*** Checkpoint FOR TUES 15 DEC 2009
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The New Zealand economy is still in a hole - although the hole isn't quite as deep as first feared. Treasury's latest economic and fiscal update shows things have got better since forecasts at the time of the May budget and the Finance Minister Bill English says the country is past the worst of the global downturn. The fifty billion dollar hole left in the economy by the recession has been revised down to 23 billion dollars, unemployment will peak within the next three months at seven percent, and the economy will contract by 0.4 percent not 1.7 percent as previously forecast. The government's books will be still be in the red but not by as much and there'll be a budget surplus by 2016 - two years ahead of schedule. But there's little sign Mr English will be loosening the purse strings with the Minister warning there are still challenges ahead. He joins us now. LIVE
Wellington's controversial billion dollar highway through Transmission Gully has been given the green light but it's not clear yet who'll pay, with the government still considering a toll. The project is part of a 2-point-4 billion dollar plan for the region announced today by the Transport MInister Stephen Joyce. It outlines road works from Wellington airport to Levin. David Reid reports PKG
On the line now is the Minister of Transport, Steven Joyce. LIVE
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Patrick O'Meara
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The father of an 11 week old baby who was starved and beaten to death, has been sent to jail for at least 17 years. Azees Mahomed was sentenced today for the murder of his daughter Tahani last year, while his wife, Tabbusum Mahomed, will spend four years in prison for failing to provide her daughter with the necessaries of life. Georgina Ball has been at the High Court in Auckland. LIVE
As fraught climate change negotiations continue in Copenhagen, New Zealand has been sent to the bottom of the class in a ranking of countries based on their green credentials. New Zealand has dropped 9 places in the annual climate change performance index published by European NGOs - and is now 55th out of 60 countries. The lower ranking was due to changes to Government policy made over the last 12 months. Here's our environment reporter, Ian Telfer. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Icepak, the company which owned the coolstore near Hamilton that exploded in April last year, killing one fireman and injuring seven others, has been fined 37-thousand dollars and ordered to pay reparation of 95-thousand. A second company which was contracted to Icepak, Mobile Refrigeration Specialists has been fined 56-thousand and reparation of 175-thousand. The Managing Director of Icepak, Wayne Grattan, who faced one charge has been ordered to pay a fine of 30-thousand. From Hamilton District Court Andrew McRae joins me now. LIVE
Economists are picking the unemployment rate to remain at high levels for longer than previously predicted. The NZ Institute of Economic Research's quarterly survey of 10 economic forecasters predicts the rate will hit 7 percent next year dropping to just over six percent by March 2012. That's more pessimistic than the Reserve Bank's prediction that unemployment will peak at 6.7 percent late next year. The Institute's principal economist is Shamabeel Eaqub (pron: Yaakob). PREREC
In Fiji four people are dead and at least two thousand people are homeless in the wake of Cyclone Mick which battered the country yesterday. There's also been extensive damage to crops and many homes are still without power. Aid agencies have been finding out what help is needed. Joanna Matthew from Save the Children New Zealand is in Fiji - she joins us now. LIVE
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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In Tonga the inquiry into the sinking of the ferry Princess Ashika has heard the full horror of women and children struggling to escape as the vessal went down. It sank of Nuku'alofa, with the loss of more than 70 lives. The Royal Commission heard the vivid account from a 25 year old ship's steward, who was hired to keep toilets clean, but was on bridge watch on the night of the sinking because the captain was sleeping and the first mate was sick. Pesi Fonua from Tonga's on-line news source - Matangi Tonga says it was a distressing testimony. PREREC
The Māori Party's goal of changing the way social services are delivered to Māori is another step closer, with discussions being held on making separate funding available in next year's budget. The funding would come under the banner Whanau Ora. One proposal is that money intended for Māori services should be put into a single fund. Here's our political reporter Clare Pasley. PKG
British Airways cabin crew have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a dispute over job cuts and changes to staff contracts. The strike action is set to begin on December the 22nd - right in time for Christmas. The BBC's Richard Scott reports from London's Heathrow airport : PKG
The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged Iran to free three Americans as soon as possible after Tehran announced they would be put on trial. The group crossed over the border from Iraq in July. The decision to try the Americans comes less than a month after Iran released five British sailors whose racing yacht had crossed into Iranian waters. The BBC's Iran correspondent Jon Leyne has the details... PKG