Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 29 November 2005, 5:33 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY:
Canada's Government Falls On No-Confidence Vote
Foreign Affairs News: TEAR Fund Takes Exception To Commonwealth Sec-Gen McKinnon's Comments
Tech News: Finda First Off The Block With Pay Per Call Technology
Biz News: Eight Finalists Named As Roger Awards Finalists
MORE HEADLINES:
Kiwis Abroad: Kiwi Beachwear Set to Shine In Cannes -
Media News: SubNews Journalists Out On Strike
Ed News: QPEC Writes To Minister Over Kindergarten Fees
Culture News: Hamilton's Somali Community Features in Unique Exhibition
Culture News: Inner City Eye Captures Oddly Appealing Xmas Carnival -
Industry News: SuperSizeMyPay.com Campaign Spreads To KFC
Weather: "BIG" Cyclone Possible This Summer
A Week Of It: Does Gibbs' World Service Have The Answers For TVNZ?
UN concerned over new confirmed human case of bird flu in China
Jurists Says Australian Terror Laws Ensnare Innocents
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Tze Ming Mok on Nguyen Tuong Van and More
Cindy Sheehan counts her blessings
Brian Nicole's MMP Comments Raise Questions
MORE COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Legal Twist For CPAG – When It's Over Will Kids Get More? -
UN Rapporteur on Maori in New Zealand
Suits Pose with Goofy Giant Kiwi for Good Cause
Nats Say Ngawha Prison Staffing A Mess
Government Abandons CoOL
Greens Keep United's Dunne Busy
Malta: Peters Refutes Media Reports That He Led Immigration Debate
POLITICAL HEADLINES:

Canada's Government Falls On No-Confidence Vote

Scoop Link: TORONTO — A corruption scandal forced a vote of no-confidence that has toppled Canada's Prime Minister Paul Martin's minority government, triggering an unusual election campaign during the Christmas holidays. Canada's three opposition parties, which control a majority in Parliament, voted against Martin's government, claiming his Liberal Party no longer has the moral authority to lead the nation. The loss means an election for all 308 seats in the lower House of Commons, likely on Jan. 23. Martin and his Cabinet would continue to govern until then. See... Canadian Government Falls on No-Confidence [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00524.htm

Foreign Affairs News: TEAR Fund Takes Exception To Commonwealth Sec-Gen McKinnon's Comments

- TEAR Fund New Zealand considers the current debate between Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon and Prime Minister Helen Clark over trade versus democracy misplaced. “Far from a ‘throw away line’, the Secretary General has raised the significant tension between trade and democracy," says TEAR Fund Executive Director Stephen Tollestrup. "The fact is, this is not an ‘either or’ issue, instead it is a 'both and’. Trade and democracy should be two sides of the same coin. The issue neglected in all of this is access to fair credit for the poor." See... Trade versus Democracy: A False Dichotomy [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00219.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00516.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00517.htm

Tech News: Finda First Off The Block With Pay Per Call Technology

- The fast growing free online website, findA.co.nz, has today launched Pay Per Call - a product that it says will revolutionize the online advertising market for businesses in New Zealand. FindA Pay Per Call was built to bridge the gap between the internet and telephony for businesses and companies whose bread and butter is generated through inbound sales calls. This advancement takes the natural step forward from the Pay Per Click model made so successful by Google. See... First to bring Pay Per Call technology to NZ [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00461.htm

Biz News: Eight Finalists Named As Roger Awards Finalists

- The finalists have been chosen for the 2005 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand. There are eight transnational corporations (TNCs), equalling the highest number ever (from 2003). They are (in no particular order of preference): Telecom, Westpac, Toll, BNZ, Comalco, Guardian Healthcare, Merck Sharp and Dohme, and British American Tobacco. See... 2005 Roger Award Finalists Chosen [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00221.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00223.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00222.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0511/S00204.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00470.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00094.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0511/S00214.htm

Kiwis Abroad: Kiwi Beachwear Set to Shine In Cannes -

The best beachwear proposals enrolled to Mittelmoda will be exhibited in Cannes once again. 7 beachwear international proposals have been carefully selected by the Consorzio among those arrived at Mittelmoda’s offices, and will stay on display at the Salone 100% Beachwear Maredimoda in Cannes. They are the following: Katalyn Osten, Otago Polytechnic Dunedin – New Zealand; See... Kiwi Beachwear On the World Stage [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0511/S00215.htm

Media News: SubNews Journalists Out On Strike

- Industrial action is under way at 13 Fairfax-owned newspapers in Auckland and Wellington. Journalists and circulation workers are picketing the Suburban Newspapers headquarters in Auckland, while workers at the chain’s Wellington community newspapers are into their second day of strike action. Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the 3.5 per cent pay offer on the table for all workers was not good enough. See... Industrial Action at Fairfax - Journalists Strike [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00455.htm

Ed News: QPEC Writes To Minister Over Kindergarten Fees

- QPEC has tonight written to the Minister of Education Steve Maharey calling on the government to increase its funding for public early childhood centres which would allow kindergartens to abandon plans to install Eftpos machines for parents to pay fees. Many parents cannot pay the fees and their children will miss out on a decent start in life. These are the very children from low income communities who would benefit the most from high quality education in their early years. Every scrap of research emphasises this point. See... Govt Ought To Fund Kindergarten - QPEC [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00091.htm

Culture News: Hamilton's Somali Community Features in Unique Exhibition

- In a national first, one of New Zealand’s newest and most misunderstood communities is the focus of a social photography project due to open at the Waikato Museum on December 3. The show, entitled ‘Rare View’, explores Hamilton’s Somali community through a series of large photographs and personal items. Veil of Secrecy lifted on Somali Community [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0511/S00213.htm

Culture News: Inner City Eye Captures Oddly Appealing Xmas Carnival -

Tristan from About Town had a primo view of Auckland's Santa Parade and snapped happily and wilfully. From his apartment the dedicated internet diarist was able to capture all the magic and some of the commercialism of the modern day Santa parade. For the many that were denied the pleasure of this splendid day due to laziness, forgetfulness or geography,thanks to About Town here's a sprinkling of elf magic. See... Santa Parade Snaps [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00327.htm

Industry News: SuperSizeMyPay.com Campaign Spreads To KFC

- Youth workers earning as low as $7.13 an hour voted 100% in favour of striking on Saturday December 3rd, 2pm at the million-dollar refurbished Balmoral KFC store. In a ratification meeting last Friday, Unite Union members from the store voted against the Restaurant Brands contract offer. “The Restaurant Brands contract offer included no pay rise and no removal of youth rates despite the companies intention to upgrade 98 KFC stores throughout New Zealand,“ said SuperSizeMyPay.com [1] campaign coordinator, Simon Oosterman. See... Minimum Wage KFC Workers Vote To Strike [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.supersizemypay.com
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00443.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00454.htm

Weather: "BIG" Cyclone Possible This Summer

- MetService is preparing for the coming cyclone season, and meteorologist Steve Ready says that he will not be surprised if New Zealand is hit by a BIG cyclone at some stage this summer. According to Mr. Ready, "Between now and the end of May, nine tropical cyclones are expected to form in the South Pacific." See... Metservice Preparing for Coming Cyclone Season [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00057.htm

A Week Of It: Does Gibbs' World Service Have The Answers For TVNZ?

- A Week of It had a chinwag with ACT leader Rodney Hide recently and shot the breeze on the topic of broadcasting. This week an inquiry regarding TVNZ begins in no small part thanks to Mr Hide's urgings. Sadly, Mr Hide's own forays into broadcasting are obscured by the murky mists of time. In the mid 90s Mr Hide acted as an intermediary for Alan Gibbs in running BBC World Service NZ and was even, from time to time, on the radio himself. See... A Week Of It: Media Blasts From The Past [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00319.htm

UN concerned over new confirmed human case of bird flu in China

- Following a new confirmed human case of bird flu in China’s south-eastern Anhui province, the United Nations health agency is joining a mission by the Chinese Health Ministry to investigate exposure to the virus, which in a worst case scenario could mutate into a human pandemic that could kill tens of millions of people… Ever since the first human case of bird flu, linked to widespread poultry outbreaks in Viet Nam and Thailand, was reported in January last year, UN health officials have warned that the H5N1 virus could evolve into a global influenza pandemic if it mutates into a form which could transmit easily between people. See... Agency Mounts Joint Bird Flu Mission In China [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00495.htm

Jurists Says Australian Terror Laws Ensnare Innocents

- Australia: ASIO raids on the homes of Melbourne’s Sri Lankan Tamil community last week highlight serious concerns held by ICJ Australia that counter-terrorism laws may ensnare innocent charitable donors in their net, and may be used by foreign governments to pursue their own political agendas. Federal officers seized computers, bank records, telephone records and other material from a number of homes in Melbourne last week. Federal authorities were looking for alleged evidence to support claims that certain people were involved in providing financial assistance to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE or “Tamil Tigers”) in Sri Lanka. See... ICJ Concern over ASIO Raids on Tamils In Melbourne [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00510.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00501.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00499.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00492.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00483.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00480.htm

Tze Ming Mok on Nguyen Tuong Van and More

- After defecting from the Communist Party, my grandfather worked the Golden Triangle with a fleet of trucks as an opium smuggler. When the family got to Singapore from Burma, the PAP tried to hire him as a political strategist - Nguyen Tuong Van's not so fucking lucky. My gong-gong's not the only big-time drug-dealer the Singapore Government has had dealings with. See... Public Address 28-29/11/05 - Call Of The Wild [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00358.htm

Cindy Sheehan counts her blessings

- It was hard to feel blessed today as I sat at Casey's grave here in Vacaville, California. Sure, a lot of good things have happened in my sphere of influence this year, but the blessings are always hampered by the reason for the blessings. If Casey had not been killed in Iraq in George's imperialistic war for power and wealth, I wouldn't be on this path. I wish to God I weren't on this path. But I am, so here are the blessings I am thankful for this year. See... Cindy Sheehan: Blessings? [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00345.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00346.htm

Brian Nicole's MMP Comments Raise Questions

- Something has to be amiss when one of the centre right’s major strategists publishes a piece in a metropolitan daily newspaper, talking up the prospects of a fourth term of government for Helen Clark. Yes fourth term, not whether the current contrivance of a majority with Winston and Peter Dunne will last, but a real fair dinkum serious discussion about another term after this one. See... John Bishop: Praising Labour Won’t Help Right Win [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00355.htm

MORE COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00352.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00357.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00330.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00356.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00353.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00351.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00350.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00349.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00348.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00347.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00344.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00343.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00342.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00341.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00340.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00339.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00338.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00337.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00336.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00335.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00334.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00333.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00329.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00326.htm
[25] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00321.htm
[26] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00317.htm

Legal Twist For CPAG – When It's Over Will Kids Get More? -

In a landmark case, Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has won confirmation of its right to bring legal action against the Government over discriminatory policies. This is the first case of its kind allowing Government legislation and policy to be challenged. CPAG alleges aspects of the Government's family assistance policy result in significant discrimination. See... Landmark win in human rights case [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00210.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00403.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00215.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00412.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00329.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00224.htm

UN Rapporteur on Maori in New Zealand

- While the standard of living of the Maori of New Zealand has improved and is better than that of indigenous peoples in poorer countries, there is widespread concern that the gap in social and economic conditions is actually growing larger and an increasing proportion of Maori are being left behind, a United Nations human rights expert said today. See... UN Rapporteur Concludes NZ Visit [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0511/S00213.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00323.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00394.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00387.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00090.htm

Suits Pose with Goofy Giant Kiwi for Good Cause

- The Minister of Conservation, Chris Carter and Bank of New Zealand Acting General Manager Marketing Distribution & Strategy, Chris Black and kiwi at the launch of "Kiwi Forever - Kiwi Mo Ake Tonu Atu" a new education resource kit... See... Launch of Kiwi Education Resource Kit [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00088.htm

Nats Say Ngawha Prison Staffing A Mess

- National’s Law and Order spokesman, Simon Power, says it is indicative of the mess that the prisons system is in when 84 of the 126 staff at the state-of-the-art Ngawha Prison in Northland have less than one year’s experience working in Corrections. He is commenting on figures released to him by Corrections Minister Damien O’Connor in answers to a written question. See... Ngawha Prison staffing cause for concern [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00400.htm

Government Abandons CoOL

- The Government has decided not to join with Australia in mandating country of origin labelling for food ... "New Zealand has for many years opposed mandatory country of origin labelling internationally as we believe CoOL should be a commercial decision for businesses, rather than a matter for the Government, and because we believe mandatory CoOL is potentially an unnecessary barrier to international trade." See... Government decides not to mandate CoOL [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00410.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00413.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00447.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00448.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00453.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00421.htm

Greens Keep United's Dunne Busy

- United Future leader, Peter Dunne, says the Greens have got it completely wrong in their criticism of United Future over the proposed abolition of the Foreshore and Seabed Act. United Future leader, Peter Dunne, says the Greens have got it completely wrong in their criticism of United Future over the proposed abolition of the Foreshore and Seabed Act. "We have done no secret deals with Labour on this or any other issue in return for a Ministerial post. "United Future is fully focused on the 15 policy points we negotiated in our confidence and supply agreement with the Government." See... Dunne debunks Green conspiracy theory [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00411.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00407.htm

Malta: Peters Refutes Media Reports That He Led Immigration Debate

- Allegations made in the media to the effect that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon Winston Peters is in some way involved with leading a debate on immigration whilst attending CHOGM this week in Malta, are “totally inaccurate and the direct result of a reporter interviewing his Malta newspaper in his hotel room,” suggested Mr Peters today. See... Peters refutes allegations of immigration debate [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00384.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00385.htm

POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00425.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00420.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00417.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00415.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00424.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00419.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00418.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00423.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00421.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00416.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

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