Podcast appearances and mentions of brooke van velden

The Government has unveiled new changes for Employment Relations Act aimed at improving labour market flexibility - but it's raised some concerns. One of the proposed changes includes introducing an income threshold of $180,000 above which a personal grievance for unjustified dismissal cannot be pursued. Director and Head of Practice at Jennifer Mills & Associates, Jennifer Mills, says this threshold seems 'arbitrary'. "I would have thought that all employees would have the right to access these grievance protections - what's worse is somebody who earns over $180,000 doesn't have a right to have any information about the decision to terminate their employment and they don't even have an opportunity to respond to a proposal." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workers may soon be eligible for different amounts of sick leave based on the hours they work. This morning, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon revealed the Workplace Relations Minister is looking at altering the current 10 day entitlement. Brooke van Velden says Cabinet has already agreed to develop a pro-rated sick leave system. "Is it fair that someone who works maybe one day a week, maybe two days a week gets the same sick leave entitlements as someone who works full-time? We would say no, as a Government." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As Chewie said on the weekend, Jack Tame wore Brooke van Velden as a hat on this week's Q&A where she looked out of her depth, under prepared and unintelligent when asked to stretch he ideas 1% outside her talking points. It was so very bad she'll probably disappear for the next 6 months like after the last time she was on Q&A.David Seymour and ACT released to full unedited version of his interview with John Campbell today and he looks terrible in it. Some of the evidence that Campbell isn't the "shill" him and his supporters say, is that he cut out much of the chatter that made Seymour look even worse...but not to worry, ACT released it all so we now can see the terrible content that TVNZ hadn't published.Radio Goddess Stacey Morrison delivered a powerful speech at this years NZ Radio and Podcast Awards where she both chided and charged the assembled 700 media workers to be the bastion of furthering te reo. It was an amazing thing to see live and we want to share it with you tonight.=================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

With Brooke van Velden, Willie Jackson and Tākuta Ferris

The Workplace Relations Minister hopes WorkSafe's incoming culture shift will show they're there to help, not hurt. The Government's instructed the regulator to move away from enforcement and engage early to support risk management. It starts with today's opening of the road cone hotline. Minister Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking businesses shouldn't have to sweat the small stuff. She says there's a culture of over-compliance and too much paperwork, instead of a focus on the risk of death or serious injury. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Significant changes at WorkSafe as it moves from an enforcement focus and launches the road cone hotline. The agency will now engage early to support risk management, starting with today's opening of a tipline for excessive road cone usage. Parallaxx Traffic Control Training Chief Executive Dave Tilton told Ryan Bridge there are good elements to this announcement. He agrees with the collaborative risk-based approach, connecting WorkSafe, councils, and NZTA. But Tilton says there are incompatible components to the hotline itself. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One expert has labelled this week in politics an 'absolute shambles' amid a series of controversial events. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden made headlines after dropping the c-bomb in Parliament after critiquing an opinion piece by journalist Andrea Vance that strongly criticised her pay equity changes in the House. NZ Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan unpacked the controversies. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of each week, Mike Hosking takes you through the big-ticket items and lets you know what he makes of it all. Trump: 7/10 It's a circus most of the time, but what a watch. Turkey, Riyadh, free planes, mad sucking up, the Village People, trade, and the markets. Just another week. Brooke van Velden: 8/10 Because she took her moment and ran with it, and quite possibly turned the dial her way. Smoked salmon: 7/10 Revelation and story of the week. Letters from all over the world and a mad insight into eye-watering prices. The police: 4/10 They promised 500 and they aren't going to deliver. That's a loss. Ryan Fox: 8/10 Living your dream is not only wonderful when it's you, but equally wonderful to watch. The unions and their work from home claims: 3/10 Wouldn't it be amazing if, just for once, they actually looked like they might like work and productivity and dedication and getting ahead, instead of their incessant misery? Auckland FC: 9/10 The other part of the season starts this weekend. Whatever way you slice it, it's the sports story of the year domestically. LISTEN ABOVE FOR MIKE HOSKING'S FULL WEEK IN REVIEW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the end of every week, the Afternoons team name their pick for New Zealander of the week. It's an honour that we grant on your behalf to someone who has had an effect on our great and beautiful nation over the past week. This week's nominees are Ryan Fox, the C word and Conan O'Brien. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a fiery day in Parliament yesterday, with Workplace Relations minister Brooke van Velden quoting a controversial opinion piece and dropping the c-word in Parliament. Was this acceptable? Also, the Greens have released their alternative budget, promising $88 billion in new taxes. Is this lunacy or realistic? To answer those questions, Transport minister and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop and Labour's health and Wellington issues spokeswoman Ayesha Verrall joined Nick Mills for Politics Thursday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden has dropped the c-bomb in Parliament in protest over the slur being directed at her and other female ministers in a newspaper column. It's thought to be the first time the word has been recorded in the debating chamber. It comes after a Sunday Star-Times opinion piece used the word in connection to female ministers overhauling the pay equity scheme.

Brooke van Velden is defending what seems to be an unprecedented use of the c-word in Parliament during an explosive debate. Lillian Hanly reports.

Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden says she used the c-word in the House on Wednesday as a way of sticking up for herself and other ministers. Political editor Jo Moir spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden dropped the c-bomb in Parliament on Wednesday, the use of the word was in protest to the word being directed at her and other female ministers in a newspaper column by journalist Andrea Vance in the Sunday Star Times. University of Canterbury senior law lecturer Cassandra Mudgway spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

First, a small update on what I said yesterday on pay equity. My gut says it won't damage the Government. Don't get me wrong – if I was the opposition I would be prosecuting this as hard as I could, the way they are, because they have a genuine issue and ongoing issue, at least until the Budget, that they quite rightly believe is there for the taking in terms of points, headlines, and moral high ground. I don't think that ultimately is true. But I fully get they think it is. The tide turned yesterday though in Question Time. Not because Brooke van Velden dropped the c-word. Watching it live, it was quite the moment. Question Time has become dour, there is limited talent on display, and the Speaker is cantankerous and ruins the fun. But yesterday was alive with frisson. Brooke van Veldon's mic drop moment was pointing out that Jan Tinetti, the questioner, a former Woman's minister, a woman who railed against misogyny, was using misogyny by quoting a misogynistic article, authored by a woman to make her point. That led to applause and rightly so. It further exposed the Labour Party, and in fact most of the opposition benches, as frauds who are arguing the pay equity issue using bogus material and fake facts. The more this is debated the more hope you have that a wider grouping of us will tune in and get into the detail, because it is in the detail the truth lies. The equity laws, or rules, were a shambles and being milked by unions. But the tide turned because there seems genuine anger within the Government over what Andrea Vance was allowed to do. When I say allowed, I assume she is edited and therefore cleared. The odd thing for me is I struggle to get upset at being attacked. Being a public figure, you are open for this sort of stuff, and I have received more than most. It's water off a duck's back, especially from an angsty journalist. But van Veldon, Collins and, as Vance calls them, the "hype squad" seem genuinely outraged and it is that outrage that turned, or at least will turn, the dial. If they argue on fact, and the other side argue on emotion using lies, bogus material, and foul language, they will eventually lose. Hence the dent so many thought was coming for the Government will never arrive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Workplace Relations Minister's defending saying the C-word in Parliament, while lashing out over an opinion piece opposing her pay equity policy. In the Sunday Star Times, Andrea Vance referred to senior Cabinet ministers as girl-bosses and a hype squad, and said the policy used 'girl math'. Quoting it in Parliament, Brooke van Velden herself used the extreme swear-word - saying she's standing up for MPs. Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls unpacked the whole saga - and explained how it backfired on the opposition. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ACT's Brooke van Velden is not apologising for using the c-word in the House today. The Workplace Relations Minister said it after a question from Labour that referenced an opinion piece in The Post that used it in relation to a group of female ministers. She delivered a strong rebuke - and criticised Labour for bringing it up in the House. She says she stands by saying it. "I wanted to stand up for myself and stand up for all the female Cabinet ministers - that it's not okay that we have misogynistic abuse and it's not okay that it was brought into the Chamber." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, David Farrar from Kiwiblog and Curia and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! The Green Party has unveiled their alternative Budget - what do we make of it? How laughable are these ideas? Brooke van Velden made history in Parliament today by dropping the c-bomb to call out Labour for referencing the Andrea Vance column. Was this the right move? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A kick in the guts and a blatant shameful attack on women. That's how critics have described changes to pay equity legislation that have been rammed through parliament. The changes put an immediate stop to more than 30 claims that are currently underway - they'll have to start over. It's also now harder to meet the threshold for an equity claim. An eligible industry has gone from needing 60 percent to 70 percent of women for at least ten years. The minister responsible for the changes, Brooke Van Velden spoke to Lisa Owen.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about The $2 billion boost for naval helicopters, the voting ban for prisoners and the party's new members bill to ensure that imported products meet animal welfare regulations. For this week's Get Action! He spoke to Tara Forde from Aotearoa Covid Action to discuss a petition of hers calling for improvements to the air quality in schools. And he spoke to Rachel Mackintosh from E Tu Union to discuss Brooke Van Velden's changes to pay equity claims Max spoke to National Co-chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the attack on the ‘Conscience', a Freedom Flotilla boat which was loaded with life-saving humanitarian aid for Gaza, before being disabled off the coast of Malta. And he spoke to Ronan Payinda, a student at the University of Auckland, who led a study which looked into the location and frequency of Vape stores, around schools in Aotearoa New Zealand.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 7th of May, Brooke van Velden talks improving the pay equity process and why it isn't, apparently, all about the Budget. And we've got a National bill that wants to ban social media for under 16s. Possible or not? Mark Mitchell and Ginny Andersen talk pay equity and the feasibility of the social media ban – and can we get through a whole segment without Mark putting himself on mute? Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government says its new tough rules for pay equity claims will result in major taxpayer savings. The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning. It's caused an uproar, with many women and union groups opposed to the idea. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking she can't yet disclose the exact financial impact. However she says the Crown will save billions of dollars, if passed. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is urgently pushing through new legislation - lifting the threshold for pay-equity claims based on gender discrimination. The Bill has already passed its first reading supported by all coalition parties and Parliament's moved swiftly onto the second. These changes have prompted plenty of backlash, but Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden says there was an appetite for these changes. "It became clear to me at the end of last year that there was appetite within my Cabinet to do this - and I think it's pretty clear that there was an impetus, so that's what's making the change." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The future of a pay equity deal for teacher aides may fizzle out under newly introduced Government legislation. The proposed law, which would lift the threshold of pay equity claims of gender-discrimination, is expected to have its third reading this morning. A deal reached by union teacher aide members in 2020 is due to be reviewed - but may no longer go ahead. Union Member Ally Kingi told Ryan Bridge it was based on comparison between teacher aides and Corrections staff. She says it meticulously compared the general areas of responsibility for each group to the pay they received. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For our weekly catchup w/ the Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about The $2 billion boost for naval helicopters, the voting ban for prisoners and the party's new members bill to ensure that imported products meet animal welfare regulations. For this week's Get Action! He spoke to Tara Forde from Aotearoa Covid Action to discuss a petition of hers calling for improvements to the air quality in schools. And he spoke to Rachel Mackintosh from E Tu Union to discuss Brooke Van Velden's changes to pay equity claims Max spoke to National Co-chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the attack on the ‘Conscience', a Freedom Flotilla boat which was loaded with life-saving humanitarian aid for Gaza, before being disabled off the coast of Malta. And he spoke to Ronan Payinda, a student at the University of Auckland, who led a study which looked into the location and frequency of Vape stores, around schools in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Just yesterday, Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced a series of radical changes to New Zealand's Pay Equity Legislation. The changes would increase the pay equity claims of gender-discrimination from 60-70% and adjust the comparators to make sure claims met standards that Brooke Van Velden has described as “Genuine” and Sustainable for employers. This would cause all 33 current pending claims representing thousands of workers in the care industry and health sector to be dropped. Subsequently, a number of unions and Women's groups have condemned the government's changes and have vowed to protest outside parliament in opposition to them. Oto spoke to Rachel Mackintosh, Assistant National Secretary for E tū Union, to discuss Brooke Van Velden's changes to Pay Equity Laws and how they will impact Women Workers

The Government is fast-tracking amendments to the Equal Pay Act, the law which prohibits employers from paying men and women different rates for the same work, in a move which will scrap all current pay equity claims and make it harder for employees to make a claim. - Craig Renney joins us LIVE at 9pm to talk over the economics of the change- Labour's Workplace Relations Spokesperson, Jan Tinetti, joins us LIVE at 9.20 to talk the impact to those who the Equal Pay Act is currently helpingChris Hipkins was on Breakfast this morning talking about Erica Stanford using her gmail account making the case that Parliament Cyber Security have been telling MPs not to use systems outside the security of Parliament, which means if Mr Luxon is so chilled about it either security is wrong, or he doesn't care about Stanford being a security issue.Christopher Luxon has announced that National wants to ban under 16s from social media accounts which raises a couple of questions, the first is...is this really the most pressing issue you have right now PM to be on top of...and...id under 16s are banned from social media...who will David Seymour have to snapchat with?================================Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠=================================Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebookwww.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter.@patbrittenden @Chewie_NZFollow us on BlueskyPat @patbrittenden.bsky.socialChewie @chewienz.bsky.socialEmily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.socialMagenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

Just recently, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke Van Velden, announced sweeping changes to health and safety regulations for businesses that she described as “low-risk”. Some of the changes involved: narrowing the focus of the Health and Safety at Work Act to risks only causing death, serious injury or illness, creating a hotline for the public to report “overzealous” road cone placement and reducing "tick-box and safety activities" such as psychosocial harm policies for small businesses.  Around this same period of time, Greens MPs Tamatha Paul and Benjamin Doyle received intense media and political scrutiny for comments they made at a university panel and on social media respectively, with the backlash towards Doyle forcing them to abstain from parliament this week. The Greens recently issued a call to the government to scrap their proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, which involve recognising qualifications other than early childhood teaching qualifications, removing up to 74% of ECE licensing criteria and removing requirements for regular updates and family. In their weekly catchup with the Green Party's Ricardo Menendez-March, Oto spoke to him about the party's take on all of these issues.

Brooke van Velden says she's fixing unclear laws - on landowner liability for accidents on their land. The Workplace Relations Minister's announced changes to health and safety laws to make it clear the responsibility lies organisers of activities. The landowners of Whakaari/White Island were prosecuted after the 2019 eruption. EMA workplace safety manager Paul Jarvie says many companies were hit hard during the eruption fallout - and there's been industry concerns ever since. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 1st of April, Winston Peters has revealed the new ferry deal. The majority seem reasonably happy – now its time to hit the targets for cost and timing. People will be able to call up a hotline to complain about excessive road cones. Presumably nothing can go wrong with that... And Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker is in studio to tell us his future plans and how he ideally sees his career panning out over the next two years. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A pledge to "bring back common-sense" to New Zealand's approach to workplace health and safety. The Government confirms small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury to reduce compliance costs. It's also planning a telephone hotline to report excess road cone use. Minister-in-Charge, Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking most companies are happy with the core of the Workplace Safety Act, but don't know how to comply. She says the Government will clarify it so businesses can focus on its critical risks, rather than posters warning of a hot water tap or staircase. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small businesses will have less health and safety obligations under new reforms. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has revealed her first changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act. She says small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury to reduce compliance costs. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says it will bring a sigh of relief from small businesses - who are able to just focus on their success. "Safety is still paramount, but what we're seeing here is a clarification of what the responsibilities are." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small businesses will have less health and safety obligations under new reforms. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has revealed her first changes to the Health and Safety at Work Act. She says small businesses will only need to manage risks relating to death or serious injury to reduce compliance costs. BusinessNZ Chief Executive Katherine Rich says it will bring a sigh of relief from small businesses - who are able to just focus on their success. "Safety is still paramount, but what we're seeing here is a clarification of what the responsibilities are." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SkyCity and the TAB have complained there won't be a level playing field when the new regulations for online gambling kick in. The Government is set to auction off 15 online casino licences - and both local and international companies will be allowed to bid on the licences. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says it's important proper regulations are put in place. "We are enabling people to play safely in a regulated market - which is not the case at the moment. But we are also not trying to restrict it so much that we're not actually channelling people into that market." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She says her government is delivering for workers, but Brooke Van Velden won't meet with the biggest worker organisation we have - the Council for Trade Unions …Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

It's thought consistency is key as the Government moves to ban all under 18s from buying all Lotto products. Currently, only Instant Kiwi products have an age limit. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke Van Velden says neither Lotto nor retailers want to sell its products to children, but it's a legally grey area right now. She told Tim Beveridge she expects little resistance to the change. Van Velden says Lotto estimates just 0.2% of all tickets are bought by kids. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brooke van Velden is embarrassingly stupid and demonstrates it to Jack Tame on Q&A Moana Maniapoto's interview with Tama Potake was revealing Nicola Willis finally admits that they are borrowing for the budget Why NZ can never be like Estonia or Ireland or anywhere else contrary to Christopher Luxon's insistence. ================================= Come support the work we're doing by becoming a Patron of ⁠⁠#BHN⁠⁠ www.patreon.com/BigHairyNews⁠ ================================= Merch available at www.BHNShop.nz Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/BigHairyNews Follow us on Twitter. @patbrittenden @Chewie_NZ Follow us on Bluesky Pat @patbrittenden.bsky.social Chewie @chewienz.bsky.social Emily @iamprettyawesome.bsky.social Magenta @xkaosmagex.bsky.social

The government is going back to the drawing board on its reforms to the Holidays Act, which will overhaul how annual leave is calculated. The Workplace Relations and Safety minister Brooke Van Velden has pushed out her rewrite, and instead is opting to start from scratch. While businesses are pleased it could lead to a simpler leave system, Labour is worried workers will miss out. Political reporter Giles Dexter reports. 

The government is back to brainstorming for the Holidays Act, after feedback on the initial plan revealed it could make things worse. The legislation was set to be changed two years ago, but officials will now begin work on an hours-based accrual model for annual leave. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke Van Velden said the law is so complicated that even government departments have got it wrong. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Workers earning over $180,000 will lose the right to raise unjustified dismissal claims under a new policy. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said the change allows more flexible dismissal processes for high-income employees. The policy aims to enhance labour market flexibility and will be introduced through the Employment Relations Amendment Bill next year. Workers making over $180,000 a year will no longer be able to raise an unjustified dismissal claim if they lose their job once a new Government policy takes effect. The upcoming change to the Employment Relations Act “will enable employers to ensure they have the right fit for their high-impact leadership and specialist roles”, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden said. The policy, described as a “more flexible dismissal process for high-income employees”, delivers on the Act-National coalition agreement to set an income threshold above which personal grievances cannot be pursued. “This policy is about offering workers and employers more choice when negotiating contracts. “Employers and employees are free to opt back into unjustified dismissal protection if they choose to or negotiate their own dismissal procedures that work for them,” van Velden said. She said the policy was “paving the way for the next generation of leadership” when she spoke to Mike Hosking on Newstalk ZB. “One of the classic cases of grievance from businesses is you want to take a chance on someone, but you're too afraid if something goes wrong, how on earth will it work out.” “You've got someone in the workforce who is maybe quite skilled, got a good attitude, but if you push them up to that next leadership level into management, you know, if it doesn't work out and they aren't a good fit, this allows you to move them on.” Van Velden said many people would have worked with a manager “who has led to poor productivity, low morale, and the boss and the workers are just sitting there and waiting for this person for years and years to want to move on”. The change would provide greater labour market flexibility and would benefit employers and workers, she said. “This policy allows employers to give workers a go in these high-impact positions without having to risk a costly and disruptive dismissal process if things don't work out.” The income threshold of $180,000 will cover about 3.4% of the workforce. The threshold will be adjusted annually to match increases in average weekly earnings. “The change will be progressed through the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which I aim to introduce in 2025,” van Velden said. The income threshold refers to a regular base salary and excludes other income such as incentive payments and benefits like vehicle use. Employees earning over $180,000 will still be able to raise other types of personal grievances. Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's some new Government measures to regulate online gambling operators. Only 15 operators will be granted licenses - which will include mandatory age verification. Ads targeting children will be banned and operators will be limited to casino games, not sports betting or lotteries. Breaches could result in $5 million dollar fines. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says things need tightening up. "At the moment, anybody can go online and play thousands of different regulated games in New Zealand. It is a bit of a wild west." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's proposing new criteria to define who's a contractor and who's an employee. 'Contractors' will need to have signed a contract, stating they're an independent contractor. They must be able to subcontract out any set hours, they can't be prevented from working for other people, and they can't be fired for not taking on extra tasks. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden says the Government is looking to change the law next year. "Most of this has been built through case law over time, so it's not actually clear enough in the law how individual contract arrangements work." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's confirmed its terms of reference for the second phase of the Covid-19 inquiry.   Phase Two will cover matters of public interest like the use of vaccines and lockdowns.   It will assess whether a reasonable balance was struck between health goals and social disruption and the economic impact of decisions.   It's appointed Grant Illingworth KC chair, and Judy Kavanagh and Anthony Hill commissioners.  Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden told Mike Hosking the three have experience across litigation, economics, and health.   She says these broad skills are needed to look into the lessons we can learn for any future pandemic.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 27th of August, will the government's plan to tackle the energy crisis make a difference? Mike asks the Prime Minister for his thoughts.  We have more details on the next stage of the Royal Commission into our Covid-19 response. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden explains what exactly will be looked at.  Mike has deep concerns over the implications over the Court of Appeal's Uber decision.  One of the voices of the 80s, Alison Moyet joins the show to talk her new music and her tour coming to New Zealand next year.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Internal Affairs Minister says the second phase to the Covid Inquiry will expand the terms of reference.   It's due to start in November and will continue until February 2026.   Minister Brooke van Velden says phase one centres mostly on the health response and the Government's communication.   But she told Mike Hosking that phase two will focus on factors like vaccines and lockdowns as well as any disruptions to health, education and business.   She says it will be a bit broader in range and will answer more of the questions that are top of mind for people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Wednesday 26th of June, Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden joined to discuss the next stage of the Covid Inquiry.  The CRL CEO Sean Sweeney is resigning and the job he's done has been described by the CRL as "successful leadership". Mike has other thoughts...  Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell covered boot camps, the Covid inquiry, and whether there are cracks in the coalition after Winston Peters involved the Agree to Disagree clause.  Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See 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.

Brooke Van Velden ran into the Editor In Chief today, and was asked some pretty up the guts questions. How are this government expecting new changes to the removal and monitoring of child exploitation related content to work when they can't guarantee 11 jobs will stay in this area? Duncan goes deep into this with the minister. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the show today Minister of internal affairs, Brooke Van Velden, joins us. A recent win for child exploitation and the removal of child porn on NZ sites, but job cuts are still expected in this sector...can the minister assure the public that they actually take child exploitation seriously, then? Holly Brooker and Jo Robertson launched the ‘makes sense' campaign,  which called on the government to regulate not only things like child pornography … but all violent sexual content online.  So is this move going to make a difference? The Tania Dalton Foundation is preparing for a significant fundraising event, where they will host the Parliamentary Rugby team and the Polyferns (Netball), aiming to create a family-friendly social event that unites the community. Local residents will have the opportunity to mingle with our national MPs in a lighthearted atmosphere, all while raising funds to support Tania's charity foundation. This foundation strives to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young New Zealanders See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government's drafting legislation to change the Holidays Act 2003, and will put it out for consultation in September. It'll include proposals to pro-rata sick leave and move annual leave from an entitlement system, to one using accrual. Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says she aims to simplify the Act so businesses can spend less time on workplace admin. "It hasn't really adapted to a modern, flexible work environment - which is what we're aiming to achieve." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.