First Segment
Screwdriver Gang – Unemployment Down – ACC Reforms – Cot Death Study – Exoderm Prosecution – Record Race Horse – Louie
Vuitton
SCREWDRIVER GANG: The three men in the “screwdriver gang” are behind bars tonight, after being captured in a car chase
in Auckland suburb of Mount Wellington. Witnesses were shocked by their capture which was caught on amateur video. The
gang were believed to have robbed five banks using their screw-drivers as weapons, and in their last attempt made no
attempt to disguise themselves. The gang were being questioned tonight but had not yet been formally charged.
UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN: NZ's unemployment rate has dropped this year down to 6.3 percent one of the lowest of Industrialized
Nations, lower than Australia and Germany, but still higher than Britain and the United States. It’s also getting easier
for Maori to get work – with Maori employment the highest in three years. However higher commodity prices and a lower
dollar is a risk for inflation, and the Reserve Bank is likely to push up interest rates at around 9 per cent to ensure
the economy wont overheat.
ACC REFORMS: There has been fierce debate in Parliament when a select committee heard Labour’s plans to re-regulate
Accident Compensation. Most of the 900 submissions to the committee from businesses were against the bill, however trade
unions have told Labour it will lose their support if they, or the Greens, pull back from the promised reforms.
COT DEATH STUDY: A British study has shown mattress fumes, smoking and sleeping positions can be responsible for “cot
death" syndrome. It suggests that mattresses are wrapped to stop babies inhaling the low level fumes emitted from the
toxins in foam. Auckland will host an international conference on cot-death next week.
EXODERM PROSECUTION: A company which sold the facial peel drug Exoderm that killed Christchurch woman last year, was
prosecuted today by the Ministry of Health for not seeking permission from the Ministry before selling the drug.
RECORD RACEHORSE: A one-year-old Cambridge Zabeel colt that sold for $3.5 million makes a new record for a racehorse
sale in this country. The previous record was 1.6 million. The colt sold to a Phillipino businessman.
LOUIE VUITTON: The seventh race in the Louie Batton Cup was called off at 2:30pm today by race organisers because of
lack of wind.