FIJI COUP CRISIS CONTINUES
Fiji remains on a knife-edge this evening as military negotiators start their talks with coup leader George Speight in an effort to end the 12 day crisis, and free the Prime Minister Mahendra Choudry and about 30 MPs. Meanwhile Fiji's military commander, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has issued a decree revoking the constitution of 1997. But he says all existing laws are still in place. Earlier today George Speight rejected the military takeover of the country which last night saw martial law declared and Commodore Baini-marama in charge of the islands. However later Speight changed his position saying he'd got everything he wanted and expected to be given a role in the new military government. ABC correspondent in Suva Phil Williams, says the negotiations with Speight are on neutral territitory at a theological college near Parliament grounds - it's not known when they'll be finished. I asked him what it's like on the streets of Suva now. prerec
Minutes before the military started their talks with the hostage takers we managed to speak to army negotiataor Colonel Tara KInikini. I asked him what he would be telling Speight. prerec
TEAM NZ
There's to be another top level departure from New Zealand yachting. He is Laurie Davidson, who has designed the last two successful New Zealand America's Cup yachts, and he is heading offshore. This was announced just a few minutes ago, and Laurie Davidson joins us now. liver
BUSINESS WITH CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
AUDITOR GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE AIRWAYS ALLEGATONS
The auditor general has agreed to investigate documents related to allegations that Airways Corporation staff stood to gain personally to the tune of 30 million dollars from a consortium deal. The allegations were made in Parliament by the New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. Airways is part of a consortium including Lockheed Martin bidding for a 46 percent interest in the British air traffic control system. The shareholding ministers Mark Burton and Michael Cullen have had officials studying over 100 documents to see if there is any substance to the allegations. Mr Burton says they now want an independent appraisal from the auditor general. The terms of reference were agreed this afternoon. They include whether the board identified any conflict of interest in the deal created by the inclusion of personal incentives for managers - and if so whether that was dealt with properly. Whether the board or executives breached their legal or ethical obligations in forming the consortium. And whether a severance payment to the former corporation executive Ezekial Trumper was legal, or amounted to hush money to stop him disclosing his concerns over the deal. The inquiry follows Mr Peters allegations. He joins me now. live
I'm joined now by our political editor Al Morrison. live
NEWS HEADLINES, SPORT WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
KARMA DEFAMATION TRIAL CONTINUES
The jury in the defamation case against author Joe Karam has been told two police officers have suffered because of allegations made in his book, David and Goliath. The civil trial at the High Court in Auckland involves Mr Karam's book on the case of David Bain, who has been convicted of murdering five members of his family. Kevin Anderson and Milton Weir were officers who worked on the case - and they're sueing Mr Karam for nearly half a million dollars. Our reporter Eileen Cameron's been at the hearing. live.
TODDY AND HIS TEAM TOAST OF THE TOWN
In Christchurch a crowd of around a hundred thousand rugby fans cheered on the Super 12's victorious Canterbury Crusaders as they paraded through the central city today. The biggest hero was the new All Black captain Todd Blackadder who was greeted with hoots of delight as he raised the trophy high in the air. Shona Geary joined the lunch time parade. pkg
NATIONAL PROTOCOLS NEEDED
Health officials say they are working with hospitals to develop national protocols and guidelines for ensuring that the equipment used for internal [illegible] examinations is regularly tested for cleanliness. This follows incidents in Christchurch and Rotorua where patients have had to be tested for Hepatitis and HIV after cleaned endoscopes were still found to be contaminated. Our Health Correspondent Rae Lamb joins me now. live
FARES GO UP FOR KIDS
Both New Zealand's domestic airliners are changing the rules for travel by children. The age threshold is being changed and so are the fares themselves. Our reporter Tony Reid has been looking at this and he joins us now in the studio. live
IRD INQUIRY RECOMMENDATIONS ACCEPTED
The government has accepted most of the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry into the Inland Revenue Department. The Finance and Expenditure committee last year called for sweeping changes to the Department to get rid of what it called a "culture of fear and punishment". However one recommendation - that an independent board of directors be appointed to oversee the Department - has been rejected, on the grounds that it could undermine the Commissioners' independence. Our political reporter, Clare Sziranyi, has been looking at the government's response and joins me now. live
CLOSE AND THEME