JOURNALISTS LEAVE, CURFEW ANNOUNCED, ARMY MOBILISES IN FIJI
As the security situatiion in Fiji worsens, New Zealanders are being warned to get out of Suva and relocate to safer regions, and to consider leaving the country altogether. The New Zealand High Commissioner in Suva, Tia Barrett says many New Zealanders who have rung in to his office are taking his advice. This advice follows the urgent call up of army reservists in a special public service announcement on local radio calling all territorials under the age of 55 to the Queen Elizabeth barracks in central Suva. And in a so far unconfirmed report, the the website Fiji live reports that the police have suggested to Suva's Indian community that they leave Suva altogether, though the police are denying this. Among those to have left the capital and to plan to leave the whole country are Radio New Zealand's journalists there, John McDonald and Lisa [illegible]. I spoker to John McDonald a short time ago and asked him to describe the lead up to their decision to leave. PREREC
Despite the escalating crisis, the streets of Suva were virtually deserted this afternoon. But there are vwidespread fears of more violence as it gets there like last night when a gang of coup supporters shot dead a policeman and wrecked a television station. In this environment, New Zealanders are being warned to get out. I spoke to our High Commnissioner Tia Barrett a short timer ago and asked for the latest. PREREC
The Government here has postponed declaring sanctions against Fiji but has taken the immediate step of banning the coup leaders from entering New Zealand. It's will also allow Fiji citizens visiting New Zealand to extend their stay until the unrest in their homeland settles. Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff joins me now. LIVE
BUSINESS WITH CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
ERB BILL CHANGES PROPOSED
Proposed changes to the controversial Employment Relations Bill were put to Cabinet in a paper from the Minister of Labour Margaret Wilson. The Government has come under fire from business over the bill - but unions too are asking for changes. The Bill is designed to shift the balance in industrial relationsmore towards collective bargaining between employers and unions. To look at what happened today I'm joined by our political editor Al Morrison. LIVE
POLICE VIDEOR SEEKS PAYOUT
Hearing of a three-hundred-and-eighty-six-thousand dollar claim against the Police by the former head of its national video unit is now nearing an end in the High Court in Wellington. George Brickell claims he was forced to retire in 1997, 13 years before he wanted to, because of post-traumatc stress disorder brought on by being exposed to horrific accident and crime scenes over 16 years. Our Court Reporter Merle Nowland has been listening to the case and joins me now. LIVE
NEWS HEADLINES, SPORT WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
JOURNALISTS UNDER ATTACK
As we reported earlier, many foreign journalists are today leaving Fiji saying its no longer safe for them to cover the coup crisis. Those leaving include Radio New Zealand's Lisa Owen and John Macdonald, TV One and some newspaper reporters. For those that are left, a Commonwealth newspaper group is calling on the Fiji Great Council of Chiefs, the Fiji President and coup leader George Speight to ensure that priority is given to the protection of journalists. This follows an attack on the Fiji Television station last night and the shooting of a cameraman on Sunday. Karlum Lattimore looks at the issue. PKG
Earlier I spoke to University of South Pacific Journalism lecturer Pat Craddock, whose house is only 10 minutes away from the Parliament buildings. Last night the rampaging mob was only metres from his house and I asked him how things were today. PREREC
HASNO ACT YET TO BE ENABLED
The Green Party co-leader, Jeanette Fitzsimons says delays in implementing an act introduced four years ago could put people at risk of being poisoned without their knowledge. The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms or HSNO (pron Has-no) Act should have been working two years ago, overseen by the Environmental Risk Management Authority. But for the past two years nobody has been assessing new poisons. Veronika Meduna reports.
BEEKEEPERS AIM FOR ERADICATION
Beekeepers in this country are renewing their plea for total erradication of the varroa honey bee mite after overseas consultations showed that the mite is devastating the industry in Canada and the United States. The National Beekeeping Association has long argued that erradication is the way to go, even though some beekeepers are questioning whether or not it will work. In a new development, the association view is being supported by the Federated Farmers Grains Council, saying the cost of not erradicating the mite woiuld be greater than the cost of doing so. We are joined now by a spokesman for the National Beekeepers Association, Lin McKenzie. LIVE
PM PRESSED FOR APOLOGY
In Australia - Prime Minister John Howard is finding himself increasingly out of step with the country's attitude towards reconciliation with Aborigines. Mr Howard has refused to apologise for past treatment of the indigenous people and did not take part in one of Australia's biggest ever rallies yesterday when 25 thousand people walked for reconciliation over Sydney Harbour Bridge. Now increasingly there is talk of a Treaty with the indigenous people - something the Prime Minister has always ruled out. Our correspondent in Australia, Kerry Anne Walsh was at yesterday's march and has been following the reaction today - she joins us now. LIVE
CLOSE AND THEME