Newstalk ZB (Auckland) Headlines 11am.

Newstalk ZB headlines - 11am - Referendum on tougher penalties for criminals - Father wants accountability for baby deaths - Body found in burning car.

A petition to Parliament calling for a referendum on tougher penalties for violent criminals has been successful. The petition earlier fell short of the required 250,000 signatures required. However, the Clerk of Parliament today announced the petition reached 285,000 signatures and the referendum will proceed. The referendum will ask for compensation and restitution for the victims of violent crime and maximum sentences and hard labour for all serious violent offenders.

Anger from the father of a baby who died after receiving the controversial chest tapping therapy at National Women’s Hospital. An inquiry in the deaths of five babies and brain damage suffered by eight others, found it was administered too vigorously. A father of one of the babies, Charles Munro, says the findings support his belief that the therapy should never have been used. He is disappointed that everyone associated with it has failed to take responsibility for the tragedy. He wants those responsible to be held accountable.

A body has been found on the back seat of a burning car on Matakana Island. Tauranga police and firefighters were alerted to the fire at about 8:30am today. Police are treating the death as suspicious. A special forensic team is flying in from Auckland.

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