Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 12 September 2005, 2:42 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics
TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Backgrounder: Centre Right Parties Sought Exemption To 'One Law For All' For Exclusive Brethren
SCOOP POLL WATCH:
...& Russell Brown & Frogblog Have Some Questions About The SST Poll
Lyndon Hood Gets The Good Oil From Rod Donald -
Hodgson Accuses National Of Dealings With Controversial Aussie Strategist -
McCully Asks Some Questions - And Answers Them For The Last Time Before The Election -
Pictures Of A Colourful Evening At Style Pasifika 2005 -
MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:
Wake Me Up When September Ends
Another FEMA Scandal – Hurricane $$$ For Votes In Florida
MORE WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Letter From Elsewhere: The Brethren Problem
Keith Rankin On The Technicalities Of MMP
Stateside: Rosalea Barker Gets A New Job
Jose Padilla Case Delivers Blow To The Land Of The Free
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
ACT's Claims To Be Ahead In Epsom Not Backed By Independent Polling -
Cullen Revs Up Key Over National's Petrol Ponderings -
Booze Industry's Buddy Booted From NZ's Temple Of Democracy -
Union Appalled At Brash Claim Of Journalists' Political Bias
National Says Clark Misled Over Doone Affair
Q: Who Will New Zealand First Go With? A: Nobody
MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

Backgrounder: Centre Right Parties Sought Exemption To 'One Law For All' For Exclusive Brethren

Last year the Exclusive Brethren actively lobbied politicians on the Employment Relations Law Reform Bill and the Civil Union Bill. Exclusive Brethren members Andy Smith, Ron Hicknott and Timothy Lough were involved in preparing written submissions seeking exemptions for their businesses on the grounds of conscience. Mr Lough and Mr Smith were two of the seven backers of the expensive pamphlet drops seeking to derail Labour and the Greens campaigns – and change the Government to a National led administration. See...Backgrounder: Exclusive Brethren Lobby MPs On Unions [1] And...Dunne's Relationship With The Exclusive Brethren [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00123.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00122.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00111.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00275.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00271.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00162.htm

SCOOP POLL WATCH:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00127.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00125.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00129.htm

...& Russell Brown & Frogblog Have Some Questions About The SST Poll

- I have previously noted an association between the Sunday Star Times and the abuse of statistics. Well, look what the frog has got. The small sample size and Friday-night-only calling aren't the only odd things about the Fairfax poll that had National seven ... See... Public Address 12/09/05 - Gadzooks! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00159.htm

Lyndon Hood Gets The Good Oil From Rod Donald -

[1] Scoop's Lyndon Hood engages in a wide and far reaching discussion with Green co-leader Rod Donald. Mr Donald answers questions on how a Green-Labour co-alition would work and also discusses the Greens' finance polices in some detail. The environment and conservation also get a good look in. See... Scoop Audio: An Election Briefing From Rod Donald [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00110.htm

Hodgson Accuses National Of Dealings With Controversial Aussie Strategist -

Labour MP Pete Hodgson today said Don Brash needs to explain what role its Australian advisors, Lynton Crosby and Mark Textor, are playing. “Today, National’s general manager, Steven Joyce, denied National was getting advice from Mr Crosby, and is reported saying the Australians were simply ‘doing polling, but it was not push-polling’. See... Explain the Aussie link, Don [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00285.htm

McCully Asks Some Questions - And Answers Them For The Last Time Before The Election -

So how come, we hear you ask, the nation’s media have been so fixated by two brochures which are legal (they don’t tell people who to vote for) from the Exclusive Brethren, yet so uninterested in the torrent of illegal material emanating from the trade unions? See... www.mccully.co.nz 9 September 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00278.htm

Pictures Of A Colourful Evening At Style Pasifika 2005 -

In the 12 years since Style Pasifika first began it has become a uniquely New Zealand fashion, cultural and arts event. It draws together all the influences and elements which make up the New Zealand community and presents them in an immensely entertaining and accessible way. See... Images Of Westfield Style Pasifika 2005 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0509/S00067.htm

MORE NEW ZEALAND HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0509/S00032.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0509/S00126.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0509/S00117.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0509/S00067.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0509/S00070.htm

Wake Me Up When September Ends

- I have a small glass of whiskey sitting beside me on the desk as I write this. I have no intention of drinking it - it is not even noon yet, and despite the notoriously dissolute reputation writers carry around, I have no intention of getting sloshed before the sun crosses the yardarm - but I need it to be there for the smell. The smell, you see, is my memory trigger for September 11. I was teaching that day, and shepherded a building filled with children through their own terror while stuffing mine down into my stomach, and walked out of school with my brave face still on, and stopped on the way home for a bottle of Bushmills, and sat down in front of my television with a glass, and poured, and watched, and wept. See... UQ Wire: Will Pitt - September 11 Revisited [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00154.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00152.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00150.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00148.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00141.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00140.htm

Another FEMA Scandal – Hurricane $$$ For Votes In Florida

- Michael Brown, the embattled head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, approved payments in excess of $31 million in taxpayer money to thousands of Florida residents who were unaffected by Hurricane Frances and three other hurricanes last year in an effort to help President Bush win a majority of votes in that state during his reelection campaign, according to published reports. See... False Hurricane Claims to Help Bush Win Fla. Votes [1] MORE HURRICANE COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00155.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00145.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00144.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00147.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00133.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00142.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00131.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00130.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00128.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00063.htm

MORE WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0509/S00130.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0509/S00152.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0509/S00150.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0509/S00139.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0509/S00138.htm

Letter From Elsewhere: The Brethren Problem

- If you're reading this, you will certainly know by now that the Exclusive Brethren are running a hugely expensive anti-Green, anti-Labour, pro-National-in-everything-but-name leaflet smear campaign, which Don Brash has now belatedly admitted he knew about and enthusiastically welcomed. Two more leaflets are being delivered this week. See... Brash and the Brethren: The Real Problem [1] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00156.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00112.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00162.htm

Keith Rankin On The Technicalities Of MMP

- One of the most important effects of New Zealand's form of proportional representation (MMP) is the significance of the 5% threshold for the "minor parties". A vote of 4.99% for a party means a very large number of wasted votes; of votes that do not ... See... Keith Rankin: 123 MMP [1] MORE NZ ELECTION COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00158.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00039.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00073.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00050.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00041.htm

Stateside: Rosalea Barker Gets A New Job

- I started a new job this week in what I thought was just an industrial wasteland at the southern end of San Francisco International Airport but which is, I am assured, a "tony burg." Burlingame is a one-hour BART ride away from home, and then a twenty-minute ... See... Stateside With Rosalea: Me And Tony Burg [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00160.htm

Jose Padilla Case Delivers Blow To The Land Of The Free

-As if the official ineptitude of the Bush administration in the aftermath of Katrina and the callousness of the Bush family were not enough to digest, a U.S. Federal appeals court has just delivered a bombshell in the Jose Padilla case. See... Siddharth Varadarajan: Police State In America [1] MORE: William Fisher - Today, Padilla. Tomorrow, Who? [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00153.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00139.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00151.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00149.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00157.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00146.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00143.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00138.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00137.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00136.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00135.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00134.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0509/S00132.htm

ACT's Claims To Be Ahead In Epsom Not Backed By Independent Polling -

One News has just released a Colmar Brunton poll showing Rodney Hide has doubled his support and reduced the gap in the race for the Epsom electorate by 26 points. The poll was conducted this week and asked Epsom voters which candidate they would give their electorate vote to. They responded as follows: Rodney Hide 30% Richard Worth 44% Stuart Nash 20%. See... ACT on track to win Epsom but we need your help [1] Earlier:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0509/S00113.htm

Cullen Revs Up Key Over National's Petrol Ponderings -

National’s musings on petrol tax reductions beggar belief given it is only a few days since the party ruled out the possibility, says Finance Minister Michael Cullen. “Don Brash needs to come clean and tell New Zealand if National is about to execute another flip flop,” Dr Cullen said. “Don Brash’s shadow budget has already allocated all the revenue from excise on petrol into land transport. If Don Brash is to cut this revenue, he will have to cut back National’s roading promises. See... Petrol musings the latest flip flop [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00262.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00260.htm

Booze Industry's Buddy Booted From NZ's Temple Of Democracy -

Progressive MP Matt Robson told the Cutting Edge conference on alcohol, drug, and co-existing disorders in Dunedin today that he feels proud to have played a part in revoking an inappropriate privilege that had been wrongly extended to the powerful liquor industry. See... Liquor lobby's parliamentary privilege revoked [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00263.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00265.htm

Union Appalled At Brash Claim Of Journalists' Political Bias

- The union that represents journalists last night condemned comments by National Party leader Don Brash suggesting political bias among journalists who are union members. “To suggest that New Zealand journalists who join the EPMU for the workplace protections and rights that come with belonging to a union are somehow tainted is a gross slur on their professionalism," EPMU's Andrew Little said. See... Union defends journalists [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0509/S00098.htm

National Says Clark Misled Over Doone Affair

- National Party Law & Order spokesman Tony Ryall says at long last Helen Clark has nearly come clean on her deceit in the Peter Doone case. "Not only did she mislead the press, but more importantly the public. "Helen Clark's confession that she should have handled the Peter Doone case differently doesn't go far enough. See... Helen Clark confesses deceit over Peter Doone [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00245.htm

Q: Who Will New Zealand First Go With? A: Nobody

-"I am announcing today that New Zealand First will not be going into a formal coalition with either Labour or National...Will New Zealand First oppose supply and confidence to either Labour or National? No – we will ensure that whoever the voters back to form a government, that government will have stability over the next three years. " An address by Rt Hon Winston Peters to a public meeting in Rotorua, Wednesday 07 September 2005, 12:30pm. See... Peters - Who Will New Zealand First Go With? [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00180.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00202.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00181.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00184.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00185.htm

MORE POLITICS HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00175.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00186.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00182.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00178.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00177.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0509/S00183.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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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