1700 to 1707 NEWS
The Parliamentary inquiry into scampi has found that Ministry of Fisheries officials acted unfairly and, in some cases, unlawfully towards some fishermen. Parliament's Primary Production committee has just released its long awaited report into claims of mismanagement and collusion in the lucrative fishery. The allocation of valuable scampi quota rights is based on fishermens' catches in the 1990 and 1991 seasons, and some had claimed they were unfairly shut out of the fishery during that time. Our political reporter, Jane Patterson, has been following the story and joins us now. LIVE WITH DROPINS
Neil Penwarden is a fisherman whose allegations of collusion and mismangement prompted the select committee inquiry. He joins us now. LIVE
A [illegible] Court judge has dismissed murder charges against two Somali men accused of killing a Tongan man during a night of violence in an Auckland suburban street. Elikena Inia was stabbed during a street brawl between Somali and Pacific Island groups in Mt Albert in January of last year. Ambar Yusuf and Abdirizak Ismail were charged with Mr Inia's murder, and have been on trial at the High Court in Auckland.
With the hearing entering it's fourth week and having listened to the crown's case Justice Nicholson has dismissed the charges, because of insufficient evidence. One of the defence lawyers is Andrew Speed. PREREC
The lawyers representing the detained Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui have told the High Court that New Zealand is in danger of being governed by fear, in the post September the 11th environment. A judicial review in Auckland is examining rulings made by the Inspector General of the SIS on the security risk certificate that's being used to keep Mr Zaoui in prison and possibly have him deported. Mr Zaoui's lawyer is Rodney Harrison QC. CUTAnd Mr Harrison went on to compare Mr Zaoui's case with the political situation in Fiji. CUT Our reporter Sarah Howison is covering the case and is with us now. LIVE
[illegible] members from Lord of the Rings film trilogy are about to bid Wellington a final farewell and are abou to fly out of the capital. The actors including Elijah Woods and Liv Tyler have been in Wellington for the past few days to take part in the world premiere of the Return of the King. Our Reporter Patric lane is at the airport. LIVE
Two reports released today have admitted there is poor practice and declining standards within the building industry.
The reports were commissioned in response to allegations from Auckland structural engineer John Scarry, who earlier this year said shoddy standards and cost-cutting meant some buildings would collapse in an earthquake. The reports, by the Building Industry Authority, the Institution of Professional Engineers, both say Mr Scarry's claims are valid. Fiona Wilde reports. PKGE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
The Australian Labour Party caucus shocked most political pundits today by electing 42 year old Mark Latham as the new leader to take the beleagured party into next year's election.
Mr Latham won the leadership ballot by just 47 votes to 45 over former leader Kim Beazley. It's a result seen by some as a gamble on youth over experience. As the newly elected Labour leader left the caucus room he was surrounded by the media.
CUT Kim Beazley pledged his support. CUT Our correspondent in Canberra Kerry Ann Walsh joins us now. LIVE
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
The case of the Upper Hutt lawyer who plotted to kidnap a prominent Wellington businessman and hold him in an underground bunker went back to court today. John Arthur Burrett has gone to the Court of Appeal to challenge his conviction and seven-year prison sentence for conspiring to kidnap businessman Bill Trotter. His nephew, Matthew Norman Payne, has also appealed his five-year sentence. Our court reporter, David Venables joins us now. LIVE
Hundreds of beneficiaries may be left with debts to Inland Revenue after being involved with a fraudster posing as a tax consultant. In the Manukau District Court today, Peter Charles Hirawani was sentenced to five years' jail for a scam Inland Revenue says amounted to 1-point-8-million dollars. The court heard how Hirawani set up an 0800 phone line and hired staff across the North Island to help him file false tax rebates. At least 700 taxpayers, mainly beneficiaries, were unwittingly caught up in the scam and left with debts as a result. I asked Inland Revenue spokeswoman Loraine Elliott how Hirawani convinced people to use his service. PREREC
A flood mapping study of Westport shows the risk of flooding is far worse than had been expected. A study by NIWA shows that more than 90 per cent of the town could be affected in a major flooding event. The Buller District Council will consider the report next Thursday (Dec 11). Joining us now is the council's Manager of Regulatory Services Terry Archer. LIVE
A Christchurch psychiatrist says New Zealand children as young as eight are developing severe eating disorders and more treatment and research are needed in this country.
Christchurch is hosting three major mental health conferences this week and today international experts held a specialist seminar on eating disorders. Katy Gosset has been talking to the delegates and filed this report. PKGE
The largest ever gathering of wildlife managers and researchers in the southern hemisphere has been told that Māori ecological concerns are being ignored. Nearly a thousand people from more than 50 countries are in Christchurch this week for the third International Wildlife Management Congress. John MacDonald is there and filed this report. PKGE
US military and diplomatic officials have spent the past few days emphasising the strength of the coalition in Iraq even as they concede insurgent attacks against non-military targets are on the rise. Fifteen people were killed this weekend alone.
As our Washington correspondent Owen Fay reports, an increasing number of politicians are calling on the White House to ask for more help securing the country, or else risk having to send in more American forces. PKGE
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