National Radio Midday Bulletin

Fiji Coup - Union Fiji Action - Fahey Sentenced - Parental Leave- Pill Subsidized - Health Strategy - Cigarette Demand - Oil Prices Drop - Vet Strike - Marine Reserve Denied - Lee Tribute To Barnes

FIJI COUP: The leaders of the Fiji coup appear to be rejecting the military proposal to appoint an interim military council to run the country. The coup leaders now say they want the military to hand over power to a civilian administration with George Speight as its prime minister.

UNION FIJI ACTION: The Council Of Trade Unions says it will seek the support of workers for bans on sending cargo to Fiji, but will not start action until the hostages are released.

FAHEY SENTENCED: The former Christchurch Deputy Mayor and former doctor Morgan Fahey has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to sex offences in Christchurch.

PARENTAL LEAVE: The Alliance Minister for Women’s Affairs Laila Harre says she sees no reason to put her Paid Parental leave Bill on hold after the Government announced it would review the Bill because of it’s likely impact on business.

PILL SUBSIDIZED: Women wanting the ‘morning after pill’ will pay less from today after the Government drug agency Pharmac said it would subsidize the medicine.

HEALTH STRATEGY: The government has released its Health Strategy today, which will be open for public submissions.

CIGARETTE DEMAND: The police say a demand for black market cigarettes played a part in 170 burglaries from dairies and shops in the greater Auckland area.

OIL PRICES DROP: Three of the major oil companies have dropped the price of petrol by two cents a litre.

VET STRIKE: The Meat Industry Association says meat plants may have to be closed if MAF vets go through with a two day strike planned for next Tuesday and Wednesday.

MARINE RESERVE DENIED: The High Court has dismissed an application for a judicial review of the Department of Conservation's decision last year to create a marine reserve near Gisborne.

LEE TRIBUTE TO BARNES: The leader of the Mana Motuahake party Sandra Lee has paid tribute to former unionist Jock Barnes who died today. Mr. Barnes was the union leader of the famous 1951 Waterfront Strike.

© Scoop Media