National Radio 8am Bulletin

Friday, 16 June 2000, 8:13 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Cullen On Budget – Budget Reaction, Unions, Police – Gisborne Hospital – Fiji Coup – Solomon Islands – Middle East Peace – Danger Schools – Crooked Cricket – Unruly Parents

CULLEN ON BUDGET: Finance Minister Michael Cullen is relaxed about a lukewarm response from business to his first budget. He says he believes the business community will shake of their doom and gloom.

BUDGET REACTION: Unions and social service groups have welcomed aspects of the budget. Unemployed say the main problem is the lack of a general rise in benefit levels.

BUDGET POLICE REACTION: The Police Association is pleased with extra funding given to the police in the budget. However while delighted there are still areas that need more money.

GISBORNE HOSPITAL: The Nurses Organisation is requesting an audit of patient care and safety at Gisborne Hospital. There are reports of nurses being told to apologise to doctors over complaints and not to report incidents.

FIJI COUP: Talks are expected today between NZ Foreign Affair’s Minister Phil Goff and the Military Government in Fiji. The Military government announced before the visit that it plans to introduce another multi-racial constitution.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In the Solomon Islands the Malaitan Eagles Force has agreed to surrender Honiara to the police. A local journalist says that this is not likely to change much.

MIDDLE EAST PEACE: President Clinton has met with Yasser Arafat to discuss the Middle East Peace Process. After the meeting the President said the parties were not ready to meet directly yet. Mr Arafat has accused the Israeli PM of preventing progress.

DANGER SCHOOLS: Some schools may be putting their pupils in danger through ignorance of the law says ERO. Students are entitled to feel safe at school, but some school boards do not understand this.

CROOKED CRICKET: Hanse Cronje has admitted pocketing large amounts of money - $200,000 – for fixing cricket matches.

UNRULY PARENTS: Crowd problems in Hamilton schoolboy rugby have led to some matches being called off. Trespass notices are to be issued against offensive parents to deal with the problem.

© 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.

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