Incumbent MP /u/alpine- spoke to Elvis Duran at Magic 90.4FM today about the upcoming election.

It's politics with Elvis Duran on Magic 90.4, your local Whanganui station.

E: "Today we have the pleasure of speaking with local Reform MP for the Waikato. Hey alpine-, how are you today?

A: "Good thanks Elvis, what about you?

E: "Awesome, thanks for coming in today--

A: "It's a pleasure to be here!

E: "Oh shucks. So alpine-, the election is next Saturday. You've been the MP for Whanganui ever since canon date. Do you think you've got this one in the bag as well?

A: "Oh Elvis, I'm not falling for that. The day you're comfortable in politics is the day you're not.

laughter

A: "However, I will say that the National candidate, /u/PineappleCrusher_, had nothing to talk about at his campaign launch today except me. The Greens candidate, /u/HK-Laichar, thinks that the best thing about him is that he's Chinese. I'll be honest, if either National or the Greens wanted to give me a real run for my money, they should have put forward proper candidates who are here to debate the issues - not someone who thinks "a vote for Reform is a vote for a Greens Government" or someone who believes their fluency in Te Reo Māori means voters should support them.

E: "Well, I wouldn't suspect anything different from you. And you're right, you don't have much competition as the latest electorate poll has you 8% in front of your closest rival--

A: "To be honest, I am disappointed my initial margin has dropped from 12.2% at the last election - but I will be campaigning hard to ensure both myself and Reform have the support of the electorate.

E: "Let's get into policy. Your closest contender at the moment, /u/PineappleCrusher_ from the National party, is quoting the fact that you voted against a tax reform that would see Whanganui residents pay $447.50 less every year.

A: "Well, firstly, the figure is incorrect. Based off the median income of $29,100 which he mentioned, one would pay $2,682.50 under the previous Government's tax rates. The Liberal-National coalition actually increased this to $2,775.00 per annum. That means that person actually would have saved $92.50 were it not for the Liberal-Nation budget this term, and this is all before the Independent Earner's Tax Credits, Working for Families, as well as ACC levies, KiwiSaver contributions, and Student Loan repayments. Either way, /u/PineappleCrusher_'s maths isn't looking good. If you earn somewhere between $18,000 and $32,000 per annum, you're actually worse off under the Liberal-National coalition. This government has absolutely no care for minimum-wage earners, and yet they still argue the illusion that they've lowered taxes for everyone. That simply isn't the case.

E: "That's quite a discrepancy.

A: "It is, Elvis. It makes me wonder if he was taught maths under National's new National Standards. Of course, they were implemented mere days before the dissolution of Parliament - despite being promised to be delivered soon after the Speech from the Throne. They underwent little to no scrutiny and there was almost the same amount of cross-party consultation. For a curriculum so important and hyped in the previous election campaign, it was a bit of a deflated balloon in the end.

E: "What have you achieved for the electorate of Whanganui in the last term?

A: "Great question. Considering we're only a small party in the House with 1 seat, we have quite a track record to be proud of. Leading on from the discussion about minimum-wage earners, I proposed an amendment which successfully prevented the Government from lowering the minimum wage. Alongside this, I have submitted legislation which will remove GST from basic food items - a tax which disproportionately impacts low earners - and I have supported a Greens bill which will abolish letting fees on residential tenancies, which also disproportionately affects the poorer people in our community. To be honest, though, our greatest achievements are yet to come. However, we need the people's support to make policy a reality.

E: "Finally, and following on from needing more support, the latest poll has you comfortably on 3 seats which is a 2 seat increase. It also makes Reform the kingmaker of the election. Which way are you leaning?

A: "Look, Elvis, both sides have their flaws. ACT and National, have shown to be inconsistent on many issues and instead head down a compromise that is even worse. Meanwhile, Greens and Labour have had a rough term too finding out where they should stand on several important issues. Our endorsements this election show we are committed to strong candidates, not strong parties. The truth is that the issues this country faces are more widespread and interlinked than what only one side of the political spectrum can successfully approach. In the modern age, we should be looking for cross-party consensus and compromise - a vote for Reform will do just that.

E: "Thanks for coming on air today--

A: "It's been my pleasure, Elvis--

E: "Is there anything you'd like to end on.

A: "Well, thank you for having me! I love visiting Whanganui, it really is a gem. To everyone listening at home or out milking the cows, make sure you're enrolled then head out to vote!

E: "That was alpine-, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, local Reform MP and candidate for Whanganui. Isn't she just a perfect balance of intelligence and beauty?"

transition sound

Now Playing: Royals by Lorde (because I'm a kingmaker haha)