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Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 30 March 2004, 5:51 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House
LEAD STORY:
Special Report: Is The SIS Performing Below Par But Beyond Reach?
US GM Testing Laboratory Loses MAF Accreditation
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Seven Former Warsaw Pact Countries Enter NATO
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
STORY OF THE WEEK: Look! No Power Shortages Here – Hodgson

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Scoop's Kevin List Attends The Prime Minister's Presser
Sheila Samples Chats With God About Child Killers
Neville Bennett: Commodity Prices Raise Inflation Fears
Public Address: Hard News And More Is There!
Stephen Crockett & Al Lawrence On Richard Clarke
Doug Giebel: How Bush Administration Policy Was Made
Cartoons by John Chuckman….
Between The Lines: In Afghanistan
Between The Lines: The Second Superpower Is On The Move
Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Wilson Introduces Bill To Assist Police Rape Inquiry
Mountains Of Cash For Auckland Roads
NZ And European Union To Strengthen Ties
RMA Review Yet Another U-Turn
United Spots Red Ink In School Balance Sheets
Jim Finds Gold For Kiwi Achievers
Minister Covering Up For Family Court – Collins
Copeland Welcomes Long Awaited Charities Bill
Muriel Newman Welcomes CEG Grant Crackdown
Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency 2 Steps Closer
Parliament Given Chance To Ratify RBNZ Changes

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0403/S00167.htm
Potter Len Castle Honoured

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS

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Scoop Is In The House

– For today’s questions for oral answer see... Questions for Oral Answer - Tuesday, 30 March [1] . Come back this evening for the uncorrected transcript of the answers.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00658.htm

LEAD STORY:
Special Report: Is The SIS Performing Below Par But Beyond Reach?

- In an interview with the Listener , the Inspector General of Intelligence and Security suggested new blood at the top of the SIS would “put the SIS back on its toes”. Is this a revelation that the SIS indeed is incompetent but currently unable to be tested? Selwyn Manning reports. See... Should Greig Go To Put SIS Back On Its Toes? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00318.htm

US GM Testing Laboratory Loses MAF Accreditation

- The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today announced that it had suspended its accreditation of US GM testing laboratory Biogenetic Services Ltd. An audit of this laboratory identified a number of issues that must be resolved. See... MAF suspends US GM testing laboratory [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0403/S00107.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

Google Site Enhancements Emphasize Efficiency [1]

Web defacement - could you be next? [2]

Highlanders’ home advantage dented in S12 ratings [3]

Alexander calls on business to back Cassino vets [4]

Cheap discs being imported [5]

Top young athletes win sport scholarships [6]

Rialto Movie of the Week: Pieces Of April [7]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0403/S00102.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0403/S00347.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0403/S00171.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00655.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0403/S00336.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00652.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0403/S00166.htm

Seven Former Warsaw Pact Countries Enter NATO

- On 29 March, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia formally became members of NATO by depositing their instruments of accession with the United States Government. See... Seven Former Warsaw Pact Nations Join NATO [1] ALSO: Powell Welcomes 7 East European Members to NATO [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00401.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00402.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

UNICEF mourns death of Sir Peter Ustinov [1]

Probe Reveals UN Security Failures In Iraq [2]

Afghan Farmers Dissuaded From Opium Crop [3]

Reports Of Ethnic Cleansing In Sudan [4]

The Last Man On Manus Island [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00398.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00393.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00392.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00388.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00386.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK: Look! No Power Shortages Here – Hodgson

- Substantial new electricity generation will be added to New Zealand's electricity system over the next few years, says Energy Minister Pete Hodgson. See... New electricity generation coming on [1] MORE: - Greens - Smarter energy use is the first priority [2] - ACT - Shh...Don't Tell Hodgson: Methane Gas On Mars! [3] - NZ First - Project Aqua Rethink Demands Government Rethink [4] - Jim Sutton - Water allocation issues still to be sorted out [5] - David Parker - Project Aqua decision: RMA process fair [6] - Greens - See... Greens Delighted At The Fall Of Aqua [7] - ACT - Project Aqua Shows Government All Wet [8] - United Future - Copeland: Aqua Decision Body Blow To Economy [9] - Contact - Cancellation Of Project Aqua – Contact Energy [10] Click here for more STORY OF THE WEEK coverage. [11]

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Scoop's Kevin List Attends The Prime Minister's Presser

- Yesterday's weekly Prime Ministerial press conference got off to a tepid start as Helen Clark reeled off a list of upcoming legislation concerning income tax and road safety. See... PM's Presser: Passports, Refugees & Pulling Plugs [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00327.htm

Sheila Samples Chats With God About Child Killers

- The Las Vegas Sun is reporting today that the new Hamas leader, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, just announced that God has declared war against Bush and Ariel Sharon. See... Sheila Samples: With All Due Respect... [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00323.htm

Neville Bennett: Commodity Prices Raise Inflation Fears

- The global market place is sending a series of contradictory messages. On the one hand, commodity prices have risen amazingly but Wall Street is looking bewildered and running out of gas. See... 1970’s revisited? Running out of gas? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00320.htm

Public Address: Hard News And More Is There!

- The irony of the Herald's lavish front-page treatment yesterday of Bic Runga's "controversial" comments to the Belfast Telegraph about New Zealand race relations is that it left out the good stuff. See... Public Address 30/03/04 - There Is No Depression [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00328.htm

Stephen Crockett & Al Lawrence On Richard Clarke

- The recent controversy swirling around the Bush White House, the 9-11 Commission and the Richard Clarke book, Against All Enemies has been very enlightening. See... The Bush Admin. and 9-11: Open Eyes Required [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00326.htm

Doug Giebel: How Bush Administration Policy Was Made

- In this best of all possible political worlds, might and money triumph over adversity. Until the dramatically expected appearance of Richard Clarke, Lady Luck was blowing almost daily on the dice of George W. Bush and the Bushvolk. See... Doug Giebel: Candide in the Wilderness [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00325.htm

Cartoons by John Chuckman….

- Richard A. Clarke's Against All Enemies & The White House - Condeleezza Rice Appears Reluctant To Testify To The 911 Commisssion - Under Oath George W. Bush Lampoons Himself In Front Of Press, Joking About WMDs & Ariel & George Discuss Yassin See... Chuckman Cartoons: Bush, Sharon, Condi & Clarke [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00329.htm

Between The Lines: In Afghanistan

- Afghan Women Still Face Repression 2 1/2 Years After the Overthrow of the Fundamentalist Taliban Regime - Interview with Sima Wali, founder of Refugee Women in Development, conducted by Melinda Tuhus See... Afghan Women Still Face Repression 2.5 Years On [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00322.htm

Between The Lines: The Second Superpower Is On The Move

- World Public Opinion Poll Reveals Growing Hostility Toward America and Its Foreign Policy - Interview with Ed Bice, executive director of People's Opinion Project, conducted by Scott Harris See... World Poll Reveals Growing Hostility Toward USA [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00321.htm

Daily Katya Rivas Meditations

- My daughter, you have heard and seen My sufferings, accompany Me till the end and share My pain. See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Pronounces His Last Words [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0403/S00319.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0403/S00398.htm
Peter Ustinov Dies

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OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)

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Wilson Introduces Bill To Assist Police Rape Inquiry

- A Bill introduced into Parliament today will allow the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct to see files covered by secrecy provisions in the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Act. See... PCA Amendment will aid police conduct inquiry [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00671.htm

Mountains Of Cash For Auckland Roads

- Cabinet has confirmed a $1.62 billion investment in Auckland's transport system and the establishment of a single 'business-like' transport organisation. See... Auckland transport investment package finalised [1] . See also... Greens and Govt fast-forward Auckland transport [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00670.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00662.htm

NZ And European Union To Strengthen Ties

- Goff, Patten agree on future NZ-EU cooperation An agreement strengthening relations between New Zealand and the European Union was launched in Dublin today by Foreign Minister Phil Goff and External Relations Commissioner Chris Pattern. See... Goff, Patten agree on future NZ-EU cooperation [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00659.htm

RMA Review Yet Another U-Turn

- Having spent its four years in office refusing to streamline the Resource Management Act to make it more user-friendly, the Labour Government is now in a panic and has announced yet another U-turn, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today. See... RMA Another Government U-Turn [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00677.htm

United Spots Red Ink In School Balance Sheets

- The debt burden being carried by New Zealand schools jumped 50 percent in the most recent five-year period, to a whopping $33 million, United Future education spokesman Bernie Ogilvy revealed in Parliament today. See... School books awash with $33m worth of red ink [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00676.htm

Jim Finds Gold For Kiwi Achievers

- In 2002 a team of New Zealand students working from New Plymouth, won a great achievement - it became the World Champions of the Enterprise Olympics, but there were no individual gold medals awarded. See... World Champion Students Finally Receive Medals [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00674.htm

Minister Covering Up For Family Court – Collins

- By supporting the non-disclosure of statistics relating to serious delays in the Family Court, the Minister of Courts is showing complete disregard for accountability within the justice system, says National's Judith Collins. See... Disregard for family court accountability [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00679.htm

Copeland Welcomes Long Awaited Charities Bill

Gordon Copeland, United Future spokesperson for the charitable and voluntary sector is delighted that the Charities Bill has, at long last, surfaced in Parliament. See... Charities Bill a long time coming [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00678.htm

Muriel Newman Welcomes CEG Grant Crackdown

- Cabinet may have cracked down on the CEG's Social Entrepreneur grants, but it still needs to come clean over what action it has taken to address the Audit Office's damning criticisms over the Government's allocation of taxpayer-funded grants, ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman said today.. See... Community Grant Crackdown Overdue [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00668.htm

Trans-Tasman Therapeutic Products Agency 2 Steps Closer

- The establishment in 2005 of a single, bi-national agency to regulate therapeutic products in New Zealand and Australia came a step closer today when a trans-Tasman Treaty was presented simultaneously in parliaments of both countries. See... Trans-Tasman Treaty introduced in both Parliaments [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00667.htm

Parliament Given Chance To Ratify RBNZ Changes

- Finance Minister Michael Cullen today tabled in the House a notice of motion to ratify an amendment to the Funding Agreement between the Reserve Bank and the government. See... Parliament to ratify new RBNZ Funding Agreement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0403/S00654.htm

ENDS

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

Top Scoops Headlines

COMMENT

Ian Powell: Physician Associates - A ‘Solution’ Desperately Searching For A Problem

Ian Powell discusses the controversy over the attempt by US physician associates in New Zealand to be registered under the Health Competence Assurance Act.

Binoy Kampmark: Natural Resources And Palestinian Sovereignty - Israel’s Further Isolation

While disease, hunger and death continue to stalk the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank remains under the thick thumb of occupation, deliberations in foreign fora continue to take place about how to address this hideous state of affairs. These international matters are increasingly bulking a file that is making Israel more more isolated than ever. And this is not an isolation of virtue or admiration.

Martin LeFevre - Meditations: What Being “Inward Looking” Really Means

As the saying goes, “We have met the enemy, and they are us.” Evil forces exist within, not without, so they must first be faced and met inwardly before the rotten structures of society can be remedied outwardly.

Binoy Kampmark: Blinken Atrocious In A Dangerous World

The Biden administration, through the good offices of Blinken, continues to insist on the vitality of the US imperium. But US hegemony long left unchallenged is, most certainly, at an end.

Jim Mikoz: Look Out Rocks … Oops Too Late

We live in a country surrounded by reefs and rocks. In recent years 3 large ships have hit rocks in our territorial waters: the MS Mikhail Lermontov, MV Rena, & now the NZ Navy warship the HMNZS Manawanui. The common denominator to all three of these sinkings is the error ridden LINZ NZ Marine Charts.

Peter Dunne: Dunne’s Weekly - National And Labour Combine To Shut Out Greens

It is probably just a coincidence that National’s and Labour’s broad agreement was announced just a week after the Wellington tunnels decision and the Green Party’s response, but it does change the political component quite considerably.

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