Universal Benefits – Apprenticeships – Cancer Inquiry – Fiji Coup: Chaudhry, Sanctions – Middle East Peace – Queen
Mother – Philippines – School Blacklist
UNIVERSAL BENEFITS: Some beneficiaries are worried a universal benefit system will leave them out of pocket. Social
Services Minister Steve Maharey says no-one will lose out. A beneficiary spokesman however says he remains concerned
that the core benefit will end up a cost cutting measure.
APPRENTICESHIPS: Steve Maharey says the new Modern Apprenticeship programme will get more young people into on the job
training. Coordinators will take the red tape burden of providing apprenticeships away from employers.
CANCER INQUIRY: The work of the Sydney laboratories that re-read the Gisborne cervical smears is to come under scrutiny
at the inquiry today. Almost 500 women reported initially as normal were found to have high grade abnormalities.
FIJI COUP – CHAUDHRY: Members of Fiji’s deposed Chaudhry government plan to meet today to discuss the formation of a new
government. The group will discuss forming a sovereign state in the West or Fiji or else a government in excile.
FIJI SANCTIONS: A Fiji-Indian group in NZ wants tougher sanctions imposed against Fiji. The spokesman for the Coalition
for Democracy Nick Naidu says he wants the NZ Government to ask the UN to stop using Fijian
MIDDLE EAST PEACE: Israeli delegates at Camp David appear to have been ordered to leave the peace talks at midday.
Earlier the Israeli PM gave a letter to the President alleging Palestinian intransigence. The US however say that no-one
is going anywhere.
QUEEN MOTHER: The Queen Mother has disregarded bomb threats and attended a pageant in honour of her approaching 100th
birthday. “God bless you all and thankyou”, she said.
PHILIPPINES: A deal has been reached for the release of seven Malaysians in the Philippines according to some reports.
SCHOOL BLACKLIST: The Ministry of Education is considering contacting a group of parents that have black-listed schools
that support a new educational framework the NCEA.