1700 to 1707 NEWS
[illegible] Australian-based ANZ Bank has bought the National Bank for over 5 point 6 billion dollars. The tie-up gives the two banks over a third of the country's banking market. The National Bank has consistently ranked as the country's most popular among the five main banks, with the ANZ coming last - and there've been predictions customers will go elsewhere if the deal went ahead. This is the reaction from some customers today. VOX POPS
The ANZ's chief executive John McFarlane is reassuring customers they have nothing to worry about. PREREC
Andrew Cassidy is the General Secretary of the banking union Finsec. He joins us now. LIVE
The future of Bill English as the leader of the National Party is once again in question, with talk of a possible leadership challenge within the week. Rumours are rife around Parliament that National's finance spokesperson Don Brash is shaping up to challenge Mr English for the party's top job. Our political reporter, Julian Robins has been following the story and he joins us now... LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
In Australia - the joint venture partners in a massive liquid natural gas development off the Australian coast have just signed a 30 billion dollar deal with China. The agreement comes as the President of China Hu Jintao told the Canberra Parliament that Australia is an important economic partner. Unlike yesterday's speech by US President George Bush - this address passed without interruption. Green Senators Bob Brown and Kerry Nettle who heckled Mr Bush didn't attend after being suspended from the House for 24 hours. Prime Minister John Howard welcomed the Chinese leader saying that ten years ago such a visit would have been highly improbable. CUT
Mr Howard said the relationship between Australia and China is now both mature and practical. In reply President Hu said the potential for economic cooperation between the two nations is immense. Mr Hu will today sign a framework to begin negotiations on a free trade agreement and he told the parliament that this marks a new stage in the relationship. Mr Hu's words are translated. CUT
Our Political Editor Kathryn Ryan joins us now from Canberra. LIVE
A woman in Australia who killed her four children in fits of rage and depression has been sentenced to 40 years jail.
35 year old Kathleen Folbigg from Singleton on the New South Wales Coast smothered her four young children on separate occasions over a ten year period. The ABC's court reporter David Harrison is with us now. LIVE
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
There's a growing chorus of opposition to the Auckland District Health Board's decision to censure senior clinician Bruce Twaddle for speaking publicly about cuts to bed numbers at Auckland City Hospital. Nurses, the Medical Association and two political parties have now joined the Health Commissioner in calling on [illegible] board to rethink its decision. James Hollings reports. PKGE
Eighteen staff at the specialist residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation centre in Hanmer Springs will lose their jobs after being told the clinic will be shutting its doors at the end of next month. The National Union of Public Employees, or NUPE (noo-pay) is calling on the Government to reconsider its decision to stop funding and supporting such facilities. The union's National Secretary Nadine (NAY-dean) Marshall, says the staff aren't happy with the decision. She joins me now. LIVE
A senior public health researcher is being strongly criticised for encouraging New Zealanders to drink soft drinks containing artificial sweeteners. Auckland University professor Rod Jackson says the country's obesity epidemic could be slowed if people substituted sugar-based sodas with diet-soft drinks. However the comments have angered those from opposite ends of the spectrum - from safe-food campaigners to soft-drink companies. Fiona Wilde reports. PKGE
A big weekend for rugby followers kicks off at 8-30 tonight when the All Blacks play Tonga in their third world cup rugby match in Brisbane. The result though is hardly in doubt with the All Blacks winning 102-nil last time the two sides met. There are some games over the weekend though where the score shouldn't be so lopsided, with France playing Scotland, Argentina play Ireland, Italy play Wales and South Africa play Samoa. Back home the NPC comes to a climax with Ranfurly Shield holders Auckland looking to add the first division title to their trophy cabinet, when they meet Wellington at Westpac Stadium tomorrow night. And the second division final sees Hawkes Bay take on Nelson Bays in Napier tomorrow afternoon. To discuss all this we're joined by our rugby correspondent John McBeth. LIVE
[illegible] Government has announced it will give four million dollars to help fund events related to the Wellington premiere of the last film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy - the Return of the King. About half the money will go towards the cost of the December premiere and an associated publicity programme to increase international media exposure for New Zealand. One of the events will be a dinner for international media which will be hosted by MPs and Wellington mayor Kerry Prendegast. And Kerry Prendegast joins me now. LIVE
Business New Zealand is cautioning that new initiatives to promote a better work-life balance for workers mustn't be prescriptive and inflexible. The comment by follows an announcement by the Council of Trade Unions at its conference in Wellington, of a campaign to tackle the barriers preventing work-life balance. The government has also announced plans to consult on the issue. Robyn Cubie reports: PKGE
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