The Taxpayers' Union is accusing the Government of "political skulduggery" - over a billion dollars in undisclosed future spending.

The Government's quietly set aside the money from next year's Budget but is refusing to say where it'll go.

It amounts to 22 million dollars in 2027/28, before ramping up over a four-year period.

Union Executive Director Jordan Williams told Francesca Rudkin it appears National wants to keep the spending under wraps until the election.

He says we don't have a billion dollars to spare, so now's the time to be transparent.

The Taxpayers' Union is accusing the Government of "political skulduggery" - over a billion dollars in undisclosed future spending.
The Government's quietly set aside the money from next year's Budget but is refusing to say where it'll go.
It amounts to 22 million dollars in 2027/28, before ramping up over a four-year period.
Union Executive Director Jordan Williams told Francesca Rudkin it appears National wants to keep the spending under wraps until the election.
He says we don't have a billion dollars to spare, so now's the time to be transparent.

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

Jordan Williams: Taxpayers' Union Executive Director on the government quietly setting aside the money from next year's budget

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bf2c0712-2091-4596-8235-b462012ce3e7/transcript

On the Early Edition with Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Monday 8th of June 2026, The Government's quietly pre-committed more than a billion dollars from next year's budget, but is refusing to say where the money's going, Taxpayers Union Executive Director Jordan Williams shares his thoughts. 

Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the Euro GDP growth rate and the EU launching a major tech push to break US and China dependence.

The red meat sector is generating $17.5 billion in GDP every year and supporting one in every 20 jobs, Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland 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 Francesca Rudkin Full Show Podcast Monday 8th of June 2026, The Government's quietly pre-committed more than a billion dollars from next year's budget, but is refusing to say where the money's going, Taxpayers Union Executive Director Jordan Williams shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Business Correspondent Vicky Pryce has the latest on the Euro GDP growth rate and the EU launching a major tech push to break US and China dependence.
The red meat sector is generating $17.5 billion in GDP every year and supporting one in every 20 jobs, Beef and Lamb Chair Kate Acland 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&nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 08 June 2026 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bbfc2636-966e-44c7-8485-b462012ac81e/transcript

I like how the government’s recent moves are trying to create a more integrated and responsive health system. Last week they moved on pharmacists and during the weekend it was with paramedics. 

It’s about making the most of the workforce we already have by extending what they do, with the aim being to reduce treatment delays, improve patient experiences and take the pressure of our stretched primary health care providers.  

Last Tuesday changes to the services pharmacists can provide kicked in. instead of waiting for a GP appointment, paying for a GP appointment, or paying over the counter prices for treatments, you can head to your local chemist where your pharmacists is now be funded to provide a consultation and supply a funded treatment at a low cost.  

The benefits are obvious. Patients can get more affordable care quickly and closer to home, while taking pressure off GPs and emergency departments.  

Over the weekend, the Health Minister Simeon Brown announced that paramedics will soon be able to prescribe medicines that fall within their scope of practice. At the moment paramedics can administer medicines but can’t prescribe them.  

Once again, the idea is to reduce pressure on emergency departments by being able to help more patients receive treatment in their homes and communities.  

The Health Minister said "Giving paramedics the ability to prescribe medicines will enable them to provide more complete care when it is clinically appropriate, rather than transferring patients elsewhere, such as an emergency department, solely to obtain a prescription.”  

This will be beneficial where it makes sense for people to be assessed, treated and prescribed at home; such as the elderly, those in palliative care, and those living in rural and remote areas. 

 Hato Hone St John says it supports paramedic prescribing as a positive step in the evolution of the paramedic profession and ambulance care.  

Jon Moores, Hato Hone St John Deputy Chief Executive said what we’re all thinking. "It is important that robust clinical governance, training, prescribing frameworks and patient safeguards are in place to ensure prescribing is used appropriately and safely." He said, “it is important that the necessary funding and support mechanisms are in place to ensure ambulance services can continue to meet their existing commitments while taking on these expanded responsibilities." 

The Health minister confirmed with me yesterday on the Sunday Session that the government would continue to invest in paramedics, and funding this will be subject to negations between Health New Zealand and our ambulance providers. According to Brown it may take a year or two to get this approved and up and running.  

Look – this isn’t transformation change for the health sector. You could perhaps call it tinkering around the edges. But small changes can still be worthwhile change. Talk to clinicians, and they will often tell you fixing problems is not always about needing more money but about creating better systems and using money more wisely.  

So, these are small changes, but they will make life easier for patients Something tells me that once they’re safely implemented, we’ll wonder why we didn’t do this earlier.  

I like how the government’s recent moves are trying to create a more integrated and responsive health system. Last week they moved on pharmacists and during the weekend it was with paramedics.&nbsp;
It’s about making the most of the workforce we already have by extending what they do, with the aim being to reduce treatment delays, improve patient experiences and take the pressure of our stretched primary health care providers. &nbsp;
Last Tuesday changes to the services pharmacists can provide kicked in. instead of waiting for a GP appointment, paying for a GP appointment, or paying over the counter prices for treatments, you can head to your local chemist where your pharmacists is now be funded to provide a consultation and supply a funded treatment at a low cost. &nbsp;
The benefits are obvious. Patients can get more affordable care quickly and closer to home, while taking pressure off GPs and emergency departments. &nbsp;
Over the weekend, the Health Minister Simeon Brown announced that paramedics will soon be able to prescribe medicines that fall within their scope of practice. At the moment paramedics can administer medicines but can’t prescribe them. &nbsp;
Once again, the idea is to reduce pressure on emergency departments by being able to help more patients receive treatment in their homes and communities. &nbsp;
The Health Minister said "Giving paramedics the ability to prescribe medicines will enable them to provide more complete care when it is clinically appropriate, rather than transferring patients elsewhere, such as an emergency department, solely to obtain a prescription.” &nbsp;
This will be beneficial where it makes sense for people to be assessed, treated and prescribed at home; such as the elderly, those in palliative care, and those living in rural and remote areas.&nbsp;
&nbsp;Hato Hone St John says it supports paramedic prescribing as a positive step in the evolution of the paramedic profession and ambulance care. &nbsp;
Jon Moores, Hato Hone St John Deputy Chief Executive said what we’re all thinking. "It is important that robust clinical governance, training, prescribing frameworks and patient safeguards are in place to ensure prescribing is used appropriately and safely." He said, “it is important that the necessary funding and support mechanisms are in place to ensure ambulance services can continue to meet their existing commitments while taking on these expanded responsibilities."&nbsp;
The Health minister confirmed with me yesterday on the Sunday Session that the government would continue to invest in paramedics, and funding this will be subject to negations between Health New Zealand and our ambulance providers. According to Brown it may take a year or two to get this approved and up and running. &nbsp;
Look – this isn’t transformation change for the health sector. You could perhaps call it tinkering around the edges. But small changes can still be worthwhile change. Talk to clinicians, and they will often tell you fixing problems is not always about needing more money but about creating better systems and using money more wisely. &nbsp;
So, these are small changes, but they will make life easier for patients Something tells me that once they’re safely implemented, we’ll wonder why we didn’t do this earlier. &nbsp;

Francesca Rudkin: Government's new health moves are long overdue

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/4a5f5f70-3256-4de9-a3f2-b462012b9b69/transcript

The Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers have arrived.  

Four Kiwi teams will be fighting to stay in the game, battling for spots in the semi-final. 

The Hurricanes are taking on the Brumbies tonight, before the Crusaders go head to head with the Blues at a sold out One NZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 

Following on from that, the Chiefs will be aiming to take down the Reds.  

Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman joined Francesca Rudkin to preview the weekend’s matches. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

The Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers have arrived. &nbsp;
Four Kiwi teams will be fighting to stay in the game, battling for spots in the semi-final.&nbsp;
The Hurricanes are taking on the Brumbies tonight, before the Crusaders go head to head with the Blues at a sold out One NZ Stadium on Saturday afternoon.&nbsp;
Following on from that, the Chiefs will be aiming to take down the Reds. &nbsp;
Sports Commentator Sam Ackerman joined Francesca Rudkin to preview the weekend’s matches.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Sam Ackerman: Sports Commentator previews the Super Rugby Pacific qualifiers

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/2cea0107-7c0a-42bf-93a0-b460000456a2/transcript

Jordan Williams: Taxpayers' Union Executive Director on the government quietly setting aside the money from next year's budget

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