Wellington, Aug 24 NZPA - Legislation allowing workers to trade in their fourth week of leave for cash and giving employers the right to demand a medical certificate for one day of sick leave passed its first reading in Parliament today after protests from the Labour Party and the Greens.

Wellington, July 26 NZPA - A move to require people to be licensed to own high-powered air rifles is long overdue, says the Police Association.

Wellington, July 25 NZPA - A move to require people to be licensed to own high-powered air rifles has been welcomed by the Green Party, but it also says owners should have to register all their firearms.

Wellington, July 16 NZPA - The Labour Party says it will repeal any moves by the Government to widen the 90-day trial scheme under which workers can be fired without comeback and to reduce union access to workplaces.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key says he supports looking into giving police greater access to firearms, but that won't stop officers being shot at.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - The Waihopai spy base saboteurs' successful use of the "claim of right" defence was an aberration and no basis to change the law, a legal expert says.

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - Changing or repealing the "claim of right" defence successfully used by the Waihopai spy base saboteurs is an over-reaction to their acquittal, the Green Party says.

Wellington, July 7 NZPA - Amnesty International has joined calls for New Zealand to avoid being roped into supporting Australia's off-shore asylum seeker processing centre proposal, and says those at the centre of discussions are not political pawns.

Wellington, July 7 NZPA - The Government should steer clear of discussions with Australia about a centre for asylum seekers, Labour leader Phil Goff said today.

Wellington, July 7 NZPA - The risk of asylum seekers heading to New Zealand on boats is low and so are the chances of a refugee "processing centre" providing an acceptable answer to the problem Australia faces in dealing with refugees, says the Green Party.