Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 17 November 2005, 10:14 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

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TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Treasury And IRD Send Cullen Tax Relief Message
RECOMMENDED AUDIO:
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
Peters Refuses Journalists' Questions, Issues Statement Instead
TVNZ To Face FEC Review
Dr Pita Sharples Delivers His Maiden Speech
Ministry Of Health Insists Maternity Care System Working Well
You Write And Scoop Publishes -
MORE HEADLINES:
Will PM Howard have the backbone to demand the repatriation of Australian citizen David Hicks?
Pacific Watch: Mercenaries Back In Bougainville
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Dahr Jamail: White Phosphorous In Fallujah - Revisited
Russell Brown & More Are There!
MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
APEC NEWS: Goff Lays Out Questions On APEC Relevancy
Scoop Report: PM To Attend CHOGM + Visit To EU Representatives
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

Treasury And IRD Send Cullen Tax Relief Message

“The concerns raised by the Treasury and Inland Revenue regarding company tax will inform the government’s planned review of the business tax regime,” Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. He was commenting on the IRD’s and the Treasury’s briefings to the incoming government. Dr Cullen said that there were tensions within the Treasury paper which seemed to be inviting the government to make large reductions to the top personal tax rates while also reducing the size of future budgets and maintaining a stable debt to GDP ratio. See... Review of corporate tax regime on the agenda [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00219.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00220.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00221.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO:

Scoop Audio: Cullen Discusses Treasury's Tax Recommendation. [1] Scoop Audio: Kevin List on Radio Active: Discusses Treasury recommending tax cuts. [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00241.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00239.htm

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00200.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00195.htm

Peters Refuses Journalists' Questions, Issues Statement Instead

- APEC, Pusan, Korea -- Winston Peters left journalists standing in Korea today after fielding difficult questions regarding the Australia federal government having sought clarification of his role in the New Zealand government. He then issued the following statement on APEC. See... Peters Pleased with APEC Progress [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00222.htm

TVNZ To Face FEC Review

- National Party Broadcasting spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu says the annual report released by TVNZ today is "an historic snapshot taken before the current set of crisis". The report shows a sharply reduced dividend paid to the Government of $10.5 million -- down from $37.3 million last year, while the number of employees earning more than $100,000 a year rose from 82 to 89. "The dividend, the return on the taxpayer investment in TVNZ, is well down. "Worryingly, that massive drop was posted before all the recent publicity about loose contracts, internal strife and golden handshakes. See... TVNZ dividend dips as crisis deepens [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00204.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00209.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00217.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00218.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00228.htm

Dr Pita Sharples Delivers His Maiden Speech

- Tena Koutou Katoa Kei Te Rohe O Tamaki Makaurau, Tena Koutou. Na Koutou Ahau I Whakato Ki Ro Paremata Nei, Hei Reo Motuhake Mo Koutou, Hei Pononga Mo Te Iwi Whanui. Tenei Ahau - Tena Koutou. Madame Speaker, Raurangatira Ma, I Acknowledge Your Presence And Your Mana - Tena Koutou. I Welcome My People Here Today And I Especially Acknowledge My Electorate Of Tamaki Makaurau Who Were Dedicated To My Being In This House. It Is Common Knowledge That Maori Do Not Enjoy The Same Socio-Economic And Educational Benefits As Non-Maori In This, Their Country Of Origin. See… Maiden Speech: Dr Pita Sharples [1]

[1] http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00210.htm

Ministry Of Health Insists Maternity Care System Working Well

- The recent tragic cases of babies dying following breech delivery suggests that the care provided in those instances was inadequate. However, information available to the Ministry does not support the view that there is a systemic failure within maternity services. The Ministry is currently in discussions with the College of Midwives and the New Zealand Medical Association as part of the review of the Section 88 Maternity Notice. See... Health Ministry: Maternity Services High Quality [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0511/S00056.htm

You Write And Scoop Publishes -

The following is a selection of feedback and other unsolicited email received by Scoop recently. The opinions they contain do not necessarily reflect those of Scoop. Scoop feedback on voting machines, Aussie workers, winners, colonisation, TV coverage of Rod Donald's funeral, PNG journalism, Mrs Ces Drilon, and Iraq Intelligence. See... Scoop Feedback: No Spin [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00237.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00259.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0511/S00032.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0511/S00059.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00197.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0511/S00254.htm

Will PM Howard have the backbone to demand the repatriation of Australian citizen David Hicks?

Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne, in Adelaide on the eve of the arrival of US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld, has called for the release from Guantanamo Bay of America's Australian prisoner David Hicks (pictured). "While Prime Minister John Howard sees the US Military Commissions as the equal of Australia's judicial system, we do not," Senator Milne said. See... Greens' call to Rumsfeld in Adelaide: Return David [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00310.htm

Pacific Watch: Mercenaries Back In Bougainville

- Eight years have passed since the Papua New Guinea military launched an attack on its own government over the so-called "Sandline" mercenaries affair. Well, it now appears that mercenaries have returned to the country, with revelations up to nine former Fijian soldiers are now working on the once troubled island of Bougainville. See... Bougainville: Fiji 'Mercenaries' Spark Controversy [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00278.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00300.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00309.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00308.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00307.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0511/S00306.htm

Dahr Jamail: White Phosphorous In Fallujah - Revisited

- Nearly a year after they occurred, a few of the war crimes committed in Fallujah by members of the US military have gained the attention of some major media outlets (excluding, of course, any of the corporate media outlets in the US). See... Dahr Jamail: Fallujah Revisited [1] MEANWHILE … Pentagon Admits To White Phosphorous Misinformation - US used white phosphorus in Iraq: Tuesday, 15 November 2005, 23:57 GMT BBC News - The Pentagon has confirmed that US troops used white phosphorus during last year's offensive in the northern Iraqi city of Falluja. "It was used as an incendiary weapon ... See... Link: White Phosphorous Use As Weapon Confirmed [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00233.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00238.htm

Russell Brown & More Are There!

- "Could you point out Che Tibby for me?" asked the nice woman from State Services. Over there, I said - the tall dude in the blue shirt. And by the way, you're the third person to ask me that in 10 minutes. Our Che, it would seem, has a cult following in the public sector. "He doesn't look like I thought he would," she said. No. We were all looking for a dude with dreadlocks the first time he hooked up with the rest of the PA crew in Auckland. But even in his respectable, post-PhD phase, there's still a whiff of eau de bogan about him. See... Public Address 16/11/05 - Communication Fatigue [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00236.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENTARY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00235.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00234.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00232.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0511/S00231.htm

APEC NEWS: Goff Lays Out Questions On APEC Relevancy

- The second question is about APEC's future trade and economic priorities. While acknowledging different levels of ambition amongst our membership, this report articulates a relevant and credible future agenda. On the World Trade Organisation/Doha Development Agenda, it is important that APEC is a lobby group maintaining pressure for a positive completion of the Doha Round. It should also continue to make specific strategic interventions on aspects of the negotiation where there is deadlock. There was no consensus on dealing with sensitive sectors, but as these are embraced within the Bogor Goals, it lacks credibility for us not to address these issues. See... Goff: Speech to APEC Ministerial Meeting Plenary [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00203.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00222.htm

Scoop Report: PM To Attend CHOGM + Visit To EU Representatives

Prime Minister Helen Clark will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta from 25 to 27 November. She will also address the Commonwealth Business Forum on arrival in Malta on 24 November. The summit will bring together leaders from 53 Commonwealth countries representing nearly one-third of the world’s population. Helen Clark said she was looking forward to visiting Malta again after a successful visit there last year. See... PM to attend CHOGM and hold EU talks in Brussels [1] Scoop Audio: PM's Post-Cabinet Press Conference

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00172.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00208.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00205.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00197.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00207.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00202.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00201.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00216.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00199.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00206.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0511/S00196.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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