1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:03,480 Speaker 1: Yesterday the government announced a fuel support package for around 2 00:00:03,480 --> 00:00:07,000 Speaker 1: one hundred and forty three thousand working families and extra 3 00:00:07,040 --> 00:00:09,960 Speaker 1: fifty dollars a week from April to seventh. That's all 4 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:15,200 Speaker 1: good and well, but my thoughts are ready with our 5 00:00:15,280 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: rural communities and those in trucking and logistics, the ones 6 00:00:19,880 --> 00:00:23,479 Speaker 1: that have no choice but to turn the key and 7 00:00:23,640 --> 00:00:26,279 Speaker 1: burn diesel in order to keep the wheels of this 8 00:00:26,360 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: economy moving. So local MP James Meager, what's your take 9 00:00:30,960 --> 00:00:32,880 Speaker 1: on the announced package. 10 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 2: We've made the hard decision I think to do a 11 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:39,800 Speaker 2: pretty targeted, immediate set of relief for load and middle 12 00:00:39,840 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 2: income working New Zealanders. That's who we think are feeling 13 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 2: the pressure the most. We all know that there are 14 00:00:46,120 --> 00:00:48,800 Speaker 2: significant additional costs when it comes to raising a family, 15 00:00:49,240 --> 00:00:53,080 Speaker 2: whether that's having to take kids to after school sports 16 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 2: or recital practices or in the weekends, and for us 17 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 2: out in the real sector's the distances we have to drive. 18 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:02,800 Speaker 2: So that's the first port of call for us. In 19 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:06,480 Speaker 2: terms of wider support for the rural sector transport sector. 20 00:01:07,120 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 2: We are still considering our options there, but at a 21 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:11,880 Speaker 2: front of mind, particularly for those of us out in 22 00:01:11,920 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 2: the regions, about the impact that these fuel price costs 23 00:01:15,360 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 2: and the fly and effects will have on the regions. 24 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:19,399 Speaker 1: Yeah, big time. Okay, so there could be more to 25 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:22,039 Speaker 1: come because they're the ones that I've really been feeling for, 26 00:01:22,120 --> 00:01:25,240 Speaker 1: you know, the contractors and the trucking firms, where they 27 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:28,120 Speaker 1: have no choice but to turn that engine over and 28 00:01:28,120 --> 00:01:31,320 Speaker 1: get the wheels moving. Otherwise, nothing appears on shelves. Nothing 29 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:34,679 Speaker 1: in this economy happens. We spoke with Mark Wearing about 30 00:01:34,680 --> 00:01:37,560 Speaker 1: half an hour ago and he mentioned that his big 31 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:41,200 Speaker 1: concern going forward isn't necessarily the price, but the supply, 32 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,840 Speaker 1: and we're already starting to see it. Bounds is running 33 00:01:43,880 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 1: dry out in the likes of methan. Is that something 34 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:50,640 Speaker 1: that your government's focused on, is keeping the fuel flowing. 35 00:01:51,240 --> 00:01:53,880 Speaker 2: I think that's a fair comment. I think our main 36 00:01:53,920 --> 00:01:57,080 Speaker 2: priority at the moment has been to provide certain maturity 37 00:01:57,160 --> 00:01:59,480 Speaker 2: around supply. I was a Missing show on the weekend 38 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:01,880 Speaker 2: and had a good chat with Mark then. I've had 39 00:02:01,920 --> 00:02:03,840 Speaker 2: a couple of calls with him since and he's been 40 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 2: really helpful, just keeping me looked in on what's happening 41 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:11,520 Speaker 2: with the price from supplies, but also being able to 42 00:02:11,520 --> 00:02:15,000 Speaker 2: feedback some reassurances around the certain yet supply. So the 43 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,280 Speaker 2: key message from US is that we still maintain about 44 00:02:18,360 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 2: fifty days worth of supply. I think it's about forty 45 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 2: four for jet fuel, forty six to forty seven per 46 00:02:23,600 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: diesel in petrol. That's about where we sit normally, and 47 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:30,440 Speaker 2: we haven't seen any significant interruptions or any interruptions to 48 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 2: the supply chain at all. Now that's not to say 49 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:35,880 Speaker 2: that things won't change over the coming weeks as this 50 00:02:36,000 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 2: conflict draws out. So for us, our focus is on supply, 51 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:44,040 Speaker 2: and if you're looking at what Minister of Finance is 52 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 2: doing in terms of those trigger points to respond, one 53 00:02:48,040 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 2: of those trigger points will be keeping an eye on 54 00:02:50,480 --> 00:02:52,359 Speaker 2: what our supply levels are like. But for the moment, 55 00:02:52,760 --> 00:02:55,239 Speaker 2: fuel is still coming in. We still have domestic supply 56 00:02:55,919 --> 00:02:58,399 Speaker 2: and supply on route, and we still have good relationships 57 00:02:58,400 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 2: with all our international partners who are right in that fuel. 58 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:03,360 Speaker 1: Do you guys worried about Easter? There'll be a lot 59 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: of people hitting the road sucking through gas over that weekend. 60 00:03:08,200 --> 00:03:10,000 Speaker 2: Look, well, what I think is that people will make 61 00:03:10,000 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 2: their own decisions as to how they choose to travel 62 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:16,240 Speaker 2: over Easter. I think for a lot of people, the 63 00:03:16,280 --> 00:03:18,880 Speaker 2: price of fuel will make them reconsider how far they 64 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:20,359 Speaker 2: go or where they go, or how they spend the 65 00:03:20,400 --> 00:03:20,880 Speaker 2: higher they. 66 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:22,880 Speaker 1: Breaky you're hoping it naturally regulates. 67 00:03:23,400 --> 00:03:26,200 Speaker 2: Well, I think what happens is that the price signals 68 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,639 Speaker 2: sense will always damp and demand in one aspect, and 69 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,960 Speaker 2: I think we're seeing that already. You see in the 70 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 2: cities where there is public transport available, more people are 71 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,440 Speaker 2: taking public transport. You've seen an increase in the interest 72 00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:40,360 Speaker 2: in the vehicles because of the cost of running ebs 73 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,920 Speaker 2: is lower. But for those of us in areas where 74 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:47,000 Speaker 2: you know, electric vehicles aren't an option or public transport 75 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:49,640 Speaker 2: is not an option, we are aware of the price 76 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:52,120 Speaker 2: pressures that people face and that's why we've tried to 77 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,640 Speaker 2: provide this targeted relief to working in New Zealanders. Because 78 00:03:54,800 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 2: it's all well and good saying yep, make public transport free, 79 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 2: that's great if you're herding around Auckland doesn't mean a. 80 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:05,240 Speaker 1: Lot from that's right. Yeah. Yesterday the government announced some 81 00:04:05,320 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 1: help in the form of a package for around one 82 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:11,720 Speaker 1: hundred and forty three thousand working families, and extra fifty 83 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 1: dollars a week is coming your way from April the 84 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:19,160 Speaker 1: seventh the boost will apply for one year, or until 85 00:04:19,160 --> 00:04:21,640 Speaker 1: the price of ninety one drops below three dollars for 86 00:04:21,760 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 1: four consecutive weeks. We've heard a little bit from our 87 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 1: local MP, James Meaga this morning. The fore chat is 88 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:29,680 Speaker 1: going to be up on our Breakfast Ashburton with Luke 89 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,520 Speaker 1: Howden podcast a little later this morning. But part two 90 00:04:32,520 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: of the chats, noting that time frame that's been given 91 00:04:36,800 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: by Finance Minister Nicola willis the fact that she's put 92 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:42,800 Speaker 1: a ring around one year. My goodness, do we think 93 00:04:42,839 --> 00:04:46,400 Speaker 1: that this saga could really go on for twelve months? 94 00:04:46,480 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 2: James, Well, part of that is to make sure we've 95 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:53,160 Speaker 2: got the temporary measure of that temporary timely and targeted. 96 00:04:53,320 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 2: And you know, we all saw what happened during the 97 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 2: COVID period with some of that relief went on and 98 00:04:57,920 --> 00:04:59,679 Speaker 2: on and on, and it ended up having a massive 99 00:04:59,680 --> 00:05:02,200 Speaker 2: impact on inflation and more with rates and interest rates. 100 00:05:02,200 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 2: So we need to make sure there's an off ramp. 101 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: The time period is where we think almost like our 102 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:11,719 Speaker 2: maximum that we think this thing could have impact on. 103 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:15,560 Speaker 2: But I mean, realistically, the war could stop tomorrow and 104 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:17,359 Speaker 2: we will still feel the flow on effects of this 105 00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:19,800 Speaker 2: oil price shock. For a while to come. So that's 106 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 2: why we have the two off ramps. One is the time, 107 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:25,600 Speaker 2: the other one is the price level being dropping underneath 108 00:05:25,640 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 2: three dollars for ninety one. And that's to reflect that 109 00:05:29,680 --> 00:05:31,479 Speaker 2: this thing could drag on for a while or it 110 00:05:31,520 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 2: could end relatively quickly. But either way it will have 111 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:39,120 Speaker 2: an impact on working New Zealanders for the coming weeks 112 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:41,440 Speaker 2: and months, and so that's why we stepped in to 113 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:43,599 Speaker 2: make the hard decision. They're providing that support now. I 114 00:05:43,600 --> 00:05:47,960 Speaker 2: should also note that on April one, the rates for 115 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 2: job seekers and for other people on support of payments 116 00:05:52,600 --> 00:05:54,799 Speaker 2: and the pension will all go up as well, including 117 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:58,600 Speaker 2: students who receive support. So there is additional support coming 118 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:01,840 Speaker 2: across the board. It's not just this targeted package. 119 00:06:02,440 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: Hey, just quickly, on a lighter note, thankfully, the price 120 00:06:05,440 --> 00:06:07,919 Speaker 1: that the pump hasn't stopped us filling up the Ashburton 121 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,200 Speaker 1: College van and getting justin Wall and Rovers down to 122 00:06:11,240 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 1: the Mardy Cup and twice. All. You were there to 123 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:16,080 Speaker 1: launch the event on Sunday. What did you witness? Is 124 00:06:16,080 --> 00:06:16,839 Speaker 1: it quite a big deal? 125 00:06:18,080 --> 00:06:19,800 Speaker 2: Yeah? From what I saw, I saw a couple of 126 00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 2: thousand really enthusiasts that young people are ready to hit 127 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,560 Speaker 2: the water and row hard and caught up with the 128 00:06:24,600 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 2: ash Cool team. I had both the privilege and the 129 00:06:27,440 --> 00:06:30,240 Speaker 2: pain point of judging the best Banner competition. And I'll 130 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 2: tell you what, if the artistic skills of those young 131 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 2: people are anything to go by, we might have a 132 00:06:35,560 --> 00:06:37,920 Speaker 2: few Picassos or van Goes in a mix. Because it 133 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:40,880 Speaker 2: was pretty tough. And I did make the suggestion to 134 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:42,840 Speaker 2: the ashcol guys that when they said I could dress 135 00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:45,320 Speaker 2: up in the carrot costume next year, that they could 136 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 2: bring a phoenix along and maybe that'll tip them across 137 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 2: the line. But no, I wish them all the best. 138 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:53,200 Speaker 2: They are a great crew. We've got quite a few 139 00:06:53,200 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: South Canery and mckennary crews down there, and it's just 140 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:58,640 Speaker 2: a huge event. I think you get about five thousand 141 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,400 Speaker 2: people pouring into Twysle for that been down to Marty. 142 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 2: It's very cool it'll be there and and just very 143 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 2: proud of our teams and watching them all the best. 144 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 1: A lot of bolked biceps. Never considered rolling myself, it 145 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 1: looks too hard work. 146 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:14,160 Speaker 2: Well, I'm kind of in your camp. Any sport that 147 00:07:14,680 --> 00:07:16,640 Speaker 2: requires you to get up before seven o'clock in the 148 00:07:16,640 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 2: morning growing up. But I will say any sport that 149 00:07:21,080 --> 00:07:23,239 Speaker 2: you can do sitting down as a tick in my box. 150 00:07:25,240 --> 00:07:27,920 Speaker 1: Thank you Minister megat Well, good see next time.