HEADLINES & NEWS
FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS IN FIJI HOSTAGE CRISIS
There are fresh developments in the Fiji hostage crisis, with the leader of the attempted coup, George Speight, for the first time offering to make concessions. Speight seized the prime minister and more than 30 politicians hostage at parliament more than a month ago. He's demanding that Fijians of Indian descent be stripped of any political role in Fiji. Tensions remain high and in a seperate development today, gunfire again erupted in Suva when three armed men stormed a suburban police station. Our reporter Andrew McRae is in Suva and joins me now
[illegible] POLICY RELEASED
The government has released its long awaited defence policy framework, which recommends aiming for depth, rather than spreading funding thinly. The framework sets out the government's priorities for defence spending and decision making, The Prime Minister, Helen Clark, says at the moment, the army is facing the most pressing need and by the end of the year could have new radios and armoured personell carriers. She says other important issues being addressed are naval and airforce transport and maritime surveillance. However, the defence policy framework doesnt address the future of the air combat force or the navy, Joining me now is the Defence Minister Mark Burton.
Joining me now is the National Party defence spokesperson, Wayne Mapp.
BUSINESS NEWS with CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
A coroners inquest into the deaths of a mental health patient Lachlan Jones and his flatmate Malcolm Beggs has begun in Auckland. Mr Jones who was 19 and Mr Beggs, who was 25, were found dead at Mr Beggs West Auckland house last August. Our reporter Lisa Owen has been at the inquest - she joins me now. LIVE IV
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with CHRIS REID
The General Secretary of the New Zealand Olympic Committee, Michael Hooper says the committee will take action if the drug allegations against sporting hero Mark Todd are proved true. The British Sunday Mirror has published a story detailing sex and drug allegations against Mark Todd. A spokesperson for Todd has said the allegations are an unjustifiable and disgraceful intrusion into his private life. Mark Todd is expected to be named in the New Zealand Eventing Squad for the Syndney Olympics in September. The squad is being named next week. Olympic committee general secretary Micheal Hooper won't say what he thinks of the Sunday MIrror story but says taking drugs is a big deal, for Olympians. IV
The acting Police Commissioner Rob Robinson has been appointed fulltime. Mr Robinson has filled the role since the former Commissioner, Peter Doone, stepped down in January. Joining me now is the new Police Commissioner, Rob Robinson. LIVE IV
The High Court has begun hearing damages claims against the police, brought by two former constables. The case comes only a fortnight after the court awarded nearly a quarter of a million dollars to a former civilian Police employee for psychiatric problems caused by his work. The latest claim is from two former constables retired as medically unfit and who are alleging breach of contract. Court Reporter Merle Nowland is following the case. LIVE IV
The Labour Party and The Alliance are this evening presenting a united front on immigration after the Alliance cabinet Minister, Matt Robson, was reported as suggesting a selective amnesty for Pacific Island overstayers.
The report this morning prompted the Immigration Minister, Lianne Dalziel to describe Mr Robson as being confused on the issue. However, Mr Robson now says he's never used the term selective amnesty, but is interested in allowing some overstayers to continue living in New Zealand under certain circumstances. Here's political reporter, Mark Torley. PKGE
Six Northland children are now officially the junior champions of the world - [illegible] solving. The team of 11-year-olds from Kerikeri Primary School represented New Zealand at the international problem-solving finals in the United States last week - taking on teams from many American states, and Australia. Not only did they win the home-community section, with a study on saving the historic Stone Store - they also won the contest's American section, with a plan to stop violence in schools. Student David Middlemiss says they thought it would be important for bullies to be included in a class group who would talk to the school about violence and role play what it was like for the victim. IV
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