News and Current Affairs.
Main Stories:
Cost cutting will eliminate 1880 beds from public hospitals throughout New Zealand over the next year and the Nurses’ Society says that national cuts are equivalent to all the beds in the Otago and Southland areas. Private hospitals agree with the estimate and say they will increase their bed capacity to cope, but they expect there will be thousands of patients who can’t afford to pay. Speakers: David Wills (NZ Nurses’ Society), Dr Deborah Sidebotham (NZ Resident Doctors Association), Peter Smith (Southern Cross Health Care).
Prime Minister David Lange has spent his day at the South Pacific Forum in Kiribas, apparently anxious to avoid the impression that he is giving in to Australian pressure on the ANZAC frigates. Both he and Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke appear to be claiming credit for a Forum proposal to outlaw driftnet fishing. Speakers: Geoffrey henry (Cook Islands Prime Minister), David Lange (Prime Minister), Bob Hawke (Australian Prime Minister).
United States President George Bush is in Poland.
In two weeks Tasman MP Ken Shirley will attempt to change the law so trout can be farmed and sold, but anglers are gearing up to fight what they see as a real threat to the natural fishery. Speakers: Brad Bruehrer (American Angler), Bob Jones (Angler), Peter Townsend (NZ Salmon Co. Ltd), Mike Fletcher (Taupo Journalist & Angler), Peter Church (Fishing Guide Tongariro), Nick Jarman (Fishing Consultant), Reg Turner (Fishing Lodge Owner, Lake Tarawera), Graham Whyman (Tackle Supplier, Turangi), Chris Jolly (Boat Skipper).
Other Stories:
The man charged with murdering Taita schoolgirl Karla Cardno appeared in the Lower Hutt Court today. About 100 people gathered at the Court, many expressing anger and grief. Speaker: Mark Middleton (Stepfather).
A suburban street in Auckland was the scene of a full-scale Armed Offenders alert tonight. Police were looking for a gunman after reports that a pistol had been brandished at a liquor store. Speaker: Inspector Ash Edwards (Armed Offenders Squad).
Former Maori health worker Titewhai Harawira, her daughter and another woman have begun a hunger strike in Mount Eden Prison to lobby for a Maori justice system.
The Government has banned driftnet fishing within New Zealand waters and the Fisheries Minister Colin Moyle also want to ban set nets.
Hawke’s Bay MP Bill Sutton has called for an immediate vote on the membership of Cabinet. He says the last vote on the membership was a “jack up” and that Cabinet needs shaking up now.
A Christchurch couple is rejoicing that their baby, given only a small chance to live, has been saved by an emergency flight to Melbourne. Speakers: Dr Barry Catchlove (Royal Children's Hospital), Brendan (Father).
World water speed attempt tragedy.