Checkpoint FOR MONDAY 18 APRIL 2011
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The man who murdered Christchurch mother Vanessa Pickering will spend at least the next 20 years in jail. Malcom Chaston has been sentenced to preventive detention and won't be eligible for parole till 2031. He also got nine years for assault with intent to commit sexual violation. Ms Pickering's body was found down a bank near Christchurch's Godley Head more than a year ago.The gallery of the Rangiora court was packed with her family and friends and seven people gave victim impact statements. One of those was her mother Rachel Kitson, who asked Chaston why he subjected her daughter to such a prolonged and premeditated attack. CUT Rachel Kitson told the court her daughter and other children grew up on a farm and had firsthand knowledge of what the elements do. CUT
Our reporter Rachel Graham has been in court today and joins us now LIVE
Chaston attacked Vanessa Pickering while he was on bail for an assault charge. The police had opposed bail but it was granted by a judge. Chaston has a long history of violent and sexual offending. During a previous stint in jail, several prison officers wrote emails warning of their fears he would go on to commit further crimes against women when he left prison. Vanessa Pickering's mother Rachel Kitson joins us now. LIVE
The cost of fuel and food and cigarettes has pushed inflation to its highest level in two and half years. Official figures show the Consumers Price Index has risen to 4.5 per cent for the year to March. The Prime Minister, says the rise in the CPI is below what economists were predicting. But he says the Government acknowledges that people are feeling the pinch from rising prices, particularly petrol. CUT John Key. For more on today's figures here's our reporter Clint Owens . PKG
The Government is to put three-and-a-half million dollars towards a new events centre in Greymouth as a memorial to those who died in the Pike River tragedy. A series of explosions in the West Coast mine killed 29 men in November. The Economic Development Minister, David Carter, says the centre will help stimulate the local economy by creating job opportunities during its construction The Government contribution will be topped up by one and a half million dollars from the local community. The new facility will be named the West Coast Miners Memorial Events Centre. We're joined now by the mayor of Greymouth, Tony Kokshoorn. LIVE
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH
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Billionaire businessman Donald Trump, who is flirting with running for President, has described the United States as a "laughing stock" too timid to wield its power assertively on the world stage.
The 64 year old real-estate magnate and reality TV personality is an early frontrunner among possible Republican presidential contenders. The ABC's Jane Cowan reports from Washington :
PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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An iwi leader has told the New Plymouth District Court he's ashamed and disappointed that fisheries officers confiscated paua from children acting as their ancestors have for centuries.
Fisheries and conservation prosecutors say a man and three children collected excess and undersized paua from a marine reserve north of New Plymouth. A chief of Poutama, Haumoana White, told the court he asked his people to gather food for visitors at an upcoming hui of the tribe. CUT Our reporter Craig Ashworth was in court and he joins us now LIVE
From tomorrow, the Government is winding down the subsidy that allows earthquake-damaged businesses in Canterbury to keep paying their workers' wages. So far, 190 million dollars has been paid out to almost 70 thousand people. Tomorrow it's replaced by a tougher scheme, which will use stricter criteria requiring businesses to prove they have a future, and which will only last for six weeks. The chairman of the Business Recovery Network wants the Government to take another look at the plan, saying it could take years before some are on their feet again.
Cherie McQuilkin spoke to business owners who say they are facing an uncertain future. PKG
The fund which insures water, sewerage, stormwater and flood protection systems for local authorities says it has no money left to cover any future natural disasters and is asking for Government help. The Local Authority Protection Programme has built up 232-million dollars over the past 17 years but says its funds have been exhausted by the Canterbury earthquakes. Currently the fund is responsible for paying 40 percent of the cost of repairs, while the government pays the remaining 60 percent. But its chief executive Tim Sole wants the government to back it for the next few years.
He joins us now. LIVE
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17.45 WAATEA
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Three days of crisis talks have ended in New Caledonia, with the French minister in charge of overseas territories now pushing for a law change to restore political stability. Marie -Luce Penchard MAH-ree loohs PON-shah has now returned to Paris after extensive consultations with politicians whose infighting has led to the collapse of four collegial governments in two months.
Walter Zweifel reports for Radio New Zealand International :
PKG
The President of Cuba says the communist nation will consider limiting the time political leaders serve in office. The proposal from Raul Castro is notable given he and has brother Fidel have ruled Cuba since 1959. The ABC's Meredith Griffiths reports. PKG
French authorities are blocking trains from Italy in an attempt to stop an influx of North African immigrants. Italy's accused France of violating European law, as the dispute continues over what to do with those fleeing political unrest for refuge in Europe.
The ABC's Europe correspondent Rachael Brown reports :
PKG
From tomorrow the wage subsidies that have been helping quake-hit Christchurch workers survive begin to taper off. Some employers and unions have warned the Government is cutting off support too quickly. So far 190 million dollars have been paid out to almost 70 thousand people under the two wage subsidy schemes, one for employers and one for individual workers.
Sonya Smith runs a high-end fashion design business inside the still cordoned-off red zone in central Christchurch. She joins us now. LIVE