than 1,000 a month according to a New Zealand Herald investigation. John Tamihere from Te Whanau o Waipareira joins us to talk about the stretched health system and the impact it's having on communities.

What the Panelists Catherine Robertson and Alan McElroy want to talk about.

Australian airline Qantas is coming under public pressure to emulate its competitor Virgin in giving war veterans preferential boarding rights and reading acknowledgments of their service in-flight.