Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
On October 17, New Zealanders will head to the polls to vote in a general election and also on referendum questions for the legalisation of cannabis and euthansia.
In a head-to-head between two women, Labour’s Jacinda Ardern appears to be heading to a comfortable win against National Judith Collins, who only recently became her party’s leader.
This week NZ’s three term ex-PM Helen Clark joins the podcast to discuss the World Health Organisation’s investigation into COVID preparedness and response, and the New Zealand political scene.
Clark is a significant global player, a strong voice on the issues of climate change, gender equality, and women’s leadership, through her work with prominent bodies in the United Nations.
Most recently, Clark was appointed co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response, which will present a report on how to effectively address health threats as they develop.
In NZ, an election in the wake of a pandemic creates a unique range of issues for voters. Ardern hasn’t committed to opening the New Zealand border, while the National party believes the border must be opened for economic reasons, but under stringent conditions. Clark is doubtful the border should be opened soon, or will be.
“I don’t think the border could be open for Christmas.
"And I’m in the school of thought that says a vaccine as a silver bullet isn’t going to give us sufficient protection any time soon. The most optimistic forecasts … [are for] later next year.
"Others – which might be more realistic – are saying later on 2022. Others are saying for years.”
Will there be a trans Tasman bubble? “At the moment, we don’t see that either.
"If Australia had firm borders at its state level, we could have had bubbles with New Zealand and Australian states. But that’s not the way the Australians have dealt with it. And that, of course, is absolutely their prerogative.”
With the first election debate taking place this week, Clark looks back to the election when she ran against a female leader.
“I recall that 1999 election when I went head-to-head with then prime minister Jenny Shipley. And to use a ghastly phrase, in a way there’s nothing that a lot of observers would like more than to see the two of you descend into some kind of ‘cat fight’
"Watching Jacinda Ardern and Judith Collins last night, I think it’s also fair to say that they kept it well above that level. They are so different in style. They’re a generation apart. Jacinda, 40. Judith, 61. Very different style. But they didn’t descend into pettiness of the kind that you can see in such debates. So I think the women leaders feel a real onus not to get down into the gutter.”
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bill Shorten on Robodebt report’s sealed section, and progress on NDIS reform
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Author Bruce Wolpe on the “shocking” consequences for Australia of a Trump 24 win
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Special Minister of State Don Farrell wants donation and spending caps for next election
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Community Independent Dai Le on what voters are saying
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Industry minister Ed Husic on the artificial intelligence revolution
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Liberal MP Bridget Archer urges other moderates to speak up as she presses for party change
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Labor’s Julian Hill on employment, AI, Julian Assange and TikTok
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Greens Max Chandler-Mather on the housing fund, rent freezes and migration
The day after the night before - Chalmers and Taylor on the budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: NDIA chair Kurt Fearnley on ‘fundamental’ reform of the disability scheme
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Labor MP Marion Scrymgour on her yes campaign trail, and reinstating the CDP
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Professor Marcia Langton on the Voice’s powers and potential
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Simon Birmingham on the Voice, Aston, the Liberals, Uranium
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Lambie urges return of former employment program for Indigenous communities
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Michael Brennan on Australia’s parlous productivity growth
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Antony Green, Professor Andy Marks and Ashleigh Raper on the NSW election
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Chair of Retirement Income Review, Mike Callaghan, on reforming superannuation
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Greens leader Adam Bandt on trying to force Labor’s hand on reform
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Frank Brennan on rewording Voice question
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kate Chaney on life as a teal MP
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free