TV1 News Headlines 6pm Bulletin (First Segment)
Fiji Crisis - Local Support - Chiefs Meeting- Parliament On Fiji - Waitara Shooting - Business Confidence - Petrol
Price Rises
FIJI CRISIS: The future of Fiji’s political situation hangs in the balance tonight as the Council of Chiefs deliberates
whether to support the elected Government or the armed hostage takers led by George Speight.
LOCAL SUPPORT: Meanwhile thousands of indigenous Fijians poured into the peoples Parliament to support the hostage
takers and George Speight. In what was almost a carnival atmosphere Speight warns that the New Zealand should stay out
of Fijian affairs.
CHIEFS MEETING: At the Great Council of Chiefs meeting almost one hundred chiefs are making the decision whether to back
or throw out the rebels. Many had traveled great distances from the outer islands. They still have not made their
decision. Meanwhile Speight has released three more hostages today.
PARLIAMENT ON FIJI: In Parliament there were emotional scenes when MP’s called for rebel leader George Speight to resign
peacefully. ACT leader Richard Prebble, who had practiced law in Fiji, was reduced to tears while calling for the Fijian
the army to support the elected Government. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton has said he would personally
introduce legislation to make the coup leaders liable for prosecution in New Zealand.
WAITARA SHOOTING: In Waitara one of the country’s top barristers, Peter Williams QC, has called for an independent
investigation into the shooting of Steven Wallace. Mr Williams has concerns the policeman was not tested for drugs and
alcohol after the incident. He was believed to have attended a party. Police deny this.
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE: Mortgage Rates have risen today by 0.5 per cent. Meanwhile business confidence is at an all time
low despite forcasts of a 4 per cent growth projected for the future. Forty-one per cent of Canterbury Employers are
pessimistic about the future shows a recent survey. Meanwhile Finance Minister Michael Cullen has accused some employers
of being part of an orchestrated campaign against the Government.
PETROL PRICE RISES: A further petrol price rise is also believed to be part of the increasing business gloom. Bus usage
is up and many people are choosing to stay at home after BP follow the other major companies and raised petrol and
diesel prices by 4 cents today.