Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Friday, 20 May 2005, 5:04 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
LEAD STORY: Scoop Analysis: Budget 2005 A Very Political Baby Indeed!
Scoop Budget 2005 Coverage Details
2005 Meningococcal Deaths Would Not Have Been Prevented By Vaccine
Fewer Britons and Aussies Visiting New Zealand
Department Of Labour Urges Replacement For All Terrain Vehicles
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Uzbekistan: United Nations Chief Seeks Probe Into Killings
International Solidarity Movement Update From Palestine
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Wellington's Local Song Stars
Kevin List's A Week Of It
Norman Mackay Image: Dawn Over Ohau
William Rivers Pitt: George Galloway Goes To Washington
Narconews: The Latest Gas Rebellion In Bolivia
Freepressed.Com Satire: Newsweek To Abandon It's Spine
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics)
Allegations Of Assaults By Benson-Pope Referred To Police
Jim Sutton Responds To Nelson Mail Apple Story
Progressive Party Celebrates Kiwibank Expansion
Government Congrats Kiwi Musos For Cross Ditch Success
MORE PARLIAMENTARY HEADLINES:

LEAD STORY:
Scoop Analysis: Budget 2005 A Very Political Baby Indeed!

Asked if this was his best, worst or perhaps just a middling sort of budget in today's lock-up press conference Finance Minister Dr Michael Cullen responded: “Like my children I love them all equally, but not always simultaneously.” Like each of his four previous efforts, Dr Cullen’s Budget 2005 is a mixture of fiscal conservatism, thriftyness and guile tied up with a bunch of promises of future benefits if we can but see the wood for the trees. See... Sludge Report #167 - A Very Political Budget [1] and Budget 2005 - Scoop Photo Essay [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00230.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00232.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00444.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2005.html

Scoop Budget 2005 Coverage Details

- Scoop Media has provided extensive coverage of Budget 2005. For full coverage of the Budget, including Scoop analysis, raw news statements, speeches, reports, retorts, critiques and debate from the governmental and parliamentary sector through to business and NGOs... See... Scoop's Full Coverage Budget Feature 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2005.html

2005 Meningococcal Deaths Would Not Have Been Prevented By Vaccine

- "The Minister of Health has confirmed that none of the five deaths acknowledged as being due to meningococcal disease so far this year could have been prevented by the MeNZB(tm) vaccination programme," say risk & policy analyst Ron Law, and writer/researcher Barbara Sumner Burstyn. See... MeNZB(tm) Vaccination Campaign Starts Derailing [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0505/S00159.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0502/S00064.htm
[3] - http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&cof=AWFID%3A8c89fa359b35081f%3BL%3Ahttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.scoop.co.nz%2Fimages%2FSCtitle.gif%3BLH%3A58%3BLW%3A189%3BBGC%3Awhite%3BT%3A%23000000%3BLC%3A%230000CC%3BVLC%3A%230000CC%3BALC%3A%230000CC%3BGALT%3A%23008000%3BGFNT%3A%23000000%3BGIMP%3A%23000000%3BDIV%3A%230000CC%3BLBGC%3Awhite%3BAH%3Aleft%3B&domains=www.scoop.co.nz&q=menzb+barbara+sumner+burstyn&sitesearch=www.scoop.co.nz

Fewer Britons and Aussies Visiting New Zealand

- In April 2005, there were fewer short-term overseas visitor arrivals from Australia (down 7,900 or 10 percent) and the United Kingdom (down 2,400 or 12 percent), compared with April 2004, Statistics New Zealand said today. Overall, there were 174,800 visitor arrivals to New Zealand in April 2005, a decrease of 9,600 (5 percent) on April 2004. A change in the timing of Easter, from April in 2004 to March in 2005, contributed to the drop in April 2005. See... Visitor Arrivals from Australia and the UK Down [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0505/S00315.htm

Department Of Labour Urges Replacement For All Terrain Vehicles

- All terrain vehicles (ATVs) have become an almost indispensable tool on farms – but at a cost, as a recent report from the Taranaki Coroner has identified. See... ATVs: Safer farm transport sought [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00211.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00224.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00218.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00212.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0505/S00155.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0505/S00153.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0505/S00314.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0505/S00212.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0505/S00181.htm

Uzbekistan: United Nations Chief Seeks Probe Into Killings

- Deeply concerned by the recent violence and loss of life in Uzbekistan’s eastern city of Andijan, the top United Nations human rights official is urging that an independent investigation be conducted to look into the causes and circumstances of the incidents. See... UN Human Rights Chief Urges Uzbekistan Probe [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00308.htm

International Solidarity Movement Update From Palestine

- Palestine Solidarity:1. Update on Johan 2. A letter from prison by Johan 3. Israeli Solidarity visit to Hebron families by CPT 4. Next Bi'lin demonstration See... A letter from prison [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00316.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00317.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00311.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00307.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00314.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00312.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00309.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00306.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00305.htm

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Wellington's Local Song Stars

- Andrew Masseurs and I (Mathew Powell) have been selected as one of the top 5 from over 650 entries. We are the only Wellington based songwriting duo in the competition. We've been writing our own songs for 15 years (since our college days) and wrote our song "all I wanted" back in 1994! Since making the top five it's been pretty out of it! See... Wellington's Songstar Finalists Masseurs & Powell [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00225.htm

Kevin List's A Week Of It

- In this edition: Anonymous Hidesight Reader Seeks Help And Provokes A Witch-hunt - Media Matters – The Dangers Involved In Working For The Sunday Star Times- When is 'Off The Record' Actually 'On The Record'- Journo With Special Insight Into NZ's Political Processes On Job Market - What Has Happened To Budget Festivities? See... A Week of It: Nazis, Parties & Media Matters [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00249.htm

Norman Mackay Image: Dawn Over Ohau

- " I took this shot this morning at first light. Lovely colours with the mist rolling in over the lake and the sun just making its appearance."- Norm Mackay Lake Ohau See... Scoop Images: Dawn Over Ohau Autumn 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00248.htm

William Rivers Pitt: George Galloway Goes To Washington

- You know things have gone more than a bit around the bend when it takes a British MP with a hard Scottish brogue to throw a little truth against the walls of the U.S. Senate chamber to see what will stick. George Galloway, accused of profiteering in the UN oil-for-food scandal, sat before Senators Coleman and Levin on Tuesday and raked America's Iraq invasion slowly and deliberately over the coals. See... Will Pitt: Short Tales from Bizarro World [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00246.htm

Narconews: The Latest Gas Rebellion In Bolivia

- Today around 500 miners came down from El Alto. Led by Jaime Solares and the secretary general of the Bolivian Mineworkers Federation, Miguel Zuvieta, they again confronted the police just outside downtown La Paz. See... Narconews: Bolivian Miners Besiege Capital [1] MORE: Mesa Accepts New Law as El Alto Defines Next Move [2] Vaca Díez Passes Hydrocarbons Law in Bolivia [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00244.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00238.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00237.htm

Freepressed.Com Satire: Newsweek To Abandon It's Spine

- MSM--Since its founding in 1933, the pages of Newsweek have been held together by a perfect combination of glue and staples. The binding method proved incredibly effective, ensuring that the pages would not be lost or shuffled in the wrong order. See... Newsweek To Remove Spines From Future Publications [1] MORE: Greg Palast - Palast: Cowardice in Journalism Award for Newsweek [2] John Conyers - Push Back on the White House Newsweek Scam [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00241.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00242.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0505/S00287.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00251.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00247.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00245.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00243.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00240.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00239.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0505/S00236.htm

Allegations Of Assaults By Benson-Pope Referred To Police

- Prime Minister Helen Clark said today that Solicitor-General Terence Arnold will refer the allegations made about Hon David Benson-Pope to the Commissioner of Police to determine whether a prosecution should be mounted. See... PM Refers Allegations On Benson-Pope To Police [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00437.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00440.htm

Jim Sutton Responds To Nelson Mail Apple Story

- The Government appreciates Nelson applegrowers' frustrations at the time it is taking Australia to complete the Import Risk Assessment (IRA) procedure for New Zealand apples, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... Response to the Nelson Mail [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00563.htm

Progressive Party Celebrates Kiwibank Expansion

- Progressive leader Jim Anderton opened Kiwibank’s first South Island business banking centre today at the Sydenham branch of Kiwibank. See... Celebrating Kiwibank’s business banking launch [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00559.htm

Government Congrats Kiwi Musos For Cross Ditch Success

- Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard has congratulated New Zealand musicians Scribe and Evermore, whose albums have gone platinum in Australia. See... Scribe and Evermore congratulated for albums [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00553.htm

MORE PARLIAMENTARY HEADLINES:

Govt. New appointment announced to LTNZ [1] Govt. - Goff to visit United States and Canada [2] Govt. - Regulations to reduce seabird deaths [3] United Future - Unpunished parole breach sends wrong signal [4] NZ First - Environment Minister's Comments Misleading [5] (NOTE: See Budget 2005 Feature [6] for releases on budget matters.)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00566.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00550.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00549.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00545.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0505/S00544.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2005.html

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

• Linkedin
• Twitter - @althecat
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz