Budget 2001, Police, Suicide, Tertiary Education and Health – Far North Fire – Crooked Cricket – Israel – Rat Poison Spill – Prisons – Wellington Policing – Whitianga – Fishing Boat Missing

BUDGET 2001 – POLICE AND SUICIDE: Police spending is expected to be boosted by $150 million over four years in today’s budget. This is one of only a few areas where extra funding is going. The budget will also contain a $1.7 million youth suicide package.

MORE BUDGET 2001 – TERTIARY EDUCATION AND HEALTH: The vice-chancellors of the country’s eight universities say they are united in their plans to reject the government’s offer of a 2.6% funding increase in return for a fee freeze.. Health Boards are also expected to get not a lot in the budget.

FAR NORTH FIRE: Maori returning to the Far North need jobs and safe houses according to Dover Samuels. The have responsibilities to their children he says.

CROOKED CRICKET: NZ Cricket is sad that NZ cricket victories have been questioned in a report on Cricket corruption. John Reid says he feels sorry for team management and the team.

ISRAEL: An Israeli citizen has been shot dead near the West Bank. Responsibility for the death has been claimed by a Palestinian group saying it is a retaliation against Israeli assassinations. Palestinians say that Ariel Sharon’s call for a cease-fire is a trick.

RAT-POISON SPILL: Environment Canterbury say they will monitor the impacts of a rat poison spill on the environment near Kaikoura. Monitoring staff are testing water and sediment for contamination.

PRISONS: Three prison officers – members of an emergency response team - have been disciplined for excessive behaviour.

WELLINGTON POLICING: The Police Minister George Hawkins says he is prepared to discuss concerns of Wellington’s Deputy Mayor about the rise in sex attacks in the city.

WHITIANGA: The Government has introduced legislation to enable a Whitianga real estate development to go ahead. The bill is due to be reported back from select committee on June 12th.

FISHING BOAT MISSING: A fishing boat is missing of Wellington’s south coast.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz