Checkpoint for 30 October 2003
1700 to 1707 NEWS
GOVERNMENT PAY RISES
The Prime Minister is to get a sixty thousand dollar pay rise from the beginning of next month. The Remuneration Authority, which determines MP's pay has also boosted the salaries of the Deputy prime Minister, Michael Cullen as well as other members of the executive. The Authority says it has simplified the way backbench politicians are paid and brought them broadly into line with managers at a similar level in the public service. Our political reporter, Mark Torley has been looking at the reports and joins me now. LIVE WITH DROP INS
MEDICAL CANNABIS
The medical profession and the government are being told they need to wake up to the huge amount of international research and knowledge on the medicinal use of cannabis. The Associate Minister of Health Jim Anderton has today responded to a select committee report released in August that took three years to [illegible] that the government should urgently look into medicines made out of cannabis products. Mr Anderton says if cannabis is found to be a safe and effective treatment, the government would not rule out its use. Doctors are widely opposed to smoking cannabis as a form of medication. But a Professor of Pharmacology at the Otago School of Medicine, Paul Smith is describing the government's response as weak and says cannabis derived drugs are already being used in pill or spray form overseas. PREREC
CALIFORNIA FIRES
Southern California's wildfires have claimed their first firefighter fatality. Officials say he died while fighting one of the larger of 17 blazes that have ignited the countryside, fanned by the Santa Ana winds that mark the start of the city's so-called "dark" season. At least two other fire fighters were injured in the same incident, which took place at the Cedar fire in San Diego County, where crews were working to save the mountain town of Julian. Steve Gassaway is a Fire Department Spokesman. CUT
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER
Governor elect Arnold Schwarzenegger flew to Washington to meet with lawmakers in a bid to urge quick financial aid. Among those he met was his uncle-in-law, Senator Ted Kennedy and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. CUT
Joining me now is Linda Miller from San Diego County. LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
CARICH COLLAPSE
Students caught up in the collapse of the private computer training company, Carich, say they're feeling shocked and confused. The company which has more than 2000 students and 230 staff went into receivership yesterday. But the receiver says there's still a chance the company can be saved. Our education correspondent, Gael Woods, has been following the story. PKG
FIJI
Fiji police are investigating reports that a plot had been hatched to kidnap and kill prime minister Mahendra Chaudhry a month before he was ousted in the May 19, 2000 coup. Chaudhry was overthrown when gunmen led by now convicted traitor George Speight seized parliament and held the cabinet hostage for 56 days. There are ongoing investigations into the coup but Police Commissioner Andrew Hughes, says the information about the assassination plot is still sketchy. PREREC
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
ANTONIE DIXON
A man accused of sword and gun attacks has been committed for trial at the High Court in Auckland. Antonie (pron Anton) Dixon will face one charge of murder, four of attempted murder, and other charges relating to sword and gun attacks in January. Jennifer Dann has been following today's proceedings.
Q&A
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Solomon Islanders are calling for New Zealand and Australian police officers to remain in the troubled country for many more years. It's the one hundredth day that the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission, or Ramsi, has been in charge in Solomons. The Ramsi mission has been a resounding success to date, but our reporter in [illegible], Karen Brown, says people harbour private fears that ethnic tensions will re-emerge when the foreign police leave. PREREC
EMBASSY THEATRE
The deputy mayor of Wellington says he doesn't expect the Embassy Theatre will end up being an ongoing burden on ratepayers. The Wellington City Council is set to take ownership of the historic movie house, after the Trust that currently owns the theatre called on a multi-million dollar ratepayer-funded underwrite for its refurbishment. The Council and the Trust came to the agreement earlier this year, following concern Wellington might lose the world premiere of the third film in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Return of the King. Patric Lane has more. PKG
OAMARU HOSPITAL
The union representing about 60 of the 70 striking staff at Oamaru hospital, has resolved to seek urgent mediation with all parties involved. The Nurses Organisation and members of the PSA are in their last day of planned strikes over pay claims, with nurses and staff wanting the same pay as received by most other such employees in the South Island. The Nurses Organisation is seeking mediation with parties like the owners, Waitaki District Health Services, and the funders the Otago District Health Board. Union organiser Kay Squires joins me now. LIVE
MAORI AND PACIFIC FESTIVAL
The Māori and Pacific Islands secondary schools festival which involves around 55 schools, 165 groups and around eight to ten thousand students turns 29 next year. It is the biggest event of its kind in the world, and attracts more than a hundred thousand spectators to the three day festival. But as Elma MaUa reports there will be one school missing. PKG
NEW ZEALAND INVENTIONS
Aerial topdressing, milking sheds, and electric fences are taken for granted by farmers today but it's not that long ago that they were new and innovative. Such inventions have made New Zealand agriculture the world leader that it is. They're being celebrated at an exhibition currently on at the Waikato Museum of Art and History (opened Thursday 21 August). Andrew McRae talked to some of the people behind the innovations. PKG
MANA NEWS
CLOSE & THEME