Larry Williams Drive

Security has been upped ahead of the opening Rugby World Cup match in Paris. More than 7000 Police officers will be on-site as the All Blacks play France tomorrow morning. It's after chaos broke out after last year's Champions League football final at the Stade de France in Paris. France Correspondent Catherine Field told Heather Du Plessis-Allan this is what France has to do. “The Rugby World Cup – whilst this is what we’re all focusing on – the security forces are also using this as a test run for next year’s Olympic Games which are gonna be here.” LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parliament has officially wound up today. New Zealand Herald Extraordinary Phillip O'Shea headed procedures earlier today, despite Parliament officially closing last week. A new Taxpayers Union-Curia poll has spelled turmoil for the Labour Party. It's put the party at 27 percent - no change from last month - but well behind National at 35 percent. But Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says his election campaign is "only just ramping up". Meanwhile, National leader Chris Luxon has been rounding up the business conference, pledging to bring back 90-day trials and concentrate on low productivity. Newstalk ZB Senior Political Correspondent Barry Soper joined Heather du Plessis-Allan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are a parent or a grandparent worried about whether our schooling will teach your child to read properly – you need to listen to this. Good education announcement from National today. I have been waiting for anyone to announce this for a couple of years now. So I'm pleased someone’s finally done it. If the Nats win the election, they will require all primary schools to teach little ones to read using structured literacy – which is basically going back to phonics.  Now let me explain to you why this is potentially a game changer. For the last 50 years, our schools have not been teaching phonics. They have been teaching what’s called whole language.  And basically what that does is assumes that kids will naturally learn to read just like they learn to talk. If you leave books with pictures lying around for them and if the book has the word apple next to a picture of an apple – that will teach them to read.  It is rubbish. It does not.  It is such a fail that 36 percent of our 14-year-olds failed the NCEA

Former President Donald Trump on Thursday formally notified the judge overseeing the Georgia election subversion case that he “may” try to move his state case into federal court. Trump’s lawyers have previously said they would try to move the case, which could help him get the charges dropped by invoking immunity protections for federal officials. “President Trump hereby notifies the Court that he may seek removal of his prosecution to federal court,” his lawyer Steven Sadow said in a brief court filing. “To be timely, his notice of removal must be filed within 30-days of his arraignment.” The 30-day clock began on August 31, when Trump waived his right to an arraignment hearing and entered a not guilty plea. There are several potential benefits for Trump if he can move the state case into federal court. It would give him additional avenues to get the charges dropped if he can convince a judge that his alleged actions in the indictment were tied to his formal duties as a government official. If the case stays

Heartbreaking news for Warriors fans overnight. Star playmaker Shaun Johnson has been officially ruled out of tomorrow's first-round NRL finals match with the Penrith Panthers in Penrith with a calf injury. Warriors assistant coach Justin Morgan joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to discuss. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corrections staff are going on strike. 98 percent of association members rejected the latest collective agreement offer - with 97 percent voting in favour of industrial action. Members are seeking an offer higher than inflation's 6 percent - and greater staffing numbers. Corrections Association President Floyd du Plessis told Heather du Plessis-Allan dates for strike action will be decided next week. He says all they want is Corrections to come back with a reasonable offer so action can be avoided. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A manhunt has been launched after a former soldier awaiting trial on terror charges escaped from a London prison. Daniel Abed Khalife had been accused of planting fake bombs at a military base and allegedly breaching the Official Secrets Act. UK correspondent Enda Brady says he reportedly escaped by clinging on to the underside of a food delivery van. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, former Labour chief of staff and Maxim Institute director Tim Wilson joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day- and more! Labour leader Chris Hipkins has apologised today - after his party released social media ads with misleading information about National's plan to scrap the first-year fees-free policy for tertiary education. This is on top of Willie Jackson claiming a National/ACT Government would get rid of the minimum wage. Is this issue unique to Labour? What's going on with these lies? Police Minister Ginny Andersen says Labour is committed to continuing investment in fighting crime. The party promised 300 more police officers over four years if re-elected, on top of  the1800 more officers added during their previous term. How effective will this scheme be? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Residential building work has dropped for the third consecutive quarter in a row, according to new data. The Wellington region led the annual decline, with a 13 percent PA fall in residential construction put in place. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen says this downturn reflects high interest rates and declining house prices trickling down to the construction sector. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More trouble for the carbon credit scheme that Labour wants to use to fund climate initiatives. The Government has tried - and failed - a third time to auction off credits, giving businesses the right to emit carbon dioxide. This means Treasury is now short over $900 million ahead of Tuesday's Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update. The Country's Jamie Mackay says the credits will be available to purchase again- but economists warn the units could be harder to sell a fourth time. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert warns that Kiwis will soon feel more pain at the pump. Crude oil prices have climbed to new heights, after Saudi Arabia and Russia committed to maintaining their production cuts through to the end of 2023. Brent oil reached $90 per barrel for the first time since November.  NZ Herald business editor at large Liam Dann says this is the first time since 2021 that crude oil prices have surged without the tax break in place. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Claims truth is the first casualty of the election season. Labour leader Chris Hipkins has had to apologise for the actions of several party members, with inaccurate information being shared about National and ACT's plans for the country. Willie Jackson found himself in hot water over his claims about minimum wage, junior staffers have been exposed lying about the opposition's plans for student loan interest- among others. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the first week of the 2023 election campaign has been dominated by untruths from Labour. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National's transport spokesman has labelled Auckland Light Rail's commercial building purchase 'shocking'. Auckland Light Rail has signed a $33 million contract to buy the Kiwi Bacon Building, located on New North Road. That's despite National vowing to scrap the $14.6-billion-dollar project if elected next month. Simeon Brown says the Government has had six years to deliver and hasn't presented a business case to purchase the building. "The Government hasn't got a business case, they haven't got a route- yet they've decided to spend $33 million on a commercial property. This is absolutely unbelievable."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns over employers making young people work during school hours. James Cook High School principal Grant McMillan says most employers are helpful and work with the school. But he says some fast food places and construction sites make kids ditch school for work. "Sadly, there are a small group of employers who tend to exploit young people by ensuring that the employer's needs are met before the young person's school - or other needs - are met." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A slow down for the clean-up of silt in the cyclone ravaged Hawke's Bay. About $44 million has been committed to managing silt and debris. But the Regional Council says the money's run out a month earlier than expected. Silt Recovery Taskforce Lead Darren de Klerk says they've explained the issue to the Government. "To get us going for the next six months through to the end of summer 2024, we've forecast around $18 million. That should put a significant dent in the silt." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Minister says bolstering the police force will help New Zealand tackle a complex crime situation. Labour has promised 300 more cops over four years if re-elected. It's on top of about 1800 more staff coming on board since Labour won the 2017 election. Police Minister Ginny Andersen says it will make a material difference. "Those extra police officers mean that when people call the phone and ring up police, we get a response immediately." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has confirmed he'll visit China by the end of the year. This trip will be the first visit to the region from an Australian Prime Minister since 2016. It's been speculated for several months that Albanese will make this journey, after a successful interaction with Xi Jinping at a G20 meeting last year. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says this meeting is the first step of a journey to repair relations between both nations. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson has jetted to Sydney, but there's no guarantees he'll play in Saturday's NRL finals match against the Penrith Panthers. The Warriors' 'Player of the Year' has reportedly suffered a lower leg injury and has just a 50/50 chance of taking the field. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A nurses union says having more staff will reduce violence in emergency departments. There have been more than 7,000 assaults of public health employees in the two years to April. The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine is calling for around-the-clock security guards in all EDs. NZNO's Kerri Nuku says reducing wait times will lower the tension. "If we had more nurses, more doctors on the floor to be able to deal with the crisis- ED departments across the whole workforce are short." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Russian mercenary group Wagner is set to be prescribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government- making it illegal to align with or support the organisation. UK home secretary Suella Braverman described the group as 'violent and destructive' and a 'threat to global security'. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this designation could provide a legal basis for Ukrainians to sue Wagner for billions in compensation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.