Qantas NZ Liquidation – Israel – Party Hopping Bill – Interest Rates – Northern Ireland – Sentencing Changes – Tauranga
Homicide – Cook Strait Gale – Music Quota
QANTAS NZ LIQUIDATION: The liquidators of Qantas NZ are facing renewed pressure to sue the former directors of the
company. Pacific Flight Catering say that it is evident that the directors knew the airline was in trouble before
ISRAEL: The Palestinian Authority is denouncing an Israeli incursion into the West Bank as a declaration of war. Israel
said the operation was a signal to the Palestinian’s to stop violence. The Palestinians say they are appealing to the UN
Security Council.
PARTY HOPPING BILL: The Government and NZ First appear close to agreement on legislation to stop party-hopping. The
parties have agreed that a two-thirds majority of caucus should be able to expel a member.
INTEREST RATES: The Reserve Bank Governor is not expected to cut interest rates when he releases his MPS this morning.
Despite calls to trim the interest rate he is expected to look to an emerging recovery.
NORTHERN IRELAND: The IRA has withdrawn its offer to put its arms beyond use. The UK Minister for Northern Ireland says
that the declaration will play into the hands of skeptics.
SENTENCING CHANGES: Opposition Parties say that proposed changes to sentencing and parole rules law will result in more
criminals on the street. National’s Tony Ryall says that the bill will let burglars, drug dealers and rapists out of
jail earlier.
TAURANGA HOMICIDE: The police in Tauranga have launched a homicide investigation after the death of a 76 year old woman
in her house.
COOK STRAIT: All Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled this morning as the capital feels a southerly blast.
MUSIC QUOTA: One of the leaders of commercial radio says he is keeping an open mind about a proposed 25% NZ music quota.
The CEO of Canwest says he would resist imposed quotas. Meanwhile musicians are welcoming the news.