16 Oct 2009

Friday's newspaper headlines

11:27 am on 16 October 2009

Privacy Commissioner warning on proposed law widening search and surveillance powers; police investigate vicious attack on an Otago University student; National is racing against time to win support for its ACC changes.

NZ Herald

The paper leads with a warning by the Privacy Commissioner that a proposed law widening the power of search and surveillance by enforcement authorities needs more safeguards.

The mysterious woman seen with Aisling Symes was mentally unwell and has a history of trying to lure children into cars with lollies, the New Zealand Herald reports. Police say she is no longer part of their investigation.

And there's a picture of Colonel Brian Chippindale who has won the right to wear a US medal awarded to him during the Vietnam War 40 years ago.

Dominion Post

New Zealand is seen as a soft target by gangs which launder millions of dollars through this country, according to the head of the Australian police unit that fights Melbourne's criminal underworld.

A woman who tried to hand over her car keys to police to stop herself from driving drunk found herself arrested for that offence anyway.

The Dominion Post carries a security camera photo of a thief taking money from a cancer charity collection box.

The Press

The paper's lead says National is racing against time to win support for its ACC changes. If changes are not in place by February there will be bigger increases in levies than are currently planned.

Public service chiefs received pay increases as high as 16% just months before the world went into recession and government departments were told to tighten their belts.

Otago Daily Times

The ODT leads on the rescue of a couple whose boat capsized off the Kakanui coast. The paper has photos of Allan and Chris Jones lying on their upturned hull waiting for a helicopter rescue team.

High gold prices have sparked renewed interest in gold mining in the Nevis Valley.

Police are investigating a vicious attack on an Otago University student. The 21-year-old woman was found unconscious in her home on Thursday with a serious head injury.