Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 7 December 2004, 5:43 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Govt Announces Forum To Air Psychiatric Patient Claims
Civil Unions Committee Stages Under Urgency Today
TV3 Poll Of Public Views On Civil Unions
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
European Council Examine Moves To Curb Human Trafficking
STORY OF THE WEEK: Civil Union Opponents Fear Sanctioning Of Gay Sex With Schoolboys
Big News: On The Human Right To Be Gay, Or Not
American Coup II: Scoop Link - AP Reports Democrats Join Ohio Vote Investigations
American Coup II: A Programmer Admits To Writing Vote Stealing Software
American Coup II: Audio Links – Vote Fraud Forum In Ohio

SCOOP COLUMNS:
PM's Presser: Civil Unions And Zaoui
Hard News & More Is There!
Ivan Eland: Bogged Down In Iraq
John Roughan's Letter From Honiara: Tension 2!
UQ Wire: A Letter From Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Concerns At FTA Agreement With Nation That Bans CTU's Ross Wilson
Hide Highlights NZ Trade & Enterprise Criticisms
Maiden Speech From Kenneth Wang MP
Don Brash Blames Govt. For Illiterate Youth
Kiwibank To Get More Kiwi Families Into Their Own Homes
NZ Govt. Joins The Philippine's Flood Relief Effort
Phil Goff Calls For Release Of Zimbabwean Opposition MP
Greens Seek Fund For Contamination Cleanups
Wanganui Rimu Logging Situation Nonsensical
NZ Consular Agreement With China Tabled
Greens Challenge Govt. To Resolve Aged Care Crisis
Gerry Eckhoff Continues His Quest For The Land Access Bill
More Beds For More Prisoners
Cross Ditch Economic Summit In Queenstown
Sutton Applauds Dairy Industry's Environmental Progress
Michael Cullen Talks To The Four Winds
Returning Kiwis Allowed To Bring A Car
NZ's Obesity Epidemic To Be Tracked
Govt. Gives Quota To Tuna Fishers
1000 Modern Apprenticeships Exceed Expectations
John Key Sees Taxpayer $$$ Drained By Monetary Intervention

TO CHANGE MY SCOOP OPTIONS OR UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS LIST
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/myscoop/signin.html
IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR PASSWORD
http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/myscoop/newpass.html

...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0412/S00028.htm
Dennis Glover & Propaganda At National Library

Scoop Is In The House

– For today's questions see… Questions for Oral Answer -Tuesday 7 December 2004 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00161.htm

LEAD STORY:
Govt Announces Forum To Air Psychiatric Patient Claims

- The government will establish a forum for former psychiatric patients who claim to have suffered abuse while in hospital, Attorney-General Margaret Wilson announced today. See... New forum for psychiatric patients [1] MORE: - Greens - Forum welcomed for abused psychiatric patients [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00157.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00171.htm

Civil Unions Committee Stages Under Urgency Today

- Calls for a referendum to be held on the Civil Union Bill appears to be exactly the situation a Royal Commission warned against, says Associate Justice Minister David Benson-Pope. See... Referendum dangers highlighted by Royal Commission [1] MORE: - PM Helen Clark - PM's Presser: Civil Unions And Mr Zaoui's Bail [2] - Jim Anderton - Anderton regrets Catholic statements [3] - United Future - Dunne to Greens: let the people decide [4] - Benson-Pope - Minister: Worth amendment about wrecking bill [5] - United Future - Flip-flop Greens disappoint Dunne [6] , Baldock: If it isn't gay marriage, prove it [7] & Next It Will Be Same-Sex Couples Adopting Children [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00158.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00072.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00164.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00159.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00152.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00185.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00180.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00183.htm

TV3 Poll Of Public Views On Civil Unions

- The government hopes to pass the Civil Union Bill before Christmas. It allows a civil union or a form of marriage for same sex couples. Do you support or oppose this? See... 3 News TNS Poll – Confidence / Civil Unions [1] . See also... 3 News TNS Opinion Poll Results - 4 Dec 2004 [2] (includes full tables) For Much More scroll down for the... STORY OF THE WEEK

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00063.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00056.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0412/S00027.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00116.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00115.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00109.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00103.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00097.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00187.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00182.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00173.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00160.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00062.htm

European Council Examine Moves To Curb Human Trafficking

-Trafficking in human beings is a growing form of slavery which plagues Europe. The 46 member states of the Council of Europe have the opportunity to take a leading role in the protection of the rights of trafficked people; to do so they should further strengthen the draft European Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, said Amnesty International and Anti-Slavery International. See... Europe: Human Rights of Trafficked Persons [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00076.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00091.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00085.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00083.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00077.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00075.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK: Civil Union Opponents Fear Sanctioning Of Gay Sex With Schoolboys

- “Gay” sex (sodomy) with school boys by adults will be sanctioned by the Civil Union Bill if it is passed into law on Thursday. See... Sodomy, School Boys and Civil Unions [1] MORE: - Gay Eaters For Jesus- Anti-Civil Union group need some Milk [2] - Campaign for Civil Unions- Civil Unions Campaign rejects Worth's Amendment [3] - Christians for Civil Unions - Referenda on Moral Issues Harm Communities [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00068.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00061.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00066.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00065.htm

Big News: On The Human Right To Be Gay, Or Not

- The Government has been dishonest in its promotion of the Civil Union Bill. It denies it is a gay bill, while promoting it as a means to give equal rights to a ''gay minority'' under Human Rights legislation. See... Big News: Gays Not A Minority Under HRA [1] For Much More see... STORY OF THE WEEK: Civil Unions Final Stages (1) [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00070.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0412/S00063.htm

SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II:
Scoop Link: AP Reports Democrats Join Ohio Vote Investigations

- The Democratic Party said Monday it will examine reports of voting problems in Ohio, where President Bush's victory clinched his re-election. See... Scoop Link: Democrat Vote Investigations In Ohio [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00068.htm

American Coup II: A Programmer Admits To Writing Vote Stealing Software

- The manipulation of computer voting machines in the recent presidential election and the funding of programmers who were involved in the operation are tied to an intricate web of shady off-shore financial trusts and companies, shady espionage ... See... Clandestine Op. Paid For "Vote Switching" Software [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00067.htm

American Coup II: Audio Links – Vote Fraud Forum In Ohio

- On Saturday Dec 4th , from 6pm-9pm EST, Rev. Jackson joins investigative reporter Greg Palast to ask what happened to nearly a quarter million votes, overwhelmingly from African-American precincts, not counted in Ohio. See... Why Haven't They Counted 250,000 Votes In Ohio [1] See also...Full Coverage of American Coup II [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00065.htm
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00096.htm
Australia Awards Elle For Her Undies

SCOOP COLUMNS:
PM's Presser: Civil Unions And Zaoui

- In this edition: - Civil Unions Spark Religious Ructions - Pubs And Clubs About To Become Smokefree - Will Ahmed Zaoui Get Bail After Two Years Penal Detention? - The Douglas White Report Regarding John Tamihere See... PM's Presser: Civil Unions And Mr Zaoui's Bail [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00072.htm

Hard News & More Is There!

- The prospect of a tunnel under Auckland's Victoria Park - to fix a major motorway choke point without destroying more precious urban green space - is provisionally welcome around these parts. It will cost a small fraction of what the doomed Eastern ... See... Public Address 07/12/04 - Funny Old Week [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00071.htm

Ivan Eland: Bogged Down In Iraq

- Triumphant after his ''mandate'' from the people, President Bush, to date, has announced the retirement of eight cabinet members. Although many of these government officials were lackluster at best, the cabinet’s worst performer is still in his seat. See... Ivan Eland: Rumsfeld’s Muddy Quagmire [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00069.htm

John Roughan's Letter From Honiara: Tension 2!

- Solomons' Tension 1 days--1998-2003--were fairly straight forward. A bunch of hoods, conmen, thieves and government officials decided that the best way to guarantee their life style was initially to launch a coup and then proceed to loot the national treasury. ... See... John Roughan: Tension 2! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00066.htm

UQ Wire: A Letter From Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds

- For the past three years the United States Department of Justice has been relentlessly engaged in actions geared towards covering up my reports and investigations into my allegations. See... UQ Wire: An Open Letter From Sibel Edmonds [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00074.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0412/S00041.htm
Australian Team Are The Giants Of Rio

Concerns At FTA Agreement With Nation That Bans CTU's Ross Wilson

- The Greens are calling on the Labour Government to call off trade negotiations with China in response to the Chinese Government cancelling CTU President Ross Wilson's visitor's visa. See... Labour cannot ignore China gagging NZ union leader [1] MORE: - Progressives - Trade with China doesn't mean silence on rights [2] CTU – CTU Union Leader Refused Access to China [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00170.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00174.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00064.htm

Hide Highlights NZ Trade & Enterprise Criticisms

- ACT Leader Rodney Hide today called for an end to the Government's lolly scramble approach to business development. See... Auditor-General Slams Anderton's Lolly Scramble [1] and from the Govt. Auditor-General report on NZ T&E [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00184.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00172.htm

Maiden Speech From Kenneth Wang MP

- Mr Speaker, it is an honour to be standing here before New Zealand's House of Representatives. See... Wang: Focusing on tomorrow, not just today [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00178.htm

Don Brash Blames Govt. For Illiterate Youth

- A report into literacy and numeracy shows that the policies of the Labour Government are failing young New Zealanders, says National Party Leader Don Brash. See... Labour fails young NZers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00177.htm

Kiwibank To Get More Kiwi Families Into Their Own Homes

- More families will be a step closer to home ownership following changes to Kiwibank In Reach home loan eligibility criteria, Housing Minister Steve Maharey said today. See... More families now eligible for Kiwibank home loans [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00175.htm

NZ Govt. Joins The Philippine's Flood Relief Effort

- New Zealand to assist Philippines after devastating storms New Zealand is providing emergency funding of $200,000 to assist the relief effort for the hundreds of thousands of people affected in the Philippines by the recent series of typhoons, Prime Minister Helen Clark said today. See... NZ to assist Philippines after devastating storms [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00148.htm

Phil Goff Calls For Release Of Zimbabwean Opposition MP

- Foreign Minister Phil Goff is calling on the Zimbabwe government to release Opposition MP Roy Bennett, who has been jailed for one year with hard labour for pushing a minister during parliamentary debate. See... Goff seeks release of Zimbabwean Opposition figure [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00166.htm

Greens Seek Fund For Contamination Cleanups

- The Greens are urging the Government to set up a well-resourced national fund for cleaning up contaminated sites. See... Greens call for national contamination fund [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00165.htm

Wanganui Rimu Logging Situation Nonsensical

- New Zealand First conservation spokesperson Edwin Perry says the situation regarding rimu logging in the Taunoka Conservation Area near Wanganui has become farcical. See... Wanganui Logging Situation Farcical Says NZ First [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00163.htm

NZ Consular Agreement With China Tabled

- A consular agreement to be tabled in Parliament today will support the rapidly growing links between New Zealand and China, says Foreign Minister Phil Goff. See... Consular agreement to support NZ-China links [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00168.htm

Greens Challenge Govt. To Resolve Aged Care Crisis

- Green MPs Sue Bradford and Sue Kedgley are today challenging the Government in the House to take immediate action to avert the funding crisis in Aged Care. See... Don't wait, save Aged Care now [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00167.htm

Gerry Eckhoff Continues His Quest For The Land Access Bill

- ACT Rural Affairs spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today called on Jim Sutton to confirm or deny whether legislation on public access to private land would be introduced this year or before the next election. See... Rural NZers deserve certainty [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00162.htm

More Beds For More Prisoners

- An additional 240 beds are being added to the country's prison capacity as part of the Corrections Department's management of record inmate numbers, Acting Corrections Minister Phil Goff announced today. See... Extra 240 beds to be added to prison system [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00160.htm

Cross Ditch Economic Summit In Queenstown

- This year's CER trade ministers' meeting will be held in Queenstown on December 10 and 11, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... CER trade ministers to meet in Queenstown [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00156.htm

Sutton Applauds Dairy Industry's Environmental Progress

- Dairy farmers are making good progress towards clean healthy streams under the Fonterra Dairying and Clean Streams Accord, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs and Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Dairy farmers making progress towards clean water [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00155.htm

Michael Cullen Talks To The Four Winds

- The Labour-led government has just passed its fifth anniversary, and as Finance Minister for all of that time I have to confess I am now getting well down the “To Do” list that I compiled when we were elected. See... Cullen Address to Four Winds Breakfast [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00154.htm

Returning Kiwis Allowed To Bring A Car

- Commerce Minister Margaret Wilson today announced that New Zealanders returning home would be able to bring their motor vehicle into the country without paying GST. See... Motor vehicle GST exemption for returning Kiwis [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00153.htm

NZ's Obesity Epidemic To Be Tracked

- Obesity is now twice as common in New Zealand adults as it was 25 years ago according to a comprehensive report into obesity trends prepared by the Ministry of Health and released today by the Under Secretary for Health, Mita Ririnui. See... New Zealand Weighed Down By Obesity Burden [1] and Launch of Tracking the Obesity Epidemic: Speech [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00151.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00150.htm

Govt. Gives Quota To Tuna Fishers

- The Government is to give $9million worth of quota to tuna fishers in response to problems they faced due to a mismatch between their quota entitlement for tuna and five associated by-catch species. See... Govt. responds to tuna fishing industry concerns [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00149.htm

1000 Modern Apprenticeships Exceed Expectations

- Over 7,000 young people are now in Modern Apprenticeships, gaining the skills and experience they need to prosper in today's competitive economy, Associate Education (Tertiary) Minister Steve Maharey has announced. See... 7,000 Modern Apprenticeships exceed expectations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00181.htm

John Key Sees Taxpayer $$$ Drained By Monetary Intervention

- "Michael Cullen's policy to allow the Reserve Bank to intervene in the currency market is proving not only futile, but it's outrageously expensive as well," says National Party Finance spokesman John Key. See... Public purse pays for Labour pipe dream [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00179.htm

ENDS

© 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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

• Linkedin
• Twitter - @althecat
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz