**** CKPT FOR THURS 9 OCT 2008
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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NZ-ECONOMY: The Reserve Bank has ruled out an early interest rate cut even in the face of growing criticism that it's not responding fast enough to the international financial crisis. The National Party leader John Key today increased the presssure on the Bank saying it should cut rates sooner rather than later. Here's what he told reporters earlier. CUT
A spokesperson for Labour's Michael Cullen says that by law in this country the Reserve Bank is independent of politicians. But Mr Key is not alone in his criticism. Goldman Sachs JB Were economist Shamubeel Eaqub is highly critical of the Bank's failure to cut rates today two weeks ahead of the scheduled review. CUT
Joining us now is our economics correspondent Nigel Stirling LIVE
WELLINGTON-HEALTH: A review of maternity services in Wellington is calling for major changes nationwide. The Government-ordered review follows the death of a baby delivered at a maternity facility in Porirua in June. The review says maternity services have been given a relatively low priority, and there are no standards to which all relevant health groups subscribe. The Government's responded by announcing a one point 75 million dollar annual boost for the midwifery workforce. Here's health correspondent, Karen Brown. LIVE
EVERS-SWINDELL: It's the end of an era for the Olympic rowing champions Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell. The double Olympic gold medallists and three-time world rowing champions have announced their retirement after almost a decade at the top of the sport. I spoke to them earlier. PREREC
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BUSINESS NEWS
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FIJI-COURT: The 2006 military coup in Fiji has been legitimised by the country's High Court, which has dismissed a challenge to the overthrow by the ousted prime minister Laisenia Qarase. The judges found that President Ratu Josefa Iloilo's actions following the coup were lawful and valid. Here's Fiji's attorney-general, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. CUT
Mr Qarase, however, was caught off guard by the ruling: CUT
Joining us now is our correspondent in Suva, Vijay Narayan. LIVE
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17.30 HEADLINES
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ELECT-NZFIRST: A Grey Power member in Kapiti was nearly thrown out of a meeting with NZ First leader Winston Peters today for persistently challenging his views. Our political reporter, Kate Williamson, was there. PKG
ELECT-CTU: Labour's spokesperson on labour issues, Trevor Mallard, told a Council of Trade Unions forum in Wellington today that it wants to ensure that workers who are laid off receive compensation from their employers. Cherie McQuilkin filed this report PKG
LEAKY HOMES: Local Government New Zealand wants the leaky homes resolution service abolished, and is proposing a new way to deal with outstanding cases.In the past six years, only 6 per cent of claims have been resolved by the Government's Weathertight Homes Resolution Service. LGNZ's vice-president is Kerry Prendergast. LIVE
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WAATEA NEWS
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CHCH-AGNEW: The jury in thet High Court trial of Liam Reid has heard he tried to get on a boat to Australia, two days after Emma Agnew was murdered. He is charged with the rape and murder of the deaf woman in Christchurch last November, and the rape and attempted murder of a 21 year old university student in Dunedin, 9 days later. Here's Matthew Peddie. LIVE