The ACT Party's promising to ensure freedom of speech for professional regulators if re-elected.  

The proposal would ban regulators from disciplining workers for lawful expression outside of professional practice. 

It would require them to remain neutral on political issues and restrict mandatory training to matters directly related to professional competence and safety.  

Free Speech Union council member Ani O'Brien told Andrew Dickens these people are currently being judged on more than just their competence. 

She says workers are being policed on what they post on social media and their political beliefs. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The ACT Party's promising to ensure freedom of speech for professional regulators if re-elected. &nbsp;
The proposal would ban regulators from disciplining workers for lawful expression outside of professional practice.&nbsp;
It would require them to remain neutral on political issues and restrict mandatory training to matters directly related to professional competence and safety. &nbsp;
Free Speech Union council member Ani O'Brien told Andrew Dickens these people are currently being judged on more than just their competence.&nbsp;
She says workers are being policed on what they post on social media and their political beliefs.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Ani O'Brien: Free Speech Union Council Member on ACT promising to keep workplace regulators from policing free speech

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/642abab4-b5f9-4f7e-9292-b46b018459c4/transcript

A decline in drink driving convictions. 

Ministry of Justice figures show convictions for teenagers in the past nine years are down 52% and 9.6% overall. 

But the numbers rose for people in their thirties and over 55's. 

Alcohol Beverages Council spokesperson Virginia Nicholls told Andrew Dickens it shows youth drinking is changing for the better.  

She says a change in culture is coming through as well as the impact of targeted education and support programmes. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A decline in drink driving convictions.&nbsp;
Ministry of Justice figures show convictions for teenagers in the past nine years are down 52% and 9.6% overall.&nbsp;
But the numbers rose for people in their thirties and over 55's.&nbsp;
Alcohol Beverages Council spokesperson Virginia Nicholls told Andrew Dickens it shows youth drinking is changing for the better. &nbsp;
She says a change in culture is coming through as well as the impact of targeted education and support programmes.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Virginia Nicholls: Alcohol Beverages Council Spokesperson on the decline in drink driving convictions

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/f2ce6bfb-6aab-470c-9ea0-b46b0187d546/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 17th of June 2026, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett gives his thoughts on the Government given the green light to a 30-year infrastructure plan. 

Less people are drinking and driving and it's young people leading the charge, Virginia Nicholls NZ Alcohol and Beverage Council Executive Director tells Andrew why. 

The Act Party is promising to restore freedom of speech to professional regulators if re-elected, Free Speech Union Council Member Ani O'Brien shares her thoughts. 

Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Wednesday 17th of June 2026, Infrastructure NZ CEO Nick Leggett gives his thoughts on the Government given the green light to a 30-year infrastructure plan.&nbsp;
Less people are drinking and driving and it's young people leading the charge, Virginia Nicholls NZ Alcohol and Beverage Council Executive Director tells Andrew why.&nbsp;
The Act Party is promising to restore freedom of speech to professional regulators if re-elected, Free Speech Union Council Member Ani O'Brien shares her thoughts.&nbsp;
Plus, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest on&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Full Show Podcast: 17 June 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ed6f82bf-4951-4dd9-b593-b46b012ac108/transcript

An aim to squeeze more out of every dollar on infrastructure spending. 

The Government's agreeing to all recommendations and acting on all priorities in the Infrastructure Commission's National Plan. 

The 30-year document includes reviewing the Land Transport Fund and requiring Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans. 

Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett told that it’s really important to attach proper funding to the plan, so that when a project is announced, there’s actually money to build it. 

He says there are a lot of phantom projects that have come and gone over the years, but they were able to be picked off politically because the money to deliver them was never properly put forward. 

LSTEN ABOVE

An aim to squeeze more out of every dollar on infrastructure spending.&nbsp;
The Government's agreeing to all recommendations and acting on all priorities in the Infrastructure Commission's National Plan.&nbsp;
The 30-year document includes reviewing the Land Transport Fund and requiring Crown entities to publish long-term investment plans.&nbsp;
Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive Nick Leggett told that it’s really important to attach proper funding to the plan, so that when a project is announced, there’s actually money to build it.&nbsp;
He says there are a lot of phantom projects that have come and gone over the years, but they were able to be picked off politically because the money to deliver them was never properly put forward.&nbsp;
LSTEN ABOVE

Nick Leggett: Infrastructure NZ Chief Executive on the Government giving the green light to a 30-year infrastructure plan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/3781acee-a4c8-423d-ac29-b46b012af00f/transcript

Ani O'Brien: Free Speech Union Council Member on ACT promising to keep workplace regulators from policing free speech

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