Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Like a lot of parents I imagine at the moment, I got the call up to the school sick bay yesterday to collect my daughter. Not another respiratory virus thank goodness, but a shoulder injury. School suggested I take her to A&E or a doctor to check it out.Now anyone who has been sick lately, or paying attention to the news, knows that now is not the time to try to see a doctor or try to get into an ED. So I waited to lay eyes on my daughter to see how bad it was, because if we could avoid attempting to see a health professional at the moment that'd be preferable. But as soon as I saw my daughter with her arm in a sling and the state of her pain, I knew we needed to get an expert opinion and possibly an ultrasound or X-ray. So I called ahead to check wait times. I tried our GP first. She was fully booked - she’s never not - so that was no surprise. “Could any other Doctor see us?” Not for a few hours, but yes it was possible. So I booked a slot but thought I may as well try our local ED's just in case they weren't too busy, I mean it was 10am on a Tuesday, how bad could it be?As it turns out, bad.The one closest to us? One hour wait minimum. Maybe more. Called another one further away - two hour wait time. Called a third - when I asked what the current wait time was she sighed, “at least 4 hours” she said, “it’s chaos in here”.No kidding.We were experiencing nothing other families aren’t currently experiencing when trying to access health care at the moment. Lengthy wait times, lack of staff, over booked GP’s, over run ED’s and stressed nurses.So we reverted back to plan A - see a doctor in a few hours. We turned up at our allotted time. By this point of course my daughters injury was causing her extreme pain, but as I reminded her, there’d be many others a lot worse off, so we’d just wait. We turned up for our appointment and waited. And waited. And waited. In the car. Our GP clinic won’t let people wait in the waiting room anymore. That policy came in during Covid and for some reason it’s stuck. So we sat in the car, her in agony, waiting until finally my phone rang. “Sorry,” the receptionist started, “but the doctor is running at least another half an hour behind, can you come back later?”We had no choice of course but to go away - with little faith that when we returned later we wouldn’t be waiting again for however long. But it made me acutely aware of how much worse it must be for parents of babies who’re desperately ill, or elderly people.How scary to show up and be turned away or made to wait hours on end. It’s not the fault of the frontline health professionals of course. They’re doing their best in stretched and trying circumstances, with staffing issues, recruitment problems, lack of decent pay and conditions, and in a winter full of awful bugs swirling around. A closed border for two years hasn’t helped.Ironically the shut border was supposed to prevent this exact outcome, but here we are. Health system swamped.And not just the hospitals in crisis, but GP's and Emergency Clinics too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good insulation is something we know keeps people out of hospitals, therefore reduces pressure on our health system.But vulnerable homeowners could be eligible for free insulation installation in their homes, and not even realise.The Community Energy Action group in Canterbury are offering free insulation to homeowners this winter, in a bid to keep people out of hospital.CEO of the group Caroline Shone joined Kate Hawkesby.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No time is a good time to give a child a phone.A new Canstar survey shows only 10 percent believe a child is safer with a mobile phone than without one.Meanwhile, 28 percent of people believing children should have one by the time they’re at high school.Telecommunications Forum Chief Executive Paul Brislen told Kate Hawkesby it can depend on whether they do a sport or if they have to travel to school.He says for example his youngest daughter needed a phone earlier than his oldest, due to her doing more activities outside of school.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A construction expert says we're in for turbulent times, with the slowdown in the market for new housing builds igniting fears property prices could begin to spiral.The Master Builders Association says supply chain issues and rising material costs are behind a drop in sales and inquiries, as lending becomes tougher and banks want fixed-price contracts.AUT's John Tookey told Kate Hawkesby some construction companies won't survive.He says they won't be able to function with the restraints in credit.Tookey says a drop-off in new builds will occur.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one in the history of spin has spun more than this current Government, which is why I find it so ironic that Grant Roberston’s accused Chris Luxon of ‘political spin’ when it comes to the party’s views on Roe v Wade being overturned. Pot, kettle. What Luxon did, was clarify the party’s position, after a personal statement was made by one of his MPs who clearly momentarily forgot that he's part of a bigger machine than just himself. Simon O’Connor maybe should've kept his celebratory Facebook post between him and his nearest and dearest, and remembered that he doesn’t speak for his whole party. It does of course suit a left leaning government – and media for that matter, and their agenda, to cast Luxon as some sort of Trump 2.0 and look to whip up a storm over this. Which is why Nicola Willis looks like the only politician speaking any sense at the moment. She said this whole thing is an attempt by the Government to import American style culture wars into our politics and it's needless fear mongering to whip up anxiety. This is what this Government does best, I guess. It’s also an ideal distraction from all the areas they’re failing on, from all the bad press and bad polling they’ve been having, from their weakness on healthcare, crime, gangs and a flailing economy. So, for a rogue backbencher MP from the Nats to royally put his foot in it by making some dumb statement, well the timing could not be better for an under fire government to capitalise on it. There is a firestorm of emotion being whipped up all over the world by the Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision. So, what better thing to latch onto to maximise political panic at home, than this. The inference being of course from Robertson et al, that the Nats will overturn our country’s abortion laws. But Luxon’s already said that won’t happen, it’s off the table, not on their agenda. So, where’s the scandal? Well according to Robertson, ‘Luxon’s hiding his real feelings and is in overdrive spinning’. Well, Robertson would know what that looks like I guess. Luxon has been very definitive abortion law will not be revisited under his watch, but Robertson doesn’t think he’s been definitive enough. Does this ring any bells? Not definitive enough… Remember when Grant Robertson had to admit he’d been “too definitive” when he ruled out changes to the bright-line test just before the election? So maybe Grant’s just got a different scale to the rest of us of what 'definitive' means. Either way, if the Government’s looking to beat up the Nats as some kind of anti-abortion law party, while they may get traction among their own sympathisers, most of us can see what’s really going on here. And don’t get me wrong, I’ll be the first to have a crack at the National party if they ever did look to back track on this, but you have to weigh up the integrity of the people you’re dealing with, the trust you have in them and whether or not you believe they’ll keep their word. On that score, I’d say Grant, bright line test, and ‘too definitive’ is all you need to know there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Charles' office has denied there was any wrongdoing in the heir to the British throne accepting bags full of cash as charity donations from a Qatari politician.The Sunday Times said the prince was given a total of €3 million ($5 million) by Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, the former prime minister of Qatar. It said the money was handed over to Charles at private meetings between 2011 and 2015 — on one occasion in a suitcase, and on another in shopping bags from London's Fortnum & Mason department store.The newspaper said the money was deposited into the accounts of the Prince of Wales's Charitable Fund. It did not allege that anything illegal was done.Charles' office, Clarence House, said in a statement that the donations "were passed immediately to one of the prince's charities who carried out the appropriate governance and have assured us that all the correct processes were followed".The prince's charitable fund told the newspaper it had verified "that the donor was a legitimate and verified counterparty … and our auditors signed off on the donation after a specific enquiry during the audit. There was no failure of governance".Qatar's government communications office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.As Qatar's prime minister between 2007 and 2013, Hamad oversaw the oil-rich state's sovereign wealth fund, which has major property investments around the world, including London's Shard skyscraper, Heathrow Airport and Harrods department store.London police are currently investigating a separate allegation that people associated with another of the prince's charities, the Prince's Foundation, offered to help a Saudi billionaire secure honours and citizenship in return for donations. Clarence House has said Charles had no knowledge of any such offer.- APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's being suggested Simon O'Connor has created an unfortunate distraction for the National party and his leader.Chris Luxon says a social media post by O'Connor celebrating the overturning of Roe v Wade in the US was taken down because it was causing distress and doesn't represent the party's position.Political Commentator Ben Thomas told Kate Hawkesby abortion issues are traditionally treated as conscience votes so O'Connor has every right to express his belief.But he says on the other hand, he's also a backbencher in a party seeking to win power after what will be six years in opposition.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than $1 billion is spent on takeaways and fast food each year in Auckland.High deprivation areas have a higher concentration of the outlets, and fewer places - like supermarkets - selling fresh food.Nutritionist Nikki Hart told Kate Hawkesby for people with low incomes, working multiple jobs and with large families to feed, the food looks attractive after a long day.She says the industries are smart - they know exactly where to put outlets, such as where there's high traffic volume outside schools and churches.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By Andrew Alderson at HeadingleyThe synonym jar is almost empty to describe the narrow margins in the cricket test series between England and New Zealand.The same applies in the third and final test at Headingley. The visitors hanker to claim something tangible as runners-up, yet the hosts' nerve have consistently held to win the key moments.Stumps on the fourth day brought that same sense of familiarity. England had moved to 183 for two in the chase for 296 with Joe Root 55 and Ollie Pope 81 after New Zealand were dismissed for 326.Under normal circumstances that would mark a challenging target in a fourth innings, but given the current Baz-ball enlightenment period under new coach Brendon McCullum, nothing is beyond the realm.England have already hauled in 277 and 299 at Lord's and Trent Bridge respectively. A calculated gamble looms across 90 overs – but more likely fewer - on the final day. So far they are cruising.Root's highlight came reverse scooping Neil Wagner for six to bring up England's 100. Such audacity must surely make the short-list for the eighth wonder of the world as the forward defence hurtles towards extinction.New Zealand's lowlight came with dud lbw reviews against Root from consecutive deliveries in the 14th over.The wickets came via a combined piece of Trent Boult-Kane Williamson alley-oop brilliance from mid-off to run out Alex Lees at the non-striker's end in a mix-up with Zak Crawley. Williamson was again in the action to catch Crawley miscuing Michael Bracewell. New Zealand's Kane Williamson calls for DRS. Photo / PhotosportThe onus goes on the off-spinner to extract the increasing turn and variable bounce in the second innings. His figures of one for 70 from 11 overs means the scrutiny is intensifying, as England target him as a vulnerable link.The idea of anointing him to scythe through the opposition order in his second test was queried from the outset, given he had 30 first-class wickets at an average of 46.83 heading into the match.That's exacerbated due to left-arm orthodox Ajaz Patel, the third man in test history to take 10 wickets in an innings last December against India at Mumbai, sitting in the pavilion. He has bowled two overs since his 14-225 match feat.Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell eked out crucial runs, as has become customary across the series.Initially they offered nothing flashy, just positive intent. Then came some flourishes.Mitchell reverse swept Root with relish to break up his spin rhythm and Blundell, the consummate touch player, started whipping balls away using the power of his wrists.The pair produced a 113-run sixth-wicket stand to take the Black Caps to 274 before Mitchell was adjudged lbw to Matthew Potts for 56. His 538 runs at an average of 107.60 are the most by an overseas cricketer in a series of three tests or fewer in England. That's some feat when you consider tests have been played in the country for 142 years.The odd dicey moment pervaded. Mitchell was adjudged lbw to Jack Leach on 17 at 206 for six, but a review prompted DRS to reveal a BFG-like stride forward and the ball hitting the knee roll. The predictive path bounced over the stumps.Blundell was found lbw four balls prior to Mitchell's dismissal, again to the tenacious Potts in the same 91st over, but the angle from over the wicket suggested the ball was missing leg stump.He finished 88 not out.Potts finished with three for 66 from 25 overs, while Jack Leach mopped up the tail to take his second five-wicket bag of five for 66, and earn match figures of 10-166.Mitchell and Blundell faced the second most deliveries of any partnership during a series in test history. At stumps that had come from a sample size of 46,797…Their 1417 balls is only bettered by Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper's 1511, also across six innings when India visited the West Indies in...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s so good to be back. I was a bit nervous about coming back because when you’ve been sick for three weeks unable to stay awake for long periods and feeling so crap, it’s hard to imagine how you’ll ever get up at 3am again. But as it turns out I was so nervous about being able to wake up at 3am, that my body never actually went to sleep, always the way isn't it.So I'll be having a big Nana nap today.I was feeling so terrible about being off work so long - I feel very deeply my obligation to my audience and it's a dreadful feeling to not feel well enough to show up for you.They say the key to Covid and flu recovery is rest, rest, rest. My doctor kept saying rest, rest and then when you think you’ve rested enough, rest some more.That’s because everyone who has bounced back too early has gone back to square one and I’ve been sent so many horror stories from you guys about Covid turning into Influenza A, like mine did, and how long it took to come back from that. Some of you are still suffering even after a month. It’s the pits, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so sick. It’s hard when you get Covid, and it's brutal when others – not naming names (my husband) get it and say, “oh it’s a non event!”It’s a unique virus, we all suffer it differently and I am here to say to every single person struggling with it or the fallout from it, I hear you, I feel you. I feel your pain.I of course went and got the triple whammy of Covid, plus flu, plus the Covid reactivated my glandular fever virus from when I was a teenager. Fun fact: that virus lies dormant after you’ve had it, but Covid can kick start it – and in fact it’s kick starting it for a lot of people – it’s a big issue at the moment according to the medical fraternity, so I unluckily enough, got smacked with the trifecta. Hence, such a long time sick.Not that I want to go on about it, but honestly, so sick that even shower water against my skin hurt. Everything ached. That's inflammation for you.But I’ve learned from my illness some good lessons. One, not to ask sick people every day if they’re feeling better yet, because it gets quite depressing when you’re not. Physically, I was a wreck, but mentally I began to go downhill too, because I just wasn’t getting better. Second thing I learned was don’t ask sick people “do you need anything?” The answer will always be no.No one ever wants to bother anyone, so don’t ask, just do. Thirdly I thought I was an empathetic person already, but I have empathy in spades now for anyone suffering any kind of sickness, to feel so debilitated and discombobulated and unable to control your own health outcome. That is a terrifying and awful feeling. I also learned we’re not as invincible as we think we are.So it’s good to be back, and I want to thank everyone who messaged me on my Instagram or emailed me and sent me well wishes or recovery tips and tricks, I so appreciated it. I have the best audience, and the best bosses in the biz too who were so supportive and kind, and for that I’m so grateful. And to Tim and Andrew who filled in for me. It takes a village, thank you. So onwards and upwards from here, let’s hope I stay awake.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Joe Biden will call on Congress to suspend federal gasoline and diesel taxes for three months — an election-year move meant to ease financial pressures greeted with doubts by many lawmakers.The Democratic President will also call on states to suspend their own gas taxes or provide similar relief, the White House said.At issue is the 18.4 cents-a-gallon federal tax on gas and the 24.4 cents-a-gallon federal tax on diesel fuel. If the gas savings were fully passed along to consumers, people would save roughly 3.6 per cent at the pump when prices are averaging about $5 a gallon nationwide.It's unclear, though, if Biden could push such a proposal through Congress, where many lawmakers, including some in his own party, have expressed reservations. And even many economists view the idea of a gas tax holiday with skepticism.Barack Obama, during the 2008 presidential campaign, called the idea a "gimmick" that allowed politicians to "say that they did something". He also warned that oil companies could offset the tax relief by increasing prices.Biden energy adviser Amos Hochstein pushed back on Wednesday, saying consumers could save about 50 cents per gallon if Congress and the states heed the President's call and the oil industry doesn't pocket the savings."That's not a gimmick," Hochstein, senior adviser for global energy security at the State Department, said on CNN. "That's a little bit of breathing room for the American people as we get into the summer driving season."It was not immediately clear if the White House has the votes in Congress to suspend the federal tax.High gas prices pose a fundamental threat to Biden's electoral and policy ambitions. They've caused confidence in the economy to slump to lows that bode poorly for defending Democratic control of the House and the Senate in November.Biden's past efforts to cut gas prices — including the release of oil from the US. strategic reserve and greater ethanol blending this summer — have done little to produce savings at the pump, a risk that carries over to the idea of a gas tax holiday.Biden has acknowledged how gas prices have been a drain on public enthusiasm when he is trying to convince people that the US can still pivot to a clean-energy future. In an interview with the Associated Press last week, Biden described a country already nursing some psychological scars from the coronavirus pandemic that is now worried about how to afford gas, food and other essentials."If you notice, until gas prices started going up," Biden said, "things were much more, they were much more optimistic."The President can do remarkably little to fix prices that are set by global markets, profit-driven companies, consumer demand and aftershocks from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the embargoes that followed. The underlying problem is a shortage of oil and refineries that produce gas, a challenge a tax holiday cannot necessarily fix.Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics, estimated that the majority of the 8.6% inflation seen over the past 12 months in the US comes from higher commodity prices due to Russia's invasion and continued disruptions from the coronavirus."In the immediate near term, it is critical to stem the increase in oil prices," Zandi said last week, suggesting that Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and a nuclear deal with Iran could help to boost supplies and lower prices. Republican lawmakers have tried to shift more blame to Biden, saying he created a hostile environment for domestic oil producers, causing their output to stay below pre-pandemic levels.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell mocked the gas tax holiday as an "ineffective stunt" in a Wednesday floor speech. "This ineffective administration's big new idea is a silly proposal that senior members of their own party have already shot down well in advance," he said.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Smaller grocery players are casting doubts, on the latest moves by the supermarket giants.Foodstuffs has followed its rival Woolworths, in announcing a wholesale service for smaller operators.It follows concerns about the current grocery duopoly.Dairy and Business Owners Group chairman Sunny Kaushal told Tim Dower many of the problems won't be fixed, until the duopoly ends.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are concerns owners of nasty dogs aren't facing the consequences of attacks by their animals.A report in Gisborne found no one has been prosecuted, despite 90 attacks in the course of a year.Pat Collins ran animal control in the district for over 20 years and joined Tim Dower.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Space is unimaginably, infinitely, large but our little corner of it is getting crowded.More satellites are going up every day, and one expert is warning it's becoming a messy and dangerous place.Rand Corporation’s Douglas Ligor says more rules are needed and he joined Early Edition from the US.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not sure how much of a difference these new wholesale channels are going to make to competition in the grocery sector.My sense is that what it'll do, if anything, is maybe give the dairies a bit of a break and a chance to increase their margins a smidge.But when it comes to the main weekly shop, that's still going to go to one of the big chains.I slipped into one for a few tins of dog food and what have you yesterday walked out 186 bucks lighter, they've still got it pretty much sewn up.Will wholesaling address the power imbalance in the grocery sector or just allow the incumbent duopoly to tighten their grip?And will it hurt the existing cash and carry operators? Your Gilmours and the like, or cause them to focus more those 80 litre buckets of oil.There's no question the ComCom report has caused a bit of a commotion, and shaken things up.And it's also confirmed some of the sharp practices that were going on to squeeze suppliers, that we've known about anecdotally for quite a while.Ultimately though, to really shake things up we need a big and aggressive new entrant to the market.Is that Costco? Well, no, not for that crucial weekly shop it's not, it's a totally different bulk-buying business model.What's needed is a new discount chain like and Aldi, or Lidl, with big deep pockets to set up its own distribution and everything else that goes on out the back.And with a population of five million to serve over a land area larger than the UK, with 60-odd million people, neither of those chains sees a buck in New Zealand just yet.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Employers are facing a desperate battle to keep their workers.People may will be surprised to hear what is considered the most attractive place to work.Randstad has been doing some research on this and they have found Evolve Education Group the most desirable place to workCountry director of Randstad Richard Kennedy joined Early Edition.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some scepticism over the Government's latest move to tackle the plasterboard crisis.Minister for Building and Construction Megan Woods has set up a taskforce to troubleshoot supply shortages.Combined Building Supplies Co-Op Marketing Director Mike Blackburn says this is a problem that's been plaguing the industry for months now.He told Tim Dower some suppliers have already been looking for solutions.Blackburn says Bunnings has told him it has 150 containers of plasterboard coming in from Thailand and will continue to bring it in as fast as it can.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Act Party wants to see vaccination mandates for health workers scrapped.We all know hospitals are facing severe staff shortages just as the flu hit .and overseas evidence suggests another Covid surge is likely.Act leader David Seymour joined Early Edition.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MIQ.You'll have heard calls from the Opposition for an apology to some of the New Zealanders who were locked out of the country at the height of the pandemic.And especially pregnant women who couldn't get home to have their babies here.Newstalk ZB is this morning was able to reveal that conversations were had way back in April 2020 about what to do with pregnant women, but nothing was done.This doesn't affect a huge number of people; about 250 made emergency MIQ requests.The bigger issue that MBIE is currently working through is how we operated managed isolation as a whole and how we'd do it again if, heaven forbid, we did have to do it again.Just say there is another pandemic, something we don't know how to deal with in the next five to ten years or so.Look, the response at the time was unquestionably the right thing to do.We had to shut the border, even though it meant refusing entry to New Zealanders who morally and legally had an absolute right to be here if they wanted.They were extraordinary circumstances for sure, but if we had to do it again, would we spend millions turning city centre hotels into holding pens?And planting people who could and often were carrying a dangerous virus right in the middle of our population centres?And then running a lottery for people who, as I said before, legally and morally have an absolute right to be here?I think it is acceptable to require people who might be a health risk to the rest of us, to be kept away from the rest of us until they're safe.But to prevent citizens exercising their right to be on New Zealand soil, I don't think we'll get away with that again.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A plea for health workers to get their flu jab.Health Ministry data shows only around 54 percent of DHB staff have had the flu vaccine Nelson Marlborough DHB is the lowest at 39 percent.Immunologist Graham Le Gros told Tim Dower we're going to need all our health workers this winter.He says we haven't had a flu round for a couple of years now, so it's quite likely people are going to need hospitalisation and good health care, so we need robust health workers.When it comes to the general public, almost 990-thousand people have had the flu vaccine, including 64 percent of people aged 65 plus.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A call for the chair of Fletcher Building to resign over the Gib crisis.KiwiSaver provider Simplicity and the Shareholders Association have written to the building giant with the request in the wake of a meeting on Friday.They're also asking for the remaining board members to put themselves up for re-election, and some independent reviews of conduct, culture and risk.Shareholders Association chief executive Oliver Mander told Tim Dower Fletchers isn't taking responsibility for what's happened.He says they haven't really seen any form of mea culpa or any substantial admittance of fault for their role in the plasterboard supply crisis.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Support continues for first responders who attended the head on crash south of Picton.Seven people were killed in a collision between a van and a truck on State Highway 1 on Sunday morning - two others from the van have serious and critical injuries.The Pukekohe family was on their way home after attending a funeral in Dunedin.St John Wellbeing Manager Adele Saunders told Tim Dower first responders are resilient but human emotion always comes through.She says every crash scene emergency staff go to has a different effect on people.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's pretty tough in the emergency departments right now. Hospitals all over the country are pleading with people to leave the ED for life and death situations only.I guess those of us who are lucky enough to enjoy pretty good health don't need to be told that; it says emergency in the name doesn't it?Unfortunately for emergency departments, their front doors are open to all and anyone who turns up asking for treatment is eventually going to get seen.And of course it's free, so it's the doctor's clinic of choice for people who either can't afford a GP, or can't get an appointment when they want, or prefer to spend the money on something else.It's the busiest time of the year right now and Counties Manukau DHB is so strapped, it's offering cash to local GPs to take patients off their hands.$250 for each Middlemore patient they see on a Friday night, or in the day on weekends.And $350 a pop on weekend nights when the ED is flooded out with drunks, and people who've got into fights with drunks.It's just crazy, isn't it?The way our system works right now, with GPs charging $30, $40 or $50 for an appointment, a lot of people can't afford to see a primary care doctor.So instead of a 15 minute consultation, a prescription and off home, people can end up in an expensive hospital bed costing upwards of a grand a night.Primary care really is the poor cousin of our health system; it's potentially the fence at the top of the cliff.GPs are undervalued and underpaid, and a properly functioning primary system, with cheap if not free access, would not only save us a fortune it would save a lot of grief too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Ferns 50United States 6The Black Ferns saved their best for last.While they began their Pacific Four series with two double-digit wins, the Black Ferns' 50-6 victory over the United States in Whangārei on Saturday afternoon showed exactly what they are capable of.While they had been slow to put the foot down in their previous two matches against Australia and Canada, there was no such issue in Whangārei - which will be a beautiful sight to Wayne Smith and his coaching staff, with limited opportunities on the pitch before October's Rugby World Cup."We've got some tough decisions coming up. There are some very good players coming back for trials, Sevens players will become available, so there's going to be some pretty tough moments for the selectors," Smith said looking ahead to the World Cup."But there's only one group of girls at the moment who have put their form on the paddock and that's this group."Despite rain falling from start to finish – only getting heavier as the match progressed – the Black Ferns attack flowed frequently. They had no issues with moving the ball through the hands and asking questions of the US defensive line.That allowed Ayesha Leti-I'iga to put on an exhibition of speed, power and footwork, with the Black Ferns left wing often on the end of a backline move – scoring three tries and drawing a giant roar from the crowd whenever she came into the play. Any time Leti-I'iga got her hands on the ball, she caused problems for the defence – even on the multitude of occasions when the US kicked high in her direction, a tactic they continued despite Leti-I'iga showing a safe pair of hands.There were performances to catch the eye across the board for the New Zealand team. In particular, locking duo Joanah Ngan-Woo and Chelsea Bremner were impressive in the carry and both showed their offloading ability under good defensive pressure; Kendra Reynolds and Liana Mikaele-Tu'u also had a massive impact with ball in hand, while halfback Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu was terrific in her first start.performance, though. The Black Ferns welcomed pressure early in the contest by knocking on from restarts, while goal kicking remains an issue. Through the three-match series, the Black Ferns kickers converted just six of 16 tries – though Hazel Tubic was on song when she took over the goal kicking against the US.The Black Ferns took just two minutes to open the scoring. A backline move launched from a lineout about 40m out quickly saw the ball moved to the opposite side of the park, where Leti-I'iga enjoyed some space to move and didn't waste it.While the US hit back immediately with a penalty, it wasn't long before a good offload from Ngan-Woo saw Marino-Tauhinu score by the posts.The tactic from the US was clear in the first half. When they had possession, they would often kick high to the wings and play the territory game. That gave the Black Ferns a significant possession advantage, which showed in the scoreline.The Black Ferns scored five first-half tries to lead 29-6 at the break and delivered much the same in the second. Renee Holmes scores for the Black Ferns. Photo / Michael CunninghamThe US were starved of possession. Even when the Black Ferns coughed up the ball through an error or kicked off, they would soon find themselves back with ball in hand as the US struggled to execute at their set pieces and had handling errors.As the Black Ferns continued to hammer away, more gaps showed in the opposition defence. They ran in another three tries in the second half – including Leti-I'iga finishing off her hat-trick – without conceding a point, saving their best for last to close out the tournament in style."With weather like that, to put 50 points on the board – that's attacking intent," Smith said of the performance. "It wasn't perfect, obviously, but we have to be proud of that."Black Ferns 50 (Ayesha...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Matariki is about resetting and remembering those who have died in the past year.Chief Executive of Tātou - a Māori cultural marketing and communications agency, Skye Kimura doesn't want Matariki to be used as an excuse for sales.Matariki will be marked as a public holiday for the first time this Friday.Kimura told Tim Dower we should learn what Matariki is about.She says she sees Matariki as being different to other holidays.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a pointless exercise the Tauranga by-election was and what a waste of taxpayers' money.National is keeping the seat, hardly a surprise.But the turnout was awful.40 percent, about 20,000 votes cast and cost the taxpayer - roughly $50 a vote according to the Electoral Commission's figure of about a million to run a by-election.Of course, we wouldn't have needed to go through that whole process if Simon Bridges had been a list MP, just ring up the next person on the party list.And maybe, maybe that could work in constituencies too, given we have a general election every three years.Do we really need to go through all that process just to find someone for the seat for say, half a term?Here are some of the characters who've snuck into Parliament in by-elections the last few years:David Shearer, Kris Faafoi, Jami-Lee Ross that name alone shows you what a shonky process it is. Poto Williams, Winston, the Prime Minister and a few others.Now, if we just left it to the party of the outgoing MP to pick a successor, we'd save all that money and aggravation...you'd get some continuity on the ground locally, and it wouldn't change the proportionality of Parliament.Or maybe, maybe as a way of discouraging MPs from walking out on their contracts part way through, whoever came second at the previous election could be offered the seat.That might save us a few million.In saying that, we've had about ten by-elections in the last decade, so does it really matter?To me it does, waste is waste after all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So who's in the right at Bethlehem College?One the one hand, the school's Statement of Beliefs is pretty up-front about matters of sexuality.Example: biological pronouns will be used for students, him and her, a student's name is expected to align with their biological sex.In other words, the school does not acknowledge such a thing as a transgender person.And to be absolutely clear, it goes on to talk about toilets, wearing a male or female uniform, and male and female sports teams.So, at the outset, it's clear what's expected of you when you enroll.Now, independent schools are to a certain extent, able to hold their own views and make their own rules.People sign their kids up to that kind of an education because they want a particular kind of schooling and providing it's not actively teaching anything illegal, that's OK, isn't it?As a private school, Bethlehem College could make pretty much whatever rules it wanted.But the thing is, it's not private any longer.Since 1999 it's been a State Integrated School, aka, a Special Character School, meaning it gets state funding for teachers.The Education Ministry, that is, the taxpayer, provides those dollars.So, when the College became an integrated school, it included a Statement of Beliefs with the caveat that changes had to be signed off by the Ministry.Problem is, the stance on same-sex marriage, trans students and the like was added in, without the Ministry's knowledge.So in essence, the school's tried to pull a fast one, and it's been called out.He who pays the piper calls the tune and we know what tune the Education Ministry wants.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A leaked document from Tauranga's Bethlehem College is raising concern about its stance on gender.It includes a number of prerequisites for students, including the school using biological pronouns' for pupils, and students needing to adhere to practices according to their birth gender.Tauranga Pride Advocate Gordy Lockhart told Tim Dower the stance the document takes will have a negative impact on the children there.He says the trauma that students will face at the school is absolutely appalling.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eden Park is making extra tickets available for tomorrow night's sold-out Super Rugby final.The Blues will take on the Crusaders in front of a home crowd.Eden Park Chief Executive Nick Sautner has confirmed to Newstalk ZB, extra tickets will be made available this afternoon, for about $120 each.He told Tim Dower it's taken some doing, but demand is extremely high.“We’ve implemented a standing room area on the field of play, something unique given that the demand for the event has been unprecedented.”LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Patrick Gower did not expect to give up drinking on TV.On Booze explores New Zealand's drinking culture through the lens of Gower's own relationship with alcohol.The Newshub National Correspondent is frank about about how much he drinks.Gower told Early Edition it required an intervention from fellow journalist Corrin Dan.He now confirms he is six months sober.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A not-for-profit leadership group says legislation may be to blame for the sector's increasing vulnerability.It comes as a new report from Grant Thornton warns they'll soon be at breaking point if they don't adapt.The report shows there's little understanding for law changes, while maintaining staff and financing are top concerns for the sector.Garth Nowland-Foreman - director of Centre for Not For Profit Government and Leadership told Tim Dower the Government hasn't been very good at engaging with the sector about these changes.He says they seem to find more in additional compliance requirements put upon these groups each year, many of which are unnecessary.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Wairarapa secondary school says its plan for random drug searches is about identifying issues students may have and nipping them in the bud.Kuranui College in Greytown will have handlers and their dogs sweep the property during school time, including classrooms and lockers - but won't search students themselves.Principal Simon Fuller says it's not about kicking students out of school, but rather part of a wider education initiative.He says they're not immune to outside society influences and are trying to take a more proactive and rigorous approach to teaching students.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We've talked a lot about the 501 deportations lately and how unjust and downright grubby that Australian policy is.Just a week ago the Prime Minister was in Australia and most New Zealanders backed what she was saying, how it's wrong, immoral even, for the Aussies to send back crims when they've got no connections here, and haven't lived here since they were tiny kids.Here’s a bit of a tricky situation.A former inmate here is due to be deported back to Samoa.Immigration was actually serving Mose Vaipapa with deportation papers at the same time Jacinda Ardern was in Australia, putting our case to Anthony Albanese.Open Justice reports he's a 29-year-old, originally from Samoa, who came here at the age of four.Now he's done 15 years for two rapes he committed at the age of 14.While he was inside he seriously assaulted two guards, and got his sentence extended.He's done his time like the 501s and because he's not a New Zealand citizen and there's obviously nothing desirable about his character, we want him gone.But Porirua Community Law Centre is saying hang on a minute.Like the 501s, he hasn't lived in Samoa since he was four, doesn't speak the language and has no connections.Vaipapa says he'd rather go back to jail than Samoa, and personally, I wouldn't object to that.But is he right to be calling the Government out for hypocrisy?Is it really true there'd be nowhere and no one for him to go to in Samoa?If that's really the case, much as it sticks in my throat to say it, New Zealand can't have it both ways.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets see, markets do.Global markets have been following US stock market trends, which investors say has gone down because of worse than expected US inflation rates.The NZX was down 2.6 percent yesterday, and over the last 100 days has gone down by 20 percent.Harbour Asset Management Portfolio Manager Shane Solly told Tim Dower the NZX is heavily influenced by the US.He says the US federal reserve, the US central bank, are likely to put in a point 75 increase in the next few days, which will push interest rates to the highest they've been since 1994.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A report into ACC has found privacy issues among staff.The independent review found the agency doesn't adequately monitor and audit staff access and use of client information.It follows the revelation last October, that more than a dozen employees were sharing private client details on social media app Snapchat.Auckland University commercial law expert Gehan Gunasekara told Tim Dower the sharing of personal information is appalling.He says it's very sensitive health information that ACC's clients would expect to be the object of social derision.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If someone in your family suggests you have a look at Patrick Gower's alcohol documentary, perhaps you should take the hint.I watched it before coming to work this morning and I've read some of what's been written about it online.The way I understand it, Gower didn't set out on a journey of self-discovery.The plan to begin with was a serious investigation of New Zealanders' relationship with alcohol, and why we're some of the heaviest boozers on the planet.But it became very personal.Now, I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it yet, but the are some very candid, revealing, awkward and downright embarrassing scenes of Patrick Gower off his face.So what's the value of that you might ask? You can walk around any main centre of any town in the country at night and you'll see that.I think the value of it was to show very bluntly, and in a way anyone can understand, how normal it is for us to see alcohol being used to excess, even if we don't do it ourselves.And for the most part, we think it's funny.So while people might criticise the first part of the exercise for treating it all too lightly, what it's designed to do is hook us in for part two tonight.That promises to be a blunt and serious debate about where we are.The harsh realities about the long-term effects of heavy drinking aren't something many of us want to face up to.So often we get preached about the dangers of alcohol, we hear the message time and time again, but most of us get bored and switch off.What Gower does is use humour to present a hard topic, in a realistic way, by bringing it to himself.I doubt there are many of us that haven't seen how badly booze can affect people. I've seen it in my own life and it's not just the person drinking that suffers.Some may say it's self-serving, but Gower's presented a wake-up call in a way that cuts through more than any number of pieces with well meaning, well intentioned experts.What a great bit of television.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football fans will be up early to see if New Zealand can book a spot in the Fifa World Cup.The All Whites are taking on Costa Rica and the score is 1-0 to the South Americans at halftime in Doha.If they pull it off, they'll be in the World Cup for only the third time.Ricki Herbert coached the team into their last World Cup run in 2010.Herbert joined Early Edition.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

High demand is expected to drive up the cost of flights.Air New Zealand is warning it's going to have to hike fares due to rising fuel costs, as more people start to fly again.One aviation industry expert has compared our air fares to the same expensive prices we saw in the 1970sFormer aviation boss Irene King told Andrew Dickens Air New Zealand has a lot of cost pressures on them.She says this is a classic supply and demand problem, underpinned by fairly savage price increases in their basic inputs.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Police Association hopes the new minister will listen to those on the front line.Chris Hipkins replaces Poto Williams as Police Minister after she faced strong criticism.Jacinda Ardern says she and Williams agreed the focus of the portfolio wasn't where it needed to be.Association president Chris Cahill told Andrew Dickens he thinks Hipkins will be more directBut he says they'd be naïve to think he can solve gang problems and drive by shootings in Auckland overnight.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A push to prioritise people over cars on Auckland's main street.Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick and the City Centre Residents' Group are calling for the council to pedestrianise Queen Street, changing it from a thoroughfare to a destination.They say it will transform the area into a cultural hub and living space for 40,000 residents.Chlöe Swarbrick told Andrew Dickens you only have to look at George Street in Sydney to see how the idea can succeed.She says they closed four and half thousand square metres to traffic.Swarbrick says they committed to their plan and it got even better - and no one can imagine it going back to the way it was.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yesterday's minor cabinet shuffle became a major one after two resignations.Trevor Mallard steps down as speaker, much to everyone’s relief. Laughingly one of the least diplomatic members of Parliament is moving into a diplomatic position in Europe. Cynics, like ACT, have suggested that it’s so he can get a knighthood before the Government changes at the next election.Meanwhile, Kris Faa’foi steps down to spend more time with his family. Cynics would say he checked out a while back and I think that’s true. Immigration in particular has been bogged down and needs a strong hand to whip it back into action and Kris wasn’t that man.I wish he’d admitted his priorities earlier but he goes with my support and good wishes.So those two big moves gave the Prime Minister the chance to attack some glaring weaknesses.Most notably, Poto Williams, who loses Police to Chris Hipkins.Poto Williams was immensely unsuited to the Police role. She lacked confidence and the ability to speak straight. Like many in Labour’s caucus she speaks in what I call ‘universitese’. “I reject the premise of that question” is a classic. Academic speak that has too much “on the one hand and yet on the other” in it.Once you spend the time to translate the gobbledygook you find she wasn’t wrong. Serous violent crime is down but there is a particular gang war and a trend of teenage ramraids that need dealing to.Poto couldn’t deal to anyone. She’s far better off waxing lyrical about conservation.So the job goes to Chris Hipkins. Clearly the party’s star and clear number three. And one of the few who can fight in the trenches and speak plainlyAnd here’s my real problem.After the big election win last time, this was the largest caucus that any party has ever had. And yet here is a party who seems to have few choices when it comes to frontline staff. It’s Chris or Chris and maybe Michael and Megan.If the All Blacks had a similar lack of depth we’d all give up the game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is no secret that tourism is struggling to recruit workers, but the extent of the shortage is becoming apparent.The sector lost 65,000 workers at the beginning of the pandemic, and they're not all coming back.Migrants on working holiday visas are not making a difference so far.That creates flow on effects, slower service and shorter opening hours, and some say this could affect our reputation to overseas tourists.Director at Hotel Council Aotearoa James Doolan joined Andrew Dickens.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech experts say National's proposed plan to stop gang insignia on social media could be tricky to do.If it came to power, the party says it would ban gang patches in public - including online.It would also stop gang members gathering in public and accessing guns.Gorilla Technology chief executive Paul Spain told Andrew Dickens if there's legislation putting pressure on social media companies, they may monitor it themselves.He says there likely wouldn't be enough resources to monitor it in Police - as it would end up needing a huge number of people.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I was really disappointed that Christopher Luxon hung his hat on the patch banning gangs policy, mostly because the policy is not new. It's proposed every time a political party want to be perceived as tough on crime - and it has been discredited every time it's been proposed.And it has been tried before in Whanganui. Michael Laws argues it was a success, and yes it kept gang patches out of the city centre for a while. But it didn’t decrease gang crime.Embarrassingly for National, Chester Borrows, who was part of National at the time and argued for its use, stated in the Sunday papers that it never really worked.The former Court Minister and cop and MP for Whanganui passed a Prohibition of Gang Insignia into law 13 years ago.As National calls for a similar law to be introduced nationwide, Chester Borrows was quoted yesterday as saying it would be ineffectual and it's purely designed for big headlines.It's not the answer National makes it out to be.Even more confusingly it saw National Party members who have been critical of moves to regulate freedom of speech leaping in behind a law that curtails freedom of speech on social media and adds in a rule against freedom of association. It is very questionable whether the proposed law complies with our Bill of Rights.Simeon Brown, I'm looking at you.It is what it is, a piece of dog-whistle politics that would achieve nothing except convince some shallow thinkers that National is, as they say, tough on crime.We deserve better than this. Not some reheated ancient policy that if it was so good would have been implemented years ago.Out police deserve better than this. The continued mantra that the police are soft on crime is really offensive to the officers who are actually doing something about gangs. It belittles campaigns like Operation Tauwhiro which has seen 1200 firearms arrests, nearly 1400 guns seized and a small mountain of meth captured in less than a year.And it completely misunderstands what gangs are. You don’t join a gang for a patch. You don’t join a gang for a motorcycle, obviously the spate of drive by shootings have been committed in cars. It’s very hard to shoot and ride a two wheeler.You join a gang after generations of poverty, neglect and violence. For quick money and for fellowship.If National want to be seen as good at dealing with crime they might consider saying something about that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Queen will skip the upcoming Commonwealth Games, it's been reported today.The Games are set to take place for two weeks from July 28 in Birmingham, two hours north of London. Daily Mail reports that the Queen will not be in attendance, with Prince Charles expected to fill in for her.The outlet reports that the 96-year-old monarch, who has grown increasingly frail, will stay home, with Prince Charles expected to stand in for her during the opening ceremony and other events. Other royals are expected to attend many events, given the Games are happening on home soil.It comes after the Queen sat out many key events at her Platinum Jubilee celebrations last weekend.One royal expert has today suggested there was a selfless reason for the Queen missing several of her own celebrations, claiming the monarch wouldn't have wanted to risk worrying people with a fall or stumble."She would not want to stumble – not for her own sake but for the distress, it would cause other people," royal historian Robert Lacey told People.At the end of the Platinum Jubilee, the Queen did publicly acknowledge her absence throughout the weekend."While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family," she said.Meanwhile, it's been revealed that the Queen enforced one strict rule behind closed doors as she met Prince Harry and wife Meghan Markle's daughter Lilibet for the first time.It's been claimed the couple wanted to bring cameras along to capture the meeting for their Netflix reality series – so the Queen's team enforced a strict "no cameras" rule.An insider said: "Harry and Meghan wanted their photographer to capture the moment Lilibet met the Queen. But they were told no chance. It was a private family meeting."Harry and Meghan family flew back to California on Sunday afternoon without a snap.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twitter plans to offer Elon Musk access to its "firehose" of raw data on hundreds of millions of daily tweets in an effort to push forward the Tesla billionaire's agreed-to $44 billion acquisition of the social media platform, according to multiple news reports.Lawyers involved in the deal would not confirm the data sharing agreement. Musk made no comment on Twitter, although he has previously been vocal about various aspects of the deal. Twitter declined to confirm the reports and pointed to a Monday statement in which the company said it is continuing to "co-operatively" share information with Musk.Musk, who struck a legally binding agreement to buy Twitter in April, contends that the deal can't proceed unless the company provides more information about the prevalence of fake accounts on its platform. He has argued, without presenting evidence, that Twitter has significantly underestimated the number of these "spam bots" - automated accounts that typically promote scams and misinformation — on its service.On Monday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also announced an investigation into Twitter for allegedly failing to disclose the extent of its spam bot and fake accounts, saying his office would look into "potential false reporting" of bots on Twitter.The Washington Post first reported Twitter's plan to provide Musk with full access to the firehose, citing a person familiar with the matter. Other reports suggested the billionaire might only receive partial access.Twitter's reported offer could blunt Musk's attempts to use the spam bot issue to cast doubt on the deal's future. This week, lawyers for Musk accused the company of refusing to surrender information about the true number of bot accounts on Twitter. Mike Ringler, the Palo Alto, California, attorney who signed that Monday letter, told the AP he was not at liberty to speak about the matter when reached Wednesday afternoon.Fake social media accounts have been problematic for years. Advertisers rely on the number of users provided by social media platforms to determine where they will spend money. Spam bots are also used to amplify messages and spread disinformation.The problem of fake accounts is well-known to Twitter and its investors. The company has disclosed its bot estimates to the US Securities and Exchange Commission for years, while also cautioning that its estimate might be too low.Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has said that Twitter has consistently estimated that fewer than 5 per cent of its accounts are spam. But Musk has disputed that figure, contending in a May tweet — without evidence — that 20 per cent or more of Twitter's accounts are bogus.- APSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s fair to say I’ve been seething for the past few days since the news that Ports of Auckland’s automation experiment has crashed and burned.This was a story that we knew was happening and yet the people at the centre of it refused to admit it.Time and time again the media and the council put questions to the management of the Port.Time and time again we were told there was no problem and the tone was that we didn’t know what we were talking about so leave us alone.Well it turns out the Ports didn’t know their own business or what they were talking about and the whole country has paid a price.The automation project was cutting edge. It was not best practice. It was a mightily huge experiment that has cost us dearly.The reports we’ve heard is that the scrapping of it will cost $65 million. That’s just the cost of the useless software that we can’t even re-sell.The cost of this screw up is in the billions. The snarling of our major port. The self-inflicted supply chain difficulties in the time of pandemic caused supply chain difficulties.We can all see that the value of the port has declined particularly if compared to the Port of Tauranga.But that’s the tip of the iceberg.Every single importer and exporter and transport firm affected by a non-functioning port. Every single trader dependent of the arrival of a container that never came. All hit.For a trader nation to have its biggest port hobbled in this way for so long is inexcusable.But also inexcusable was its failure to realise the folly of its actions earlier.I applaud the new management for seeing the obvious.But I deplore the former management who felt that their actions were not reviewable by their owners: the people of Auckland.The structure of the Port company was designed to keep politicians’ hands off a business enterprise and yet it seems in the absence of direct accountability the business people went off piste. It is a remarkable arrogance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The building industry will have to think outside the tool box.GIB is still desperately sought after across the country, with reports of it being stockpiled, stolen and sold on Trade Me for six times the retail price.There's only one manufacturer of the plasterboard in New Zealand.Combined Building Supplies Co-op Chair Carl Taylor told Andrew Dickens the industry has to look at alternative methods.He says there are other materials such as plywood, which aren't ideal, but we have to stop relying on just one product.Taylor says there are other products we can get from overseas such as the US, Malaysia and Australia.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A scatter gun approach to the cost of living.The OECD says the Government needs to do more in the inflation fight, arguing for more targeted spending, which could include delaying some infrastructure plans.Economist Cameron Bagrie says we have petrol relief and a transport package for everybody and 2.1 million people getting a cash injection.But he told Andrew Dickens you want assistance to be targeted to those most in need.Bagrie says we need to look at maybe expanding Working for Families, or the timing of construction projects.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and dozens of other women who say they were sexually assaulted by Larry Nassar are seeking more than US$1 billion from the FBI for failing to stop the sports doctor when the agency first received allegations against him, lawyers said today.There's no dispute that FBI agents in 2015 knew that Nassar was accused of assaulting gymnasts, but they failed to act, leaving him free to continue to target young women and girls for more than a year. He pleaded guilty in 2017 and is serving decades in prison."It is time for the FBI to be held accountable," said Maggie Nichols, a national champion gymnast at Oklahoma in 2017-19.Under federal law, a government agency has six months to respond to the tort claims filed Wednesday. Lawsuits could follow, depending on the FBI's response. Larry Nassar. Photo / APWhite noted the 2018 massacre at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The FBI received a tip about five weeks before 17 people were killed at the school, but the tip was never forwarded to the FBI's South Florida office. The government agreed to pay US$127.5 million to families of those killed or injured.The approximately 90 claimants include Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, all Olympic gold medalists, according to Manly, Stewart & Finaldi, a California law firm. Separately, 13 claims were filed by others in April."If the FBI had simply done its job, Nassar would have been stopped before he ever had the chance to abuse hundreds of girls, including me," said former University of Michigan gymnast Samantha Roy.An email seeking comment was sent to the FBI.Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics told local agents in 2015 that three gymnasts said they were assaulted by Nassar, a team doctor. But the FBI did not open a formal investigation or inform federal or state authorities in Michigan, according to the Justice Department's inspector general, an internal watchdog.Los Angeles agents in 2016 began a sexual tourism investigation against Nassar and interviewed several victims but also didn't alert Michigan authorities, the inspector general said.Nassar wasn't arrested until fall 2016 during an investigation by Michigan State University police. He was a doctor at Michigan State.The Michigan attorney general's office ultimately handled the assault charges against Nassar, while federal prosecutors in Grand Rapids, Michigan, filed a child pornography case.In remarks to Congress last year, FBI Director Christopher Wray acknowledged major mistakes."I'm especially sorry that there were people at the FBI who had their own chance to stop this monster back in 2015 and failed. And that's inexcusable," Wray told victims at a Senate hearing.At that same hearing, Biles, widely considered to be the greatest gymnast of all time, said an "entire system" enabled the abuse. Maroney recalled "dead silence" when she talked to FBI agents about Nassar.The Justice Department in May said that it would not pursue criminal charges against former agents who were accused of giving inaccurate or incomplete responses during the inspector general's investigation.Michigan State University, which was also accused of missing chances over many years to stop Nassar, agreed to pay US$500 million to more than 300 women and girls who were assaulted by him. USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee made a US$380 million settlement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.