National Radio Midday Report

Skyhawk Crash – PNG Mutiny – HIV Drug – US Economy – Youth Remand – Fishing Licenses – Sinking Oil Rig – Oceans Policy – Power Payout – Governor General – Queensland By-election – Fiji Election – Auckland A

- SKYHAWK CRASH: The investigation into last night’s Skyhawk crash is underway. The Air Force investigation team has arrived in Perth. The pilot, who ejected before the Skyhawk hit the sea, has been released from hospital.

- PNG MUTINY: Negotiations are continuing in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, between government officials and rebellious soldiers at the army barracks. Last week the PNG government backed down on planned army restructuring that would have seen troop numbers halved.

- HIV DRUG: The US Federal Drug Administration has given permission for an HIV drug developed in New Zealand to be tested on patients in the United States.

- US ECONOMY: The US central bank has added further fuel to talk of economic slowdown in the US – the US Federal Reserve cut two key interest rates this morning and signalled further cuts may be needed to prevent the US economy from stalling.

- YOUTH REMAND: A Lower Hutt lawyer and youth advocate says there is a serious shortage of secure beds for youth offenders being held on remand.

- FISHING LICENSES: A spokesperson for the Minister of Tourism Mark Burton has questioned the merit of proposals by Fish and Game NZ for higher fishing license fees for overseas tourists.

- SINKING OIL RIG: Authorities in Brazil dealing with the sinking of the world’s largest floating oil rig oil rig fear their effort to deal with an slick of diesel and crude oil from the rig is just the first environmental crisis they will be dealing with. Their biggest fear is the possibility pipes could rupture undersea releasing vast quantities of oil into the environment.

- OCEANS POLICY: The Government has appointed Dame Cath Tizard to head a group of eight authorities to form New Zealand’s ocean policy.

- POWER PAYOUT: $12m is being held by electricity lines company Vector for former customers who may not be aware they are eligible for a payout.

- GOVERNOR GENERAL: The formal farewell to Governor General Sir Michael Hardie-Boys is underway at Parliament. His 5-year-term officially ends today. Dame Sylvia Cartwright will be sworn in as the new Governor General on the fourth of next month.

- QUEENSLAND BY-ELECTION: The Australian Labour Party has increased its slim lead in the closely fought Ryan by-election in Queensland, which has been until now a safe Liberal seat.

- FIJI ELECTION: A letter from Fiji’s PM to NZ Foreign Minister Phil Goff confirming polling dates has come as news to people in Fiji.

- AUCKLAND A: The Auckland Business Association is urging its members to adopt a new Auckland slogan “Auckland, A” – a play on the Kiwi habit of saying “Eh” after every statement.

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