National Radio Midday Bulletin

LOTTERY BOSS RESIGNS: Lotteries CEO David Bale has resigned, citing the Prime Minister’s criticism of his $400,000 salary as the main reason for leaving.

LABOUR REACTION: Helen Clark said Mr Bale had no option but to go due to Jenny Shipley’s unconstructive comments and inaction on overpayment.

ANSETT: 50 flights have been cancelled today as Ansett pilots phoned in sick. This move is the latest in a long industrial dispute.

NURSE STRIKE: Tauranga Hospital says it is coping well with a strike by nurses today. The nurses are protesting because they want a pay rise which the hospital says they cannot afford. The Nurses Union say the strike is a symptom of the frustration of nurses across the country.

HENARE: Tau Henare is disappointed National has broken off the deal over the tax cuts. Henare was asking for around $30 million for Maori initiatives to support the tax cut legislation. The tax cuts are off before the election.

TIMOR: Tension is high as three UN workers were killed by Indonesian militiamen and violence flared overnight.

WATSON: The defence in the Scott Watson murder trial has also called a former cell mate of Watson’s. The witness said he didn’t discuss the murders with Watson.

QUAKE EXPERTS: Eight Kiwi earthquake experts are going to Turkey to examine the damage caused by the earthquake. The quake is very similar to what could strike New Zealand.

SHELL DEFENCE: Shell Oil has opened its defence over allegations of price fixing regarding the cancellation of free car wash promotions.

CROMWELL: The Cromwell coroner has ruled that the house fire that killed three children in Cromwell was caused by a faulty light switch.

SUPPRESSION: A 30 year old woman has had her name suppression lifted after being charged with killing her two children two months ago. She is remanded in a psychiatric facility.

ABDUCTION ATTEMPT: Police are investigating an attempted abduction of a six year old girl in Karori today.

AIR NZ: The rat that jumped on the knee of a business class passenger on an Air New Zealand flight has not been found despite the plane being fumigated. The plane is back in service.

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