National Radio Midday Report

Super Crisis – Montana Shares – Asbestos Report – Mental Patient – Timor Refugees – Middle East – Cannabis Law – 4-Wheelers – Dementia Care – British Election – Handicapped Murderer – Copter Crash – Campbell Island

- SUPER CRISIS: The Government has enough support to get its superannuation legislation to the next stage. A Parliamentary Select Committee is currently debating the legislation. All parties are represented on the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee that is debating the legislation.

- MONTANA SHARES: The independent directors of Montana Wines will be meeting tomorrow to discuss a decision by the Stock Exchange that could see Lion Nathan return the shares they bought in controversial circumstances, surrendering control of the company.

- ASBESTOS REPORT: The Ministry of the Environment is welcoming report on asbestos contamination in Manukau City that found that there are gaps in the law over developing and building on contaminated sites.

- MENTAL PATIENT: The Court of Appeal has begun hearing the appeal of a patient at Auckland’s Mason Clinic against a high Court order that he not be released, although three psychiatrists said he is no longer mentally disordered.

- TIMOR REFUGEES: Indonesia has promised tight security today to safeguard the registration of tens of thousands of East Timorese refugees, who will chose whether to stay in Indonesia or return to their homeland.

- MIDDLE EAST: A fragile cease-fire in the Middle East initiated by Yasser Arafat appears to be holding, despite reports of scattered gunfire in the Middle East.

- CANNABIS LAW: The medical profession is taking cautious stand on reforms to cannabis laws, saying it should only be decriminalised if it can be proved it won’t lead to more use.

- 4-WHEELERS: Farming and safety groups are calling on parents to wake up to the dangers of letting children ride on 4-wheel bikes, after a 17 year old girl died.

- DEMENTIA CARE: A support group for dementia sufferers and their families are calling for a Government inquiry into the standards of dementia care in New Zealand.

- BRITISH ELECTION: In Britain, the end of the general election campaign trail is near.

- HANDICAPPED MURDERER: The US Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence for a murderer whose IQ is lower than 70.

- COPTER CRASH: The wreckage of the helicopter that crashed near Taumaranui remains cordoned off under 24-hour guard while investigators continue their investigations.

- CAMPBELL ISLAND: The Department of Conservation is to begin the world’s largest rat eradication programme on sub-Antarctic Campbell Island later this month.

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