HEADLINES & NEWS
A damning audit has been released into the care of a man discharged from Southland hospital the day before he killed his mother. 20 year old Mark Burton was last month found not guilty by reason of insanity of murdering his mother Patricia Burton in Queenstown. The audit was conducted by a Wellington consultant psychiatrist. Our reporter Maureen Lloyd was at the Southland District Health Board's media conference releasing the report and I asked her what criticisms it made. PRE-REC
Trevor Burton, Mark's father, says the report has vindicated the family's [illegible] that Mark was dealt with in a totally incompetent and inappropriate way. But Mr Burton says that's cold comfort. PRE-REC
The secretary of Treasury is considering taking legal action against the man being held responsible for leaking confidential documents on New Zealand Post's bank. Alan Bollard was responsible for commissioning an investigation into security leaks at the Crown Company Monitoring Advisory Unit earlier this year. He's identified the person as Peter Davies, who had a three-month contract with the unit up to June. However, Mr Davies denies having leaked the information. Alan Bollard joins me now. LIVE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
Those who help people to stop smoking are surprised by a Ministry of Health warning for doctors not to prescribe the drug Zyban until other treatments have been tried first. The Ministry has issued the directive after advice from the Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee which has received more than 200 reports of adverse reactions to the drug since it was introduced here just over a year ago. Zyban is a nicotine-free drug that works on the psychological addiction [illegible] smoking, and its advocates say despite the Ministry's views, Zyban is a very effective tool in getting smokers to kick the habit. Liz Banas compiled this report PKGE
Secondary teachers, already planning strike action next term, have voted to up the ante in their dispute with the government over pay talks. The Post Primary Teachers Association's decided at its conference in Wellington today that teachers should refuse to teach some classes until a settlement is reached. The PPTA is targeting action at the new school qualification, the NCEA, and says it will instruct teachers to refuse to teach classes for one hour per week in order to work on the NCEA. Joining me now is PPTA president, Jen McCutcheon. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with ANDREW GREENWOOD
The United States is stepping up its efforts to win international backing for its war on terrorism as its forces stream into the Gulf region for a possible retaliatory strike against Afghanistan. It comes as the Taleban Government stands firm in its opposition to the US, while thousands continue to flee the country which is protecting Osama Bin Laden. Steve Mort reports. PKGE
Meanwhile, concerns are growing about not only the exodus of a possible one-and-a-half million people from Afghanistan, but those who remain in the country. Gordon Weiss, a Unicef worker in Pakistan, says there is a current caseload population of seven and a half million Afghans who are looked after by the United Nations and aid agencies. PRE-REC
New Zealanders don't know enough about what sort of souvineers they can't bring back home from overseas trips. That's from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry which has just launched a programme to educate travellers and get people's opinions about biosecurity. Sally Wenley takes a look. PKGE
The All Black coach Wayne Smith has announced that he does want to stay on and take the side through to the 2003 world cup. Smith told a media conference that [illegible] he is the man for the job, and has reapplied for the coaching position that was advertised by the New Zealand Rugby Union in the wake last week's panel review. Only last week Smith said he did not want to stand for the job - I asked him why he's changed his mind. PRE-REC
A second plane carrying asylum-seekers from the Tampa is due to land in Auckland in less than ten hours. The first group of 70 Afghans, rescued from the Norwegian freighter, arrived on a flight from Nauru last night. Brad Markham reports on the group's first day in New Zealand. PKGE
Humanitarian agencies in the Pacific are having to cope with increased political instability, forcing them to rethink how they go about their work. They say its becoming increasingly important that there's an understanding and respect for the principles of international humanitarian law, particularly among law enforcement agencies. The issues are being discussed at an international seminar on tensions and conflicts in the Pacific which is underway in Auckland. Anna-Louise Taylor has more. PKGE
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