95bFM: The Wednesday Wire with Paul Deady

The bFM WIRE Today: 12 - 2pm weekdays

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1220 - Larry Baldock, Child Discipline Referendum organiser and Kiwi Party leader

Next month NZ goes to the polls to vote in a citizens initiated referendum organised by lobby groups who were opposed to changes to the Crimes Act that removed the legal defence of "reasonable force" in child abuse cases. The controversial yes/no question "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand" was penned by the man I'm speaking to at 1220, (above). Personally, I think it's a loaded, leading question whose answer doesn't necessarily demonstrate a clear preference for the law. And I'm not alone - both John Key and Phil Goff have indicated they're unlikely to vote in the referendum. It's going to cost the taxpayer a whopping $9m too, so Larry, what's the point?

1240 - Robyn Hambleton, Acting Director of Adult Community Education at Wellington High.

At 1240 (above) will be on the line to give us the low-down on budget cuts for Adult Community Education programmes across NZ. Robyn runs the largest such programme in the country, for now anyway. See, the Education Minister AnneTolley is set to slash the budget for this kind of education by a massive 80% - from around $16m, to just $3.8. She's said the government does not want to subsidise hobby or personal interest courses, instead focusing on funding literacy and numeracy courses, and prioritising education spending where it can get the best results. So are A.C.E programmes a waste of time and money? Hobbies? Personal Interests? Or, as one community educator says, a lifeline for many people.

1300 - David Coom Communications Director at Problem Gambling Foundation

Got your big Wednesday tickets for tonight's draw? Well, then this one's for you. At one, the fun-police as Mr DPF over at Kiwiblog calls them, will be on the line. I'll be speaking to (above) about their call to restrict lottery jackpots in NZ to $12.5m dollars, from their current cap of $30m. ThePGF says the massive jackpots lure more people into problem gambling, at a cost to the whole community. But, as critics counter, is this just a recipe for a sterile society?

1320 - Counterclockwise

Spike Mountjoy from the scoop office in Wellington will be helming counterclockwise today with a round-up of political gossip, intrigue and guess-who-don't-sue from the corridors of power.

1340 - Book She Read

And Sally's here once more for another go at Book She Read - our regular literary feature on the Wednesday Wire. Today, she'll be taking a look-see at the nominees for this year'sMontana NZ Book Awards, where there is indeed a whiff of controversy. She'll also give an unfinished review of "A Fraction Of The Whole" by Steve Toltz, and tell us about a product for anyone who loves the smell of an old book.

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