Checkpoint. 2003-12-12

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Year
2003
Reference
144514
Media type
Audio
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Rights Information
Year
2003
Reference
144514
Media type
Audio
Item unavailable online
Credits
RNZ Collection

1700 to 1707 NEWS
The Government has today announced a major cash injection for Auckland transport in a bid to relieve gridlock in the region and promote economic growth. Under the long-awaited funding package, the nation's largest region gets an extra one-point-six billion dollars over the next ten years.
Aucklanders frustrated with traffic congestion are keen for immediate improvements. VOX POPS
To explain the details of the package here's our reporter Kirsty Jones. PKGE
Back Announce: Auckland's local authorities now need to endorse the new governance structure for the region's transport network. Here's what some of the mayors had to say today: VOX POPS
To tell us more about the package I'm now joined by the Transport Minister, Paul Swain. LIVE
AUDIO But it's not coming to New Zealand any time soon because it's been banned today by the Chief Censor. It's the first time a computer game has been banned in New Zealand. To explain the decision - with us now is the Chief Censor Bill Hastings. LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
ACT has confirmed it will appeal the High Court injunction won by its former MP Donna Awatere-Huata against its bid to have her ousted from Parliament under the partyhopping law.
Yesterday the court awarded a temporary injunction preventing ACT from taking the next step in the process until February. ACT leader Richard Prebble is now seeking leave from the Court of Appeal for a special hearing on the matter - despite it having adjourned for the Christmas break. Mr Prebble joins us now. LIVE
The police have welcomed the eighteen and a half year jail sentence handed out to a man convicted of a string of robberies in Auckland last year. Dean Shedden carried out the crimes between June and August starting with two banks he held up with an imitation gun, but progressing onto a real gun and finally shooting a pub manager in the stomach. Detective Sergeant Scott Armstrong says it was clear that Shedden was becoming increasingly violent as the robberies went on. PREREC
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
The government's new transport package is being labelled a step in the right direction by many road user groups and regional authorities, but many are not happy with the prospect of a new petrol tax. Auckland is to get an extra one-point-six billion dollars over the next ten years, while another one-point-three billion dollars will be shared out among the regions. The money will come from a five-point-six cent a litre nationwide increase in petrol tax and a rise in road user charges for light diesel vehicles which will come into effect in April 2005. Elizabeth Brown has been looking at reaction to the announcement. PKGE
Wellington rail users are welcoming the news that their regional council has been given the go-ahead to make a bid for Wellington's commuter rail service, Tranz Metro. Greater Wellington says it has government approval to buy the ailing passenger train services from Tranzrail's new owner Toll Holdings. However Toll Holdings says it's not certain it wants to sell the business, and is talking to the council and the government about possible options. As our transport reporter Jane O'Loughlin explains, there's some unease about the idea of Toll Holdings continuing to own the service. PKGE
In Australia - one of the nurses who blew the whistle on the patient neglect scandal at two Sydney hospitals, has warned the casualties go far beyond the reported 19 deaths. Nola Fraser's claims of neglect and mismanagment at [illegible] Health has forced a huge shakeup of the New South Wales health system. The state's health minister has sacked the head of the Health Care Complaints Commission - or H-triple-C - which investigated the allegations, saying the watchdog's report roars incompetence but whispers solutions. The minister's ordered a commision of inquiry into patient care - Nola Fraser who worked at the two-hospital site for seven years told me what she thought has gone wrong. PREREC
Two Hamilton men convicted over bribery and corruption involving property deals for the Department of Work and Income have both been sentenced to three years in jail.
38 year old Grant Mathew Griffiths, a former Winz property manager and 52 year old Roger Deane Giles, a property developer were both convicted on one charge of conspiracy which was to bribe and corrupt a public official. The charge relate to leases on shop-front offices opened by Winz. Andrew McRae was in court today and joins us now. LIVE
Two West Australian police officers may be sacked after being caught on camera driving at twice the speed limit while dressed in Ku Klux Klan-style costumes. The police have confirmed that an internal investigation is underway into the two officers who are stationed at Bunbury, 180 kilometres south of Perth. Joining us now is the ABC's Perth based reporter Lana Taranto. LIVE
MANA NEWS
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