**** CKPT FOR MONDAY DECEMBER 11 *******
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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REPORT ASHLEY: The head of the Corrections Department says he won't be resigning over the death of 17 year old Liam Ashley despite a report which identifies key failings by the Department. The teenager was murdered by a hardened criminal George Baker, in the back of a prison van that was being driven to Auckland Central Remand Prison by Chubb Security officers. A report into the killing has found the prison did not tell Chubb that the boy had been assessed as a vulnerable youth, and should have been separated from older prisoners in the van. The prison also failed to tell the security company that Baker was on15 minute observations and also required to be separated as an "At Risk Prisoner". The report concludes that Liam's death could have been avoided by more rigorous application of regulations. Shortly we'll be hearing from Corrections Chief executive Barry Mathews. But first this response from Tom Nicholls, Chubbs managing director. PRE-REC
The Chief Executive of Corrections, Barry Matthews, says the information they provided to Chubb was inadequate. LIVE
SOFT DRINKS BAN: From 2009...secondary schools won't be selling most sugary soft drinks - under a deal struck by Coca-Cola, Frucor and the Government. It'll see Sprite, Coke and Pepsi banned, along with the energy drink V, but not diet versions, sports or fruit drinks. So, will pupils miss out? PKG
ENERGY STRATEGY: In future... as much new electricity generation as possible should come from renewable sources such as wind and geothermal power. That proposal from the Energy Minister forms the thrust of the government's wide-ranging long term draft energy strategy out today. It aims to both secure long term power supply and cut greenhouse gas emissions. Here's our Political reporter Corin Dann. PKG
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
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FIJI RABUKA: To Fiji now where a judge has found a former military leader and prime minister of Fiji NOT guilty of two charges of inciting a 2000 mutiny. The judge made the ruling after a panel of jurors, or assessors as they are known in Fiji, delivered a split verdict in the trial of former army Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka. Our reporter Phillipa Tolley is with us now LIVE
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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MINE WEST COAST: A Greymouth mine director looks set to accept a plea bargain when he appears before a judge in the Greymouth District Court tomorrow, which will see his company effectively accept some blame for the death of one of its staff. Robert McGowan died in the Black Reef Mine in March when one of the mine tunnel's flooded. Another man, his immediate supervisor, was lucky to escape with his life. But the company's expected admission comes as no comfort to Mr McGowan's widow. Monique Devereux has been in the court in Greymouth....and joins us now. LIVE
PINOCHET DEATH: The former Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet has died at the age of 91 in a Santiago hospital. One of Latin America's most notorious military rulers, Pinochet rose to power after a US backed coup. Pinochet was accused of torturing and killing thousands of people during his rule from 1973 to 1990. There were attempts to prosecute him right up until his death but Pinochet never stood trial for any alleged abuses. CNN's Jonathan Mann reports on the complicated relationship between the United States and Pinochet during his years in power. PKG
HEALTH WATER POLO: Sports officials are demanding answers after a group of boys were hospitalised after taking part in a water polo tournament at a west Auckland swimming pool. At least half a dozen 12 to 14 year olds were hit by nausea and respiratory problems after the event at the West Wave Aquatic Centre yesterday. And as Jean Edwards reports, it's not the first time there have been safety issues at the centre. PKG
ALCOHOL PARENTS: Impetus is growing for the government to crack down on parents supplying alcohol to teenagers. A review into the supply of booze to young people is about to get underway and alcohol groups are urging them to look at a range of options. It follows an incident in South Auckland on Saturday in which 16-year old Rae Rae crashed his car while drunk, seriously injuring his girlfriend. Kiri Ennis has been looking at the issue. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS WITH ERU REREKURA
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ARSON TRIAL: 36 year old Peter Eddy from Havelock North in Hawkes Bay is on trial for arson, including a multi million dollar fire at the largest apple packing operation in Hawkes Bay. Three days before Christmas in 2004 a fire completely destroyed over four million dollars worth of controlled atmosphere stores at Fruit Packers Hawkes Bay and a large packaging area. Our Reporter Heugh Chappell has been in court and joins us now. LIVE
EDEN PARK HEARING: Crucial details have been overlooked in plans for the initial 320 million dollar re-development of Eden Park for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. That's what submitters opposed to the upgrade have told an independent commission overseeing resource consent hearings for the stadium upgrade. But some Eden Park residents are sick and tired of being called moaners and are welcoming the proposed changes. Lisa Thompson was there and filed this report. PKG
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