Thursday's papers: Some ACC entitlements to be abolished as levy costs soar; major backers ended participation in $50 million Dunedin wind farm; rugby, cricket and netball are all losing young players.
NZ Herald
The New Zealand Herald says the Government is set to abolish some ACC entitlements: free physiotherapy and medical misadventure claims are top of the list.
ACC Minister Nick Smith said on Wednesday the scheme has to be cut to stop employees, employers and motorists being hit by soaring levy costs.
Also on the front page: St John Ambulance stations in Auckland are closing their doors at night and paramedic crews are covering larger areas than before because of cuts to the service.
Stations at New Lynn, Auckland City, Takapuna, Rosedale and Mt Roskill have been closed for some shifts over the past four months.
Dominion Post
ACC is also the top story in The Dominion Post: the paper says the Government is poised to cut some entitlements and may bring back part-charges for others as costs soar.
Blue Chip co-founder Mark Bryers is courting the Australian sharemarket while facing court charges in New Zealand.
On the day Mr Bryers was supposed to be in court in Auckland, with 100 criminal charges pending here, he was announcing plans to get one of his companies back on the Australian sharemarket.
The Press
Pakistan has reportedly detained some suspects after an ambush of the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore.
The Press says a new national study shows that participation in sport by students and teachers is dropping, with rugby, cricket and netball all losing young players.
ODT
The Otago Daily Times says the major backers of a $50 million Dunedin wind farm have ended participation in the project, but its founders are adamant they will continue.
Police say they will refuse to let streets of Dunedin be turned into a boxing ring for gangs after an incident involving Black Power and Mongrel Mob members in Brockville Rd on Wednesday.
