*** Checkpoint FOR MON 2 NOV 2009
****************************
1700 to 1707 NEWS
****************************
New Zealand troops serving in Afghanistan have come under fire from insurgents in only the second attack of its kind in the six years of patrolling the less conflict torn area of Bamiyan. None of the 12 soldiers in the four vehicles were hurt. The Defence Force says their assailants used small arms fire and rocket propelled grenades in two rounds of fighting that lastest only minutes. Joint Forces Commander Air Vice Marshall Peter Stockwell says its part of an attempt to derail security in the run up to this weekend's election. He says the soldiers were in the north-west and returning to base. PREREC
The Prime Minister John Key says while it's likely the Foreshore and Seabed Act will be repealed, no final decisions have been made.
Cabinet today discussed its response to a review of the Act, which recommended scrapping the legislation. But Mr Key says it needs to be decided just what to replace the Act with. He says no final decisions will be made until that question's been worked through - which could take months. Our political editor Brent Edwards joins us now LIVE
Aucklanders who work for local bodies in frontline jobs at libraries, pools, parks or who look after key infrastructure such as drains have been told their jobs are safe in the move to the super city. The Auckland Transition Agency, which is overseeing the change from eight Auckland councils to one, has released its initial view of how staff will be affected. It's not spelt out how many of the 7000 people could actually lose their jobs but says there'll be significant change for those employed in strategy, policy and planning as the councils combine. Within those areas its middle management and administration staff who'll be most in the firing line. No one from the agency was available to talk to Checkpoint. Richard Wagstaff is the national secretary of the PSA which represents just over 2 and half thousand people caught up in the changes.. He joins us now. LIVE
***********************
1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Anusha Bradley
************************
The US Secretary of State is urging authorities in Afghanistan to quickly bring the drawn-out election process to a close, now that Abdullah Abdullah has removed himself from the contentious presidential race. Hillary Clinton has made clear the Obama administration would work with Hamid Karzai should he remain the leader of the next government - which now seems all but certain.
Dr Abdullah pulled out after the government rejected his demands to reform the fraud tainted Electoral Commission. The ABC's South Asia correspondent Sally Sara reports : PKG
There are fears for up to 25 people are still missing after a boat, thought to be filled with asylum seekers, sunk near Australia.
Commerical vessels in the area are searching for survivors, and 18 people have been rescued so far. This follows a distress signal being set off 350 nautical miles northwest of the Cocos Islands last night. Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor has said all efforts will be made in the search for those still missing, with an Air Force Orion on its way to help. Mr O'Connor says it's too early to say where the rescued people will be taken. CLIP We're joined now by ABC reporter James McHale. LIVE
***********************
17.30 HEADLINES
***********************
Authorities in Australia are fighting a massive fire on an oil rig off the country's west coast. The blaze broke out as the rig's owners, PTTEP Australia, plugged the leaking well, which has been spewing oil into the Timor Sea for the past 2 and a half months. The Australian Government has ordered authorities to do everything they can to fight the fire, but is being criticised for not doing more to prevent the disaster. Opposition Environment spokesman Greg Hunt has described the situation as a "genuine national environmental emergency". He joins us now. LIVE
Renewed fears about the US financial sector have weighed on equity markets and pushed down the New Zealand dollar. It fell about half a cent against its American counterpart this morning, following hefty losses on Wall Street last week. The kiwi is currently at 72.13 US cents Imrie Speizer <Spizer> Westpac's NZ Market Strategist joins us now LIVE
The Prime Minister says he won't act to stop his ministers using taxpayer funds to pay for their spouses and girlfriends to accompany them on overseas trips. The Local Government Minister, and ACT Party leader, Rodney Hide, in particular, has come under scrutiny for the 25 thousand dollar tab taxpayers will pick up after his girlfriend travelled with him last month to the United States, Canada and London. He's well known for his vocal criticism of MPs perks, including the travel discount he's used to pay for most of his partner's trip. Our parliamentary chief reporter, Jane Patterson, joins us now
LIVE
***************
17.45 TRAILS
****************
WAATEA
****************
Thousands of convicted drink drivers are now entitled to a refund from the Ministry of Justice thanks to a successful appeal by a Christchurch man. But the amounts of the refunds may be as small as a few dollars and many of those who qualify will not even know they can claim the money back. Our reporter Monique Devereux has been looking into the case and she joins us now....LIVE
The Government's being criticised for failing to properly publicise sweeping changes to road rules that came into force yesterday.
ROAD OTHER PKG - eThe Land Transport Amendment Rule makes a total of 24 changes to road rules. Penny Smits reports. PKG
The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, has flown into New Zealand for a four day tour, and will present awards as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards scheme. The Queen's youngest son sparked controversy in Australia last week when he told a newspaper that the death of a young British participant in the early years of the programme had increased its appeal. However his arrival in Christchurch this afternoon was low key, and he wasn't giving interviews to media. Matthew Peddie was at the Antarctic Centre where the Prince made his first stop on the tour. LIVE