Slobodan Milosevic – NZ Post – Russian Airline Crash – Fiji Murder – Interest Rates – Apple Dispute – Christine Rankin
– Children’s Rights – Auckland Airport – South Auckland Health
SLOBODAN MILOSEVIC: Slobodan Milosevic is back in isolation after making his first appearance before the war crimes
tribunal. Milosevic refused to acknowledge the validity of the tribunal, saying it was a tool of Yugoslavia’s NATO
enemies.
NZ POST: National’s Bill English says his party will push for an early Audit Office inquiry if the government papers
over the NZ Post stoush today and allows the board to remain intact. He may also call for a Select Committee inquiry
into the stoush.
RUSSIAN AIRLINE CRASH: More than 140 people are confirmed dead after a Russian Airliner crashed on its way to
Vladivostok.
FIJI MURDER: A former policeman has been arrested in connection with the murder of Red Cross Director John Scott in
Fiji. Police are also looking for a drug dealer seen with John Scott’s partner, Greg Scrivener in a restaurant.
INTEREST RATES: The Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash will review interest rates this morning. He is not expected to cut
interest rates by most economists, and rather is expected to take a wait and see attitude.
APPLE DISPUTE: The Minister of Agriculture Jim Sutton says he is due to receive a legal opinion on a dispute between
ENZA and apple growers over foreign exchange losses. He says he will not intervene while investigations are underway.
CHRISTINE RANKIN: Dame Margaret Bazeley will this morning give evidence for the defence in the Christine Rankin
employment case. Bazeley will follow Steve Maharey who said Rankin’s version of events was distorted. After Bazeley the
court will hear from Mark Prebble and Sir Geoffrey Palmer.
CHILDREN’S RIGHTS: A new report says that students and their parents have real difficulties to find out about their
rights within the school system. The report backs a report by the Community Law Centre last year.
AUCKLAND AIRPORT: The Commerce Commission says price controls on Auckland Airport might lead to cheaper air fares. It is
concerned that excessive landing charges may be increasing air fares.
SOUTH AUCKLAND HEALTH: Health Professionals in South Auckland say that urgent interventions are needed to protect the
health of Pacific and Maori people. Poor Pacific Island health statistics have not improved in spite of an investment in
their health.