Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 15 December 2004, 4:04 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: PM Surprises With Wilson Speaker Nomination
Aquaculture Marine Farming Bill Passes
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Investigative Journalist Gary Webb Found Dead
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
Ohio's Official Presidential Election Results Challenged by Recount and Lawsuit Filed in State Supreme Court
American Coup II: Rep. Conyers: What Is Ken Blackwell Hiding?

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & Fiona Rae Are There!
Richard Ehrlich On The Thai Sex-Change Industry
The Inside Oil From Molesworth & Featherston
Damian Clarke On The Land Of The Free (Or Not)
Scoop Poll Watch: 5 Recent Polls
Campaign Launched to Stop Connecticut's First Execution in 40 Years
Ivan Eland: Next Stop Tehran?
Reader Opinion: A Idea For Revenge Against Gall-Mart
Cartoon: White House Christmas Stockings
Evelyn Pringle: Once Upon A Time In The Bush Family
Bernard Weiner Gets Some Post Election R&R In Southeast Asia
Kamala Sarup: Fighting Poverty in South Asia
The Rise of the Amerikan Nazis (Part I of III)
Suzan Mazur: The President's Man

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Nats Say Maharey Tertiary Policy Cost NZ $1.54b
Vets Apology Not Enough - NZ First
Prisoner Compo Bill Gets First Reading
Govt Signs $226m Hercules Upgrade Tender
Wellington DHB Stalls Mental Health Acute Unit Plans
Crims Are Scaring Tourists Away
TVNZ Salaries: United Backs Judy Bailey
Lookout! Jones’ Out To Save QCs
Govt To Subsidise Air Travel Clearance Costs
United Schmoozes Govt To Cut Taxes
Nats Say Zaoui Must Not Get Benefit
Govt Changes Early Childhood Centre Funding
ACT Says Increasing Family Support Will Not Reduce Poverty
Crown/ Ngâti Mutunga Iwi Initialise Deed Of Settlement
Greens Says Govt’s Budget Devoid Of Strategy
Family And District Court Judge Appointments Announced

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0412/S00084.htm
Auckland Uni. Students Take On The World In Formula SAE

Scoop Is In The House

- For Tuesday's questions see...Questions & Answers for Oral Answer 14 Dec. 2004 [1] NOTE: There are no questions today as the house is in urgency

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00366.htm

LEAD STORY:
PM Surprises With Wilson Speaker Nomination

- Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today that the government’s nomination for the position of Speaker following the retirement of the Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt next year will be the Hon Margaret Wilson. See... Govt to nominate Margaret Wilson for Speaker [1] ALSO: - National - National rejects Margaret Wilson for Speaker [2] - NZ First - NZ First To Discuss Wilson Appointment [3] - Greens - Greens support Wilson for Speaker [4] - ACT - Ken Shirley challenges Wilson for Speaker [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00357.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00371.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00365.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00361.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00390.htm

Aquaculture Marine Farming Bill Passes

- The $1 billion-a-year potential of New Zealand's aquaculture industry can now be realised with the passing of the Aquaculture Reform Bill, says Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope. See... A sound future for marine farming industry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00392.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00377.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00168.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00164.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00174.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00173.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0412/S00172.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00240.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00238.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00235.htm

Investigative Journalist Gary Webb Found Dead

- In 1996, journalist Gary Webb wrote a series of articles that forced a long-overdue investigation of a very dark chapter of recent U.S. foreign policy – the Reagan-Bush administration’s protection of cocaine traffickers who operated under the cover of the Nicaraguan contra war in the 1980s. On Friday, Dec. 10, Gary Webb, 49, died of an apparent suicide, a gunshot wound to the head. See... America's Debt to Journalist Gary Webb [1] and Dog Skin Report: The Death Of A True Journalist [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00160.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00162.htm

Amnesty’s Global Round-Up: Human Rights News - December 13 2004
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00209.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00220.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00216.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00215.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00213.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK & SCOOP SPECIAL REPORT - American Coup II:
Ohio's Official Presidential Election Results Challenged by Recount and Lawsuit Filed in State Supreme Court

- Interview with Cliff Arnebeck, lawyer representing the Alliance for Democracy, conducted by Scott Harris See... Ohio's Election Challenged by Recount and Lawsuit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00175.htm

American Coup II: Rep. Conyers: What Is Ken Blackwell Hiding?

- Yesterday, it came to the attention of the House Judiciary Committee Democratic Staff that efforts to audit poll records in Greene County, Ohio are being obstructed by County Election officials and/or Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell. See... U.S. Rep. Conyers: What have they to hide? [1] See also...Full Coverage of American Coup II [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0412/S00191.htm
[2] - http://scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=usacoup

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

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News & Fiona Rae Are There!

- "Good evening and haere mai, talofa lava, ni hao, welcome, welcome, welcome to Campbell's Gamble, the show TV3 have given me to stop me going to TVNZ. On tonight's show, Carol Hirschfeld continues her 99-part series about Ahmed Zaoui and it turns out there ... See... Public Address 15/12/04 - Television Comedy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00177.htm

Richard Ehrlich On The Thai Sex-Change Industry

- BANGKOK, Thailand -- After a former U.S. Army corporal became a grandfather, he stopped secretly wearing women's clothes, flew to Bangkok for a sex change operation and emerged as a lesbian. See... Richard Ehrlich: Sex Change Operations In Thailand [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00176.htm

The Inside Oil From Molesworth & Featherston

- Santa brings you a full news bag for the last edition of 2004. A Cabinet re-shuffle looms, Labour can almost govern alone on the exclusive Molesworth & Featherston rolling average poll of polls and Cabinet considers another long pre-Christmas agenda. See... Molesworth & Featherston – 14 December 2004 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00174.htm

Damian Clarke On The Land Of The Free (Or Not)

- This is the wording of the waiver of rights which has been added to the I-94W form of the Immigration and Naturalization Service- a division of the U.S Department of Justice. I was expected to sign this when I entered the United States. See... Damian Clarke: Freedom [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00167.htm

Scoop Poll Watch: 5 Recent Polls

- One News Colmar Brunton Poll 12.12.04: Labour 47 National 35 NZ First 5 Greens 5 ACT 3 United Future 1 Maori 1 See... Scoop Poll Watch: 5 Recent Political Polls [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00171.htm

Campaign Launched to Stop Connecticut's First Execution in 40 Years

- Interview with Robert Nave, director of the Connecticut Network to Abolish the Death Penalty, conducted by Melinda Tuhus See... Stopping Connecticut's First Execution in 40 Years [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00170.htm

Ivan Eland: Next Stop Tehran?

- Will the newly energized President Bush interpret his narrow election win as public approval for his spaghetti Western–style shoot-’em-up foreign policy? See... Ivan Eland: Next Target - Iran? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00169.htm

Reader Opinion: A Idea For Revenge Against Gall-Mart

- I had a wickedly simple idea the other day, you know, one of those ''I wonder if anybody's ever thought of this'' kinds of ideas. It came to me about a week after November 2nd, that most educational of days, when those of us who happened to be ... See... Guest Opinion: A Modest Consumer Activism Proposal [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00168.htm

Cartoon: White House Christmas Stockings

- Cartoon by John Chuckman. See... Chuckman Cartoon: White House Christmas Card 2004 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00165.htm

Evelyn Pringle: Once Upon A Time In The Bush Family

- Once upon a time, Prince Neil Bush was best-known for his role in the collapse of the Silverado Savings and Loan. But here come to find out, he is actually the romeo of the Bush Royal Family. See... Evelyn Pringle: Prince Neil Bush Far From Charming [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00164.htm

Bernard Weiner Gets Some Post Election R&R In Southeast Asia

- In the weeks after November 2, I needed desperately to turn off the political TV that had been my brain for many months, so off I headed to Southeast Asia for some R&R. See... A Southeast Asia Diary: Post-Election Travels [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00172.htm

Kamala Sarup: Fighting Poverty in South Asia

- UN Assistant Secretary General Hafiz Pasha today said, ''South Asia had not achieved a breakthrough in poverty alleviation despite opening up economies and noticeable growth. This has raised the question whether globalisation is inclusive enough. See... Kamala Sarup: Fighting Poverty in South Asia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00173.htm

The Rise of the Amerikan Nazis (Part I of III)

- The rise to power of the Amerikan Nazis, and the subsequent dive into the cesspool of fascism the nation is now experiencing, was assured with the ascension to the White House of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in November 2000. See... Manuel Valenzuela: The Rise of the Amerikan Nazis [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00163.htm

Suzan Mazur: The President's Man

- A recent auction of the effects of Washington lawyer Clark M. Clifford may supply valuable clues into some of the mysteries of the age, suggests Suzan Mazur. See... Suzan Mazur: The President's Man [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0412/S00161.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0412/S00049.htm
Beatrice Faumauina Brings Presents To Kids In Hospital

Nats Say Maharey Tertiary Policy Cost NZ $1.54b

- National's Education spokesman, Bill English, says Steve Maharey should face the music and realise that his tertiary strategy has been a $1.54 billion failure. See... Maharey plays on as ship goes down [1] ALSO: - National - English confused again [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00373.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00374.htm

Vets Apology Not Enough - NZ First

- New Zealand First defence spokesperson Ron Mark is urging the Government to pay compensation to Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange and to assist families with children suffering from health issues linked to the spray. See... Vets Apology Not Enough - NZ First [1] ALSO: - Greens - Government's Agent Orange Apology Not Enough [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00377.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00368.htm

Prisoner Compo Bill Gets First Reading

- Legislation introduced by Justice Minister Phil Goff to restrict monetary compensation to inmates, and to ensure victims are able to be compensated from any monies paid, is due to be given its first reading in Parliament today. See... Prisoner compo legislation will aid victims [1] ALSO: - United - Alexander delighted with prisoner compo moves [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00396.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00385.htm

Govt Signs $226m Hercules Upgrade Tender

- The $226 million C-130 Hercules upgrade contract was signed on Tuesday with suppliers L-3 Communications Spar Airspace. See... C-130 Hercules upgrade contract signed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00395.htm

Wellington DHB Stalls Mental Health Acute Unit Plans

- Green Mental Health Spokesperson Sue Bradford is appalled that the Wellington District Health Board has stalled on its commitment to go ahead with a purpose-built acute unit for people with mental illness. See... Bradford slams DHB's acute unit delay [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00393.htm

Crims Are Scaring Tourists Away

- New Zealand's tourism reputation is being savaged by increasing crime against visitors, says National's Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Criminals savage tourism image [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00391.htm

TVNZ Salaries: United Backs Judy Bailey

- “Whether anyone is worth any particular salary should not be left up to government,” United Future broadcasting spokesman Marc Alexander said today. See... Alexander: Is Judy Bailey worth $800,000? [1] ALSO: - NZ First - Peters Challenges TVNZ News To Run Bailey Story [2] - ACT - PM must address mother of all salaries [3] - TV3 - TV3 Did Not Pursue Judy Bailey [4] - TVNZ - TVNZ Concludes Negotiations With Judy Bailey [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00389.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00348.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00335.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00208.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0412/S00219.htm

Lookout! Jones’ Out To Save QCs

- New Zealand First justice spokesperson Dail Jones will be making a last ditch effort to protect the position of Queen’s Counsel which the Government intends to terminate as a result of the provisions of the Lawyers and Conveyancers Bill. See... Last Ditch Attempt To Protect Queen’s Counsel [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00388.htm

Govt To Subsidise Air Travel Clearance Costs

- The funding of passenger clearance services at New Zealand’s seven international airports will be split around 50/50 with the government contributing $55 million and industry contributing $49 million annually. See... 50/50 split for passenger clearance costs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00387.htm

United Schmoozes Govt To Cut Taxes

- The Government's Budget policy statement indicates that, in spite of protestations to the contrary, Finance Minister Michael Cullen has plenty of room to cut taxes, United Future revenue spokesman Gordon Copeland said today. See... Policy Statement indicates room for tax cuts [1] ALSO: - Nats - Labour's quick fix - another tax! [2] - ACT - Give NZers a tax cut, not a hand-out [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00384.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00383.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00370.htm

Nats Say Zaoui Must Not Get Benefit

- Ahmed Zaoui should not be eligible for an emergency benefit, says National's Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Zaoui should not get emergency benefit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00379.htm

Govt Changes Early Childhood Centre Funding

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced changes to the way funding is allocated to new or expanding community-based early childhood centres, in order to better target areas of high population growth and areas of need. See... Capital funding changes for early childhood ed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00375.htm

ACT Says Increasing Family Support Will Not Reduce Poverty

- ACT Deputy Leader and Social Welfare spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today said the Child Poverty Action Group's call for the Government to raise Family Support payments to ease child poverty wouldn't work, and would only serve to lower New Zealand's standard ... See... ACT's blueprint for ending child poverty [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00372.htm

Crown/ Ngâti Mutunga Iwi Initialise Deed Of Settlement

- The Crown and the Ngâti Mutunga Iwi Authority today initialled a Deed of Settlement for the iwi's historical Treaty of Waitangi claims. See... Ngâti Mutunga Deed of Settlement initialled [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00363.htm

Greens Says Govt’s Budget Devoid Of Strategy

- The Labour Government's Budget Policy Statement is devoid of strategic thinking and wilfully ignores the major fiscal challenges ahead for New Zealand, the Green Party says. See… Cullen falls silent on fiscal challenges [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00362.htm

Family And District Court Judge Appointments Announced

- Attorney-General Margaret Wilson today announced the appointment of a Family Court Judge and three District Court Judges. See... Family Court and District Court judges appointed [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0412/S00359.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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