**** CKPT FOR WEDS 3 SEPT 2008
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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MURDER-AUCKLAND: A pre-trial hearing has begun in the Auckland District Court for Nai Yin Xue who's charged with killing his wife and leaving her in his car boot. The case raised headlines last year when his three-year old daughter Xien Xun was found abandoned at a Melbourne railway station. Our reporter, Gill Bonnett, joins us now. LIVE
HEALTH CARE: A new report has identified major failings in the way primary healthcare is funded and delivered.The Government's spent one point 7 billion dollars over the past six years on a radical overhaul of community healthcare, emphasising a team approach rather than individual family doctors.But the latest in a series of reports on the health workforce says it's not working nearly well enough.Here's our health correspondent, Karen Brown. LIVE
POLITICS-PETERS: There have been more revelations today about the funding of New Zealand First, with the Spencer Trust saying it made payments to the party in 2006 and 2007.The Trust has previously confirmed it transferred 50-thousand dollars to the party in September 2005. That money was never declared by New Zealand First, due it says to human error. Political reporter, Julian Robins joins us now...LIVE
EFA-COMMISSION: The head of the Electoral Commission has described the controversial Electoral Finance Act as having a "chilling effect" on political and campaign activity. In a speech to an Electoral Finance Law Forum, Helena Catt also said significant sections of the legislation are obscure. Neither Dr Catt nor Justice Minister Annette KIng would be interviewed but joining us now is National's Deputy Leader Bill English. LIVE
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BUSINESS NEWS
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US-POLITICS: In the United States, the Republicans have been trying to get their convention back on track after Hurricane Gustav and the controversy that's erupted around vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin whose teenage daughter is five-months pregnant. Instead it was President George Bush who took the limelight, appearing at the convention via a video link from the White House to endorse John McCain as the Republican candidate. CUT
Our correspondent, Olly Barratt says George Bush's absence from the convention floor is being seen by some as a blessing. PRE-REC
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17.30 HEADLINES
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HOSPITALS-SURGERY: New Zealand hospitals perform fewer potentially life-saving heart operations than in most comparable countries.A draft nationwide review of cardiac surgical services is out today .And it's been revealed the chances of getting heart surgery are greater in Southland or Northland than in Bay of Plenty or Wairarapa. Naomi Mitchell reports. PKG
AMBULANCES-ABUSE: A former paramedic who sexually assaulted patients in his ambulance has been found guilty of six counts of indecent assault, involving three women in Auckland. But the 35-year old driver was cleared of sexual violation and four other indecent assault charges. Detective Sergeant Andy King led the inquiry. PRE-REC
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WAATEA NEWS
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NURSE-BOTOX: A registered nurse has today admitted administering botox to up to ten clients at a Christchurch beauty clinic. 34 year old Katie Harbrow is facing one charge of professional misconduct after a complaint was laid that she was administering the medicine, which can only be prescribed by a doctor. Here's our reporter Shanna Crispin LIVE
POLITICS-EMPLOYMENT: The National Party says the Government has been sneaky by slipping in an amendment to Kiwisaver as part of a bill amending the Employment Relations Act.Legislation enforcing rest breaks and facilities for breastfeeding at work has passed under urgency in Parliament, but during the committee stages of the bill, the Government also put up a change to Kiwisaver. Here's our political reporter, Chris Bramwell. PKG
RUGBY-NEWPLYMOUTH: An All Black test is being held outside the five main centres for only the second time. Tonight the ABs face Manu Samoa in New Plymouth - our reporter Craig Ashworth joins us now from Yarrow Stadium. LIVE
INDIA-CHEAP: Construction of a plant to build the world's cheapest car has ground to a halt in the Indian state of West Bengal because of protests on behalf of poor farmers who say they were evicted to make way for the factory. The Tata Group had hoped to market the four-door Nano for the equivalent of just over 3-thousand New Zealand dollars by October. The state government acquired about 1-thousand acres for the plant but the activists insist only 6-hundred acres are needed. The company's now looking at new sites.