TV3 News

Thursday, 17 August 2000, 6:19 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Petrol Prices – Steven Wallace Protest – Waitara Reaction – Bottle Thrower Charged – Russian Sub – Fiji Travel Advisory – School Funding

PETROL PRICES: Petrol prices are on the move again. Mobil has put up the price of petrol and deisel by another 3 cents. The price has now risen 38 cents. Mobil says that it doesn’t want to be the first off the block and expects to get some flak. The MTA says that the excise tax could be reduced. Petrol companies say prices are unlikely to fall any time soon. Motorists are being hammered across the Tasman in Australia too.

STEVEN WALLACE PROTEST: Anger in Wellington with a group of protestors calling for a full independent inquiry into the shooting of Steven Wallace. The crowd vented their frustration in speeches calling for an inquiry. The officer who shot the part Maori Wallace was also part Maori. While the protestors are adamant Wallace died because of his race the police report says race was not an issue. In Parliament the government has no plans to launch an independent inquiry.

WAITARA’S REACTION: Support programmes are in place in Waitara to deal with the backlash to the decision. A busker plays songs in the street. A meeting was held last night to give support. Angry words from Wallace’s mother at midnight in the street. The constable now accepts that he cannot return to Waitara to live.

BOTTLE THROWER CHARGED: Wellington police have made an arrest in the case involving bottle throwing at the stadium. Police hope the arrest will be a deterrent. The alleged bottle thrower has been charged with disorderly behaviour.

RUSSIAN SUB: A British naval team is on its way to Barents Sea to assist with the rescue from a sunken Russian submarine. Russians say pride was not the reason for the delay in accepting offers of assistance. Released pictures show a Russian rescue bell being lowered to the submarine. Families realise the chances of survival of their loved ones are slim.

FIJI TRAVEL ADVISORY: It is now okay to go to Fiji as long as you don’t go to some places. Travel agents, and clients, are very pleased that the official advisory has been lifted. A remaining advisory says people should stick to safe Western and Northern areas.

SCHOOL FUNDING: School funding announced. Bulk funded schools say they are being taught a lesson. One school, Rosehill, has lost $300,000, 20.1% of its budget. Rangitito also loses big. Across town in Otahuhu a school has got $500,000 more. Trevor Mallard says that it is not punishing any schools, just leveling funding out.

© 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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