CONFUSION OVER COMMAND IN FIJI
Tension remains high in Fiji, with renewed skirmishes around the parliament, and reports of a mob of supporters of the coup leader George Speight trying to break through an army cordon to try to reach downtown Suva. But Radio Fiji says [illegible] personnel manning roadblocks proved able to hold the mob back. Elsewhere, supporters of the coup leader George Speight threw stones and attacked Indian taxi drivers this morning, seizing their vehicles. And there is further confusion this afternoon over who is in command, with a member of George Speight's organisation saying that the army has agreed to make further concessions, dismissing dismiss the prime minister Epeil Nailatuku who was appointed less than a day ago. But a military spokesman says that won't be happening. We begin our coverage of the latest confusing day in Fiji with George Speight's emphatic denunciation of the army's earlier offer of concessions. This statement was made earlier this afternoon, and included Speight's demand that the new government have no Fiji Indians or members of the previous government in it. AUDIO
George Speight making it clear the army's cancellation of the multi racial constitution of 1997, its ousting of the president and its offer of amnesty are not enough. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel Tara Kinikini who was involved in negotiatons with Speight's group yesterday says futher talks should be taking place about now. He insists that the military is not impotent despite new demands from the hostage takers, but the aim is to resolve the crisis in a peaceful way without bloodshed. PREREC
As we have already heard, the army has already made several concessions to the coup leaders, including scrapping the 1997 constitution, ousting the president and granting an amnesty. According to a member of the coup leaders, they were offering a short time ago to be planning to make still more. These would include the dismissal of the new Prime Minister, Ratu Epili Nailatikau, who was appointed just last night. Speight's spokesman Joe Nata made these remark in an interview conducted while he was present in the army barracks. I asked him to confirm that he wants to new Prime Minister to be sacked. PREREC
Suva has seen another outbreak of violence today with bashings and car-jackings outside Parliament. ABC correspondent Graham Dobell explains. prerec
Meanwhile the man who led the 1987 coup against a multi racial government then has made it clear he would not become part of an interim administration now, saying there should be a clear break with past governments. He went on to criticise George Speight's action in continuing to hold his hostages, saying that since they no longer held power he was simply holding ordinary civilians at ransom. He then went on to say that while Fiji CAN return to democracy, it is not prudent'. AUDIO
And Sitiveni Rabuka went on to argue against a multi racial constitution, saying it would not suit either Fijians or Indians. AUDIO
BUSINESS WITH CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
BUSINESS COMMUNITY NOT CONFIDENT
The government has come under attack in Parliament this afternoon over its economic management as Opposition parties drove home the slump in business confidence. The National Bank's latest survey shows business confidence has suffered the biggest monthly drop in the survey's 12-year history. Opposition parties used question time and general debate in Parliament this afternoon to lay the blame on government policies. Our political reporter Kathryn Ryan listened to the debate. PKG
Despite the sound and fury of parliament, the Reserve Bank is sticking to its guns. The bank says further interest rate rises in the near future remain a possibility, despite the two recent surveys showing plummeting business confidence. The bank's deputy governor, Murray Sherwin, told Parliament's finance and expenditure select committee this morning the pessimism among most respondents in the surveys is more than outweighed by the boom in the export sector, and this may fuel inflation as the rural sector spends the windfall gains. To discuss developments, I'm joined by our Economics Correspondent, Stephen Harris. LIVE Q&A
NEWS HEADLINES, SPORT WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
GE FOODS LABELLING DISPUTE BREWING
The New Zealand and Australian governments may be headed for a dispute over the [illegible] of genetically modified food. The Australian Agriculture Minister, Warren Truss, is speaking out against across the board labelling for all food products. That's despite the fact the Australia New Zealand Food Authority endorsed mandatory labelling laws last October. Jane Patterson reports.
SENTENCE REVIEW REJECTED
The Court of Appeal has rejected the sentence appeal of the man who admitted murdering Roparoa farmer Beverly Bouma during a home invasion in November 1998. David Tuhua Poumako had appealed against the order that he serve a minimum of 13 years jail, 3 years more than the usual term of ten for murder, before parole can be considered. Our Court Reporter Merle Nowland has been looking at the 38 page judgement and joins me now.
DISPUTE OVER DISABILITY
A dispute over the ability of a 70 year old Christchurch man to face trial on three rape charges continued in Dunedin today after he didn't appear at a hearing to establish the level of his disability. Peter Knight senior was committed for trial in November for sexually violating a 15 year old girl on three separate occasions in May last year. Graham McKerracher has been following the case - he explains what's happened. PREREC
SMOKEFREE DAY MARKED
Two of the country's larger public hospitals have marked Smokefree Day today by toughening up their anti-smoking policies. At Hastings Hospital in Hawkes Bay the only places people can smoke in future will be the psychiatric unit and at special outside areas. Near Wellington, Hutt Valley Health has gone even further. Its new smoking ban covers not only the buildings but also the entire grounds - the only exemptions are for patients in certain places. Our Health Correspondent Rae Lamb compiled this report. pkg
STUDENT DEBT LOOMS LIVE
The number of tertiary students who owe the government more than sixty-thousand dollars has doubled in the past year. Latest figures show the largest single student loan debt is now between 130 and 140 thousand dollars, with the number of students owing over sixty thousand dollars increasing by 600 students. Today students protested about student debt with marches and pickets, saying the recent reforms reduce the burden only slightly. The Aotearoa Post Compulsory Student Union plans to make this point to the government at the upcoming tertiary enquiry and APSU president David Penney joins us now. live
CLOSE AND THEME