National Radio Midday Report

Electricity Legislation – Power Retail – Enza – Mental Health Workers – Skyhawks – Road Access – Imports Grow – Problem Gambling – Indonesian Vice-president – Honey Prices – Oil Output – Waiheke Air – Dunedin Pool

ELECTRICITY LEGISLATION: Parliament has been heatedly debating electricity industry reforms this morning. Parliament is debating legislation in urgency that would lead to rules designed to guarantee supply at fair prices to consumers. The Government has the numbers to pass the legislation.

POWER RETAIL: TrustPower says it is likely to get out of electricity retailing unless the Government takes action to cap wholesale electricity prices. FreshStart is also reviewing its involvement in power retailing, saying state owned power generating companies are acting in an anti-competitive manner.

ENZA: Enza’s plan to deduct foreign exchange losses from growers has come under select committee scrutiny today.

MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS: A concerted drive is underway to recruit more mental health workers from overseas to ease a shortage in the sector.

SKYHAWKS: The airforce is starting to take skyhawk fighter jets out of service as it presses ahead with plans to sell the planes. Trainer jets are also being readied for sale.

ROAD ACCESS: Local Government NZ is calling for a law change to give councils greater powers to control access to roads for telecommunications and utilities companies, as Auckland faces serious traffic disruption while cables are installed.

IMPORTS GROW: The value of goods imported into New Zealand has continues a four-month growth spurt, but exports look to be even higher, Statistics NZ says.

PROBLEM GAMBLING: The Government is going to adopt a public health model to deal with problem gambling. Deputy PM Jim Anderton says many gamblers end up in the health system. The Ministry of health will play a role in co-ordinating services for problem gamblers in the future.

INDONESIAN VICE-PRESIDENT: Two rounds of voting late in the night has left just two candidates in the race for the vice-presidency of Indonesia. A final round of voting is set for 2pm today NZ time.

HONEY PRICES: Growing international demand for native NZ manuka honey is pushing up the price for local consumers.

OIL OUTPUT: OPEC is cutting oil output again in a bid to keep prices steady.

WAIHEKE AIR: The head of Waiheke Air Services says the grounded airline is safe to operate. The Civil Aviation Authority grounded the airline after a month long investigation.

DUNEDIN POOL: The $11m redevelopment of Dunedin’s Moana Pool is likely to foster more future champions, says the NZ Olympic swimming coach.

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