TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

Traffic Package - Biodiversity Package - Kiwi Rescued – Solomons Crisis - Phil Goff’s Visits - Olympic Flame In Aussie

TRAFFIC PACKAGE: The Government is going back to the future on traffic enforcement bringing back a dedicated traffic force in a $152 million package. They will also abolish speed cameras. The move that will have 225 police officers working specifically on traffic safety. However not everyone within the Police is convinced that the move is in the right direction.

BIODIVERSITY PACKAGE: The Government also plans to spend more on controlling the environment with a $187 million package - $97 million which is aimed at eliminating pests like rats, possums and weeds on DOC land. But some say Labour should be addressing biosecurity issues too – car importers say it should look at stiffer car inspection measures. The Green Party agrees.

KIWI RESCUED: 10 million dollars of the package is going to rescue the survival of our national symbol - the native kiwi.

SOLOMONS CRISIS: Australia has announced it is sending a frigate to evacuate over 700 Australians and up to 160 New Zealanders trapped by heavy fighting on the island. The move comes as a reaction to reports of increased action between Malaitian and Guadalcanal rebels near the capital Honiara. Ninety New Zealand nationals are expected to leave with the frigate.

PHIL GOFF’S VISITS: The violence has put Foreign Minister Phil Goff plans to travel to the Solomons in doubt Mr. Goff is expected to leave for Fiji tomorrow morning with a delegation which will visit to various groups on the islands. But many Fijians who do not support the coup are reported to be feeling let down by the Commonwealth nations. In other incidents a policeman was badly beaten last night as he went to the Parliamentary complex to recover a stolen taxi.

OLYMPIC FLAME IN AUSSIE: The Olympic Flame has touched down in Australia at Uluru (Ayers Rock) today as part of a ninety day journey to Sydney where the 2000 Olympics will be hosted. But events did not go to plan as the torch went out and could not be lit by conventional means.

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