Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 19 December 2002, 3:09 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

Lord Of The Rings Street Party II – The Sequel
Howard's End: Ignoring The Public On ACC
Enron Exec’s Jokes Could Yet Lead To Their Downfall
Associated Propaganda Reports On Venezuela
Aziz Choudry: Write To Set Yourself Free!
Bernard Weiner: Assessing The Entrails Of The US Political Year
UQ Wire: Who Is 911 Commission Chair Tom Kean?
John Kaminsky: Perhaps George W. Is Guilty Until Proven Innocent Too
Air NZ/Qantas Deal Gets “National Interest” Green Light

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)

North Korea’s Nuke Hike Concerns Goff
Goff /Downer Talks Scheduled
Atmospherics Dampen Business Confidence
Low paid Workers Get a Boost
Govt To Ratify Collective Bargaining Rights
All Terrain Vehicle Safety Video Launched
TVNZ Too Broke To Meet Charter -
Govt Fails To Deliver On Asset Testing
Air NZ’s Future Paramount: Anderton
Raise Excise Tax Will Reduce Teen Boozers
Govt Asked To Help At Risk Children
Victims Rights Act Celebrated
Farmers Hammered Again?
Facts Support ACT’s Opposition to Local Govt Bill
Health Ministry Removes Asbestos From Building
King On Food
King On Food 2
Sanitary Works Scheme
Lord Of The Rings Street Party II – The Sequel

- Scoop takes you virtually to yesterday’s street party in Wellington’s Courtenay Place for the Australasian Premiere of ”Lord of The Rings – The Two Towers” . Photos by David McLellan. See... Scoop Images: LOTR Street Party 2002 – Panorama [1] , Scoop Images: LOTR Street Party 2002 – Crowd Shots [2] and Image & Link: Webcam LOTR Two Towers Premiere [3] (For coverage of LOTR Street Party I see… Guy’s World: Premiere Night In Middle Earth from the Scoop Archive.)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00112.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00111.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00109.htm

Howard's End: Ignoring The Public On ACC

- While the Government has approved an increase in petrol duty to fund ACC, public and political calls for an inquiry into ACC continue to go unheeded by Government. It is time for the Minister to listen. See... ACC Minister Ignores Call For ACC Inquiry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00116.htm

Enron Exec’s Jokes Could Yet Lead To Their Downfall

- The 1997 videotape that surfaced this week in which former Enron President Jeffrey Skilling jokes about the company using accounting sleight of hand so Enron could earn “a kazillion dollars” in earnings could prove to be more significant than the eerie parallels that eventually destroyed the high-flying energy company. See... The Story Behind The Damning Enron Videotape [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00113.htm

Associated Propaganda Reports On Venezuela

- Has the news from Venezuela in your local newspaper, radio or TV newscasts left you with any better understanding of the conflict there today than you had 16 days ago? If the answer is "no," the blame squarely lies with AP - the Associated Press. See... AP's One-Sided Venezuela Coverage – Gift Wrapped [1] EARLIER: - The Day The Empire Died - OAS Rejects U.S. Policy [2] US Statements To OAS - Dec 16th - Resolution on Crisis in Venezuela - US OAS Remarks [3] - Dec 13th - Venezuela's Crisis - Ambassador Roger F. Noriega [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00114.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00102.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0212/S00102.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0212/S00101.htm

Aziz Choudry: Write To Set Yourself Free!

- We need more people who write for social movements in struggle, are actively engaged in organising in those movements, and who take the same political risks as others. See... Finding Voice: Telling Our Own Stories [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00110.htm

Bernard Weiner: Assessing The Entrails Of The US Political Year

- This past year has been such a tumultuous, confusing one. I needed help in trying to make sense of it all. So back I went again to that publishing franchise for easy-to-understand assistance for dummies like me. See... Bernard Weiner: '02 Politics Summed Up For Dummies [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00119.htm

UQ Wire: Who Is 911 Commission Chair Tom Kean?

Tom Kean is not a household name in most of the U.S., but he is well known in New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. He's a genial, patrician man who served ably as governor of New Jersey a decade ago. See... UQ Wire: Tom Kean Is Not A Household Name [1] and Thomas Kean to Chair 911 Commission [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00118.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0212/S00106.htm

John Kaminsky: Perhaps George W. Is Guilty Until Proven Innocent Too

- Guilty until proven innocent. This is the new American way. And no evidence is necessary to order someone killed. Just the say-so of the man with the gun. See... Guilty Until Proven Innocent: The New American Way [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00115.htm

Air NZ/Qantas Deal Gets “National Interest” Green Light

- The government today agreed to Qantas taking a 4.99 per cent stake in Air New Zealand and gave conditional support to a strategic alliance between the two airlines. See... Govt approves Air NZ Qantas proposal proceeding [1] MORE:- Cabinet Business Committee Minute - Qantas Deal [2] - Letter To Air New Zealand From Govt. Re: Qantas [3] REACTION:- Greens - Air NZ too frightened to fly solo [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00450.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00452.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00451.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00454.htm

North Korea’s Nuke Hike Concerns Goff

- New Zealand deeply regretted and opposed North Korea’s decision to reopen nuclear facilities capable of producing nuclear weapons material, Foreign Minister Phil Goff said today. See... NZ concerned over North Korea nuclear plant [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00474.htm

Goff /Downer Talks Scheduled

- Terrorism, climate change, the 20th anniversary of CER and the US-Australia free trade negotiations will all be discussion topics at talks between the New Zealand and Australian Foreign Ministers this weekend. See... NZ-Australia Foreign Ministers meeting [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00473.htm

Atmospherics Dampen Business Confidence

- “The fall in general business confidence recorded by the latest National Bank Business Outlook is at odds with the upbeat tone of most economic forecasts, including those to be presented later today in the December Economic and Fiscal Update.” See... Business confidence figures due to atmospherics [1] ALSO: - Nats - Survey shows Government suffocating business [2] - Brash Nats - No wonder business is down in the dumps [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00470.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00484.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00476.htm

Low paid Workers Get a Boost

- Low paid workers will receive a 6.25 per cent boost in income following changes to minimum wage rates announced today by Labour Minister Margaret Wilson. See... Boost for low-paid workers and youth [1] ALSO:- CTU -$8.50 Minimum Wage Welcome, But Still Too Low [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00478.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00170.htm

Govt To Ratify Collective Bargaining Rights

- Labour Minister Margaret Wilson announced today the Government will ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining early next year. See... Govt to ratify International Labour Convention [1] ALSO:- CTU - Historic Human Rights Milestone For NZ [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00479.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00169.htm

All Terrain Vehicle Safety Video Launched

- A family whose daughter died when a farm bike overturned, today helped launch a resource kit and video aimed at keeping children safe around All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). See... Police And ACC Launch Childrens ATV Video [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00480.htm

TVNZ Too Broke To Meet Charter -

Green Broadcasting spokesperson Sue Kedgley said the Government's last minute decision to split BCL from TVNZ and turn it into a State owned enterprise could leave TVNZ vulnerable, cash strapped and unable to fulfil its Charter obligations. See... TVNZ unable to fulfil Charter [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00477.htm

Govt Fails To Deliver On Asset Testing

- The Labour Government has failed on its own two promises it has made to remove asset testing in aged care, says National Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott. See... Labour Govt fails to deliver on Asset Testing prom [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00475.htm

Air NZ’s Future Paramount: Anderton

- Progressive Coalition leader Jim Anderton says that ensuring the long term success of Air New Zealand is behind the Labour Progressive Government’s agreement to allow the Air NZ / Qantas proposal to proceed to the Commerce Commissions… See... Air NZ’s future paramount [1] ALSO:- NZ First - Facts Please On Airline Deal Says Peters [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00469.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00468.htm

Raise Excise Tax Will Reduce Teen Boozers

- Raising the excise tax on alcohol will contribute to reducing alcohol-related harm to this country’s young people, according to a report commissioned by the Alcohol Advisory Council. The Government is now considering the report, prepared for ALAC ... See... Raise excise taxes to prevent alcohol harm [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00168.htm

Govt Asked To Help At Risk Children

- Essential support services for more than 70 families and their children is in desperate need of funds, according to a Christchurch based support organisation, Family Help Trust. See... Appeal to Govt to help at risk families/children [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00167.htm

Victims Rights Act Celebrated

- United Future MP Marc Alexander and victims’ rights advocate Gray Crawford at a media launch in Christchurch today celebrated the first day of the Victim's Rights Act. See... Alexander celebrates Victims’ Rights Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00471.htm

Farmers Hammered Again?

- The ACC Minister’s being short on the truth when she claims that ACC levies will “remain the same or decrease for 2003/2004,” says National’s Agriculture spokesman, David Carter. See... Farmers hammered yet again [1] ALSO:- Federated Farmers - Monopoly ACC continues to raise rates [2] and Motorists need not pay more for ACC Fuel Levy [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00483.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00174.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00173.htm

Facts Support ACT’s Opposition to Local Govt Bill

- A growing gap between local authority rates revenue and expenditure shows why opponents to the Local Body Amendment Bill are justified in fearing the "powers of general competence" the Local Government Bill will give councils. See... Evidence Favours ACT Opposition to Local Body Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00472.htm

Health Ministry Removes Asbestos From Building

- Material containing very small amounts of asbestos will be removed from the Ministry of Health head office in Wellington over the next few months, starting when the Ministry is closed for the Christmas break. See... Asbestos to be removed from MoH building [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00172.htm

King On Food

- Food Safety Minister Annette King says New Zealand’s almost 20-year-old food regulations will be revoked tomorrow to make way for the new Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. See... New Zealand food regulations revoked [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00482.htm

King On Food 2

- Food Safety Minister Annette King says the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code comes into full effect tomorrow, just in time for Christmas. See... Joint Food Standards Code in time for Christmas [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0212/S00481.htm

Sanitary Works Scheme

- Communities can now prepare applications for subsidies to upgrade or build new sewage treatment plants, the Ministry of Health announces today. See... Sanitary works subsidy scheme [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0212/S00171.htm

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

Hobbit Spotting In Courtenay Place
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0212/S00112.htm

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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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