Ansett Manslaughter Charges – Police Chase – West Coast – Spying – Earthquake – Petrol Prices – Whistle Blowing –
Scientists – Cuban Boy
ANSETT MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES: An International Pilots association is concerned that an Ansett Captain has been charged
with manslaughter of a cabin attendant and three passengers after more than four years. The association say they are
pleased that NZ law has been changed to protect the confidentiality of cockpit voice recorder data.
POLICE CHASE: The Auckland District Police Commander says he is worried about several aspects of a police chase that
ended in a fatality last July. A man who failed a drink driving test drove away and the onto the motorway up an offramp.
WEST COAST: Damien O’Conner says he hopes the economic development package being launched today for the West Coast will
be acceptable to the coast. He says decisions for the coast are often made outside the coast and he hopes that will
change in relation to this package.
SPYING: Jennny Shipley has called on the PM to discipline her deputy Jim Anderton on his stance towards the SIS. Last
night the Alliance and Greens voted against a clause concerning random spying on radio telecommunications.
EARTHQUAKE: An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the richter scale in Wairarapa sounded like a Kenwood Truck in the bush says
a teacher. It was felt all over the North Island.
PETROL PRICES: Shell has decided to cut petrol prices from midnight. It will take one cent of the price of petrol. The
decision follows an agreement from OPEC on oil production and a fall in the price of crude to below $25USD a barrel.
WHISTLE BLOWING: Employers say they will review whistle-blowing protection legislation passed 71 votes to 48 last night
in Parliament. ACT and National objected to the bill being extended to private employers.
SCIENTISTS: An influential group of scientists has urged the government to review its policies towards science. NZ needs
to generate a more innovative culture. Scientists say that government can help by increasing research funding.
CUBAN BOY: A deadline is approaching over the return of Cuban boy Elian Gonzales to Cuba. The boys temporary guardian -
an uncle - is being asked to sign a statement saying that he will hand over the boy if his family’s legal appeals fail.