Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 14 December 2004, 3:33 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Intelligence Expert Says NZ's Intelligence Framework Risks Abuse
TVNZ's Culture Of Huge Personality Salaries Began In 1996
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Blind Eye To Atrocities In Croatia Must End
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
American Coup II: The College Vote That Wont Go Away
American Coup II: William Rivers Pitt: The Greene County Lockdown

SCOOP COLUMNS:
PM Flip-Flops Over Immigration Law Reform Prior To Zaoui Case Conclusion
Douglas Mattern Explains Why The UN Remains The Most Vitial Body In World Affairs
Sonia Nettnin Considers Who Will Lead Palestine To Peace
Public Address Advances Australia Fairly
David Miller's Christmas Thoughts
Amway Cult The Mind Dulling Dedicator
Kelpie Wilson: We Are All Tuvalu

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Michael Cullen On The December Fiscal Update
Discussion Report Issued On NZ Oil Supply Security
Several Solutions To The Zaoui Question Are Proposed
ACT's The Letter
Govt. Kicks Whenuapai Issue To Touch By Keeping It
Hodgson's Off To Climate Change Meeting In Argentina
New National Party Board Members
United & Allies Welcome The Aquaculture Bill Back
Policeman Appointed As New Prisons Chief
King Seeks Cancer Control Council Nominations
Export Education Programme Announced
Holidaymakers Should Be Careful To Stay Healthy
Tony Ryall Delivers A Verdict On Hawkins – Dump Him

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00146.htm
Latest Pacific Ecologist Out Now!

Scoop Is In The House:

For today's questions see...Questions for Oral Answer -Tuesday, 14 Dec 2004 [1]. The house has now gone into urgency.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00331.htm

LEAD STORY:
Intelligence Expert Says NZ's Intelligence Framework Risks Abuse

- Paul Buchanan writes that the most obvious comparison to New Zealand's intelligence structure would be drawn from twentieth century Fascist and Stalinist regimes, seconded by military-bureaucratic dictatorships. The common denominator is that the model concentrates intelligence powers in the hands of a very small group of people unaccountable to the citizenry. Yet the real life example is found closer to home. See... Playing Spy Scrabble [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00153.htm

TVNZ's Culture Of Huge Personality Salaries Began In 1996

- Today the Dominion-Post reported that TVNZ presenter Judy Bailey had almost doubled her salary from reportedly around $430,000 to around $800,000 per annum. Scoop after many months of writing letters to the Ombudsman is now able to show that there is a pattern to TVNZ's financial largesse. See... Quantum Leap: TVNZ Doubled Salaries – In 1996 [1] ALSO: - ACT - PM must address mother of all salaries [2] - NZ First - Bailey's $800,000 Salary Obscene - Peters [3] - TV3 - TV3 Did Not Pursue Judy Bailey [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00157.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00335.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00328.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00208.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00160.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00156.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00210.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00324.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00327.htm

Blind Eye To Atrocities In Croatia Must End

- Almost ten years after the end of the 1991-1995 armed conflict in Croatia, the Croatian authorities have failed to address fully war-related human rights violations and to bring those responsible to justice. There continues to be widespread impunity ...See... Croatia: Impunity for War Crimes Must End [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00187.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00190.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00189.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00186.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00185.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00183.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK & SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II:
The College Vote That Wont Go Away

- Startling new revelations about Ohio's presidential vote have been uncovered as Democratic members of the House Judiciary Committee join Rev. Jesse Jackson in Columbus, the state capital, on Monday, Dec. 13, to hold a rare field hearing into election malfeasance ... See... New Revelations At Congressional Vote Hearings [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00150.htm

American Coup II: William Rivers Pitt: The Greene County Lockdown

- There are people out there who think we are crazy, who think we are bitter-enders, sore losermen, conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters. See... William Rivers Pitt: The Greene County Lockdown [1] See also...Full Coverage of American Coup II [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00148.htm
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0412/S00099.htm
Save The Speedway From The Ignorant Rich - Cartoons

SCOOP COLUMNS:
PM Flip-Flops Over Immigration Law Reform Prior To Zaoui Case Conclusion

- Ahmed Zaoui's bail release dominated the PM's press conference. The PM had previously stood firm on not reforming the failed Immigration Act until the Zaoui case concluded. But She's flip-flopped. Kevin List reports... See... Prime Minister's Post Cabinet Press Conference [1] ALSO: - Greens - Zaoui law change must not be rushed [2] - NZ First - NZ First Puts Forward Urgent Zaoui Bill [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00156.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00333.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00332.htm

Douglas Mattern Explains Why The UN Remains The Most Vitial Body In World Affairs

- In their long-standing denigration of the United Nations, right wing politicians and the conservative media have launched a personal attack on Secretary General Koffi Annan. The charge is complicity in the UN oil-for-food scandal. However, the other ... See... The United Nations Remains ''The Last Best Hope'' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00151.htm

Sonia Nettnin Considers Who Will Lead Palestine To Peace

- January 9th is Election Day for Palestinians. They will vote for their new President, who will represent the people at a crucial, historical crossroads. See... Sonia Nettnin: Checkpoint Violence & Free Movement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00152.htm

Public Address Advances Australia Fairly

- God, I love Australians, but more on that later. For now, still stranger thoughts collide high above the Tasman. The dual sensations of grossly accumulating air miles while remaining static in the aircraft's interior; the chilly, heavily air-conditioned ... See... Public Address 14/12/04 - Advancing Australia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00149.htm

David Miller's Christmas Thoughts

- The expression ‘it will all be over by Christmas’ has ringed out numerous times throughout the history of war. The most famous example was at the onset of the First World War when the peoples of the warring European nations claimed that their armies would ... See... David Miller: 'It will not be over by Christmas' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00155.htm

Amway Cult The Mind Dulling Dedicator

- Eric Scheibeler's book new, Merchants of Deception, [*] is a first hand account of the author’s recruitment into the Amway cult, his rapid advancement as a recruiter of others, and his final awakening after many years of mind-dulling dedication to ... See... Amway, Republicans & That Old Time Religion [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00154.htm

Kelpie Wilson: We Are All Tuvalu

- Tuvalu is an island nation in the Pacific. It stands a mere three meters above sea level and two years ago, on a calm, otherwise beautiful day, a tidal surge from the warming, rising Pacific Ocean flooded nearly all of the capital island of Funafuti. ... See... Kelpie Wilson: We Are All Tuvalu [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00147.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00150.htm
Good Green Fairy Rewards Green Shoppers

Michael Cullen On The December Fiscal Update

- “The Budget Policy Statement and December forecasts confirm the quality of the government’s economic and fiscal management and show scope for some additional expenditure in the next few years but make clear that there is no room for large structural spending ... See... Fiscal, economic performance good but care needed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00344.htm

Discussion Report Issued On NZ Oil Supply Security

- Energy Minister, Pete Hodgson, today released a report outlining options for improving New Zealand’s oil security. Comments are welcomed on the report by 2 February 2005. See... Oil security report released for comment [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00343.htm

Several Solutions To The Zaoui Question Are Proposed

- This week, Newman On-line looks at the complexities of the Zaoui case and how it can possibly be that someone suspected by the SIS of being a terrorist threat, can now be walking free. See... Newman On-Line: Ahmed Zaoui [1] RELATED: - Govt. - Amendments to tighten Terrorism Suppression Act [2] - Greens - Zaoui law change must not be rushed [3] - NZ First - NZ First Puts Forward Urgent Zaoui Bill [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00321.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00340.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00333.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00332.htm

ACT's The Letter

- UNION VICTORY As we predicted, media stories of amendments to the Civil Union Bill were just stories. All amendments were defeated. Richard Worth, who tabled the most amendments, didn't even stay to argue for them. See... ACT's The Letter Is In [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00325.htm

Govt. Kicks Whenuapai Issue To Touch By Keeping It

- "The government has decided not to proceed with decisions on the disposal of Whenuapai Airbase at this time," Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton said today. See... Disposal of Whenuapai airbase land [1] MORE: - NZ First - Common Sense Prevails Over Whenuapai [2] - ACT - Whenuapai decision bad for Auckland drivers [3] - Auckland Airport - Auckland Airport welcomes Government decision [4] - Waitakere City - Airbase Decision [5] Dinner Highlighting Human Rights Tonight At Parliament - Amnesty International welcomes an Inaugural Human Rights Parliamentary Dinner in the Grand Hall of the Parliament Buildings on Tuesday 14 December which will highlight the issue of violence against women. See... Stop violence against women - It's in our hands! [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00319.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00341.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00336.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00207.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0412/S00105.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00322.htm

Hodgson's Off To Climate Change Meeting In Argentina

- Convenor, Ministerial Group on Climate Change, Pete Hodgson, departs tomorrow to attend the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that is being held in Buenos Aires. See... Hodgson to attend UN Climate Change meeting [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00320.htm

New National Party Board Members

- The New Zealand National Party today announced the appointment of Rt. Hon Wyatt Creech and Mr Peter Goodfellow to its Board of Directors. See... NZ National Party Board appointments [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00345.htm

United & Allies Welcome The Aquaculture Bill Back

- United Future and its affiliated party, Outdoor Recreation New Zealand, today welcomed the introduction of the Aquaculture Reform Bill. See... United Future, ORNZ welcome Aquaculture Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00342.htm

Policeman Appointed As New Prisons Chief

- Progressive MP Matt Robson welcomes the news that Barry Matthews, former New Zealand Deputy Commissioner of Police, is to head the Department of Corrections. See... Appointment of Barry Matthews to head Corrections [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00339.htm

King Seeks Cancer Control Council Nominations

- Health Minister Annette King is calling for nominations for the newly announced Cancer Control Council. The Council, charged with overseeing the implementation of the Cancer Control Strategy, will begin its work early next year. See... King seeks Cancer Control Council nominations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00338.htm

Export Education Programme Announced

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the Export Education Innovation Programme - a new initiative aimed at further developing the New Zealand export education industry as a world class and innovative provider of education overseas. See... Export education innovation programme announced [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00337.htm

Holidaymakers Should Be Careful To Stay Healthy

- Holidaymakers should heed the General Practitioners Council's warning that there will be a shortage of doctors in popular rural holiday spots this summer, ACT Health spokesman Heather Roy said today. See... Rural GP shortage over festive season [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00330.htm

Tony Ryall Delivers A Verdict On Hawkins – Dump Him

- National's Police spokesman, Tony Ryall, says the evidence has never been clearer - Police Minister George Hawkins must be dumped before he does further damage to the Police. See... The evidence is clear: dump Hawkins [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00329.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.

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