Indonesia – Passive Smoking – Graham Parry – Qantas – Pilot Trial – Dirty Diesel – New DOC Forests – Kids TV Watching
INDONESIA: The Indonesian President Abdurrachman Wahid remains defiant in spite of calls for his impeachment from the
Parliament. The President has issued a statement saying he won’t stand down. He says he doesn’t accept the findings of
the Parliament. The Peoples Consultative Assembly will consider the motion from Parliament. Earlier police fired warning
shots to disperse Wahid’s supporters.
PASSIVE SMOKING: A new study points to the health costs of passive smoking at home.
GRAHAM PARRY: Northland Health says it will not re-hire Dr Graham Parry in spite of a court decision ruling that he
should be able to return to work as an obstetrician. The court ruling overturns previous rulings that Parrry can no
longer practice. Meanwhile his former patient Colleen Poutsma’s husband says he is pleased with the Northland Health
decision. Jack Poutsma says he feels his late wife’s justice has been snatched away.
QANTAS: Qantas says it is in the process of putting together a firm offer for Air New Zealand. Air New Zealand says the
proposal will be one option it will consider.
PILOT TRIAL: The Jury in the Palmerston North trial of pilot Garry Sotheran will return to deliberations today at 9am.
DIRTY DIESEL: The Ministry of Fisheries has asked the office that collects fishing levies to generously treat fishermen
affected by the dirty diesel problem.
NEW DOC FORESTS: The Mayor of Buller is criticising the decision of the Government to tranfer into DOC the Timberlands
estate. Native Forest Action is pleased.
KIDS TV WATCHING: The Broadcasting Standards Authority says it is concerned that half of all children are watching
children late on Friday and Saturday Nights. The TV networks say they are already sensitive to when kids are watching.