95bFM: The Wednesday Wire with Paul Deady 21/10/09

The bFM WIRE Today: 12 - 2pm weekdays

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1220 - MMP Referendum with Andrew Geddis

At 1220 we begin the show with a critical perusal of this plan to "kick the tyres" with MMP. The government announced yesterday that they'll hold 2 referenda - both costing about eleven and a half million dollars - to see if the country wants a new (or old) electoral system. At the next generalelection, we'll answer 2 questions: one, should we keep MMP If not, then two, what's your favourite alternative. If more than 50% choose an alternative, it'll head to an all-out death match at the election after thatMMP, versus the main contender. But why all the hassle? Isn't MMP working pretty well? And anyway, do kiwis even understand the voting system we already have? This morning I spoke with an expert on electoral systems atOtago University, Andrew Geddis. He's of the opinion the tyres are adequately inflated.

1240 - Insurance Industry wary of joining ACC - Chief executive of the Insurance Council of NZ, Chris Ryan

ACC has been in the news now for over a week, with the government telling us the company is in dire straights and big changes are necessary to ensure its future. National campaigned at the last election on the idea of opening up ACC to competition, a move the ACT party is very keen on. The Prime Minister says he's still open to the idea, despite getting Maori Party support for theirACC legislation, effectively ruling Act out of the equation. But is the "competition" keen? At 1240 I'll speak to (above) who says the insurance industry is wary of a reintroduction of competition to theACC market, because the costs would be too high. Curiouser and curiouser...

1300 - Robert B. Lawrence - Director of Policy and Government Relations at the Save Darfur Coaltion

A bit of international news analysis at one, when I'll be talking to (above). A couple of days ago, the Obama administration announced a change of tactics in their dealings with the government of Sudan - one that favours engagement over isolation. The SaveDarfur Coaltion have been pushing hard for action over Sudan for many years, but do they welcome the White House's changed stance? And will it be effective in putting a stop to the bloodshed that the UN estimates has claimed more than 300, 000 lives?

1320 - Counterclockwise

Spike joins us for counterclockwise today, bringing us the stickiest political nuggies from the nation's capital.

1340 - Isaac Mao, the Godfather of Chinese Blogging

And we'll end the show with a look inside the weird and at times relatively scary world of Chinese blogging. Isaac Mao, who's known as the godfather of blogging in China, is believed to have started the country's first weblog. Since then his fame and influence has grown exponentially and now he advocates for a free and openinternet in China. He was in New Zealand this week as a guest of the Asia New Zealand foundation, and I was lucky enough to have a chat with him about censorship and intimidation on the worldwide web.

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