Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 11 February 2003, 4:01 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Helen Tells Us What’s What
Howard’s End: It’s Time To Aim Higher!
Donna Awatere Huata Is Going Nowhere
Prebble: ACT Will Suspend Awatere-Huata
Timor Homecoming Parade
Dennis Hans: The Techniques of Deceit of George W. Bush
A Patriot’s Path To An American Police State
Control of Oil Behind Bush Drive for War with Iraq
David Miller: Remember The League Of Nations
The Censored Internet: Why YellowTimes.org Is Off The Air
German-USA Rift Becomes a Divide on Iraq Plan
Daily Katya Rivas

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Two Labour Transport Faces Detected
Hocking Off The Beach To Pay For The Business School
Air NZ Pulls Out of Sydney LAX Run
GPJA Newsletter #21
Govt Sends Dog-Law Back to Select Committee
GE Redwoods Planned for NZ
RMA Changes Regarding Climate Change
Teenagers Giving OK To Skip Fines
Govt Short-changing on NCEA: Nats
Economic Growth and Social Spending
New DHB Chair for West Coast
NZ Govt Wants EU To Abandon Worker Protection: ARENA
New Wetland Reserve at Maungarakau
Govt Must Not Repeat Energy Mistakes
EPMU Collective Negotiations Begin
Transit Creaming Profits
Palmy Violence Due to Govt Funded Gangs?
Govt To Heed Landlords’ Call

Helen Tells Us What’s What

- The Prime Minister’s statement to Parliament on this first sitting day of the year provides a formal opportunity to review public affairs and outline the Labour-Progressive Coalition Government’s legislative and other intentions for the next twelve months. See... Prime Minister’s Statement To Parliament - 11 Feb. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00123.htm

Howard’s End: It’s Time To Aim Higher!

- As we listen respectfully to the statement by the Prime Minister at the opening of Parliament today, we will likely be uninspired by dull, bland and predictable words such as, "balanced budgets," "growth and innovation" and "economic transformation." Why not mark this day by designing a new country, a shangri-la, a utopia, under the Southern Cross. Maree Howard writes. See... Howard’s End: Beneath The Southern Cross [1] MORE PARLIAMENT OPENING COMMENT: - ACT - Business Roundtable Wake-Up Call Welcomed [2] - Peter Dunne - United Future: making MMP work [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00066.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00113.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00094.htm

Donna Awatere Huata Is Going Nowhere

- "After very careful and difficult deliberations, I have decided to remain an ACT Member of Parliament. I am staying because I am innocent. There is no way I am leaving. No charges have been laid. The auditor general hasn’t reported back." See... Act MP Rejects Kangaroo Court [1] MORE: - Tariana Turia - Turia welcomes Donna Awatere-Huata’s decision [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00115.htm

Prebble: ACT Will Suspend Awatere-Huata

- The ACT Caucus will suspend her [Donna Awatere Huata] tomorrow because she admitted to them last Monday that she had broken the ACT Caucus rules on conflicts of interest; she accepted with her husband a plane trip to Sydney with all expenses paid. See... Richard Prebble’s Letter From Wellington [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00100.htm

Timor Homecoming Parade

- We are here today to thank all those who formed part of New Zealand’s contribution to establishing peace in East Timor: the men and women of the New Zealand Defence Force, from all ranks within the navy, army and the air force… See... National East Timor Homecoming Parade [1] ALSO: - Progressive Coalition - Robson Congratulations Timor returnees [2] - Greens - Greens salute East Timor mission [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00098.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00096.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00090.htm

Dennis Hans: The Techniques of Deceit of George W. Bush

- If you are an American citizen who believes in the bedrock democratic principle of “the informed consent of the governed,” read on. See... Exposing Bush and His "Techniques of Deceit" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00061.htm

A Patriot’s Path To An American Police State

- “Search warrants, Miranda rights, attorney/client protection, all rights we fought for and have been amended to our Constitution have become null and void within the 342 pages of The U.S. Patriot Act.” See... Norma Sherry: The Day Democracy Was Put On Hold [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00064.htm

Control of Oil Behind Bush Drive for War with Iraq

- Interview with Michael Klare, professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College, conducted by Scott Harris. See... Control of Oil Behind Bush Drive for War with Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00063.htm

David Miller: Remember The League Of Nations

As the debate continues over whether a US led attack on Iraq is in some way justified, various people have started making reference to the need to maintain a system of collective security. Some have even used the pre-World War Two League of Nations ... See... David Miller: Collective Security [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00062.htm

The Censored Internet: Why YellowTimes.org Is Off The Air

- http://www.yellowtimes.org (Jan. 8. Google Cached Copy) [1] has for the past six months withstood intense hacker attacks as it publishes views that directly question, criticize, and berate the U.S. official line regarding the impending invasion of Iraq. Now the campaign to stifle dissent and censor any questioning of current U.S. policies vis-a-vis the Middle East in general, and Iraq in particular, has reached new levels. See... Firas Al-Atraqchi: Stifling the Voice of Reason [2]

[1] - http://216.239.33.100/search?sourceid=navclient&q=cache:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yellowtimes.org%2F
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00060.htm

German-USA Rift Becomes a Divide on Iraq Plan

- Germany and France will present a plan to the United Nations security council on Feb 14 that will see a European military peacekeeping presence inside Iraq. The United States is enraged. See... Germany Sets Out a Peacemaking Solution on Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00048.htm

Daily Katya Rivas

- Little daughter, no suffering is lost in the divine goodness. Besides, this way you are closer to Me, who also suffered those same pains. It is as if by taking your soul I would bring it closer to My Heart, melt it into Mine. This way in Me, forming ... See... Katya Rivas: Suffering and Hope [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00065.htm

http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=auckland
GPJA Plans Massive Anti-War Protest This Saturday

Two Labour Transport Faces Detected

The National Party's accusing the Government of being two faced about transport funding. See... The two faces of Labour [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00117.htm

Hocking Off The Beach To Pay For The Business School

- Government pleas for a university not to sell off land to the highest bidder is evidence of a tertiary sector that has lost sight of its public purpose, said Green MP Nandor Tanczos. See... Hocking off family jewels not in national interest [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00112.htm

Air NZ Pulls Out of Sydney LAX Run

- Air travellers now have even less choice when heading overseas after the Air New Zealand move to suspend direct flights from Sydney to LA. See... Less choice for air travellers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00104.htm

GPJA Newsletter #21

- Preparations for the mobilisation against war this weekend February 15-16 have been going well but we need some help before the march and on the weekend itself. Millions of people will be marching around the globe and we want the first demonstration… See... Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #21 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00059.htm

Govt Sends Dog-Law Back to Select Committee

- Leader of the House Michael Cullen will seek leave when Parliament resumes tomorrow to refer back to the local government select committee a bill seeking to ban dangerous breeds of dog. See... Govt to seek to send dog law back to committee [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00102.htm

GE Redwoods Planned for NZ

- The Green Party is concerned at the reported aggressive comments of an American company, which outline its plans to grow genetically engineered redwood trees in New Zealand. See... American GE tree plan arrogant, say Greens [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00109.htm

RMA Changes Regarding Climate Change

- The government is amending the Resource Management Act to give greater weight to the national benefits of renewable energy and to give a clearer mandate to consider the effects of climate change. See... RMA changes for renewable energy, climate change [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00108.htm

Teenagers Giving OK To Skip Fines

- ACT Justice Spokesman Stephen Franks today accused the Government of inviting teenage offenders to give the law the finger, after a Hamilton teen clocked up $9,205 in fines - after having nearly $20,000 written off last year. See... Labour Invites The Big Finger [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00106.htm

Govt Short-changing on NCEA: Nats

- "Students and parents are the losers in the latest announcements associated with the new school qualification system, the NCEA," says Opposition Education Spokesperson Nick Smith. See... Govt short-changing of NCEA to cost parents [1] ALSO: - Nats -Exam fee hike an outrage [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00105.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00103.htm

Economic Growth and Social Spending

- One per cent additional economic growth annually over the last 30 years would have meant that New Zealand would currently have a higher per capita income than Australia. See... Stronger economic growth means more social service [1] ALSO: - Anderton Speech - Anderton Speech: Investment can boost growth [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00101.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00093.htm

New DHB Chair for West Coast

- Health Minister Annette King today announced the appointment of Professor Gregor Coster as a member and Chair of the West Coast District Health Board. See... New Chair of West Coast DHB Announced [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00107.htm

NZ Govt Wants EU To Abandon Worker Protection: ARENA

- Secret documents viewed by Professor Jane Kelsey from ARENA reveal that the New Zealand Government wants Europe to abandon the protection of its public services and utilities from coverage by the free trade rules of the General Agreement on Trade in Services ... See... New Zealand Attacks Europe’s Public Services [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00054.htm

New Wetland Reserve at Maungarakau

- Conservation Minister Chris Carter today opened a new wetland reserve at Maungarakau on the Whanganui Inlet, north west of Nelson. See... New Wetland Reserve at Maungarakau [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00097.htm

Govt Must Not Repeat Energy Mistakes

- Green Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons is warning that New Zealand will lurch into another energy crisis if we repeat the mistakes of the past. See... Energy mistakes must not be repeated, say Greens [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00095.htm

EPMU Collective Negotiations Begin

- Negotiations start this week in the country’s largest and most influential private-sector industrial agreement. See... EPMU Collective Agreement for 2000 Workers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00056.htm

Transit Creaming Profits

- Transit New Zealand has been treating houses in the path of the proposed Wellington bypass as a cash cow, Green MP Sue Kedgley said today. See... Bypass treasures in ruin as Transit creams profit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00092.htm

Palmy Violence Due to Govt Funded Gangs?

- Ongoing violence in Palmerston North highlights the need for police to be given the mandate and resources to adopt a zero tolerance approach to crime - especially gang-related crime - ACT New Zealand Police Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today. See... Government-Funded Gangs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0302/S00099.htm

Govt To Heed Landlords’ Call

- The New Zealand Property Investors Federation today welcomed the announcement late last week by Nigel Bickle, National Manager Tenancy Services, that there was to be a change of policy regarding beneficiaries having their rent deducted at source. See... Govt Heeds Landlords’ Call to Direct Credit Rents [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0302/S00055.htm

ENDS

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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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