EYEWITNESS NEWS. 24/06/1988

Rob Neale presents the news. The Government appears to be heading for a political crisis over the coming budget, with a clash between the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance which poses questions about Roger Douglas’ future inside David Lange’s Cabinet.

Richard Long presents today’s other news stories. Maori elders tonight have called for a 50% share of the country’s fisheries. The Prime Minister has warned New Zealanders not to visit Fiji. Mr Lange says Fiji is now a police state because of draconian new emergency powers assumed by the military regime. The 17 week Clyde Dam strike is over, and work will resume on Monday. The Rural Bank has announced that at least 15,000 of its farm clients are in danger of losing their farms. Unemployment has risen again. [Foreign news] A High Court judge has found Wairarapa commune leader Andy Narain guilty of 17 charges. Financial and sharemarket news.

Rob Neale presents the issues of the day. Eyewitness understands that Auckland detectives are close to a break in their investigations over widespread GST fraud. There are links between the GST fraud and the gang of 20 recently named in Parliament with regard to white collar crime. Rob Neale interviews Jim Bolger, Opposition Leader and Geoffrey Palmer, Justice Minister.

The Clyde Dam strike is over. Workers met in Cromwell to debate about what to do about the strike breakers. The strike breakers wait outside.

[World Watch]

Richard Long presents the headlines and the weather.