Checkpoint FOR THURSDAY 13 DECEMBER 2012
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The just-released report by the former Canadian Supreme Court Judge Ian Binnie recommends that David Bain be paid compensation - but now the Government says it can't act on that. The Justice Minister Judith Collins released both Justice Binnie's report and a peer review of it this afternoon after an extraordinary public slanging match. Justice Binnie says the physical evidence compels the conclusion that it is more probable than not that Robin Bain killed his wife and three children, before killing himself. But the peer review by Robert Fisher QC says Justice Binnie has made fundamental errors in assessing David Bain's innocence, and he discarded key evidence. Ms Collins says it confirms the Binnie report would not withstand scrutiny. CUT: Ms Collins is NOT ruling out asking for a fresh report on Mr Bain's compensation claim. CUT Justice Binnie in a long statement rejects Dr Fisher's criticisms saying the cumulative physical evidence alongside his interview with David Bain persuades him that he's innocent. He says he came to his conclusion that acts and omissions by the Dunedin police played a significant role in David Bain's wrongful conviction.
We will speak to the Justice Minister shortly. But first, David Bain's lawyer Michael Reed QC joins us now. IV
Ports of Auckland has been fined 40 thousand dollars for deliberately hiring contractors to do union members' work. The Maritime union and the company have been embroiled for more than a year in industrial action over a new collective contract. The Employment Relations Authority has fined the company for allowing four contractors to do engineering work usually carried out by employees, who were on strike in February and March. Mani Dunlop reports. PKG
Returning to our lead story now. . . . with the just-released report by the former Canadian Supreme Court Judge Ian Binnie recommending that David Bain be paid compensation. But the Government says it can't act on that - with us now is the Justice Minister Judith Collins IV
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH
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17. 30 HEADLINES
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A major new reports back the Auckland mayor's plan for a multi-billion dollar rail tunnel but the Government is still refusing to come on board. The 700 page study commissioned by the council at the Government's request has found the tunnel is the only viable long term option for central Auckland. The Mayor Len Brown describes the case as compelling, but the Minister of Transport has dismissed it as a valiant attempt to make the project stack-up. Our Auckland Correspondent Todd Niall reports. PKG
The police are looking for a sharp weapon used to kill a young woman in a South Auckland sleepout. The body of 23-year-old Alicia (Al-eesia) McCallion, was discovered by her family at their home in Cotton Place, Papakura, about half past seven on Wednesday morning. Detective Inspector Mark Gutry is heading the investigation. IV
The wife of a top Auckland police inspector has drowned while in Rarotonga for their daughter's wedding, and her friend who went to save her has also drowned. Judith Palmer who was 62, was the wife of Chief Inspector John Palmer. Their Birkenhead neighbour Robert Groves, who was 64, died trying to help her in the lagoon off Vaimaanga. Their daughter Vanessa lives in Rarotonga. Her wedding which was due to take place tomorrow has been postponed. The police say the Palmer family has been hit hard. John Woods who edits the Cook Islands News says other people have drowned in the same spot. IV
The national whooping cough epidemic has taken the life of a six-week-old Christchurch baby. Health Authorities throughout the country are now urging parents to make sure their young children are vaccinated against the cough. Sophia Hesselgrave reports PKG
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17. 45 MANU KORIHI
Kia ora koutou katoa,
The police are aiming to reduce the prosecution of Māori by 25 per cent - and stamp out any perception that the officers are their enemy.
The target doesn't include traffic offences, and is one of four objectives they want to achieve over the next six years - in a joint strategy with senior Iwi representatives.
Māori make up more than 40 per cent of all arrests but only represent 15-per cent of the general population.
The collaborative strategy - called The Turning of the Tide - is aimed at gaining the trust of Māori.
The deputy commissioner, Mike Bush, says the police know some groups distrust the police.
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Deputy Police Commissioner, Mike Bush.
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Ngāi Tūhoe is keen to take over the lease of the motor camp at Lake Waikaremoana.
The camp's current lessees don't plan to renew their contract with the Department of Conservation, when it runs out at the end of June next year.
An Iwi spokesperson, Tamati Kruger, says the lake and the surrounding land have always had special significance for the tribe.
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Tamati Kruger says Ngāi Tūhoe has registered an interest with the Conservation Department in taking up lease of the motor camp, which caters for thousands of visitors every year.
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Tukoroirangi Morgan says Waikato-Tainui has lost its way - and the tribe must become united again under the Kiingitanga.
He's been appointed as King Tuheitia’s representative to the executive arm - Te Arataura.
Mr Morgan says it's a huge responsibility to be a bridge between the tribal offices and the people.
He says members aren't being told about key announcements, such as the Crown's Relativity clause kicking in - which is a Treaty top-up payment of about 70-million dollars for Waikato-Tainui.
Mr Morgan says the tribe hasn't worked co-operatively and efficiently as it could have.
He says there's a need to get out and consult with Waikato-Tainui people about new opportunities.
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Ngāi Tahu's praising the Government for supporting the tribe's Māori trades training programme - He Toki ki te Rika.
The Canterbury Māori trades training programme received a million dollar boost from the government today - which it agreed to do earlier this year.
Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Mark Solomon says his iwi is taking an active role in preparing Māori for the recovery of Canterbury.
The investment from the government includes the support of Māori social services providers to help with pastoral care.
It also includes 300 apprenticeship grants and the provisions to employ two new dedicated staff members.
He Toki was launched last June and more than 150 Māori have completed the course, 89 of those students have found work and most of the remaining students have gone into further training.
That's Te Manu Korihi news, I'll have a further bulletin in an hour.
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The British Prime Minister says a government commissioned report into the murder of a prominent human rights lawyer in Northern Ireland has found that British agents played a key role in his killing. David Cameron says the review's found shocking levels of state collusion in the 1989 murder of the lawyer, Pat fuh-noo-kin Finucane. Mr Finucane defended members of the IRA during their armed campaign to unite Northern Ireland with the Irish Republic. Here's the BBC's Rob Watson: PKG
A psychiatrist who had a sexual relationship with his mentally ill patient paid her 42 thousand dollars to keep quiet about it and got her to lie to investigators. A report by the Health and Disability Commissioner says the 24 year old woman who complained about the doctor had a history of mental illness including a fear of separation and discomfort with intimate relationships. The woman started treatment with the married psychiatrist in April 2008 and after five meetings they began an affair. He stopped treating her in August that year but the relationship continued for six months. When it ended he paid her money and asked her to deny they'd had sex. The Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill (An-tony). IV
The great white butterfly is the latest pest threatening the country's vegetable crops and endangered native cresses. An invading species, it's now on the Department of Conservation's hit list after being discovered in Nelson two years ago. There's been 275 confirmed infestations of the pest, which is twice the size of the commonly found small white butterfly. Martin Rodd is DoC's area manager for Motueka - he says the creatures pose a major economic and environmental threat and need to be eradicated. PKG