Labour Under Attack Over Power - Claims that higher power prices are inevitable and politicking by Labour is to blame.
Labour has withdrawn its support for a Bill which would impose price control on electricity lines companies. It says the
Bill is badly worded and doesn’t include price controls on electricity retailers. ACT also opposes the Bill meaning it
can only pass with New Zealand First’s support. Energy Minister Max Bradford says consumers will pay the price if this
attempt to reign in line companies fails.
UN Decision on Lamb Tariffs - A UN decision on lamb tariffs has come under fire again this morning from Australian Prime
Minister John Howard in his final speech of his trip to Washington. The Georgetown university speech complains that
signs of increasing US protectionism are deeply worrying. When the US introduces trade restrictions it is even harder to
argue that other countries should open up their market.
Tougher Crimes Referendum - The man behind the Citizen’s Initiated Referendum on tougher crime penalties is delighted
the referendum will go ahead on Election Day. A petition was circulated after Norm Withers’ mother was beaten up during
a robbery in his Christchurch menswear shop. The referendum calls for tougher penalties for violent criminals and
includes hard labour. Mr Withers says holding the referendum on the same day as the election will save tax payers
millions of dollars.
Goat for President - Taranaki’s once a year Republic is searching for a new president. The reigning president is
standing down after ten years at the helm. A local goat has arisen as a front runner for the job. The goat is expected
to run against a local hotel owner. Campaign supporters are assuring voters that the goat has the politics and the
personality to win.