Top Scoop Stories October 20th 2009 News Summary

Tuesday, 20 October 2009, 3:28 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Structure Announced: MMP Referendum To Be Held At 2011 Election
The first referendum on the MMP voting system will be held in conjunction with the 2011 general election, Justice Minister Simon Power announced today. "The National-led Government made a pre-election promise to hold a referendum on MMP by no later than 2011, and we are honouring that promise," Mr Power said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00261.htm

ALSO:

Labour will support MMP referendum [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00264.htm [2]

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NZ POLITICS

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ALSO:

Questions for Oral Answer - 20 Oct 2009 [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00259.htm [2]

Deals: Maori Party Supports ACC Bill To First Reading
The Maori Party caucus has decided to support the introduction of the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment Bill, to be referred to a Select Committee. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00265.htm

ALSO:

Employers wary about competition for ACC [2]

ACC Levy Rises, Cover Cuts [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00294.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00138.htm [3]

Gordon Campbell: Managing The Press Gallery (And Afghanistan)
As a free fire exercise in which anything at all can be raised, the Prime Minister’s post Cabinet press conference should be a rewarding experience... Yesterday though was a prime example of the lean pickings in actual content. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/20/campbell-managing-the-press-gallery-afghanistan/

ALSO:

Cabinet approves RWC joint bid [2]

Maori Party puts brave face on RWC outcome [3]

ACC cuts to sexual abuse counselling [4]

Maori given cold shoulder under ‘moderated’ ETS [5]

Free-To-Air Rugby World Cup Ruckus [6]

ACC Levy Rises, Cover Cuts [7]

Nat-Maori Deal On ETS [8]

Full interview with John Key: RWC, ACC [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00250.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00253.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00283.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00258.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00139.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00138.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0909/S00131.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/28301.html [9]

Conservation: Open Season On Protected Lakes And Rivers?
News today that the Government is considering weakening the Water Conservation Order (WCO) on the Rakaia River is just the tip of the iceberg, with the Government declaring open season on our most protected rivers and lakes, the Green Party said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00263.htm

ALSO:

Kevin Hague [2]

Rajen Prasad [3]

John Boscawen [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00134.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00120.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00121.htm [4]

Arguably A Good Thing: National's Broken Welfare Promises
Information obtained under the Official Information Act shows that the National government has failed to implement the welfare policy promises it made during the 2008 election campaign. Welfare commentator Lindsay Mitchell said that she had been provided with information which confirms that none of the promises laid out below has been implemented... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00286.htm

ALSO:

ACC Clarifies Assistance for Mental Injury [2]

Enhancing ACC support for sexual abuse survivors [3]

ACC cutbacks to counselling spark fight back [4]

Day Of Action Against Acc Cuts [5]

ACC Levy Rises, Cover Cuts [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0910/S00084.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0910/S00076.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00247.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00281.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00138.htm [6]

Q+A: Guyon Espiner Interviews Tariana Turia
- Turia hints that Foreshore and Seabed Act will be repealed: “I’m really satisfied with the progress we have made” - “Faults on both sides” in handling of Maori TV rugby bid - The government now “wastes” a billion on social services - Turia “very concerned” about ACC reforms; privatising Work Account would drive up levies “exorbitantly” More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00274.htm

ALSO:

Q+A Transcript: Bob Buckle on Tax [2]

RWC broadcasting shambles continues [3]

Government-gang partnership crazy [4]

Meeting with gangs to curb violence [5]

Turia 'disappointed' with hijacking of Maori TV bid [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0910/S00275.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00238.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00240.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00243.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/28223.html [6]

Road Funding: "Mayors Are Right – Minister Is Wrong"
Transport Minister Steven Joyce is being mischievous and is just plain wrong to suggest that local roading funding has increased, Labour’s Transport spokesperson Darren Hughes said today. “Regional Mayors don’t believe him, Labour doesn’t believe him, and that’s because he is 100% wrong,” Darren Hughes said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0910/S00246.htm

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Popularity Contests: Kākāpō Knows Who Real Bird Of The Year Is
Proving size isn’t everything, the critically endangered kākāpō population has shown their combined pulling power can draw people in from all over the world, after a Youtube video featuring the now famous Sirocco the kākāpō received more than million hits this weekend. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0910/S00325.htm

ALSO:

750 kiwi for Rainbow Springs’ Kiwi Encounter [2]

Sirocco the kākāpō an online phenomenon [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0910/S00291.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0910/S00018.htm [3]

Scoop Business: Notice Of Meeting
Your trusty Wellington correspondent turned up to the Solid Energy “annual general meeting” in the Ilott Theatre at the Wellington Town Hall this week, keen to sample an SOE’s version of a listed company AGM. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/16/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-notice-of-meeting/

ALSO:

BeST Bronzes for Whanganui UCOL designers [2]

Design win-win at BEST awards [3]

P&O Cruises to Launch Superliner in Auckland [4]

Summer cruise season underway [5]

Wellington Tourism Gears up for Cruise Season [6]

Cruiseabout Confirmed to Dock in the NZ Market [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0910/S00080.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0910/S00087.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00429.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0910/S00253.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00430.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0910/S00432.htm [7]

Electricity Market: TrustPower Fined For Misleading Customers
Listed electricity retailer TrustPower Ltd has been fined $17,000 for failing to give adequate information about low user tariff options in letters purporting to advise customers about their best choice of tariff. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/10/16/trustpower-fined-for-misleading-customers/

Legal Issues: Coke Asserts Trademark On Christmas
Organisers of the Brother Christmas in the Park event in the Hutt Valley... were informed recently that the 'Christmas in the Park' moniker is in fact a Coca Cola registered trademark. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0910/S00241.htm

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COMMENT

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Rosalea Barker: A Trip Down Under In Pictures
The US flag atop the new drilling rig next to the road to my birthplace was in tatters by the time I left town a week later, shredded by the south wind that had brought unseasonal snowfalls early in the week of my visit and dressing my beloved mountain... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00178.htm

Gordon Campbell: Managing The Press Gallery, Afghanistan
As a free fire exercise in which anything at all can be raised, the Prime Minister’s post Cabinet press conference should be a rewarding experience – and it commonly does set the political agenda for the next 48 hours. Yesterday though was a prime... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00175.htm

Richard S Ehrlich: U.S. Appeals to Extradite Russia's Alleged "Merchant of Death"
BANGKOK, Thailand -- Newly obtained documents, prepared by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), portray an elaborate sting operation to capture alleged weapons trafficker Viktor Bout in Bangkok, and America's current appeal to extradite him ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00177.htm

Andy Worthington: UK Judges Order Release of Details About the Torture of Binyam Mohamed by US Agents
In August 2008, while British resident Binyam Mohamed still languished in a prison cell in Guantánamo, two British High Court judges attempted to inform the public about what, in May 2002, the CIA had told their British counterparts about how they... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00182.htm

ALSO:

Abbas and the Goldstone Report [2]

Recent UN Probe Into Gaza Conflict [3]

Withdrawal of the Goldstone Resolution [4]

Iran’s Nuclear Theater Meant to Divert Attention [5]

Will Goldstone's Report Deliver? [6]

The Goldstone Report On Gaza [7]

Fighting for the Right to Walk [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00152.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00179.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00057.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00025.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0909/S00228.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0909/S00191.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0908/S00249.htm [8]

Robert Naiman: McChrystal'S 40,000 Troop Hoax
It's a time-honored Washington tradition. If you want to bully the government into doing something unpopular and the public into accepting it, manufacture a false emergency. Iraq war? If you don't approve it, mushroom cloud. Banker or IMF bailout? If you ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00171.htm

Sherwood Ross: Fraudulent Afghan Election Raises Odds Against U.S. “Success”
The fraudulent Afghan election of last August 20th has delayed the possibility of a new regime taking over promptly to replace the corrupt rule of the discredited, U.S. hand-picked President Hamid Karzai. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00168.htm

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LIFESTYLE

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Charity: Naked Samoans For One-Show-Only Samoa Benefit
Critically acclaimed theatre troupe, The Naked Samoans are coming out of retirement for a special one-off performance of their ‘Go Home’ show to raise money for those affected by the recent tsunami in Samoa. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0910/S00336.htm

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WORLD

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Genocide: Amazon Tribe Down To Five As Oldest Member Dies
Ururú was the oldest member of this close-knit, tiny group and an integral part of it. Altair Algayer, head of the FUNAI (Brazilian government Indian affairs department) team which protects the Akuntsu’s land said, ‘She was a fighter, strong, and ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00252.htm

Afghanistan: Weapons And Munition Caches Seized
Taliban extremists operating against Australian and coalition forces continue to suffer significant setbacks with the discovery and destruction of two weapon caches by Australian soldiers in Oruzgan province. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00251.htm

World Environment: Forget Forests At Your Peril
In the opening speech to the World Forestry Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, IUCN Deputy Director General Dr William Jackson said given the rate at which climate change is happening, no country, rich or poor, could afford to neglect its forests. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00256.htm

Chamber of Commerce: Free Enterprise Climate Policy
WASHINGTON, D.C.-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is throwing its weight behind strong climate legislation, a spokesman for Chamber President Tom J. Donahue announced today at the National Press Club. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00254.htm

International Law: Burma: Government Impunity For Crimes
The international community should withhold support for Burma's 2010 elections and not accept the results of the vote unless the government amends the country's constitution to end impunity for human rights violations, the International Centre for Transitional ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00223.htm

Sir Keith Park: UK Commemorates Battle Of Britain Commander
14 October 2009 - A statue of Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, who led the Royal Air Force (RAF) forces over London and the South East of England throughout the Battle of Britain, will be unveiled on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square on Wednesday ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00220.htm

Kyaymon: Burma: Junta's Online Warning To Buddhist Monks
A military government website, “Kyaymon” [meaning “the mirror”], which operates as an online daily newspaper in Burmese has criticised two well-known Buddhist monks’ organisations and warned that the Burmese military authorities will take action against ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0910/S00215.htm

ENDS

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Top Scoop Stories October 20th 2009 News Summary