National radio Midday Report

Retrospective GST Legislation – John Yelish – Nuclear Tests – Hartner Creditors – Army Rape trial – Export Growth – Middle East Violence – British Elections – Paid Parental Leave – Marie Jamieson – Deep Vein Thrombosis – Missing Michaelangelo – Cocaine Bust

- RETROSPECTIVE GST LEGISLATION: Finance Minister Michael Cullen says retrospective legislation on GST refunds for overseas visitors is not an attempt to claw back money for the Government. The Law Society says it strongly disagrees with the Government’s decision to bring in the retrospective legislation.

- JOHN YELISH: Attorney General Margaret Wilson has sought advice from the Solicitor general about getting back some of the money paid to Auckland actor John Yelish over an incorrect statement made by the Prime Minister that Mr Yelish, who has been convicted of manslaughter, is a murderer. Ms Wilson said Mr Yelish has breached a legal agreement with the Government to keep the amount of the payment secret.

- NUCLEAR TESTS: Defence Minister Mark Burton is being briefed about now with the latest information on New Zealand servicemen involved in British Nuclear trials during the 1950s.

- HARTNER CREDITORS: Creditors of Hartner Construction are meeting in Auckland to consider appointing a new liquidator.

- ARMY RAPE TRIAL: The army officer accused of raping a fellow officer has been giving evidence at the Palmerston District Court today.

- EXPORT GROWTH: Growth in the level of exports is showing signs of slowing, according to figures released by Statistics New Zealand.

- MIDDLE EAST VIOLENCE: The US is urging Palestinians to show restrain following the killing of seven Palestinians including five paramilitary police in the Gaza Strip.

- BRITISH ELECTIONS: British politicians are stepping up their election campaigns in the first full week of the battle.

- PAID PARETAL LEAVE: The Prime Minister is ruling out speculation that 12 weeks paid parental leave being introduced in April next year has created tension in the coalition.

- MARIE JAMIESON: Auckland detectives investigating the murder of Marie Jamieson death are now questioning the credibility of an anonymous description of a prime suspect called Roy.

- DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS: Specialists meeting in Sydney to discuss a planned Australasian study on Deep Vein Thrombosis.

- MISSING MICHAELANGELO: A previously unknown drawing by Michaelangelo which lay unrecognised for 250 years is expected to fetch up to US $8m when it goes to auction.

- COCAINE BUST: The US Coast Guard has seized more than 13 tons of cocaine on a fishing boat, thought to be the biggest maritime bust in history.

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