Top Scoop Stories December 4th 2009 News Summary

Friday, 4 December 2009, 3:20 pm
Article: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

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Gordon Campbell: Public Funding For Rugby World Cup Few Can Afford To Attend
In any other industry, the taxpayer/ratepayer subsidies being offered to the professional rugby industry for its World Cup event in 2011 would be being slagged off as government handouts...Too bad the prices for access are so steep that the peasantry will be unable to afford the commodity – the actual games – they are subsidising so very generously. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/04/gordon-campbell-rugby-world-cup-public-funding/

ALSO:

Martin Snedden talks about World Cup ticket prices [2]

England coach impressed with preperations for cup [3]

France miss out on World Cup seeding [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/30190.html [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/30174.html [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/30165.html [4]

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NZ POLITICS

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Public Service: SSC Wants Teachers Under Code Of Conduct
An attempt by the State Services Commission to silence criticism of the Government by teachers and principals should be stopped in its tracks, Labour’s State Services spokesperson Grant Robertson said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00066.htm

ALSO:

Key's wasting half a million to keep mate in a job [2]

Speech: Goff - Govt’s deals to reward privilege [3]

Russel Norman IV: Showdown over tax [4]

Morgan Onboard for Capital Tax Proposal [5]

PEC Calls for a National Vision from John Key [6]

Why Productivity Growth is a Red Herring [7]

How will the 2025 taskforce improve export performance? [8]

2025 Taskforce Report [9]

Werewolf Issue 6 [10]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00058.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00059.htm [3]

[4] - http://werewolf.co.nz/2009/12/showdown-over-tax/ [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00030.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00048.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00028.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30139.html [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00002.htm [9]

[10] - http://werewolf.co.nz/ [10]

Balancing Env' Resp's w. Econ' Opp's: PM To Go To Copenhagen
Prime Minister John Key announced today he will be attending the leaders’ meeting at the end of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen later this month. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00035.htm

ALSO:

Key finally sees sense and goes to Copenhagen [2]

Decision to go to Copenhagen the easy part [3]

Farmers to save the planet one flight at a time [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00045.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00046.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00052.htm [4]

Key off to Copenhagen
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/30118.html

ALSO:

Climate change: Policy around the world [2]

ETS Deadlock, Cost Corrections [3]

Key’s Copenhagen Pledge: “This Time I’m Getting An Autograph” [4]

Auckland to reap benefits of Pacific input [5]

Maori board will have influence - Sharples [6]

Government leaves Auckland in dark on local boards [7]

Encouraging signs on Akld’s local govt workers [8]

Super City Mayor - Millionaires Only Need Apply [9]

Statutory Board for Maori a Waste of Time [10]

Iwi may boycott super council advisory board [11]

Report Calls For Auckld Super City [12]

[2] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2009/12/climate-change-policy-around-world.html" target="_blank [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00181.htm [3]

[4] - http://weeklycoitus.co.nz/?p=534 [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00048.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00061.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00063.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00054.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0912/S00039.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00061.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/30201.html [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0903/S00344.htm [12]

Standards: HRC Works With Advocacy Group On Henry Complaint
The Human Rights Commission has received more than 220 complaints and expressions of concern about comments made by presenter Paul Henry on Television One’s Breakfast programme on 23 November 2009 about Britain’s Got Talent contestant Susan Boyle. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00048.htm

Primary Health: Visits To The Doctor Not A Luxury
Reports that more New Zealanders are putting off going to the doctor because of the cost are deeply concerning, Labour Health spokesperson Ruth Dyson says. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00042.htm

ALSO:

Ryall’s water moratorium comes at cost to health [2]

Salaried Medical Specialists Annual Conference [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00041.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0912/S00012.htm [3]

Transport: Auckland Too Big For Its Bridges
The NZ Transport Agency has moved to future proof Auckland’s transport needs by protecting a route for an additional harbour crossing, as well as confirming additional funding to strengthen the existing bridge. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00033.htm

ALSO:

Aucklanders Back Bridge as Cheaper Than Tunnel [2]

Motorway Network Completion by 2015 [3]

Time for action on harbour crossing [4]

Transport Agency strikes out against bridge damage [5]

Waiheke Cycleway One Pedal Closer [6]

Pathway on Bridge no cost to Transport Agency [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0912/S00021.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00055.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0912/S00034.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00012.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00055.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0911/S00311.htm [7]

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BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

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Smellie Sniffs The Breeze: The Trouble With Lists
The 2025 taskforce might have created an opportunity to break through to a new willingness to examine policy options, old and new, with fresh eyes. Instead, it was set up to fail... Which is tragic, because much of what the taskforce recommends is still pretty much what needs to happen. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/04/smellie-sniffs-the-breeze-the-trouble-with-lists/

Scoop Business: ACC, Super Fund Prop Up Govt Books; Tax Take Falls
The Crown operating balance, including net gains and losses from government entities, was a deficit of $1.27 billion for the four months ended Oct. 31, according to Treasury financial statements, compared to a forecast $1.32 billion deficit. More »[1]

[1] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/04/acc-super-fund-prop-up-govt-books-tax-take-falls/

ALSO:

Lower company profits impact Crown accounts [2]

English decisions on Super and ACC short-sighted [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00067.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00068.htm [3]

Cash Machines: ASB, ANZ AWOL on ATMs
Dairies, social clubs, and service stations in small towns expecting population numbers to rise in the holiday season, including the inter-island ferries which attracts high numbers over Christmas want all New Zealanders to have access to independent ATMs, says Managing Director of ATM Plus David Dickinson, and director of NZATM Craig Whale. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00038.htm

Strong Words: NZ Temperature Rise Clear, Coalition "Disingenuous"
1. Warming analysis is backed up by other observations
2. Ignoring major changes in site location will produce wrong results
3. NZ Climate Science Coalition disingenuous
More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0912/S00004.htm

ALSO:

November 2009: An extremely dry, windy month [2]

Seasonal Climate Outlook Dec 09 - Feb 10 [3]

Climategate, NZ & ETS [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0912/S00003.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0912/S00002.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00181.htm#climategate [4]

Transport: Dominion Post Publishers Fined $10,000 Over Draft Report
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says the conviction and sentencing of the publishers of the Dominion Post for publishing a legally protected draft report reinforces TAIC’s ability to run safety focused inquiries that get to the truth ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00043.htm

ALSO:

The Warehouse seeks open consultation with staff [2]

Business as usual at The Warehouse [3]

Warehouse threatens staff bonuses [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00067.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00106.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00070.htm [4]

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COMMENT

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"Imagining 2020": An invitation to write about what a low carbon future looks like for you
"Imagining 2020" is an online discussion where people are invited to write about how a low-carbon future will affect their individual circumstances. The idea is to provide a platform that considers the impacts of economic transformation on each sector in the NZ economy. Write to us telling us what you think a low-carbon future will look like for you personally, for the country and world. Your ideas will be compiled and then published. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00150.htm

ALSO:

Dave McArthur: Imagineer [2]

Gareth Morgan and John McCrystal: Low Carbon Future? Bah! Humbug! [3]

Climate Defence Network: The Age Of Smart [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00334.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00280.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00279.htm [4]

Michael Collins: What Obama Said and Failed to Say About Afghanistan
It is easy to forget that when this war began, we were united — bound together by the fresh memory of a horrific attack, and by the determination to defend our homeland and the values we hold dear. I refuse to accept the notion that we cannot ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00027.htm

ALSO:

Read the Speech [2]

The charge of the 30,000 [3]

Obama Invokes 9/11 to Explain Afghanistan Troop Surge [4]

Barack Loses His Base [5]

Obama’s War in Afghanistan and Pakistan [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00040.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00042.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00041.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00039.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00023.htm [6]

M. Shahid Alam: Native Orientalists at the Daily Times, Pakistan
A few days back, I received a ‘Dear friends’ email from Mr. Najam Sethi, ex editor-in-chief of Daily Times, Pakistan, announcing that he, together with several of his colleagues, had resigned from their positions in the newspaper... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00036.htm

Binoy Kampmark: Banning Minarets In Switzerland
The Swiss are in a spot of bother, at least before the disapproving eyes of international opinion. 57 percent of those from a country described by Jonathan Raban as full of phobic hand washers in a Barclays Bank have voted in favour of banning minarets... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00038.htm

Fiji’s Budget 2010: The Great Cover-Up
This 2010 Budget would have been outrageously scandalous had it been delivered by an elected Minister of Finance, assisted by a Permanent Secretary of Finance appointed normally by the Public Service Commission, and a lawfully appointed Attorney General... More »[1]

[1] - http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/fijis-budget-2010-the-great-cover-up/

Julie Webb-Pullman: Honduran Elections - What's in a Majority
Itś official - Pepe Lobo of the National Party won 56% of the vote. The fact that this represents 56% of the lowest turnout ever, is a fact being glossed over by the majoprity of the international corporate media, in their indecent haste to present ... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00034.htm

Copenhagen: Climate impact on Pacific’s island people to be asserted
While New Zealand’s prime minister John Key hesitated over whether he ought to attend the Copenhagen leaders’ summit meeting on climate change, finally deciding it is worthwhile today, other leaders from the region have been... More »[1]

[1] - http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/climate-impact-on-pacifics-islands-people-to-be-asserted-at-copenhagen/

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LIFESTYLE

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Affair Of The Diamond Necklace: Wellington Detective Trend Continues
It doesn’t take a Sherlock Holmes to see that Wellingtonians are going crazy for mysteries. The Capital’s next mystery is the most extravagant yet. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00048.htm

ALSO:

Meet the man behind Mozart's biggest hits [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/entertainment/30185.html [2]

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WORLD

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Afghanistan: Taliban Winter Operations Targeted
Joint Afghan and Australian operations in Afghanistan are having a significant impact on the Taliban’s weapons and ammunition reserves with the discovery of 44 caches in the past two months. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00061.htm

President Obama: President’s Address To The Nation
“The 30,000 additional troops that I am announcing tonight will deploy in the first part of 2010 – the fastest pace possible – so that they can target the insurgency and secure key population centers. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00039.htm

ALSO:

Obama’s War in Afghanistan and Pakistan [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00023.htm [2]

United Antiwar Movement Tells Obama: No Escalation
Representatives of 34 antiwar groups delivered an open letter to President Obama strongly opposing his anticipated decision to escalate the war in Afghanistan with the commitment of tens of thousands of additional U.S. troops. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00020.htm

ALSO:

What's the carbon/health footprint of another war? [2]

Afghanistan: The US's 177th Colony [3]

Open Letter to President Obama from Michael Moore [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00011.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00010.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00009.htm [4]

Julie Webb-Pullman in Honduras: The Honduran Resistance Wins The Elections!

As the polling booths closed this evening in Honduras, there didn't need to be a vote-count to declare the winners. With an abstention rate of at least 65%, the people in resistance have the overwhelming majority. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00340.htm

ALSO:

US citizens in Honduras Protest Outside Embassy [2]

Juticalpa: Terrorist Attacks against Resistance [3]

Honduras Election Update - 3pm Sat. 28 November [4]

Honduras Election Update 2 - Sunday 29 November [5]

Honduras: Feminist Leader Detained in Tegucigalpa [6]

Communication from the National Resistance Front Against the Coup [7]

Honduran Military Assassinates Youth on Eve of “Free and Fair” Elections [8]

Countdown to the Honduran Electoral Farce [9]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00338.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00336.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00319.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00332.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00317.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00333.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00318.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00312.htm [9]

Ban Ki Moon: Mourning the Victims Of Russian Train Bombing
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced the hope today that investigations will shed more light on the circumstances behind the bombing of a Russian train that killed 25 people on Friday night, and injured scores more. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00010.htm

ALSO:

Vote to ban minarets is fuelled by fear [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00015.htm [2]

Religion: Swiss Minaret Ban Discriminates Against Muslims
An independent United Nations expert on religious freedom today voiced regret at the Swiss vote to ban the construction of new minarets, stating that such a prohibition clearly discriminates against Muslims. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00001.htm

Copenhagen: Ban Calls For Broad Climate Change Deal Support
Holding out for a 'perfect' deal at next month's climate change summit in Copenhagen could result in there being no agreement at all, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned today, calling on all States to get behind a deal that is as ambitious as possible. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0911/S00811.htm

Atomic Energy: Iran Must Halt Work On Recently-Disclosed Facility
The United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today called on Iran to immediately suspend the construction of a recently-disclosed uranium enrichment facility, and cooperate more fully to resolve all outstanding issues. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0911/S00817.htm

ENDS

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Top Scoop Stories December 4th 2009 News Summary