Larry Williams Drive

There's hope WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange will be back in Australia by the week's end. Wikileaks says the 52-year-old has left a UK prison, after reaching a deal with US authorities. The BBC is reporting Assange was likely to plead guilty to a charge of conspiracy to obtain and disclose US national defence information, in a deal giving him freedom. Australian Greens Senator, David Shoebridge, says people across the country's political spectrum have been demanding his release. "We want him to be dipping his feet in the sand of an Australian beach before the week is out." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Key figures in our Covid-19 response could have to give evidence publicly for phase two of the Government inquiry. Its focus is vaccine efficacy and safety, Auckland and Northland's extended lockdowns and the disruption to health, education, and business. Phase One examined the lessons learned from the pandemic. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says it's possible Dame Jacinda Ardern and Sir Ashley Bloomfield could be among those needing to appear. "It could be a range of different people. Like I say, I can't give a guarantee on what that will look like, because that's up to the Commission at the end of the day." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think we can all see the Nats stuffed up the 13 cancer drugs announcement on so many levels.They should never have promised specific drugs, that's Pharmac's job. But having promised them for the first year, they shouldn't have then broken that promise by leaving them out of the Budget.  And then, it's never really a good look if you finally get dragged to delivering on your promise because of public outrage.But having said all of that - sometimes I think we get a little too caught up on the political shenanigans and not focus enough on the end point.And how good is the end point? We have just had the single biggest injection of cash into Pharmac ever, we've had more cancer drugs than ever promised to be delivered in one go.That announcement yesterday of 54 new drugs wiped more a third off Pharmac’s wishlist.Between the $600 million yesterday and the $1.7 billion announced in the Budget, this Government - which hasn’t even been in power for 9 months - has pumped $2.3 billion into Pharmac.Now, I'm of the view

It's been confirmed Julian Assange will return to Australia after being released from prison.  The Wikileaks founder was charged with conspiracy to obtain and disclose national defence information - and spent seven years in Ecuador's London Embassy, and five in a British prison. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Assange is set to return to Australia by the end of the week - and there's plenty of excitement for his arrival. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to the re-emergence of an old Achilles tendon injury. The 33-year-old was sidelined last month through a combination of the achilles issue, as well as a pectoral muscle strain. He returned in Round 15 before suffering a hamstring strain in last weekend's heavy loss to the Titans. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave unpacked what this loss means for the Warriors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns the India-New Zealand relationship could be strained by the high number of student visa rejections. Immigration NZ figures show applications between October 1 2023 and May 6 2024 for student visas by Indian nationals had an approval rate of 47 percent. The Immigration Minister has claimed it's not 'blanked geographic discrimination', but rather concern surrounding more high-risk applicants out of India. Waitakere Indian Association President Sunil Kaushal doesn't believe this argument.  "India is a diverse land, we know that there are many talented and skilled people out there who want to further their education - and coming to New Zealand is a great opportunity for that."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Top officials from both the EU and China have spoken about controversial EV tariffs over the weekend - and agreed to further talks. The call marks the first time the two sides have agreed to negotiate since the EU threatened China with electric vehicle tariffs of up to 38 percent. UK correspondent Gavin Grey says this is a positive step forward. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a bad week for infrastructure incidents, with increased pressure on the Government to find a solution. Between a Defence Force plane breaking down, a toppled power pylon wiping out Northland's power and the grounding of an Interislander ferry, concern is growing about a potential disaster. NZME business commentator Fran O'Sullivan explains where the Government can go from here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pharmac's getting a funding boost for new cancer drugs in a pre-commitment from next year's Budget. The Government's announced money for up to 26 cancer treatments, in an overall package of up to 54 new medicines. ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two teens have been arrested after they got into a brawl at a mall in Adelaide. Police received reports of two groups of young males fighting in the food court and some people in the group were allegedly carrying weapons. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says the alert locking down the mall was reminiscent of the recent attack at Bondi Junction. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 24 June 2024, the Government has confirmed more than 50 new medicines will be funded, including some of the cancer drugs National promised before the election. So is Pharmac really still independent? Finance Minister Nicola Willis tells Heather she's going to try get by without having to buy new ferries for another five to six years. Scott Barrett is the new captain of the All Blacks! All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan speaks to Heather from the big naming ceremony. Plus the Huddle debates whether the new Jacinda Ardern documentary is something to look forward to. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson-Willis PR and Child Fund chief executive Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! It's been revealed that last week's power outage in Northland was caused by too many nuts being removed from the legs of a pylon. What do we think of this? Is this a sign something bigger is going on? How much trouble is the Government in after the ferry drama over the weekend, given that Nicola Willis herself made it clear she wants the two ferries we had on order cancelled? It's being reported that a documentary about Dame Jacinda Ardern is in the works in Hollywood. Ae we looking forward to this? How will it be received in New Zealand - and overseas? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Barrett has been named as the new captain of the All Blacks. The Crusaders lock is set to take over as skipper in the first squad named by Scott Robertson as All Blacks coach. All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan outlined why Barrett was the best choice for the role. "He's a real leader, players follow him - and he's a winner." LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Finance Minister thinks New Zealand's existing supply of ferries can keep operating until 2029. There's been debate about who's to blame for Friday's incident involving the Interislander's Aratere, after it spent 24 hours on the rocks. Nicola Willis says the Government has plenty of time to replace the existing vessels. "The Government is committed to ensuring we've got safe, reliable vessels - and we completely accept we want to replace the existing vessels." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Northland businesses are unsure whether they'll be insured for last week's power outage. A pylon tipped over on Thursday after too many nuts were removed from the legs, letting it tip. Transpower says it is an inconceivable and unprecedented situation, and consumers can apply for compensation. But NorthChamber Chief Executive, Darryn Fisher says they're still in the dark about what's next. "I don't know if you can insure for negligence in this respect, so as far as businesses here are concerned - I'm not sure whether they're covered or not." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Hollywood documentary starring Dame Jacinda Ardern is reportedly in the works. The feature-length film, produced by Madison Wells studios, is set to follow Ardern from the moment she receives the Labour Party nomination to the birth of her child to her resignation in 2023. Los Angeles entertainment reporter Sean Mandell says there had been talks of other plans for the movie before it was finalised. "It will also have Dame Jacinda's participation - she has said one of the reasons why she is participating is because there aren't any dollars from New Zealand's Film Commission." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Green MP Golriz Ghahraman will find out her fate on Thursday. Judge June Jelas has reserved a sentencing decision on shoplifting charges in court today. The Judge has confirmed she won't be imprisoned. NZ Herald court reporter Craig Kapitan says Ghahraman's defence says she was going through a mental health crisis. "A mental health report suggests that she suffered complex PTSD, which was a result of her earlier life in Iran and 'public vitriol, threats and abuse' that dominated her time in Parliament." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Seymour says drug-purchasing agency Pharmac must be on its game, with a $604 million funding boost over four years. The Government has announced it'll fund up to 26 cancer medications and 28 other treatments, as a pre-commitment against Budget 2025. The Associate Health Minister says there's very few things he's in favour of spending more money on - but medicine is one of them. "If you look at the amount of Government spending that goes on medicine - New Zealand is not just a bit below average, we're way behind the pack." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's proposed solution to crack down on youth offending has been met with disapproval from some. It's introducing a label of Young Serious Offender for 14-to-17-year-olds with multiple offences - and also designing a new military-style academy programme. Children's Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad says putting a label on young people who commit crimes could impact their future. "We need to acknowledge that these are children that we are talking about here. And from a children's rights perspective - I have some concerns."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're less than an hour to go until Scott Robertson unveils his All Blacks squad for the upcoming test matches. Ahead of the big announcement, Sportstalk host Jason Pine outlined his picks. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.