Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 4 September 2006, 5:20 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Religion in School: Government Backs Down On Guidelines
Medicine: Ministry Of Health On MeNZB Claims
Business: A Kiwi In China Enters The Icebreaker Debate
AGENDA: Hone Harawira & Andrew Little Talk Phillip Field
Industrial Relations: Is What We have Here A Failure To Communicate?
Kiwi Pride: Carter Grabs A Silver In Swansong -
MORE HEADLINES:
Manufacturing: Hughes Hopes Feltex Jobs Will Be Saved -
Scoop Satire: Campaign to Impeach Field Gains Momentum
Policing: Parliament Site Of Anti-Taser Protest
Politics: Is HIV Infection Preventing Zimbabweans From Seeking Help?
State Of It! Taito Should Resign – Who Is Ready To Replace Him?

WORLD NEWS:
Australia: Suppressed SA Parliament Euthanasia Speech Published On NZ Website
Foreign Affairs: IAEA Sends Critical Iran Nuke Report To Security Council
Lebanon:Annan Reassures Lebanese Leaders Security Council Backs Peace
Lebanon: Scoop's Lebanon War Aftermath Analysis Continues... Is Iran Next
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Bad Language: Russell Brown Defends A "Blue" Bill Ralston & Corresponds With Rosalea Barker
Terror: The 9/11 Anniversary Approaches
Plamegate: Jason Leopold - Armitage's Guilt Does Not Exonerate Rove
Memes: Martin LeFevre Meditates On Bush And Rumsfeld's Rhetoric
Sport: A Pakistani View On What's Cricket & What's Not
MORE SCOOP COMMENT AND OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:
SCOOP WAS IN THE HOUSE:
Politics: Benson-Pope Reckon's ACT's Been Mis-calculating Benefit Fraud
KiwiSaver: New Act Lets New Zealanders Save $$$
Progressive Strike: Mediation And Legal Action
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

Religion in School: Government Backs Down On Guidelines

National Party Education spokesman Bill English says parent power forced the Labour Government to back down on its "loopy" proposal for guidelines on religious instruction in schools. "But I am concerned that it took such ridicule from parents and the involvement of Anglican Bishops and the Opposition Education spokesman to inject some commonsense into the Ministry of Education. See... Prayers in school: parent power beats Labour [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00063.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00067.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00064.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00054.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0609/S00008.htm

Medicine: Ministry Of Health On MeNZB Claims

- Ministry of Health responds to claims made by Ron Law and Barbara Sumner Burstyn in Meningococcal Gold Rush III:post-MeNZB Vaccine Update - The article quotes Meningococcal B Immunisation Programme Director Dr Jane O’Hallahan referring to the programme as a 'calculated gamble'. What was meant by this? These words have been taken out of context. Dr Jane O’Hallahan was giving a presentation, near the end of the immunisation programme, and was referring to the fact that there are always unknowns and always risks in everything that is done. See... Response to Meningococcal Gold Rush III Claims [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0609/S00014.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0607/S00284.htm
[3] - #menzb

Business: A Kiwi In China Enters The Icebreaker Debate

- Dear Jeremy and Barbara, You are both out of your tree, to quote our late David Lange. Anyone who wants to find “dirt” and badmouth China can easily do this, and anyone who wants to depict China as a modern clean efficient “shiny” nation can do that too. Neither is true in every respect. China is not one place and not one country, it is a different world. The span between the good, bad and the ugly is enormous in China, much more so than anywhere else in the world. See... China Expat Chimes In Re: Icebreaker & Kiwi Made [1] EARLIER:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00045.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00015.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0609/S00017.htm

AGENDA: Hone Harawira & Andrew Little Talk Phillip Field

- A large proportion of Labour’s caucus want Mangere MP Philip Field to resign according to Engineers, Printers, and Manufacturers Union (EPMU) National Secretary Andrew Little. See... Hone Harawira & Andrew Little On Agenda – Briefs [1] & AGENDA: Andrew Little and Hone Harawira - 2/09/06 [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00041.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00040.htm

Industrial Relations: Is What We have Here A Failure To Communicate?

Mediation between the two unions representing 600 locked out distribution workers and their multi-billion dollar Australian employer Progressive concluded at 5pm last night without a settlement or a further mediation date set, says the National Distribution Union. “After 10 days without pay, Progressive continues to demand that the 600 distribution workers give up their claim for a national agreement. See... Day 10: Mediation Concluded Without Settlement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0609/S00027.htm

Kiwi Pride: Carter Grabs A Silver In Swansong -

New Zealand triathlete Hamish Carter, who lives in Mt Eden, has claimed the silver medal in the elite men's event at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland this morning. Kris Gemmell came in fourth in the same race. See... Carter Grabs Silver At Triathlon World Champs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0609/S00023.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00066.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0609/S00023.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0609/S00041.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0609/S00003.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0609/S00021.htm

Manufacturing: Hughes Hopes Feltex Jobs Will Be Saved -

Otaki MP Darren Hughes hopes that Monday’s meeting of the Shareholders Association will highlight the options that are in New Zealand’s best interests when they discuss the future of Feltex. Mr Hughes represents Foxton where the tufting plant is the town’s largest employer and a significant player in the Manawatu and Horowhenua-Kapiti economy. “I welcome the meeting as a positive opportunity to discuss how we can save jobs. See... Hughes on Feltex [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00062.htm

Scoop Satire: Campaign to Impeach Field Gains Momentum

- In response to a police investigation into his actions, embattled MP Taito Phillip Field has denied any criminality, stating that "[he is] not a crook". Supporters of Mr Field have also come forward. "Taito Phillip Field has been investigated an entirely, completely and inarguably exonerated by this Ingram Report. These continuing allegations are clearly political," said Selio Solomon, Chairman of the Committee to Re-Elect the MP for Mangere. See... Lyndon Hood: Field "Not A Crook", Says Field [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00020.htm
[2] - #field

Policing: Parliament Site Of Anti-Taser Protest

- There was little need for either a Police presence or the administration of a tasering to any of the small crowd who turned up to protest the trial introduction of the electric stun gun into the Police's defence arsenal. Leading the charge against the Taser has been Green MP Keith Locke who today received support from the Maori Party's Hone Harawira. Images by Scoop's Kevin List. See... No Need For Tasers At Parliament Taser Protest [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00385.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00513.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00537.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00555.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00380.htm

Politics: Is HIV Infection Preventing Zimbabweans From Seeking Help?

- Scoop's Kevin List writes that the New Zealand Government approved a Special Zimbabwe Residence Policy (SRP) in 2005 and since then about 500 Zimbabweans have been granted residence. But many who are eligible have yet to come forward to apply for residence. Government officials suspect many potential residents are not coming forward because of uncertainty around their HIV status. What's the Government doing about this issue? See... Will AIDS Issue Become A Political Football? [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00370.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00528.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00529.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0608/S00115.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00356.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0608/S00124.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0609/S00016.htm

State Of It! Taito Should Resign – Who Is Ready To Replace Him?

- Scoop's Selwyn Manning writes a Police investigation into Phillip Field's conduct spells the end of this once respected MP. Even should the Police investigation conclude with no charge, many in South Auckland want Field to resign. So who would replace him? Would it be a Palagi candidate or PI? Scoop lines up the likely ones. See... Taito's Career Is Dead Long Live His Successor! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00383.htm

Australia: Suppressed SA Parliament Euthanasia Speech Published On NZ Website

- "SA Premier Mike Rann makes his government look ridiculous over the unprecedented Hansard ban of Democrats MLC Sandra Kanck's Euthanasia speech, because within weeks dozens of copies of the speech will be posted on Blogs and websites, and these posts will include highly critical articles about his government's archaic ban on Free speech," WA Human Rights group Project SafeCom said this morning. See... Mike Rann makes SA govt look ridiculous over Knack [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00058.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00060.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00061.htm

Foreign Affairs: IAEA Sends Critical Iran Nuke Report To Security Council

- The International Atomic Energy Agency has issues a critical report on Iran's nuclear programme to the United Nations security council. The report has caused a diplomatic exchange between Iran and the United States over Iran's nuclear ambitions. As a response, Iran says the United States ought not use threatening language but engage in dialogue. Circulation of the report is restricted unless the IAEA and Security Council decide otherwise. See... IAEA Sends Iran Nuke Report To Security Council [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00028.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00027.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0609/S00019.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00410.htm

Annan Reassures Lebanese Leaders Security Council Backs Peace

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today met with Lebanese leaders, offering his reassurances that the UN and the international community stood firmly behind efforts to implement the Security Council resolution that ended hostilities between Israel and Hizbollah earlier this month. See... Annan meets with Lebanese Prime Minister [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00371.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00362.htm

Scoop's Lebanon War Aftermath Analysis Continues... Is Iran Next

Uri Avnery Assesses The Cut Of Ehud Olmert's Jib - EHUD OLMERT has found a convincing proof of his great victory over Hassan Nasrallah: "I am touring the country freely while Nasrallah is hiding in his bunker!" It is said that "the style is the man," and by these words Olmert shows his quality (or lack thereof). At the moment, dozens of Israeli airplanes and helicopter gunships are standing by, ready to kill Nasrallah if he as much as shows himself. Nasrallah does not have a single airplane or helicopter to kill Olmert. See... Uri Avnery: The Bees in the Lion's Carcass [1] & Uri Avnery: America's Rottweiler [2] MORE ISRAEL/LEBANON/IRAN COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00011.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00333.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00004.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00002.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00009.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00044.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00034.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00031.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00379.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00349.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00362.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00376.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00419.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00418.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00415.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00411.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0608/S00409.htm

Bad Language: Russell Brown Defends A "Blue" Bill Ralston & Corresponds With Rosalea Barker

- I'm not sure I get Bill Ralston's moment of shame, as breathlessly reported by two Sunday newspapers. During the week, a Herald on Sunday reporter was pursuing a "news" story on an itinerant Auckland man, whose only conventional news value appears to be that he's Ralston's cousin... See... Public Address 04/09/06 - The Clearing Of Throats [1] & Public Address 01/09/06 - Home And (Bombs) Away [2] MEANWHILE… If you, like I, have ever wished that the writing at Stateside could be as well-informed as the writing over at www.PublicAddress.net , then wish no more! PA founder and Hard News-man, Russell Brown, stopped over last week in San Francisco on his way back to New Zealand. See... Stateside With Rosalea: A Godwit Flies By [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00047.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00019.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00046.htm

Terror: The 9/11 Anniversary Approaches

- The Oliver Stone movie World Trade Center is another moving hagiopic to the terrible sacrifice of 9-11, designed maybe to redeem him from the wilder theories of JFK. But it isn't the time for such a movie, we've been celebrating ourselves for being victims in 9-11 for 5 years now, and it's too much. It's time to stop congratulating ourselves for something we didn't do. See... UQ Wire: Hammernews - 9-11 Narcissism [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00006.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00365.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00377.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0608/S00374.htm

Plamegate: Jason Leopold - Armitage's Guilt Does Not Exonerate Rove

- Richard Armitage, the former deputy Secretary of State, may be syndicated columnist Robert Novak's primary source who told him on July 8, 2003, that Ambassador Joseph Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, worked for the CIA. But that doesn't change the fact that Karl Rove told former Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper the same thing three days later - and then subsequently failed to tell federal investigators about it for a year. See... Jason Leopold: Plame Leak(s) [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00030.htm

Martin LeFevre Meditates On Bush And Rumsfeld's Rhetoric

- President Bush made an extraordinary statement at his unexpected news conference on August 21st. He said: “the consequence of leaving Iraq before the job is done…[is that] we will have lost our soul as a nation.” The Nazis used that kind of rhetorical trick, turning the root cause of their rise to power into a rallying cry. It won’t work this time. See... Meme Warfare: Bush & Rumsfeld - They’ve Lost the 'War of Ideas' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00023.htm

A Pakistani View On What's Cricket & What's Not

- While people admire Australian sports' talent and strength worldwide; they are also famous for being arrogant and sledgers in some parts of the world. Famous World Cup-winning Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga branded the Australian cricketers as arrogant as well as vulnerable. Another great alrounder and World-cup winning captain of Pakistan, Imran Khan called the Australian cricketers as biased. See... Syed Atiq ul Hassan: Pompous Aussie or Firebrand [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00018.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT AND OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00013.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00043.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00042.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00008.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00039.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00017.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00038.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00037.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00036.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00035.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00022.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00033.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00032.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00029.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00027.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00016.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00003.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00026.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00025.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00012.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00010.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00007.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00005.htm

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:

TV3 News/TNS Opinion Poll August 2006 [1] Transtasman Political Letter – 31 August Digest [2] AGENDA: Andrew Little and Hone Harawira - 2/09/06 [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00021.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00014.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0609/S00040.htm

SCOOP WAS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00009.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00530.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00522.htm

Politics: Benson-Pope Reckon's ACT's Been Mis-calculating Benefit Fraud

ACT MP Heather Roy has got her facts wrong about benefit fraud and needs to stop feeding misinformation to the media, Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope said today. "The Labour-led Government has zero tolerance for benefit fraud. No exceptions," Mr Benson-Pope said. "We investigate, we prosecute, and we send benefit fraudsters to jail. Among the cases quoted by Mrs Roy, jail terms ranged from eight months to two years, three months." See... Heather Roy gets it wrong [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00040.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00006.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00008.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00007.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00033.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0609/S00034.htm

KiwiSaver: New Act Lets New Zealanders Save $$$

- The passing of the KiwiSaver Bill is an important milestone towards helping hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders secure their financial future, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. "This is a great day for many who may have otherwise struggled to develop a savings habit to provide them with a much more comfortable and secure retirement. See... KiwiSaver takes flight – legislation passed [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00542.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00547.htm

Progressive Strike: Mediation And Legal Action

- Unions representing locked out distribution workers will file for an urgent injuction today to prevent Progressive Enterprises from running at least one secret distribution centre in Auckland, says the National Distribution Union... Laila Harre said workers were hopeful that progress could be made to today to allow negotiations for a national collective agreement to resume, but said that workers were not getting their hopes up too high. See... Mediation scheduled this morning [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00342.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0608/S00529.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0608/S00528.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00350.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00348.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00339.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0608/S00490.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0608/S00341.htm

MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00554.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00551.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00544.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00538.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00534.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00531.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00552.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00549.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00526.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00525.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00546.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00545.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00536.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00524.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00547.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00541.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00540.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00537.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00533.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0608/S00529.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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