Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Top British security officials will face questions over an aborted China spying case brought by its chief prosecutor, which collapsed as it is seeking to rebuild economic ties with the country. The case against Christopher Berry and Christopher Cash, who were charged last year under the Official Secrets Act over allegations they spied for China between 2021 and 2023, was dropped last month. UK correspondent Gail Downey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank today slashed the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, prompting markets to make readjustments. This recent cut wasn't full priced in, and it's got some experts re-thinking their OCR outlooks ahead of the end of the year. Milford Asset Management's Remy Morgan explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and broadcaster Mark Sainsbury joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more!  Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have tried to warn their players off joining the proposed Rugby 360 league. What do we make of all this?  The OCR dropped another 50 basis points today - should we be celebrating? Or could the central bank have done more? National recently dropped below 30 percent in the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll. Should the coalition be worried here? New reports on truancy have found that many families are still taking their kids out of class for holidays. Do we need to stagger holidays around the country so that flights to Fiji aren't so expensive for a specific 2-week period? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB recently agreed to pay $135.6 million to settle a class action for allegedly breaching the  Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. ANZ has refused to settle, and it's prompted concerns over recent proposed banking reforms are at risk. Banking Reform Coalition convener Kent Duston explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A major new report is warning that more than 1000 seaside homes could suffer significant damage from extreme weather by 2060. And hundreds of thousands of homes worth an estimated $180 billion are located in flood-prone areas, according to Our Marine Environment 2025 from the Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ. Alison Collins from the Ministry for the Environment says many of these homes are in low-lying coastal communities and on flood plains. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 8 October 2025, the Reserve Bank has pulled out the big guns and cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points today. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr speaks to Heather. Former National Party staffer Ben Thomas says National polling in the 20s is not good news for Chris Luxon. NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson explains why rugby unions across the world don't want players playing for a new rival league backed by Saudi Arabia. New Zealand's best big airport is .... Queenstown Airport! Heather is surprised? She speaks with Queenstown Airport Chief Operating Officer Todd Grace. Plus the Huddle debates that poll and Tory Whanau's final speech as Wellington mayor - surprising? Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good news - the Reserve Bank has finally done the thing many of us thought was necessary, and they've gone for a double cut in the OCR of 50 basis points. That's the good news. The bad news is that they've been forced to do it because they didn't do it earlier, as in, they haven't cut as quickly as they should have. I mean, think back to July when they actually chose not to cut at all, which was clearly a mistake at the time - but became even more of a mistake when we saw the shock GDP number that followed. We saw that in the three months before that decision, the economy had actually contracted by a whopping 0.9 percent and the Reserve Bank hadn't really noticed at all. And the bad news, I suppose, again, is that they could have done a double cut last time when two of them on the Monetary Policy Statement said we should go double cut. But more of them said, no, let's just go with the single cut. So they've gone with a double cut today - vindication for two, it would seem. We're gonna stick to the good news though, which is that, finally, the Reserve Bank has caught up with the rest of us. The economy is cooked, and we need to do something, so they have delivered it. They admit that this is a signal. The signal is it's okay to go out and spend and invest - because they've realized, finally, that people are freaked out, right? There have been too many predictions of green shoots just before the economy falls again, which freak people out, and there have been too many bad surprises which freak people out. Business confidence is shot, look at the QBSO yesterday. Consumer confidence is also slightly increasing, but still really negative. People are holding on to their money, they're saving instead of spending, they're worrying instead of investing. And this cut is a circuit breaker that's supposed to snap us out of our fear. Now, there are some who worry that we are actually already so freaked out that even this cut, given how big it is, could spook us all over again. It's possible, maybe it could happen. But I think what's more likely is that it's going to give the assurance that people need. And the assurance is that the people in charge of the economy actually realize how bad things are - and are prepared to be bold. And I'll tell you what, it's better late than never. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eight international rugby unions, including New Zealand, have warned players that they won't be eligible for high-level selection if they switch to the proposed Rugby 360 league. There have been rumours of monetary offers directed at high-level rugby and league players for the competition, which is being promoted by former England international Mike Tindall. NZ Rugby CEO Mark Robinson says many of the other unions haven't been as clear or public as New Zealand's has, because of the scrutiny, but they wanted to make things clear. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Queenstown Airport is flying high, thanks to a surge in visitors. It's been named Large Airport of the Year at the national awards - with judges praising its strong safety record, commercial success, and community engagement. They were also impressed with its new end-of-runway safety system. Chief operating officer Todd Grace says the airport's seen strong growth since Covid. He says they're the only airport in New Zealand operating back past pre-Covid levels. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's claims a rebounding economy could propel National to another election win. But a former senior National staffer also says next year's election is looking like a toss-up. The recent Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll has the party on just 29.6 percent - one of its lowest results since returning to Government.  Ben Thomas says that's not a good place to be.  "That is a psychological threshold - we used to be thinking that anything in the middle-low 30s was a disaster for a National Party leader." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's 50 basis point OCR cut could go some way to getting our economy growing again. The Reserve Bank's slashed the cash rate to 2.5 percent. ANZ has lowered its floating and flexible rates, on top of all major banks already lowering fixed term offerings. Kiwibank chief economist, Jarrod Kerr, says he's been calling for a 2.5 percent cash rate for two years. "We knew it needed to go below neutral, which is three, and we needed to get some stimulus into the economy to really ignite the recovery." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has cut the OCR by 50 basis points to 2.5 percent, despite acknowledging inflation is still above where they'd like it. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says they've factored in broader economic conditions. She says the central bank clearly thinks any fluctuation in inflation will be constrained by spare capacity in the economy. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this will come as good news as more people are set to roll into lower mortgage rates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Locking down a new trade deal is front of mind for Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as he met for talks with US President Donald Trump.  Negotiations have been ongoing since August, when Trump imposed 35 percent tariffs on Canadian goods.  Canada remains the only G7 country without a deal - something Trump attributes to a 'natural conflict' stemming from their proximity. US correspondent Jonathan Kearsley says this meeting appeared to be a positive one, when compared to their previous discussion.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

R360 has reacted to the eight nations who have agreed to ban any players defecting to the rebel rugby competition. They've claimed this new league is designed to work around the global calendar...not against it. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 300 people are being made to re-sit their practical driving test - following fraud allegations at an Auckland VTNZ. Police and NZTA are looking into claims testing officers at the Highbrook branch took money in return for passing applicants, over several years.   Five officers have been sacked for misconduct - and the branch has stopped offering tests in the meantime. Transparency International NZ executive director Julie Haggie says they need to figure out how this was possible. "Behaviour and the training and the culture that was existing and whether any of those things had an impact on people feeling like - I can get away with it. And they have felt like they can get away with it and make profit out of it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UK police say they've cracked down on an international gang suspected of  smuggling up to 40,000 stolen mobile phones from the UK to China over the last year. In what authorities claim is the UK's largest ever operation against phone thefts, 18 suspects have been arrested and more than 2,000 stolen devices discovered. UK correspondent Enda Brady reveals more about this case. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade Minister Todd McClay has confirmed trade negotiations with India are progressing - but there's still a ways to go. New Zealand and Indian trade negotiators met in Queenstown last month for a third round of formal negotiations for a free trade agreement. The Country's Hamish McKay explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and CTU economist Craig Renney joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! NZ Post today revealed they'll be cutting services down, including fewer delivery days and fewer post offices. Do we mind this change? Who still sends post?  Winston Peters' home got vandalised last night - is this a sign the protests have gone too far? More than 200 people will be elected unopposed at this weekend’s local elections. Is this ridiculous? Do we need an overhaul?   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We need to talk about why we're persisting with having so many local body politicians. We clearly have too many positions, don't we? I mean, just look at how many people are winning their seats at the moment. The elections are this weekend - look at how many people are winning their seats without any elections, without anybody standing against them. With more than 200, that's 1 in every 7 council races. So Hurunui already has its mayor, even though the elections are this weekend. It's Marie Black, no one's standing against her. Manawatū already has its mayor, Michael Ford, no one's standing against him. There are more than 80 councillors who are already elected across the country, there are several on the Southland Regional Council already elected. Lower Hutt, Southland, Buller, Stratford, Marlborough councils, two of Auckland's councils already elected - unopposed - as well as 3 of Christchurch's. There are also empty seats that no one wants to fill in community boards in the Rotorua Lakes, New Plymouth's Kaitake, Clifton as well, rural Hastings, Hanmer Springs, Twizel, and Mataura. What that tells you is that you have more positions to fill than you have people who want to fill those positions. Now, please have a look at your voting papers and vote if you can. I voted in Auckland already, right? I had 1 vote for mayor, I had 1 vote for council, and then I had up to 7 votes for my local board. I didn't vote 7 times for my local, I didn't know who all of those people were. I knew about 5 of them and at least 2 of them I knew for bad reasons, so I didn't want to vote for them. So, you know, I think we clearly are asking too much. And by the way, in Auckland, we have 172 local board politicians by the end of this process, and I'm not even counting the local licensing board. The most junior of which, the ward councillors, get paid more than $54,000 each. Now, I think looking at all of this, we are well overdue tipping all of this up and changing it and massively reducing the number of people that we're paying to do probably not a lot. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 7 October 2025, Palestine protestor Acacia O'Connor says she doesn't regret making Winston Peters' home address public, despite a person smashing his window as a result. Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill wins his bet with Heather - and calls off a restructure of rural police. Lawyers of a class action lawsuit against ANZ are calling on the Government to walk back retrospective banking reform. It comes after ASB agreed to settle their own dispute for more than $135 million . Former All Black Mils Muliaina has joined the Auckland Business Chamber to become its first Pasifika director - he tells Heather about the Pasifika economy. Plus, the Huddle debates whether we should cut the number of elected local body politicians after news that 1 in 7 candidates will get the job unopposed. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All Black Mils Muliaina is set to trade rugby fields for the boardroom as he steps into his new role. He recently joined the Auckland Business Chamber board, becoming its first Pasifika director in the organisation's history. Mils Muliaina says this new role came to him as a surprise, but he's welcoming the new opportunity.  "I'm supposed to provide a voice for the communities, especially for the Pacific community, in finance and insurance and I suppose economic matters. So I'm pretty chuffed." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ASB has agreed to pay $135.6 million to settle a class action after it was accused of breaching its disclosure obligations under the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act. The case against ASB alleged failures to provide compliant written disclosure of loan variations to a significant number of customers. ANZ is still hanging on as the remaining defendant of the class action. Scott Russell, the lawyer representing bank customers in the class action, says the lawsuit against ANZ hasn't been dropped. "We remain fully committed to our claim against ANZ...ANZ customers deserve a positive outcome similar to that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand Post is moving to review its offerings amid a recent move to cut back on services. A new Government agreement will let it close almost 400 postal outlets, and reduce mail deliveries. They'll now only be required two times a week for most areas, down from three - and can fall from at least five times weekly in rural areas, to three. NZ Post CEO David Walsh says these changes reflect New Zealand's changing communication habits. "Our role is to deliver the services New Zealanders need - we'll keep delivering mail and we'll have to respond to the circumstances we're facing, but that's our job." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More vets across New Zealand are reporting a surge in poor behaviour from customers, particularly over billing. New reports claim staff in customer facing roles are experiencing pet owners trying to emotionally blackmail vets over rising costs. NZ Veterinary Association CEO Kevin Bryant says costs are going up everywhere, and customers are taking this out on staff "There's a huge amount of confusion in the public arena between the fact that we have a heavily subsidised human health system and a totally unsubsidised animal health system, and I think that's definitely part of it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Foreign Minister's reiterated his calls for a ceasefire in Gaza on the second anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel.  Winston Peters addressed Parliament this afternoon, also calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas, and for Israel to allow aid into Gaza unimpeded.  Newstalk ZB political correspondent Barry Soper says Peters went on to defend the Government's call to not recognise a Palestinian state amid ongoing backlash from the opposition.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A protester who shared Winston Peters' address on social media says she's only protested outside once.  Actress Acacia O'Connor has been criticised by the Greens for sharing the address - and she's lost her contract for ads for telco One NZ.  She says she doesn't know the person who smashed a window at the Foreign Minister's home last night O'Connor says it's likely protests will continue. She says she's so sorry to hear Peters' home was damaged - but she's asking him to help Palestinians whose homes are being bombed every day.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man who allegedly sprayed up to 50 bullets on police in Sydney’s inner west has been charged with a string of offences. Artemios Mintzas, 60, allegedly shot 'indiscriminately' at passing vehicles, including police vehicles in Croydon Park on Sunday evening. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says police revealed there were no drugs involved, nor a clear ideology.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silver Ferns interim netball coach Yvette McCausland-Durie is adamant she has no ambitions for the permanent gig. She still wants the role to remain short-term after stepping in for the South African series. Sportstalk host D'Arcy Waldegrave explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canterbury police will keep monitoring demand in rural areas, after shelving a proposed restructure. It would've replaced some permanent officers, with staff working at 24/7 hubs in Rolleston and Rangiora. Many of the thousand submissions supported the idea, but it was rejected by affected communities. Canterbury District Commander Tony Hill says the feedback showed police can meet demand with current staff. "We just questioned whether we've got them in the right places - what we've seen from our people is some really good suggestions about how we might deploy those, to actually meet that without disrupting people in their roles." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The UK Government has announced the police will be given powers to put conditions on repeat protests. This follows last weekend's pro-Palestinian demonstration in London, which saw almost 500 people arrested. UK correspondent Gail Downey explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week saw the release of some weak economic data out of the US and it's got investors speculating. Harbour Asset Management's Shane Solly explained further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Commerce Commission has ruled out an inquiry into airport regulation, for now. Air New Zealand had written to the regulator, saying there was enough 'accumulated evidence and concern' to justify a probe. The Commission has done a 'short, targeted review'. Air New Zealand Head of Regulatory Affairs Kristy McKay revealed why she's pleased with this outcome. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Josie Pagani from Child Fund joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Is it a good idea for the Government to show young people some tough love when it comes to the benefit? Do we think this is the way forward? And is the income threshold too low? Winston Peters is firing back after groups of protesters kept showing up outside his house. Can new legislation fix this? Former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is set to receive a $416,000 payout. What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 6 October 2025, Foreign Minister Winston Peters tells Heather about the protesters that keep turning up outside his house night after night. Heather applauds the Government's tough love attitude to unemployed teenagers. The Finance Minister Nicola Willis gets a grilling over ex-RBNZ governor Adrian Orr's $416,000 golden parachute payment. Just 60% of 13-17 year olds know how to cook three or more meals - does this reflect badly on us parents? Plus, the Huddle debates young people on the benefit and Adrian Orr's big payday. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr is in for a significant payday. He resigned in March, following a funding disagreement, with tensions between Treasury, the bank, and the Finance Minister. The central bank's annual report shows Orr will receive a $416,000 restraint of trade payment this month. Finance Minister Nicola Willis says she wasn't informed of this until today. "I had been assured that they had done those negotiations in accordance with the terms and conditions in his contract, which had already been agreed when he was reappointed as Governor in 2022." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On these protesters who've been harassing Winston and his neighbours - even as recently as last night - they really have to call this nonsense off. Turning up at someone's house in the evening, or as the Prime Minister said to Mike this morning, at 11 at night or 4 in the morning is not protesting. That's actually just intimidating. Particularly, I think, in the case of Winston, who I know has been actually dealing with this for a number of months. Now, I don't think he's actually gone public yet. Even when I asked him, I don't think he's gone public with the extent of the harassment that he's been dealing with - and it was probably because he didn't want to encourage it to continue. But I have been aware for months that this has been going on outside his house. What makes it worse is that like with many heritage suburbs in central Auckland, Winston's house is right on the roadside. He doesn't have a yard out the front between him and the protesters. He doesn't have a long driveway between him and them. If you stand outside his house, you're basically touching his porch and his front door is about 1.5 to 2 metres away. I think that makes the intimidation even greater. And what these protesters need to understand is that they're not drawing attention to Gaza by harassing a senior politician - just like with the flotilla kids, right? Because they're not drawing attention to Gaza. They are only drawing attention to themselves and getting us talking - not about Gaza, but about whether the thing that they are doing as their protest or their activism is appropriate. They're simply drawing attention to themselves. Now, there is a planned law to stop this business about the protesting outside people's houses. It's in the submissions phase, so it hasn't passed yet and it's a while away from passing Which means, of course, that in the meantime these protesters can pretty much do what they like by the looks of things. But what they should understand is that it is inappropriate and most New Zealanders with families will look at this and think this is inappropriate, and so all they're doing is risking goodwill towards their cause. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Auckland Business Chamber’s bracing for the new incentive to encourage more teens to join its youth employment programme. It uses its business network to connect them with jobs. Chief Operating Officer Leah Gates says it's tough right now for teens. "And in a tight labour market, they're disproportionately affected and they're competing against more experienced workers." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New research reveals more Kiwi kids are losing out on learning key life skills, with cooking at the top of the list. 77 percent of parents say it's vital for children to learn to cook before they grow up and leave home, but only 21 percent get their kids involved in the kitchen. Just 60 percent of 13-17 year olds can cook three or more meals, according to recent data. LittleCooks tutor Dalene Gourley says many parents want to get their kids involved, but they don't feel they have the time, patience or know-how to make it work. "I also think they feel that the kitchen will turn into chaos or that it's quicker to just do it themselves - and I can completely understand that." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People protesting the war in Gaza were back outside the Foreign Minister's Auckland home last night.  Winston Peters says they stayed until about 8.30pm, when police moved them along.  The Government's currently progressing a law to make protesting outside someone's home an offence. Peters says they were blasting away about two metres from his front door, and he told the cops he'd had enough.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Auckland courtroom has seen confronting footage of tourists running for their lives during the 2019 eruption of Whakaari-White Island. A coronial inquest is looking into the disaster that killed 22 people and injured 25 - almost all in tour groups. Newstalk ZB reporter Jordan Dunn says this inquest will cover an 'extensive' list of factors. "They're going to be looking at how emergency responders did actually respond, and who was actually in charge with that emergency response and who was supposed to be centring it and who was supposed to be focusing that communication."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Prime Minister says the Government's resetting expectations for under-25s to not rely on the unemployment benefit. A $1,000 bonus is being introduced for certain young people who stay off the benefit for a year. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says this announcement isn't anything new, but something needs to be done to encourage young people into work. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 60-year-old man's been arrested in Sydney, after a gunman opened fire in the suburb of Croydon Park last night. At least one person was hit and seriously injured - and 16 hurt - with up to 100 shots fired between 7.45 and 9.30pm. Australian correspondent Oliver Peterson says the shooter's motivation remains unknown, but investigations are still ongoing.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no further movement on the Silver Ferns coaching saga front. Netball New Zealand and Dame Noeline Taurua are stuck in mediation with no resolution in sight. Sportstalk host Jason Pine outlines the situation - and wonders if Taurua will want to return. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diabetes is costing record numbers of Kiwis toes, feet and legs. More than 1200 lower-limb amputations were performed last year alone. Those with type two diabetes - about 95 percent of the diabetes population - are most affected. Diabetes Special Interest Group Head, Simon Speight, says GPs focus on managing symptoms to reduce the need for surgery. "Whether it's the sugar levels, the blood pressure, the cholesterol - just trying to get those levels sorted out right from the get-go, because if any of those proceed 20, 30, 40 years later down the track, that's when these things can happen."  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 3 October 2025, the Jewish Council says antisemitism has been normalised across the world after a terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester. Budgeting advisers are concerned people can now buy their groceries and petrol on Afterpay - but why is it different than paying by credit card? Taylor Swift's new album drops and we speak with the host of a listening party who explains the hysteria about the most anticipated album ever. Plus, the Sports Huddle debates whether the All Blacks can make it 2/2 against Australia in Perth and who will take out the NRL title. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A view mass layoffs are imminent as the US Federal Government shutdown nears its third day.  Democrats and Republicans failed to get their respective bills through the senate, suspending thousands of government workers without pay.  US President Donald Trump's called it an unprecedented opportunity to slash spending.  US Correspondent Jonathan Kearsley told Andrew Dickens layoffs are coming, it's just a question of how deep and wide they are.  He says we know they're looking to slash spending to save billions, but the shutdown is also hurting the economy every day.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's an action packed weekend, with the final clashes of the Rugby Championship and the NRL Grand Final kicking off. Jason Pine joined Andrew Dickens to give his insight into how it'll all play out. Will the All Blacks break their inconsistent streak and claim a second victory over Australia? And who will claim the victory in the NRL - the Broncos or the Storm?  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Concerns are being raised now that people can put groceries and petrol on Afterpay.  The popular buy now, pay later scheme is allowing people to buy petrol and grocery items up to $500 without an up-front payment – to be paid back in instalments.  FinCap Senior Policy Advisor Jake Lilley told Andrew Dickens it is a real worry for financial mentors.  He says people are desperate to make ends meet and unfortunately schemes like this can put people in a cycle of debt.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prince Harry's legal battle against the Daily Mail continues, and he's dragged William and Kate into the mix. Harry is one of several public figures - including Sir Elton John, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and Elizabeth Hurley - accusing Associated Newspapers Limited of privacy breaches.  UK correspondent Enda Brady explains the situation further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Move over Murdoch family - there's a new set of media moguls looking to make a name for themselves. Larry Ellison, founder of the software firm Oracle, and his son David are orchestrating media deals which could see them owning big names like CNN, Paramount and TikTok. Fisher Funds expert Sam Dickie explains further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.