Barbara Edmonds: Labour Finance Spokesperson on the party unveiling election pledges aimed at renters
Election 2026Summary
A significant debate unfolds regarding health insurance and taxation in Ohio, with Sherrod Brown facing criticism for his alignment with socialist policies. Opponents argue that Brown's support for these policies could jeopardize private health insurance for families in the state. In contrast, John Husted positions himself as a defender of personal freedom and fiscal responsibility, pledging to reduce wasteful spending and lower taxes.
In a separate discussion, Barbara Edmonds, the Labour Party finance spokesperson, addresses the impact of new renter policies on housing costs. She emphasizes that factors such as salary and wages primarily influence rent prices, while also advocating for tenant security and improved living conditions. Edmonds acknowledges the need for better housing solutions, including a rent-to-buy policy, which she claims will not drive rents up but will enhance tenant stability.
The conversation also touches on the political landscape, with Edmonds urging voters to support Labour for a change in government. She navigates questions about internal party dynamics and the implications of independent candidates on Labour's electoral strategy, asserting that the focus remains on mobilizing voters for the upcoming election.
Show Notes
Labour has unveiled their new renters' policy - aimed at increasing protections for tenants and creating new standards for landlords. Landlords will be required to give more notice before ending a tenancy, rent rises would be limited to once a year and proper curtains and blinds would be required under Healthy Homes Standards. Labour Finance Spokesperson Barbara Edmonds says these changes will give tenants better security. "It's a package which, for us, we want to be able to have a bit more security of tenure - and a large amount of people actually rent these days." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Election 2026
Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong says the party is considering ruling out working with New Zealand First after the release of a controversial ad - and Winston Peters' defence of it. The ad was posted to social media yesterday, and it featured candidate Ron Mark blaming the HMNZ Manawanui sinking on DEI. Mark says his statements reflect what the Government was thinking when they repealed the DEI mandates earlier this year. "I just think it makes us a laughing stock with Australia and the Five Eyes people, and it's about maintaining an unassailable and unquestionable level of professionalism." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One property management agency claims Labour's pledge to better protect tenants and demand more of landlords will hurt renters. Labour wants landlords to give more notice before ending a tenancy, requiring a valid reason, and would limit rent rises to once a year. It would also introduce a duty of care obligation for landlords, and require proper curtains and blinds under Healthy Homes Standards. Aspire Property's Mike Atkinson says this is a re-run of old policy. "They are just going to make it a bit more difficult to be a landlord, and then some of them leave the market and the rents go up for everyone else." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Reserve Bank Governor is defending voting to keep the Official Cash Rate unchanged for another six weeks. Three members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted to hike the rate to 3 percent. But four - including Governor Anna Breman - opted to stick at 2.75 percent. Breman says the effects of high fuel prices haven't been as severe as feared. "We've seen the indirect effects, so how fuel prices have affected other kinds of prices, like transport and food prices and things like that - those effects have actually been a bit weaker than we thought." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Reserve Bank has opted to keep the Official Cash Rate on hold at 2.75 percent, but it's likely future hikes could come. This goes against the initial predictions by economists, who had expected another increase to the cash rate. Newstalk ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says the Reserve Bank wasn't required to take the election into account - and they shouldn't have to. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ramesh Thakur needs no formal introduction to this podcast. But just in case, Ramesh is a Professor Emeritus after having taught at Otago, ANU and Canberra After an initial 24 hour delay due to a power failure (at his end) we had a very varied discussion. We analysed climate, socialism, trust, ethics and more, principally with the election in mind. We visit The Mailroom with Mrs Producer, and finish with a very illuminating commentary. File your comments and complaints at [email protected] OR [email protected] Haven't listened to a podcast before? Check out our simple how-to guide. Listen here on iHeartRadio