Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 28 November 2002, 4:32 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
BIA Releases Leaky Buildings Report
Steven Wallace Shooting Trial: How Many Shots Fired, From Where?
English Accuses Officials of Leaky Buildings Cover-up
American Coup: Federal Observers & Voting Machines
Haere Ra Te Kaha
Wairarapa & Merepeka Quit Capill’s CHP
When 100,000+ Protestors Gather In Washington D.C. Does Anybody Hear Them?
Eco-Economy: It Was All Known In Advance
Bolivia Vs Bechtel Heads To WTO For Justice
Stateside: Where Rosalea Is Surrounded By Armed Police
Hard News On Air NZ
Scoop Images: George’s Xmas Cheer & New Flag
More on Questionable US Intelligence

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Trade Exports Slide
Leaky Hunn Report Released
US tariff proposal Welcomed
Hide Gets Heavy on Wintringham
Workers Get Sour Deal Says Sowry
Dunne Talks Nonsense: Air NZ
Hazardous Substances Inquiry
Audit A Bio Wake Up Call
Border Control A Wiggle Issue
Prebble Seeks Immigration Inquiry
$20 Million for Eastern Porirua
Customs Dogs Graduate
Labour’s Brand is Cronyism: Coddington
Merepeka’s Resignation No Surprise
Aids Awareness Week Events
Alliance Conference Schedule and Agenda
Local Govt bill Unpopular
Anderton Speaks At Pavilion Opening
Aucklanders Catch-on to STV
Libs Clap Capitalism

- The final section of the Overview Group Report on weathertightness of buildings, released today, finds the Building Act fundamentally sound but identifies aspects that require revision to prevent the reoccurrence of similar problems in the future. See... Final Section of the “Hunn Report” released [1] ALSO: Govt Welcomes Hunt Report - The Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins today welcomed the final report of the Hunn Overview Group into weathertightness saying the recommendations reflected government thinking. See... Government strengthens BIA, welcomes Hunn report [2] - National - Lack of accountability overcrisis extraordinary [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00208.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00642.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00646.htm

Steven Wallace Shooting Trial: How Many Shots Fired, From Where?

- Following evidence given yesterday , the testimony from the prosecution’s expert witnesses has raised more questions on the accuracy of police testimony of the shooting. See... Abbott Murder Trial: Warning Shot, The Worst Thing [1] EARLIER:- Day Five - How Many Shots Were Fired? [2] - Day Four - Further Police Evidence [3] - Day Three - Wallace Possessed - Constable [4] - Day Two - Evidence Tampering Claims [5] - Day One - Police Used Excessive Force [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00172.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00160.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00145.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00136.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00126.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00119.htm

English Accuses Officials of Leaky Buildings Cover-up

- National Party Leader Bill English is accusing officials of deliberately hiding the dangers posed by leaky homes. See... Public deceived on rotting homes danger [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00625.htm

American Coup: Federal Observers & Voting Machines

- Just when you thought you couldn't get any more cynical. Guess which state did not have Federal Observers assigned to it by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for the 2002 mid-term election? See... Which State Did Not Have DOJ Election Observers? [1] See also... SCOOP: AMERICAN COUP FULL COVERAGE [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00176.htm
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

Haere Ra Te Kaha

- HMNZS Te Kaha sailed from Stirling, Western Australia yesterday and after completing final specific-to-mission training for its role in Operation Enduring Freedom. See... Images: Te Kaha Sails For Enduring Freedom [1] and Press Release. [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0211/S00149.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0211/S00148.htm

Wairarapa & Merepeka Quit Capill’s CHP

- The Deputy Leader of the Christian Heritage Party and candidate for Wairarapa, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, has today resigned from the Party, citing concerns about the lack of financial accountability and un-Christian tactics of Graham Capill. See... Merepeka Resigns From Christian Heritage Party (Including Resignation Letter) [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00195.htm

When 100,000+ Protestors Gather In Washington D.C. Does Anybody Hear Them?

- Why Did the Mainstream "So-Called Liberal" U.S. News Media Downplay the 100,000+ Antiwar Protestors in D.C. In October? A Special BuzzFlash News Analysis See... Buzzflash: CNN Peace Protest Becomes A 404 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00175.htm

Eco-Economy: It Was All Known In Advance

- Although their objectives are to provide support to the capitalist economy, financial advisers, business consultants, etc. continually stumble over the undesired truth of what the future holds for their clients. See... Arresting The U.S. Economy’s Suicidal Trajectory [1] MORE ECO-ECONOMY: It's The Economy Stupid!

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00174.htm

Bolivia Vs Bechtel Heads To WTO For Justice

- Sometime in the next few weeks, behind closed doors at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., panelists in a secret trade court will decide if the people of South America's poorest country will have to pay $25 million to one of the world's most wealthy corporations. See... Jim Shultz: Bechtel Strikes Back at Bolivia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00173.htm

Stateside: Where Rosalea Is Surrounded By Armed Police

- One balmy summer evening in 2000, as newly endorsed VP candidate Dick Cheney innocently aided and abetted terrorists by giving an audience of millions a monument-by-monument description of the flightpath to take for a landing at the Pentagon, my home was surrounded by armed police. See... Stateside With Rosalea - We can be heroes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00171.htm

Hard News On Air NZ

- Link to Public Address...see… Southern Skies [1]

[1] - http://www.publicaddress.net/default,hardnews.sm#post150

Scoop Images: George’s Xmas Cheer & New Flag

- See… Scoop Cartoon: A Christmas Gift That Keeps Giving [1] Scoop Image: A New American Flag? [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00166.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00165.htm

More on Questionable US Intelligence

- As the war storm against Iraq swirls and gathers momentum, seeded by the efforts of the American and British governments, serious doubts arise as to the credibility of their intelligence sources, particularly the issue of Iraq's nuclear capability. See... Guest Opinion: Iraq's Nuclear Non-Capability [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0211/S00164.htm

Trade Exports Slide

- The latest provisional export figures for October show a continuing decline whatever way you look at them, says National’s Trade spokesperson, Lockwood Smith. See... Further slide in export results [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00651.htm

Leaky Hunn Report Released

- The final section of the Overview Group Report on weathertightness of buildings, released today, finds the Building Act fundamentally sound but identifies aspects that require revision to prevent the reoccurrence of similar problems in the future. See... Final Section of the “Hunn Report” released [1] ALSO: Govt Welcomes Hunn Report - The Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen and Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins today welcomed the final report of the Hunn Overview Group into weathertightness saying the recommendations reflected government thinking. See... Government strengthens BIA, welcomes Hunn report [2] - National - Accountability Lacking in Leaky Issue - The Government’s feeble response today is a complete slap in the face to homeowners, said National Party leader, Bill English, following this morning’s press conferences organised by the BIA and Michael Cullen. See... Lack of accountability overcrisis extraordinary [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00208.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00642.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00646.htm

US tariff proposal Welcomed

- The United States decision to propose eliminating all non-agricultural tariffs by 2015 would inject significant momentum into current World Trade Organisation negotiations, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... New Zealand welcomes US tariff proposal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00645.htm

Hide Gets Heavy on Wintringham

- ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said today that State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham better have rock solid legal advise that PSA bounty payments to civil servants are lawful. See... Wintringham Must Front with Legal Advice - Fast! [1] ALSO: Brash Wants Answers on PSA Payments - National’s Finance spokesman, Don Brash, is testing the legality of lump-sum payments made to civil servants simply for belonging to a union. See... National seeks answers on PSA payments [2] ALSO: - PSA - Hide and Brash have got it all wrong [3] - Business NZ - PSA payments unlawful [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00648.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00641.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00207.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00209.htm

Workers Get Sour Deal Says Sowry

- Days after the announcement of the proposed partial sale of Air New Zealand, the deal’s already turning sour for Kiwi workers, says the National Party’s Transport spokesman Roger Sowry. See... Qantas deal turns sour for workers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00639.htm

Dunne Talks Nonsense: Air NZ

- Air New Zealand has dismissed as nonsense comments attributed by United Future leader, Peter Dunne, to Australian Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson to the effect that Qantas would have the upper hand on the Air NZ Board and sign off every major decision. See... Air New Zealand Says Qantas Has No Veto Rights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00205.htm

Hazardous Substances Inquiry

- The government has set up an Inquiry into the management of hazardous substances in the workplace in line with its election commitment, Labour Minister Margaret Wilson announced today. See... Hazardous Substances Inquiry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00650.htm

Audit A Bio Wake Up Call

- The findings of an audit into biosecurity in New Zealand should finally make the Government sit up and take notice of the flaws in this crucial area, says National’s Biosecurity spokesman Shane Ardern. See... Biosecurity audit a wake-up call [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00647.htm

Border Control A Wiggle Issue

- The Painted Apple Moth invasion is a crisis New Zealand will be condemned to relive again and again unless we get serious as a nation about protecting our biosecurity, Green MP Ian Ewen-Street said today. See... Too much wiggle-room at the biosecurity border [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00643.htm

Prebble Seeks Immigration Inquiry

- ACT leader Richard Prebble has written to the Transport and Industrial Relations Select Committee seeking a parliamentary inquiry into the government's recent imposition of a university level English language test on new immigrants and those on temporary. See... Inquiry into Government Immigration Policy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00649.htm

$20 Million for Eastern Porirua

- About $20 million is expected to be spent on revitalising the Eastern Porirua area, Housing Minister Mark Gosche announced today. See... Eastern Porirua To Be Revitalised [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00644.htm

Customs Dogs Graduate

- Two new Customs Service drug dogs and handlers are today graduating from their training course at the Police Dog Training school at Trentham. See... Customs Service dogs/handlers complete training [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00637.htm

Labour’s Brand is Cronyism: Coddington

- Three years down the track and what is this Government's standout feature? Cronyism, according to ACT's Economic Development Spokesman, Deborah Coddington. See... Look Back and Wonder [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00640.htm

Merepeka’s Resignation No Surprise

- “The resignation of Merepeka Raukawa-Tait comes as no surprise but the resignation of some members of the Wairarapa Electorate Committee is disappointing and unnecessary,” Party Leader Graham Capill says. See... Resignations disappointing and unnecessary [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00213.htm

Aids Awareness Week Events

- The New Zealand AIDS Foundation this year has declared Friday 29 November to Friday 06 December 2002 AIDS Awareness Week with a number of events happening nationwide including Red Ribbon Day (The New Zealand AIDS Foundation’s National Street Appeal). See... AIDS Awareness Week - Friday 29 Nov to 6 December [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00212.htm

Alliance Conference Schedule and Agenda

- The Alliance is holding its 2002 Conference this weekend in Wellington. Originally scheduled for July this year it was postponed due to the early election. See... Alliance 2002 Conference: Advisory and Agenda [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00214.htm

Local Govt bill Unpopular

- “We join with other business organizations in urging the Government to take another good hard look at its Local Government Bill, instead of pushing it through Parliament unchanged prior to Christmas.” See... Take another look at Local Govt bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00206.htm

Anderton Speaks At Pavilion Opening

- I was stirred, as I always am, by the welcome from the Tangata whenua, in this case Ngati Whatua. A challenge and a welcome symbolise the experience of being a New Zealander. See... Anderton Speech at the Opening of the Pavilion [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0211/S00638.htm

Aucklanders Catch-on to STV

- Thousands of Auckland City voters flocked to the STV Poll Demand stall at the Grey Lynn Festival this past weekend, bringing the total number of signatures collected to date well over the 5,000 mark. See... Momentum on Auckland City STV Referendum [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00211.htm

Libs Clap Capitalism

- From Colorado Springs To Caracas - From Anchorage To Alaska - We're Cheering Human Creativity! See... The World Celebrates Capitalism! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0211/S00210.htm

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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