TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

TV1 6pm News Headlines (First Segment)

Dover Samuels Back In Parliament - Samuels On Labour Maori - More Sacking Details Emerge- Parliament Debate On Sacking - A New Maori Minister - Military Ups The Pressure In Fiji - Fiji Tourism - US Warning On Fiji Visitors

DOVER SAMUELS BACK IN PARLIAMENT: Sacked minister Dover Samuels is down but not out, back in Parliament in his new role as a back-bench minister. Mrs. Samuels has gone public in defence of her husband, saying she stands by him whatever the media says.

SAMUELS ON LABOUR MAORI: Meanwhile, Mr. Samuels has stuck out at some of his Maori MP colleagues saying they did not support him in his time of need. John Tamihere and Joe Hawke is are only two Maori MPs who now publicly support him.

MORE SACKING DETAILS EMERGE: Meanwhile more has emerged about the sacking of Mr. Samuels with rumours that at least three Maori MPs were prepared to walk from the party in support of Mr. Samuels. Prime Minister Helen Clark has denied this saying the Maori caucus gave her full support in her decision.

PARLIAMENT DEBATE ON SACKING: Dishing the dirt was clearly on the mind of mind of some of the MPs in Parliament, when it sat today. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister’s performance in the Samuels scandal was targeted by the opposition.

A NEW MAORI MINISTER: The Prime Minister has said could take up to a month to name the next Minister of Maori Affairs. Parekura Horomia, currently Acting Minister, is looking at being a front runner in the upcoming caucus election and is clearly the Prime Minister’s first choice. Sandra Lee, the most experienced Maori in the Government has been ruled out by the Prime Minister because she is from the Alliance. Tariana Turia is also a front runner, while John Tamihere is keen for the job but is an unlikely choice because he criticised the Prime Minister decision to sack Mr. Samuels.

MILITARY UPS THE PRESSURE IN FIJI: Meanwhile in Fiji, the military has stepped up the pressure around the Parliament by contemplating isolating the complex where the rebels and the hostages are kept. The movements of the rebels and a possible ban on media contact are being considered.

FIJI TOURISM: New Zealand holiday makers could benefit from the Fijian crisis with special cheap deals offered to travelers in a recovery plan once the hostages are released. Tourist operators say they are suffering badly from the lack of visitors to the islands.

US WARNING ON FIJI VISITORS: Tonight the US State Department has added to the Fiji’s woes issuing a statement warning US visitors to hold off going to the islands until the hostage situation is resolved.

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