Checkpoint FOR FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2010
****************************
1700 to 1707 NEWS
****************************
Australia has sent a tough message to Sri Lankan and Afghan asylum seekers that it has stopped processing all new refugee claims. The government has also revealed that 70 people were rescued from a sinking asylum boat off Christmas Island this morning. It was the 38th boat to arrive in Australian waters this year. Earlier, the Sri Lankan Government warned that Australia risks becoming a breeding ground for Tamil separatists. The ABC's political reporter is Naomi Woodley. LIVE
The Government's proposals to replace the Foreshore and Seabed Act have run into opposition at the first of a series of hui at the top of the South Island. There are four options to be debated including keeping ownership with the crown, giving Māori absolute title or, National's preferred option, putting ownership in the public domain. Public access would be guaranteed, as it is now, and iwi would get back the right to go to court to claim customary title. But iwi at today's hui are unhappy about that. Our reporter Geoff Moffett was there. LIVE
The Finance Minister, Bill English, says there are promising signs in the latest Treasury data that the public service is keeping tighter control of spending. Government spending for the eight months to February was almost a billion dollars below forecast. But at the same time the underlying tax take was also almost 700-million dollars lower than expected. Our political reporter, Julian Robins, has been looking at the numbers. PKG
Fiji's military leaders have granted themselves immunity from prosecution for their 2006 coup and for the one in 2000. The decree, authorised by the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, includes absolute and unconditional immunity for Commondore Frank Bainimarama. It also extends immunity from civil or criminal prosecution to members of the military, police and all those acting under official orders. Professor Paul Rishworth specialises in South Pacific legal studies at the University of Auckland. PREREC
***********************
BUSINESS WITH Naomi Mitchell
************************
Specialist investigations teams are being set up to examine corporate and markets fraud, bribery, corruption and Police linked cases as part of a restructuring of the Serious Fraud Office. Staff numbers will increase and chief executive Adam Feeley says the changes will mean being better at detecting fraud and faster at investigating. He joins us now. LIVE
***********************
17.30 HEADLINES
***********************
In what's described as a landmark reform, the Family Court is speeding up the way it deals with child custody disputes, particularly where they involve the risk of violence or abuse. The Principal Family Court judge, Peter Boshier, says the Early Intervention Process will begin on Monday and affect more than 27-thousand cases each year. He says family break-ups often result in bitter disputes between parents, and he hopes the new system will give children stability. He joins us now: LIVE
Some two hundred people are now feared dead after another landslide in Rio de Janeiro, following the heaviest rains in decades. Mud has pulverised shanty towns built on the hills around the city leaving thousands homeless. Rescue workers using heavy machinery are digging for bodies and survivors. Our correspondent in Rio is Tom Phillips. PREREC
Meridian Energy says it will compensate a West Coast iwi for disrupting a river's life force if it builds a 300 million dollar hydro dam near Westport. Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae had opposed damming the Mokihinui River for cultural reasons but changed its position following negotiations with Meridian. Will Hine reports. PKG
****************
WAATEA NEWS
****************
They're as precious as kiwi and much more endangered. Five Grand and three Otago skinks have been transferred to new homes at a wildlife reserve in Christchurch as part of a captive breeding programme to stop the native species from being wiped out. Here's DOC's Andy Hutcheon. PREREC
The manager of a privately owned crematorium is defending plans by the New Plymouth District Council to almost double its fees. Craig McCulloch reports. PKG
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has cancelled a planned visit to Washington next week where President Obama is to hold an international summit on nuclear security. The meeting aims to find ways to prevent the spread of nuclear material and weapons. More than 40 other countries have agreed to attend. The BBC's Kim Ghattas reports. PKG
The Kyrgyz President is refusing to admit defeat after his political opponents dissolved parliament and demanded his resignation following violent protests. He described the opposition takeover as illegal. The BBC's Richard Galpin, reports: PKG
The pop impressario Malcolm McLaren, whose name is inextricably linked with the punk era, has died in Switzerland. He was 64 and had been suffering from cancer. Malcolm McLaren managed the Sex Pistols, helped create punk fashion, and had hit records of his own. The BBC's Vincent Dowd has this report. PKG
**************
Source: Radio New Zealand iNEWS/Archive/Checkpoint.