95bFM: The Wednesday Wire with Paul Deady 17/12/08

The bFM WIRE Today: 12 - 2pm weekdays

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1230 – Gilbert Ullrich, NZ Pacific Business Council

A late-ish start to the show at half past 12 today when I'll be talking to (above). With the diplomatic stoush (brilliant word, that) between NZ and Fiji in full swing, there have been few voices calling for restraint. But Gilbert is one such voice. The NZPBC reckons the previous government's attitude to the Bainimarama's military regime was all wrong, and unless the new government starts to listen to Fiji, rather than tell them off, then trade worth around $300m is at risk. Ok then, how to get this particular ball rolling?

1245 – Sen. Christine Milne, Dep. Leader Australian Green Party

Then at 1245 I'll be speaking to (above). Earlier this week the Rudd government announced their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions They start with a mandatory 5% reduction below 2000 levels before 2020, with an extra 15% if the rest of the world can get its act together and come to an agreement. Environmentalists and the Greens have called the decision an "embarrassment", and Rudd was roundly heckled during the announcement. But PM Rudd reckons the targets are appropriate and responsible, and our own PM John Key says his government will move in much the same way. So, with Rudd basing a large part of his election platform on climate change, why has he announced such timid targets?

1320 – Counterclockwise

Kevin List steps in for the final counterclockwise of 2008 at 1320 today where he'll cast a squinty eye over the ups, downs and sideways-movements of the year, some of the more recent political developments from out nation's capital, and all the goodies we can look forward to in the year of our lord 2009.

1340 – Richard Ponting, CEO Lighting Council

And at 1340 I'll be talking about an issue which sort of neatly sums up the year: light bulbs. New Energy Resources minister Gerry Brownlee announced yesterday that the new government will overturn the ban on sales of incandescent light bulbs, and leave it to consumers to sort the matter. No surprises really, they campaigned against this kind of supposed Nanny-statism pretty hard. But was there even a ban? Labour says not, and regardless, are consumers likely to make the right decision when there's a lot of disinformation around the issue? I'll be speaking with (above) to hear how the industry body sees it.

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