Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Wednesday, 1 March 2006, 4:15 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
David Benson-Pope: The Personal Explanation For The Complaint That Was Not Remembered
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
Arts Festival: Audio Interview with Janet Roddick
Health: NZ Too Slack On Tobacco Warnings -
Entertainment: Much Loved Govt Departments Targeted By Comedians -
Arts: NZ International Arts Festival Opening Weekend
MORE HEADLINES:
PM Blair's Letter in Support of Action on Climate Change
Bush Administration’s Massive Waiver for Indonesian Military Undermines Human Rights
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Jason Leopold On What's Missing From The Enron Trial
Sheila Samples On The World That Dick Built
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Mutants
MORE COMMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Savings: Cullen's Way Forward For Piggy Bank Raiders
Budget 2006 Scheduled For May 18th
Govt. Plans To Talk About Farm Access Issues Again
Green Party Suggests Oil Check For Finance Minister
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

It is annual Netguide.co.nz New Zealand Internet Awards time again & this time the awards are to be judged by public vote. Scoop would respectfully ask its readers to go to the following URL…
http://www.netguide.co.nz/webawards/index2.htm
…and seriously consider voting for Scoop.co.nz in one or all of the following categories.

- BEST MEDIA SITE - - BEST NEW SITE OR RELAUNCH - - SITE OF THE YEAR - - BEST HIGH-SPEED INTERNET SITE - - BEST HOME PAGE -

…. The Scoop Team

David Benson-Pope: The Personal Explanation For The Complaint That Was Not Remembered

[1] Madam Speaker. On 12 May last in response to a supplementary question I said: "I am not aware of any complaint of any kind." with regard to my 24 years as a secondary teacher. Yesterday, I received a copy of two documents from the school. One a complaint, and the second, what appears to be a draft response. I have no recollection of ever having seen this letter of complaint. See... Personal Explanation of David Benson-Pope MP [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00453.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00453.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00336.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00402.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00343.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00007.htm

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00009.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00454.htm

Arts Festival: Audio Interview with Janet Roddick

- German theatre composer Kurt Weill is best known for the song 'Mac the Knife', composed for Bertold Brecht's The Threepenny Opera. The Songs of Kurt Weill will be performed by a collaboration founded in projects such as the Six Volts and soundtrack studio Plan 9. See... Arts Festival Preview: The Songs of Kurt Weill's Janet Roddick (audio interview) [1] ALSO

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00356.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00355.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00341.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00357.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00002.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00338.htm

Health: NZ Too Slack On Tobacco Warnings -

New Zealand is in danger of breaching its international obligations if it doesn’t pick up the pace on the introduction of larger health warnings on tobacco packets, says Smokefree Coalition Director Mark Peck. “Australia is introducing graphic new health warnings on tobacco packets tomorrow. Whereas in New Zealand, moves to follow suit seem to have fallen into a big black hole.” See... NZ Risks Breaching International Treaty [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00001.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0602/S00079.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00012.htm

Entertainment: Much Loved Govt Departments Targeted By Comedians -

Scoop has obtained an audio recording of what could be called, by many upstanding citizens, comic hooliganism. A small group of comedians going by the name of the The Rock, Frank Martinez, and The Row have been interacting with various Government departments, major fast food chains and large unhelpful companies. See... Comedic Aural Terrorists Target Society's Fabric [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00340.htm

Arts: NZ International Arts Festival Opening Weekend

- Opening night of the New Zealand International Arts Festival. There's a sense of importance and occasion among the crowd at the St James, even if some of them were not sufficiently awed to remember to turn their cell phones off. This is serious fun. See... Arts Festival Review: The History Boys [1] FOR MORE SCOOP REVIEWS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00306.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/festival2006.html

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00448.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0602/S00047.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00007.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00006.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0603/S00001.htm

PM Blair's Letter in Support of Action on Climate Change

- The cost of inaction is clear. Almost every day, there is new evidence of how our climate is becoming more extreme and the impact on people and our environment. Every week, there are new and authoritative scientific studies warning that, without urgent action, this may be just a taste of what the future holds. So I understand frustrations about the seemingly slow progress in rising to the threat to our planet and our children. I have said repeatedly that I believe climate change is, without doubt, the major long-term threat facing our planet. It was why I made it, along with Africa, one of the two key issues for the UK's Presidency of the G8. See... PM Blair's Letter in Support of Stop Climate Chaos [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00497.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00505.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00500.htm

Bush Administration’s Massive Waiver for Indonesian Military Undermines Human Rights

- The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today urged Congress to reject the Bush administration's request for increased Foreign Military Financing (FMF) funds for Indonesia. The group said Congress should “zero out” the greater than six-fold increase and re-impose conditions on military assistance to Indonesia. The request is part of the administration's proposed budget for 2007. "Arming the military is not the way to promote democracy and human rights in Indonesia," said Karen Orenstein, National Coordinator of ETAN. "Congress should zero out the Bush administration's unwarranted gift to Indonesia's unreformed military." See... Bush Admin’s Waiver for Indonesian Military [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00504.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00495.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00493.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00490.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00489.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0602/S00485.htm

Jason Leopold On What's Missing From The Enron Trial

- More than 400 pages of documents released by federal energy regulators suggest that former Enron chairman Ken Lay and former chief executive Jeff Skilling were aware that the company's west coast traders may have broken the law by using manipulative trading tactics in California to boost Enron's profits during the height of the state's power crisis. See... Jason Leopold: Enron Trial Avoids the Real Ripoff [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00353.htm

Sheila Samples On The World That Dick Built

- This is the guy who pulled the trigger of the gun that fired the round that hit his friend that ruined the hunt and shed some light on the world that Dick built... Sheila Samples: The World That Dick Built [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00352.htm

Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Mutants

- Few people who have seen David Cronenberg's 1986 classic, The Fly, could ever wish upon themselves the horror and personal tragedy that the genetic disaster in that film ultimately created. This touching, yet profoundly disturbing gross-out fest told the story of eccentric scientist Seth Brundle who, in pursuit of teleportation technology, accidentally has his DNA fused with that of a common housefly. The resulting mutation, "Brundlefly", seems at first to be an inexhaustible Superman with tremendous strength, heightened senses, lightning-fast mental acuity, and the marathon sexual proclivities of an African lion. See... BioEthics & Pandora's Box of Genetic Engineering [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00345.htm

MORE COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00351.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00350.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00349.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00348.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00347.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00346.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00354.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00344.htm

Savings: Cullen's Way Forward For Piggy Bank Raiders

- KiwiSaver will give New Zealanders more choices for securing their financial futures, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. The KiwiSaver bill has been introduced into Parliament and will have its first reading on Thursday. "It is essential New Zealanders develop better long-term savings habits so they can look forward with more confidence to a retirement that meets their aspirations. See... KiwiSaver – security and choice [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00435.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0602/S00342.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00441.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00440.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0602/S00382.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0602/S00179.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0602/S00178.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0602/S00376.htm

Budget 2006 Scheduled For May 18th

- Finance Minister Michael Cullen will deliver his seventh budget on Thursday 18 May. "Budget 2006 will underline the government's commitment to transforming the economy. We need more globally competitive firms and this budget will continue efforts towards building a more dynamic, knowledge-based economy. See... Budget date announced [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00011.htm

Govt. Plans To Talk About Farm Access Issues Again

- A new consultation document on walking access in rural areas is to be released shortly, Rural Affairs Minister Damien O'Connor said. See... Progress being made on Walking Access - O'Connor [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00001.htm

Green Party Suggests Oil Check For Finance Minister

- Finance Minister Michael Cullen's "reality check" on the economy should include a "reality check" on oil use, Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says. "Dr Cullen has called for a reality check on an economy he says has 'come off the boil' at a time Statistics New Zealand is announcing an annual trade deficit of $7,102 million - the highest on record," Ms Fitzsimons says. "His reality check should look more closely at reasons for the deficit; and long-term effects. See... "Reality check" needed on oil use [1] . See also... Cullen: The Economic Outlook [2] & Cullen - Reality check needed on economy [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00448.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00442.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00432.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00010.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00005.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00004.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00003.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00002.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00012.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00446.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00445.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00444.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00443.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00438.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00436.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00434.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00431.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00452.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00451.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0602/S00450.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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