Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 23 April 2004, 4:32 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Govt Advances Discussions on ASEAN FTA Move
TEC Releases Performance Based Research Fund Report
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
UN Head Cites Israel Responsibility For Dead Children
INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES
STORY OF THE WEEK: Mossad, Spooks, And The Price Of Dodgy NZ Passports

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!
Thom Hartmann: Jeffersonian Views On Democratisation
Satire: People Of Iraq Now The Target
Yellowtimes: A Proposal For Peace In Iraq
Anthony Gregory: Re: The Real Meaning Of Handover
UQ Wire: What They Knew and When They Knew It…
Cartoon: Let Them Die In Obscurity - Barbara Bush
Genevieve Cora Fraser: An Agonized Chant Of The Dead

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
An Exchange Of Letters On GE Chicken Feed
National Okay With Maori Health & Ed Providers
Dunne Celebrates Outperforming Winston In Coalition Stakes
Nuked Mangoes Now On The Menu
Lange Accused Of Selling Out For Land Transport
United Future Urges Caution On Cholesterol Drug
Airline Meddling Costing Provinces - Nick Smith
Online Companies Office Filing Fees Dropped
Marc Alexander: What The 'State-Meant' Meant To State
Law'n'order Debate Demeaned By Sloganeering - Robson
Those Were The Days Of Our Select Committees
Coddington Extols The Virtues Of Plunket
Godzone - Soviet Relations Reconsidered
Courts Backlog Grows Alarmingly - Ryall
Waitara Maori Land Purchase Agreement Concluded

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...TODAY'S PHOTO STORY...

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00194.htm
Kapiti In Autumn - The End Of The Golden Weather?

LEAD STORY:
Govt Advances Discussions on ASEAN FTA Move

- Goff welcomes ASEAN move on FTA Foreign Minister Phil Goff is warmly welcoming news that ASEAN Economic Ministers have recommended to their leaders that Australia and New Zealand be invited to take part in discussions on an Free Trade Agreement. See... Goff welcomes ASEAN move on FTA [1] ALSO: - Australian Govt - Step Forward for Australia and ASEAN [2] - National - Trade reports excellent news, says National [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00358.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00249.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00372.htm

TEC Releases Performance Based Research Fund Report

- The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) tonight publicly released its Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF) report ‘Evaluating Research Excellence: the 2003 Assessment.’ The report has been released earlier than the planned date of next Wednesday… See... TEC's Performance-Based Research Fund Released [1] ALSO: - Independent Tertiary Inst - Private Providers Score Big on Research Assessment [2] - AUS - SEVEN UNIVERSITIES TOP PBRF [3] - NZUSA: -Teaching quality must not suffer under PBRF [4] - Canterbury Uni: - Canterbury University excels in PBRF [5] - National - English applauds Hood criticism of the TEC [6] - National - Tertiary funding priorities in disarray [7] - ACT - PBRF Contains Hidden Race-based Funding [8]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0404/S00078.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0404/S00083.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0404/S00082.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0404/S00081.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0404/S00080.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00355.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00369.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00359.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00151.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00150.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0404/S00223.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0404/S00222.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/CU0404/S00117.htm

UN Head Cites Israel Responsibility For Dead Children

- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today voiced alarm at the deadly consequences of a two-day Israeli incursion into the northern Gaza Strip, noting that there were reportedly at least 10 civilians, including five children under the age of 15, among the Palestinian dead… See... Deadly Consequences Of Israeli Incursion Into Gaza [1] ALSO: Kerry Indistinguishable From Bush On Israel [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00246.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00241.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS HEADLINES

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00243.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00250.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00248.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00244.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0404/S00242.htm

STORY OF THE WEEK - ISRAEL PASSPORT SCANDAL

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0404/S00197.htm
SCOOP STORY OF THE WEEK COVERAGE

Mossad, Spooks, And The Price Of Dodgy NZ Passports

- Selwyn Manning writes… The past month's events have conjured shadows. Names like the SIS, EAB raise suspicion, intrigue. Outward, beyond our borders, lurk more spooky counterparts: CIA, MI6, Mossad. Even TV's on to it. We're spy fanatics. Do you believe in Spooks downunder? See... Do You Believe In Spooks Downunder Inc? [1] ALSO: Audio: Scoop’s Alastair Thompson and bFM’s Simon Pound on alleged spy activity in NZ. - For More on the Israeli Spook Passport Scandal CLICK HERE... [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00176.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0404/S00197.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Hard News Is There!

- So the Blues are history, and the Kiwis will, in all probability, get a towelling in Newcastle tonight. Which leaves us with Camillia. If, having missed the top three last week, she departs NZ Idol on Sunday, it will all have gone terribly wrong... See... Public Address 23/04/04 - People's Voices [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00192.htm

Thom Hartmann: Jeffersonian Views On Democratisation

- Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon thought they could bomb Vietnam into accepting democracy. George W. Bush thinks he can do it with Iraq. See... Bush Fails History... Jefferson Predicted Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00196.htm

Satire: People Of Iraq Now The Target

- In a departure from the strategy of year ago, the Iraqi people, not Saddam's evil regime, are now the target of the U.S. military.See... Pentagon At War With The People Of Iraq, Not Govt. [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00193.htm

Yellowtimes: A Proposal For Peace In Iraq

- "So what do you propose?" That is the question hurled at us critics of the war. Presumably, being right about the war so far is "irrelevant" now. We must be judged by giving sound, practical advice that can make the best of a bad fix. See... The Disaster In Iraq And Constructive Criticism [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00191.htm

Anthony Gregory: Re: The Real Meaning Of Handover

- In the wake of the embarrassing Shiite uprising and Fallujah catastrophe, George W. Bush said at his April 13 press conference that the United States must use “decisive force” in Iraq, and yet he also maintained his promise to hand over power on June 30, as initially planned by the Coalition Provisional Authority and the Iraqi Governing Council. See... Anthony Gregory: The "Iraqization" Scam [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00190.htm

UQ Wire: What They Knew and When They Knew It…

- Bush, Cheney and Rice knew 9/11 was imminent; they had intelligence warnings describing al Qaeda’s plan to use our commercial jets to attack the World Trade Center and Washington, D.C. The highest levels of the Bush administration repeatedly and intentionally lied about what they knew and when they knew it. See... UQ Wire: Gross Negligence or Treason? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00195.htm

Cartoon: Let Them Die In Obscurity - Barbara Bush

- Cartoon by John Chuckman See... Chuckman Cartoon: Barbara "Marie Antoinette" Bush [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00189.htm

Genevieve Cora Fraser: An Agonized Chant Of The Dead

- Dressed in his best : The little boy sat : Upright and proud : Hands folded on his lap : On the cracked : Front step of his home : His mother : Screamed : To come back in….See... Poem: Israel Has a Right to Defend Itself [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0404/S00188.htm

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00138.htm
Ronald McDonald Quits Over GE Chicken

An Exchange Of Letters On GE Chicken Feed

- Thank you for your letter of 2 April 2004. I write in response to some of the points you make regarding McDonalds policy on GE ingredients and feed. See... Greenpeace Letter To McDonalds [1] and McDonald's Letter [2] MORE: - Ronald McDonald quits over GE chicken feed [3] - Links [4] - Images [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00153.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00149.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00133.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00147.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0404/S00138.htm

National Okay With Maori Health & Ed Providers

- National Party Leader Don Brash told a Maori-run health and education trust in Papakura today that, contrary to popular belief, his party does not have a problem with Maori health and education providers. See... No problem with Maori health providers, says Brash [1] and Don Brash MP - Speech to: Kotahitanga Trust [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00370.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00367.htm

Dunne Celebrates Outperforming Winston In Coalition Stakes

- Today, Friday, April 23, 2004, is a hugely significant day in the history of MMP politics and stable government in New Zealand, according to United Future leader, Peter Dunne. See... United Future leads the way to stable government [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00366.htm

Nuked Mangoes Now On The Menu

- Green MP Sue Kedgley today criticised the Government for giving final approval for irradiation to be used as a quarantine treatment for mangoes, paving the way for the import of irradiated mangoes into New Zealand. See... Government serves up nuked dessert [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00361.htm

Lange Accused Of Selling Out For Land Transport

- “David Lange, one time Prime Minister, who sold everything he could for cash and became the greatest revenue gatherer for the Government of all time, is at it again,” said New Zealand First transport spokesperson, Peter Brown. See... NZ First Criticises Lange's Land Transport Adverts [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00357.htm

United Future Urges Caution On Cholesterol Drug

- Pharmac must put the health of 40,000 New Zealanders ahead of financial concerns, United Future's Judy Turner said today as specialists express their fears about a move to discontinue funding of the cholesterol-lowering drug, Lipitor, in favour of a generic replacement. See... Pharmac has 40,000 reasons to move carefully [1] MORE: - ACT - No Blood In This Stone [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00375.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00363.htm

Airline Meddling Costing Provinces - Nick Smith

- Cutbacks in air services and staff by Nelson-based Origin Pacific are the result of Government meddling in the aviation industry and will hit provincial New Zealand hard, says Nelson MP Nick Smith. See... Origin cuts back after Labour meddles [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00378.htm

Online Companies Office Filing Fees Dropped

- Nearly 300,000 companies will no longer have to pay to file annual returns online with the Companies Office, Commerce Minister Margaret Wilson announced today. See... Companies fees reduced for online filing [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00376.htm

Marc Alexander: What The 'State-Meant' Meant To State

- The most in-depth research yet done on the opinions of New Zealanders on the economy, which was released on 18 April, reveals a mixed bag of sloppy thinking tempered by a growing but begrudging respect for the necessity of business. See... Marc My Words [1] MORE COLUMNS: - NZ Govt - Beehive Bulletin, Friday, 23 April 2004 [2] - Anderton's Enews - Covering 1 to 21 April 2004 [3] - Deborah Coddington's Liberty Belle [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00365.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00374.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00350.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00360.htm

Law'n'order Debate Demeaned By Sloganeering - Robson

- One of our most important issues – the safety of our community – will be reduced to simple slogans and simple solutions as most politicians outbid each other in the law and order auction and accuse each other of being “soft on the criminals”. See... Robson: A sensible discussion on sentencing [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00373.htm

Those Were The Days Of Our Select Committees

- Committee meetings - Four committee meetings were held this week, three in the parliamentary complex and one in Christchurch. See... Select Committee Business; 16 April to 23 April [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00371.htm

Coddington Extols The Virtues Of Plunket

- The best way to prepare children for school is to ensure they're raised in a strong, committed family - we can do this by bringing back Plunket, ACT New Zealand Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington said today. See... Give Kids A Good Start - Bring Back Plunket [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00362.htm

Godzone - Soviet Relations Reconsidered

- Foreign Minister Phil Goff will this evening launch a book on New Zealand-Russia relations, as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of diplomatic relations between the two countries. See... Goff to launch book on NZ-Russia relations [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00356.htm

Courts Backlog Grows Alarmingly - Ryall

- The justice system is in crisis as the backlog of court cases grows at an alarming rate, says National's Law and Order spokesman, Tony Ryall. See... Courts in crisis as backlog grows [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00354.htm

Waitara Maori Land Purchase Agreement Concluded

- The Crown has agreed to the New Plymouth District Council's request to purchase the Waitara lands, subject to several conditions including the outcome of court action. See... Government agrees to purchase Waitara lands [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0404/S00351.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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