Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Newstalk ZB

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Friday, 31 May 2024, a shock conviction for Donald Trump! Republican strategist and former George W Bush adivser Scott Jennings reacts to the former president's guilty verdict. Is he going to jail? Will this help his re-election chances?   

Some rare good economic news as the Tiwai Aluminium Smelter commits to staying in operation for the next 20 years. 

TVNZ's dire financial situation just got worse, the company staring at potentially big payouts to former employees after the latest Employment Court Ruling. 

Plus, the Huddle debates whether the rugby community is at war after yesterday's crucial vote. 

Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has been moved from hospital, two weeks after being seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. 

Fico has served as prime minister for more than 10 of the last 18 years - returning to power last September, leading a populist-nationalist coalition. 

UK Correspondent Gavin Grey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “He’s not out of the woods yet - he was shot several times, undergoing a number of operations.” 

Grey said “Slovakia is really polarised at the moment – the attack has deepened tensions.” 

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The Government's Budget centrepiece has passed in the House - and tax cuts will become law.  

By shifting income tax brackets, it will give earners earning more than $14,000 dollars an extra $4-$40 a fortnight.  

Senior Political Correspondent Bary Soper told Heather du Plessis Allan “We’ve seen nothing like it in 14 years – since the tax brackets were last moved.” 

Soper said they should have been moved gradually over the years, as they don't catch up for where they would’ve been.  

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Eden Park hopes to be Auckland’s frugal stadium option.  

Proposals for ‘Eden Park 2.0’ and a brand-new stadium at Quay Park will undergo a feasibility study. 

Eden Park CEO, Nick Sautner told Heather du Plessis-Allan “We can introduce a whole range of new activities – from boxing, UFC to religious festivals.” 

Sautner said the government invests in Eden Park for events of naitonal significance.  

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There's another $1.2 billion for the Regional Infrastructure Fund - to support regional economies. 

It’s also allocating $2.7-billion package for roads, rail and public transport. The package includes a billion-dollars to speed up Roads of National Significance construction, 940-million to repair weather-damaged roads and an investment in rail networks. 

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones told Heather du Plessis-Allan this will be different from the Provincial Growth Fund. 

Jones says “We’re driven by common sense.” 

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Local businesses are thrilled a 20-year deal's been struck with the Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter. 

The deal was signed with three energy companies - guaranteeing supply to New Zealand Aluminum Smelters until 2044.  

It brings certainty to hundreds of plant workers, and thousands in related jobs. 

Southland Business Chamber CEO Sharee Carey told Heather du Plessis-Allan “When you’ve got both sides coming to the party for a good deal - you get that commitment to the region, which is fantastic for us.” 

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