Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics
Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics
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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
In this week's A Week Of It!
National Outlines Fiscal Plan
NEW ZEALAND LEAD STORY:
Details For David Lange's Public Service Announced
SCOOP REPORTS:
Election Battle Between Targeted And Across The Board Tax Cuts
Scoop Review: Chilling, Alluring: The Bloody Ballet Is Back
SCOOP VIDEO & AUDIO:
LIVE Video from inside the Pre-Election Fiscal Update in Wellington.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
World Watch News And Feature
TOP POLITICAL NEWS:
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----------- TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS------------
LEAD STORY
In this week's A Week Of It!
Kevin List lifts the lid on how the Public Purse offers a gift that keeps on giving to an aspiring journo. Two weeks
ago, in the always lively Liberty Belle column, Deborah Coddington assured her loyal readers that she would no longer be
remunerated via the hard working kiwi taxpayer. What does this really mean? Also this week: Ecologically Unfriendly Muck Biffed At Green Co-Leader - Simon Gives and Gets A Media Pounding - and he takes a look at
the Thank you very much for your kind anonymous election campaign donation… See... A Week of It: MP's Cash And A Media Bash
RECOMMENDED AUDIO:
95bFM AUDIO: The Wire Alastair Thompson and Simon Pound discuss the Govt's EFU and Labour's Tax Cut Plan
NZ LEAD:
National Outlines Fiscal Plan
- National Party Finance spokesman John Key has outlined National’s approach to tax and spending. “Our fiscal strategy
recognises the importance of tax as a significant driver in people’s willingness, desire and ability to work, to gain
skills, to save and to take risks,” Mr Key said at a financial briefing today. National’s fair tax and family package
will be phased in over the next three years, rising to an annual total of $3.9 billion in the 2008/09 year. National’s
fiscal strategy is focused on better quality public spending and a fair tax system that rewards hard work. See... Getting ahead with National
NEW ZEALAND LEAD STORY:
Details For David Lange's Public Service Announced
- Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced details of the public memorial service to celebrate the life of David
Lange. "The service at the Big Top at Ericsson Stadium, Mt Smart, Auckland, has been organised in conjunction with David
Lange's family by the Visits and Ceremonial Office and Gary McCormick, a long-time family friend," Helen Clark said.
"The service is designed to be a celebration of David's life, with tributes from a wide range of family, friends, and
contributions from groups David spent his life working with." See... Service for Rt Hon David Lange
[1] The two Police Officers convicted and sentenced today for charges relating to the conduct of the Prime Minister's
Waimate to Christchurch Airport Motorcade in August last year will not face internal disciplinary charges. The Assistant
Commissioner of Crime Reduction and Public Safety, Peter Marshall, said today he would honour commitments made that the
officers involved would not lose their jobs. See... Motorcade Officers Wont Face Disciplinary Action
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
SCOOP REPORTS:
Satire: Fans of electoral racing and mental gymnastics are on the edge of their seats as New Zealand's highest-profile
political parties compete to achieve the elusive goal of announcing two totally contradictory policies within four
minutes. For most of the history of mankind the four minute barrier has been considered unbreakable. In fact, in theory,
modern organisational and public relations techniques should make a short-term direct reversal virtually impossible. But
there is, it seems, no limit to the power of the human spirit. See... Lyndon Hood: The Race for the Sub-4-Minute U-Turn
Scoop Report: Alastair Thompson writes that Finance Minister Michael Cullen unveiled the economic projections which will form the
playing field for the economic debate of the election campaign, an economic playing field with little apparent room for
immediate tax cuts as promised by the ACT and National Party. However as soon as the Pre-EFU briefing was over Dr Cullen
nevertheless announced a $1.3 billion tax cut policy for middle income New Zealand families. See... Post Pre-EFU The Tax Cut Competition Heats Up
Scoop Review: Chilling, Alluring: The Bloody Ballet Is Back
- Selwyn Manning writes that the chill of late winter just got a lot colder with the heart of Auckland's art scene
having fallen into the grip of a most sinister fiend - Dracula has been resurrected by the Royal New Zealand Ballet and
it's a performance of total emersion into the depths of Gothic folklore. See... Auckland, The Bloody Ballet Is Back
[2] - Memorial Feature On David Lange: Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning reflects back on what this remarkable New Zealander meant to the people of South
Auckland, what difference he made to NZ, and what it was like to be in his presence. See... Personal Reflections Of South Auckland's Statesman
SCOOP VIDEO & AUDIO:
Pre-Election Fiscal Update Video Scoop today broadcasted LIVE Video from inside the Pre-Election Fiscal Update in Wellington. This was the first time Scoop had gone to air live with video and is a demonstration of what Scoop and B2B buddy www.r2.co.nz
[1] is planning for you. If you missed the live demo, you are still able to view this news event via high resolution Video On Demand. See Scoop Live Video: Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal UpdateALSO:While you are here, take a look at Scoop's new advertisement! Don't Swallow Just Anything!
[3] SCOOP AUDIO: Helen Clark, Michael Cullen & Steve Maharey Post Pre-EFU Press Conference announcing policy of increased Family Tax Relief - 45 Minutes
[5] SCOOP AUDIO: Selwyn Manning & Lisa Leong on Adelaide Radio (Talk about David Lange, a thaw between USA and NZ, and PM Motorcade case judgment expected today.)
[1] - http://www.r2.co.nz
INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
World Watch News And Feature
- Moroccan prisoners released - Sudanese conflict - Colombian arrests called for - Nagasaki peace petition. ALSO: Audio Feature: The UN's Humanitarian Affairs Office responds to Gaza disengagement and Iran's access to adequate housing improves, but
there are shortfalls ~ Israel asks for international support for pullout of Gaza settlers. See... Audio: World Watch News Roundup Headlines
[1] MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:Jewish Settlers Attack Palestinians In Shilo
----------- OTHER NEWS (JUST POLITICS)------------
Cullen Says National's Tax Cuts Will Deny Kids Their Share
- “Most New Zealanders will be appalled at the values National wants to promote through its tax cuts,” Finance Minister
Michael Cullen said today. He was referring to an interview John Key gave on Checkpoint yesterday in which he criticised
Labour’s Family Tax Relief package on the grounds that it would make parents more likely to watch the kids playing sport
on Saturday mornings than put in a few extra hours at work. See... National says forget the kids’ sport
[2] - In a last ditch vote-grabbing attempt the Act Party has launched a smear camping against Green Party co-leader
Jeanette Fitzsimons. An Act MP made allegations in a weekend paper accusing Ms Fitzsimons of unethical behavior in her
role as an MP. "These allegations are demonstrably untrue," Ms Fitzsimons says. See... Smear campaign launched against Green Co-Leader
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:Govt - Waitangirua and Whareroa farms saved for public
POLITICAL COLUMNS:
Nats - Don Brash Writes - Campaign Edition [1]