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Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 2 February 2005, 5:18 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY: Opening Salvos Fired For Election 2005
National's New Welfare Spokeswoman Under Fire
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
STORY OF THE WEEK: Dahr Jamail's Alternative Iraq Election Day Account
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Watching The Buggers - A Serialised Play By Tim Barcode
Hard News & More Is There!
The Inside Oil On Politics And Business
John Roughan's Letter From Honiara
Poll Watch: Herald Poll Shows Orewa II Bounce
Progressive Sam Smith Takes On The Anti-Progressive
Hugo Chavez Talks To The World Social Forum
The Prince Of Darkness Becomes Prince Of Peace
Suzan Mazur: The Murder Of Patrice Lumumba
UQ Wire: Magic Dutch Boy Invisible To US Authorities?
UQ Wire: 9/11 And The Creeping US Police State

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
NZ's Economy Benchmarked Against World
Scholarship Examination Inquiry Launched
Beverly Bouma Killers' Release A Mockery – United/ACT
What Should We Do With Waitangi Day?
The Don Brash Clipart Controversy – Round II
Govt. Offers Carrot To A Unionised Public Service – Shirley
Eckhoff Seeks Rumble In The Heartland With Sutton
Submissions Sought On Local Body Elections
Wellington Mayor's Input On Rail Unwelcome – Kedgley
Grass Will Shortly Be More Tax Deductable

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

Address In Reply 2005 - Nine Leaders, Nine Speeches

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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Scoop Is In The House

– The first questions for oral answer session of the year is on today. See... Questions for Oral Answer - Wednesday, 2 February [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00041.htm

LEAD STORY:
Opening Salvos Fired For Election 2005

- Despite New Zealand having embraced MMP since 1996, yesterdays ructions caused by National Party MP, Katherine Rich's sacking, led to coverage more reminiscent of NZ's first past the post past. However there were plenty of other issues besides internal National Party squabbles galvanising all the major parties in Parliament following the Prime Ministers statement of intent for 2005. See...Rt. Hon Helen Clark - Statement to Parliament [1] MORE: - National - Brash - Speech: Address-In-Reply [2] - NZ First - Rt Hon Winston Peters - Speech In Reply [3] - ACT - Rodney Hide replies to PM's address to Parliament [4] - Greens - Fitzsimons: Why the country needs the Greens [5] & Rod Donald: Ready to work with Labour [6] - United Future NZ - Dunne: Statement in reply - February 1 2005 [7] - Progressive Party - Anderton: The time for Social Justice is now [8] - Maori Party - Turia: Speech Opening of Parliament 2005 [9]

National's New Welfare Spokeswoman Under Fire

- This is the full text of the speech by Judith Collins that has led to some debate between Ms Collins and Minister of Social Welfare, Steve Maharey, The speech is available on Ms Collins website. See... Judith Collins Speech -Clevedon Lions Nov 2002 [1] MORE: - Judith Collins - Maharey says anything to hide his inaction [2] - Steve Maharey - Judith Collins off to a bad start [3] See also… FULL COVERAGE: Katherine Rich Sacked From Welfare

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00042.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00040.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00037.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

Search continues for missing fisherman [1]

Old bones found at building site [2]

Peak Oil and The Sociology of Knowledge [3]

Endangered Wetlands Celebrated [4]

Destiny New Zealand attending Waitangi 2005 [5]

NZ Superannuation Fund Appoints GMO And Citigroup [6]

Booming Oil & Gas Ind. Seeks Level Playing Field [7]

Television Advertising breaks record [8]

Busy Lifestyles No Excuse For Poor Cat Diet [9]

STORY OF THE WEEK: Dahr Jamail's Alternative Iraq Election Day Account

- The day of blood and elections has passed, and the blaring trumpets of corporate media hailing it as a successful show of ''democracy'' have subsided to a dull roar. See... What They're Not Telling You About the 'Election' [1] MORE ELECTION COMMENTARY: - Ivan Eland: Are Iraqi Elections a Panacea? [2] MORE INTL REACTION: - Human Rights Watch - Iraqi Election 2005 [3] - UN - UN pleased with logistical feat of Iraq elections [4] - EC - President Barroso on the Iraqi elections [5] For Much More See… Elections In Iraq (Part 1) [6] & (Part 2)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00026.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00022.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00060.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00045.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0502/S00040.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0501/S00288.htm

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

Nepal: State of Emergency Deepens Rights Crisis [1]

Annan calls for democratic freedoms in Nepal [2]

Open letter on the nomination of Alberto Gonzales [3]

UN Nuclear Watchdog Calls On US,Join Talks On Iran [4]

Aid Finally Arriving to Devastated Guyana [5]

Condoleeza Rice Remarks at Town Hall Meeting [6]

U.S. Fiddles Over ICC While Darfur Burns [7]

Suffering continues in Darfur, Sudan [8]

Lull Israeli style: 22 Palestinians killed [9]

Peaceful Protest against Illegal Road Construction [10]

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00030.htm
Spot The Difference! (Round II)

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Watching The Buggers - A Serialised Play By Tim Barcode

- The story so far…. In parts one and two we met Coates, a very nervous man sunbathing in a suit at the Huka Lodge. Forbes, a brash man in an Hawaiian shirt has arrived and seems to know Coates, and has accused him of being an SIS agent on the run. Paul the older and very proper waiter is plying them with drinks. See... Watching The Buggers (Part 3 Of 12) [1] (See also... Part 1 [2] , Part 2 [3] )

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00030.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0501/S00285.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00013.htm

Hard News & More Is There!

- Does Don Brash actually want women to vote National? Yesterday, he demoted Katherine Rich - when he didn't really need to - to give himself an all-male front bench. He later declared he wasn't going to have a woman there just to satisfy "political correctness"... See... Public Address 02/02/05 - Olden Days [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00029.htm

The Inside Oil On Politics And Business

- The dismissal of an MP called Rich is a headline punsters’ dream. In our take on it in the Governor’s Edition this week, we report National MPs were aghast at the start to the parliamentary year while Government MPs were gloating. See... Molesworth & Featherston (Lobby Edition) – 1/2/05 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00028.htm

John Roughan's Letter From Honiara

- Earlier this week things seemed to be going well for Solomon Islanders! Our national under-20 football team won its way to a showdown match against the regional football powerhouse, Australia. See... John Roughan: We're still ahead! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00024.htm

Poll Watch: Herald Poll Shows Orewa II Bounce

- Labour 44.8 National 35.3 Greens 6.9 NZ First 4.7 United Future 3.0 ACT 1.6 Maori 1.5 Alliance 0.6 Christian Heritage, Destiny NZ 0.4 Progressives 0.2 Mana Maori 0.1 See... Scoop Poll Watch: Herald DigiPoll 1.2.05: [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00019.htm

Progressive Sam Smith Takes On The Anti-Progressive

- Reader Chas Edwards used the right word when he described your editor's appearance on the Bill O'Reilly show as a ''smackdown,'' for television of this variety has far more in common with professional wrestling than with professional journalism. ... See... Sam Smith vs Fox News' Bill O'Reilly - Smackdown [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00027.htm

Hugo Chavez Talks To The World Social Forum

- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez was warmly received at the 2005 edition of the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, where he held several meetings with local leaders, intellectuals and activists, and gave the closing speech at the Gigantinho Stadium. See... ''Imperialism Is Not Invincible'' - Hugo Chavez [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00025.htm

The Prince Of Darkness Becomes Prince Of Peace

- Having fixed Iraq, Richard Perle is now ready to advise us on Iran. The former Assistant Defense Secretary in the Reagan Administration, and Neocon darling, appeared on a recent Charlie Rose show on PBS, following his nemesis, Seymour Hersh of The New ... See... William Fisher: The Prince Of Wonderland [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00023.htm

Suzan Mazur: The Murder Of Patrice Lumumba

- ''But isn't it passe?'' Mark Garsin responded when I phoned him recently in New York for an interview about the political assassination of Patrice Lumumba. I was not surprised. See... Suzan Mazur: Mr. Garsin from Kinshasa [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00007.htm

UQ Wire: Magic Dutch Boy Invisible To US Authorities?

- Rudi Dekkers has been regularly entering the U.S. illegally through the Bahamas, the MadCowMorningNews has learned. See... UQ Wire: Rudi Dekkers Entering U.S. Illegally [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00021.htm

UQ Wire: 9/11 And The Creeping US Police State

- When viewed as a whole, the post 9/11 'security state' seems less about protecting us from terrorism, and more about population control and quelling dissent. See... UQ Wire: The Creeping Police State [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00020.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0502/S00017.htm
Dr Don's Orewa Oratory Loses Him Another Spokeswoman

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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NZ's Economy Benchmarked Against World

– A comprehensive analysis of New Zealand’s economic performance benchmarked against the OECD was released today by Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Economic Development Minister Jim Anderton. See... Economic report shows heading in right direction [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00047.htm

Scholarship Examination Inquiry Launched

- Associate Education Minister David Benson-Pope has asked the New Zealand Qualifications Authority for a report on 2004 scholarship results. See... Minister calls for report into scholarship concern [1] MORE: Scholarship results must be released [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00036.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00035.htm

Beverly Bouma Killers' Release A Mockery – United/ACT

- The release this week of two brothers after serving just six years for their part in the killing of Reporoa woman Beverly Bouma makes a mockery of placing a high value on human life, United Future law and order spokesman Marc Alexander said today. See... Alexander: Killed by a teen? You're still dead [1] MORE: - ACT - Bouma basher walks, so too should parole [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00049.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00048.htm

What Should We Do With Waitangi Day?

- The Green Party is urging New Zealanders to mark Waitangi Day by celebrating the richness of the Maori contribution to New Zealand society, rather than allow politicians and parts of the media to sow the seeds of divisiveness. See... Waitangi Day should be a celebration [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00046.htm

The Don Brash Clipart Controversy – Round II

- National's Associate Education spokesman, Simon Power, says Labour's handling of concerns about the political bias of the NZQA has been insulting and irresponsible. See... NZQA sings from Labour's songsheet [1] EARLIER: - Govt. - Watch out Dr Brash, the paranoids are after you! [2] - Don Brash - Brash Attacks 'Deeply Troubling' NCEA Question [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00030.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00290.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0501/S00291.htm

Govt. Offers Carrot To A Unionised Public Service – Shirley

- The Labour Government is forking out taxpayers' money to encourage civil servants in the Ministry of Economic Development to join Labour-friendly unions, ACT MP Ken Shirley revealed today. See... Labour offers civil servants carrot [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00045.htm

Eckhoff Seeks Rumble In The Heartland With Sutton

- ACT Rural Affairs spokesman Gerry Eckhoff today welcomed an opportunity to examine Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton's inept and shameful record as an advocate for rural New Zealand. See... Bring it on, Jim! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00044.htm

Submissions Sought On Local Body Elections

- The submission closing date for the major Justice and Electoral Select Committee inquiry into a wide range of matters arising from the 2004 Local Body elections is Friday March 11th 2005. Submissions are welcome from groups and individuals. See... Election inquiry - submissions close in 5 weeks [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00054.htm

Wellington Mayor's Input On Rail Unwelcome – Kedgley

- Green MP Sue Kedgley says she's alarmed at attempts by Wellington's Mayor to derail the city's long-awaited and desperately-needed rail upgrade. See... Mayor trying to derail rail [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00032.htm

Grass Will Shortly Be More Tax Deductable

- The Government is to pass a new taxation law that will clarify the deductibility of grassing and fertilizer costs, Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Change tax law to clarify farm grass rules [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0502/S00050.htm

ENDS

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

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