HEADLINES & NEWS
VIOLENCE PREDICTED IF WEST TIMOR CAMPS CLOSED
In West Timor, there are predictions that violence could spiral out of control if refugee camps are closed following an order from the Indonesian President. The camps are home to about 120-thousand East Timorese refugees and are widely regarded as launching pads for pro-Jakarta militia attacks across the border into East Timor. Indonesia has been under renewed international pressure to close the camps after the death of the New Zealand soldier, Leonard Manning who was shot by militiamen believed to be from the West. Craig Sanders from UNHCR has been working to repatriate refugees back home - he says the militias won't put up with forced closure of the camps, and will fight to stop it. PREREC
Meanwhile East Timor's United Nations administration has issued arrest warrants for a gang accused of killing New Zealand peacekeeper Leonard Manning. The suspects are now thought to be hiding in West Timor, and their names have been given to Indonesia's regional military commander, General Kiki Synhakri. I asked our reporter in Jakarta, Mark Bowling what action the military could be expected to take against the militias involved in the killing, PREREC
INDIAN HOMES BURNED IN FIJI
In Fiji, the military has moved into the area of Tai Levu following repeated looting and burning of Indian homes for the last month. At least, two homes belonging to Fiji Indians were burned to the ground last night by marauding Fijian rebels. Our reporter Barbara Dreaver has visited the area - she joins us now. LIVE
The lawyer for the Fiji rebel leader, George Speight, is accusing Navy staff of beating Speight and five other rebels. George Speight and the other rebels have been held on Nukulau Island since Saturday after they were arrested last week. [illegible] lawyer Kigione Vuetaki (kitione Voitake) is also upset that the group [illegible] yet been charged - he won't comment on whether he thinks the authorities are seriously considering treason. I asked him what injuries the rebels suffered during the beatings. PREREC
BUSINESS NEWS with GILES BECKFORD
CHANGES TO ERB PRESENTED
The Labour Minister Margaret Wilson says changes to the Employment Relations Bill which have been recommended by a select committee will make the Bill more effective and improve relationships in the workplace. The select committee's report recommends allowing independent contractors to retain their status and it wants safeguards to protect confidential business information during wage talks. The Committee has also recommended softening the degree of director liablitity for wages in the event of business failure and it wants unions to enter workplaces at reasonable times. But the changes are being criticised by employers and the National Party. Canterbury Employers say the changes are a disappointment and the Employment Relations Bill is poor legislation that will promote poor business outcomes. The National Party leader Jenny Shipley says the changes are cosmetic and the new law will make life tougher for businesses, and New Zealand less attractive for overseas investment. And she says the bill's provision for multi-party agreements will result in industrial action not seen for over a decade. Joining us now is the Labour Minister Margaret Wilson. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
CANCER INQUIRY TO RECALL WITNESSES
The Gisborne Cervical Screening Inquiry has decided to recall senior health ministry officials so they can respond to concerns raised about the national cervical cancer screening programme. The inquiry is also considering recalling other witnesses from the Hamilton laboratory which took over the Gisborne cervical screening work from the retired pathologist Michael Bottrill. This follows requests from the spokesman for the Women's Health Information Trust Neil Kirton and a lawyer for the Gisborne women, Stuart Grieve. Our health [illegible] Rae Lamb is covering the inquiry - she joins us now. LIVE
CHILD ABUSE PROGRAMMES SPLINTERED
Programmes to tackle child abuse are splintered and under funded, according to a children's advocate. The comments follow two child abuse cases in the past week which have left a two year old Wairarapa girl dead and a two year old girl in Auckland Hospital with serious head injuries. Figures released by the Child Youth and Family Service show Māori children are about five times more likely to be abused than Pakeha children. Māori leaders, the Womens Refuge movement, health workers and the Māori Affairs Minister all say Māori families need to take responsibility for the problem as Leigh-Anne Wiig reports. PKG
GOLDIE STOLEN FROM EXHIBITION
A valuable Goldie painting has been stolen from the Auckland museum's Māori Gallery. Staff at the museum say the small painting by renowned artist Charles Federick Goldie was noticed missing by security staff who had seen that a security camera in the gallery had been moved. The robbery happened between three and four o'clock this afternoon. The director of the Auckland Museum Rodney Wilson joins us now. LIVE
[illegible] OF SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS CONSIDERATION
The Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, says a call to disband the government agency responsible for children with special education needs must be considered very carefully. The recommendation to dis-establish the Specialist Education Services has come following a review of the 200 million dollar special education policy introduced only three years ago. Mr Mallard says the review by education researcher Cathy Wylie is a thorough piece of work that the government will take seriously. Our education correspondent, Gael Woods, has been reading Dr Wylie's report and she joins me now. LIVE
SECOND DAY OF TRANZRAIL ENQUIRY
Occupational Health and Safety has told a Ministerial Inquiry into Tranzrail's safety record that it wants the company to sharpen up its act. Today is the second day of the week long inquiry and heard from organisations which govern the way Tranzrail operates. The inquiry also heard that many key organisations are confused about their obligations - Sarah Gregory was at the inquiry and compiled this report. PKG
CLOSE & THEME