Budget 2001, Police, Suicide, Tertiary Education and Health – Far North Fire – Crooked Cricket – Israel – Rat Poison
Spill – Prisons – Wellington Policing – Whitianga – Fishing Boat Missing
BUDGET 2001 – POLICE AND SUICIDE: Police spending is expected to be boosted by $150 million over four years in today’s
budget. This is one of only a few areas where extra funding is going. The budget will also contain a $1.7 million youth
suicide package.
MORE BUDGET 2001 – TERTIARY EDUCATION AND HEALTH: The vice-chancellors of the country’s eight universities say they are
united in their plans to reject the government’s offer of a 2.6% funding increase in return for a fee freeze.. Health
Boards are also expected to get not a lot in the budget.
FAR NORTH FIRE: Maori returning to the Far North need jobs and safe houses according to Dover Samuels. The have
responsibilities to their children he says.
CROOKED CRICKET: NZ Cricket is sad that NZ cricket victories have been questioned in a report on Cricket corruption.
John Reid says he feels sorry for team management and the team.
ISRAEL: An Israeli citizen has been shot dead near the West Bank. Responsibility for the death has been claimed by a
Palestinian group saying it is a retaliation against Israeli assassinations. Palestinians say that Ariel Sharon’s call
for a cease-fire is a trick.
RAT-POISON SPILL: Environment Canterbury say they will monitor the impacts of a rat poison spill on the environment near
Kaikoura. Monitoring staff are testing water and sediment for contamination.
PRISONS: Three prison officers – members of an emergency response team - have been disciplined for excessive behaviour.
WELLINGTON POLICING: The Police Minister George Hawkins says he is prepared to discuss concerns of Wellington’s Deputy
Mayor about the rise in sex attacks in the city.
WHITIANGA: The Government has introduced legislation to enable a Whitianga real estate development to go ahead. The bill
is due to be reported back from select committee on June 12th.
FISHING BOAT MISSING: A fishing boat is missing of Wellington’s south coast.