On the Government considering minimum sentences, I would have no problem with this.

I realise the judiciary aren't going to love it because it's tying their hands.

But frankly, that is the point.

Because some of the sentencing discounts that have been handed down by judges are frankly outrageous.

The worst case that I've come across is the case of a rapist who attacked a woman in Albert Park in Auckland three years ago.

He was given a discount of 77% by the judge for being young, for pleading guilty, for being good before that and for trying to be better after that.

The defence lawyer had sought discounts totalling 110%.

Discounting to that point feels like nothing more than trying to get as light of a sentence as possible.

Now, I know the Government has already amended the law so judges are limited to handing down discounts of no more than 40%.

But that doesn't fix the problem entirely because there are still ways to game that, for example by simply beginning with a low starting point, so that by the time you've discounted to the max of 40% you end up at the low point you want.

We seem to think if you're in jail for murder that's a bit much and I don't think it is.

A minimum sentence sets a bar below which even the craftiest judge can't fall.

The problem with it is obviously the risk that it becomes the default sentence but if that starts happening then that can be dealt with.

Also, this is not a novel idea.

They do this in the U.S, in the UK, in Australia, in Singapore etc. And I see a case for us doing it too.

If you're discounting three quarters of a sentence, you've got a problem.

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If you listen to parenting experts, you'll hear the same thing time and time again about raising kids properly.

They need love, but just as importantly, they need boundaries.

They need to be told no, they need to be disciplined, and they need to learn what they can and can't do.

And if you don't do that, you basically ruin their chances at success.

Now, bear that in mind when you hear people like the Children's Commissioner arguing that kids should be off limit on citizen's arrests.

At the moment the Government is proposing a law change to allow retailers, or security guards, or you and I, to hold a shoplifter until the cops can get there and take over.

The Children's Commissioner is well-meaning because she just doesn't want kids hurt.

These things can go badly, especially if you've got the worst case playing out like we've seen, which when you've got weapons involved with kids turning up with hammers and knives and so on to raid a store.

But while she means well, she is wrong.

Because a loophole like that will be exploited by adults.

Gangs already use kids to commit their ram raids and their thefts because they know that kids get off more lightly than they would.

If you make a rule that kids are allowed to escape but adults get held down, you only make it more likely that they send the kids in, thereby making it more likely that kids end up ruining their life.

Which brings us back to the very start - kids need boundaries.

Not just from parents. But also from the state.

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New Zealand can’t get enough of Bill Bailey.

The UK comedian last came to our shores in 2023, tickets to his ‘Thoughtifier’ tour selling out.

He’ll be back towards the end of the year, bringing a celebration of comedy, songs, and skills by the name of ‘Vaudevillean’ to Kiwi audiences.

Bailey joined Heather du Plessis-Allan to delve into comedy, technology and AI, the resurgence of people seeking out live shows and performances, and just why Kiwis love him so much.

“Most of life is just showing up, and so if you turn up somewhere and you show willing, then I think you draw people along with you.”

“Plus the fact I think there’s quite a lot of similarity between our senses of humour. I think there’s a sort of shared love of the absurd, and a love of language, and a love of the general sort of oddity of life.”

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On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday the 8th of July, we look at the changes to the FamilyBoost scheme and if it makes the policy a boom, or if it's still a bust.

Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson was finally found guilty, after days of deliberation from the jury.

World renowned comedian Bill Bailey is winging his way back here for another nationwide tour, so we need to find out why he's so popular with Kiwis.

Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Wellington waits with open arms as anticipation builds for the arrival of Welsh football club Wrexham.

Owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, Wrexham AFC is due to visit the capital for a friendly against the Phoenix on July 19.

New data from Booking.com shows Wellington is the most searched NZ location on the site, with interest in accommodation up 600%.

WellingtonNZ Events Manager Heidi Morton told Heather du Plessis-Allan the city offers a great opportunity for a unique location.

She says there's still rooms and tickets available.

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New Zealand isn't likely to get a better deal than we're currently getting, when it comes to trade with the US.

Almost all goods to the US now face a 10% base tariff rate.

Donald Trump's announced a 25% tariff rate for Japan and South Korea from the start of next month and may also raise tariffs on other trading partners.

Business NZ Advocacy Manager Catherine Beard told Heather du Plessis-Allan New Zealand probably can't negotiate a tariff rate below the 10% rate we're facing.

She says if that's the best rate going, it's probably not worth New Zealand trying to get into a "David and Goliath" battle with the US.

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Donald Trump is set to host Israel's Prime Minister at the White House as the US pushes for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The BBC reports Israel and Hamas resumed indirect talks in Qatar but ended after three hours without a breakthrough.

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton told Heather Du Plessis-Allan there's no compromising between the two sides.

He says Hamas' objectives are to get Israel out of Gaza, while Israel's is to destroy Hamas as a military and political force.

Discussions to strike a permanent deal with Iran in the wake of recent airstrikes on its nuclear facilities are expected to also be on the table.

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The Australian mushroom murder trial could end up in the appeals court.

Erin Patterson's been found guilty of murdering her estranged husband's parents and aunt, and attempting to kill his uncle with a beef wellington containing death cap mushrooms.

Newstalk ZB's Lesley Yeomans is in Victoria, following developments.

She told Heather du Plessis-Allan that Patterson's legal team now has 28 days to decide whether they'll appeal the verdict.

Yeomans says we’ll have to wait for the next month or so to see if they’ll do so, but you would assume it’s likely.

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