Politics Central Newstalk ZB

This week on Politics Central, former Te Whatu Ora chairperson Rob Campbell criticises the organisation's decision to make savings at the country's hospitals, saying they are 'extraordinary' and signal poor management.

Later, five academics and public figures were set to debate free speech at Victoria University in Wellington last Monday, but backlash within the university has seen the event postponed. Both Victoria University's Students' Association president and the university's Vice-Chancellor offer their takes.

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Victoria University's Vice-Chancellor has his own concerns over an infamous free speech panel event.

A selection of public figures and academics were set to debate free speech, but backlash within the university led to the event being postponed.

Vice-Chancellor Nic Smith says it's a 'travesty' that people are no longer willing to listen and draw their own conclusions.

"That's an issue that I've seen across multiple media - we create bubbles where everyone wants to agree with each other and shout in these polarised extremes."

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There's debate over Victoria University's decision to call off a discussion on free speech.

It comes after outrage within the university, with claims the panellists didn't represent a balance of views.

600 people had registered to attend before the university's Vice-Chancellor postponed the event, saying they were going back to the drawing board.

Students' Association president Marcail Parkinson says some speakers would've made students uncomfortable, and have a history of hate speech.

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Te Whatu Ora has been criticised for telling public hospitals to bring the organisation back to budget, they need to make target savings of $105 million by July.

It said several districts have gone over budget in the past three months.

However, health unions have warned the constraints will impact medical care.

Former Te Whatu Ora chair Rob Campbell says we should be trying to improve our health system - not just saving costs.

"Once you get the emphasis on just saving costs, you end up cutting things that should not be cut."

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Former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr joined Helen Clark at Parliament this week, to warn New Zealand against joining Pillar 2 of the AUKUS defence pact, saying it is "fragrant, methane-wrapped bullsh*t," and funnily enough former opposition leader Don Brash tends to agree. 

Later, Shane Jones who has recently ben speaking about mining and fishing, this week let go with a broadside against the Waitangi Tribunal, saying they have "no business running it's operations as some sort of star chamber delivering pre-emptory summons for ministers."

 

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Today, Israel launched dozens of drones and missiles at Israel, in an attack that may trigger a major escalation between the regional archenemies. The United States has since pledged to back Israel.

Waikato University's International Law professor Alexander Gillespie analyses the escalating situation.

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