Newstalk ZB Headlines 10am

Photo-ID as Minimum Proof of Age - The country’s major supermarkets have come out in support of photo-ID in a public submission. The issue is currently before Parliament in its Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill including submissions for photo-ID. MPs are to hold a conscience vote on it. Supermarkets are confident they can guard against selling liquor to minors without photo-ID, but the public needs assurances and is the least intrusive device.

Electricity Lines Price Control - Talks are underway as the Government tries to save its electricity lines company price control Bill. ZB political staff understand that Energy Minister Max Bradford this morning held informal talks with New Zealand First deputy leader, Peter Brown. With Labour, ACT, and the Alliance opposing the Bill, New Zealand First is the Government’s last hope of getting the Bill through Parliament. Labour is refusing to support the Bill because it does not slap price controls on power retailers. The decision has disappointed the consumers Institute. Spokesperson David Russel says this is a huge set back to price controls and to consumers. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his party will only support the Bill if the Government regulates prices or launches a Commerce Commission inquiry into pricing regimes.

A Lapse of Discipline - He describes it as a momentary lapse of discipline and he has paid the price. Dick Dargaville has resigned as the National Party’s Maori vice president after appearing in Court in relation to a domestic incident. Dargaville stresses he was not convicted. He has there was no evidence to substantiate the charge against him. He admits there was a domestic incident, but would not comment on whether his partner received a fat lip or fell off her chair. Mr Dargaville says if he was convicted he would not have sought name suppression and would have resigned immediately from all the offices he held.

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