7 Aug 2008

Morning Report: local papers

6:48 am on 7 August 2008

No Government bailout for DHB debts; retail petrol prices could fall below under $2 a litre again soon; restricted access being considered to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department.

NZ Herald

The New Zealand Herald reports retail petrol prices could fall below under $2 a litre again after oil hit a three-month low. The paper says there have four price cuts in the past three weeks, dropping the price by a total of about 16 cents per litre.

Size will matter for dairies masquerading as grocery stores, under sweeping law changes proposed for the sale of alcohol. A bill introduced to Parliament on Wednesday sets a minimum shop size of 150 square metres for dairies selling liquor.

Dominion Post

The Dominion Post says wage rises are pushing health boards into massive debt, but Health Minister David Cunliffe - who arranged some of the deals himself - has ruled out a Government bailout.

With a day to go to the opening of the Olympic Games, the haze has returned, the beleaguered torch has finally made it to Beijing and four Free Tibet protesters have been detained.

The Press

The Press reports the National Party is taking legal advice over covert recordings of its MPs after a third tape emerged on Wednesday night. The latest tape involves National environment spokesman Nick Smith.

National leader John Key may lay a complaint with the police if legal advice suggests privacy, telecommunications or trespass laws have been broken.

Is it a plant form? Is it a techno-tepee? A towering contemporary icon?

Meet Flour Power, Christchurch's newest public sculpture, created by Wellington-based artist Regan Gentry and inspired by the changing face of Canterbury.

ODT

The Otago Daily Times says another potentially controversial proposal to limit entry to Dunedin Hospital's emergency department is being considered by the Otago District Health Board.

It would restrict access to those arriving by ambulance or referred by their general practitioner.