Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Thursday, 16 March 2006, 12:31 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Employment: Maori Party Votes for Allegedly Anti-worker Legislation
SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:
Legislation: Nandor Free House Comes One Step Closer
Arts: Scoop Audio - DJ Spooky on remixing racism
Medical: Kedgley Questions NZ Price Of Herceptin vs UK Price
Conservation: Outdoor Enthusiasts Attack TVNZ Breakfast Host
MORE HEADLINES:
Next few weeks a ‘crucial period’ for Middle East
Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior into Papua to Protect Rainforest ‘Eden’
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Upton-On-Line's Latest Diaspora Edition
Book Review: How To Work Less And Live More
Anthony Ravlich Considers New Zealand's Role In The New UN Human Rights Council
Remi Kanazi - America Has Lost The War In Iraq
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Katya Rivas's Passion Serialised For Lent (Part 9)

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
Legislation: Possibility of Fewer Representatives Declared a Victory for Democracy
GE: NZ Engineers GE-Labelling-Resistant Trade Talks
Environment: Marina Society Applauds Pro-Marina Bill
Kiwi Pride: Maharey Reckons 2005 Was A Cracker Year For Kiwi Musos -
Conservation: Minister Seeks Protection For Our Sharks
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

Employment: Maori Party Votes for Allegedly Anti-worker Legislation

[1] Last evening three of the four Maori party MPs voted for a National Party bill to allow a 90-day probation period for new workers. The bill will now go to a select committee for further consideration. In his speech supporting the bill Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples debated the right to work vs the right of the worker. See... Sharples - Probationary Employment Bill [2] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00258.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00258.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00259.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00235.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00114.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0603/S00239.htm

SCOOP IS IN THE HOUSE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00264.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00252.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00225.htm

Legislation: Nandor Free House Comes One Step Closer -

This week Barbara Stewart's Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of Parliament) Amendment Bill passed its first reading. The bill would reduce the number of MPs to 100 at the next election. According to Ms Stewart's bill the number of electorate and Maori seats would remain the same whilst list MPs would shrink dramatically. If the bill had been passed before the last election parties entirely consisting of electorate MPs - such as the Maori Party - would still have four seats while the Green Party would be Nandor-less. See... Sharples - Reduction in Numbers of MP Bill [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00253.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00263.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00198.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00224.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00253.htm

Arts: Scoop Audio - DJ Spooky on remixing racism

- Rebirth of a Nation sees DJ Spooky remixing the 1915 film Birth of a Nation, known both for its technical innovation, setting many of the standard techniques of cinema, and as pro-Klu Klax Klan propaganda. Miller spoke to Scoop about Birth of a Nation, how he uses Rebirth of a Nation to explore how it resonates in the present day and to confront the past, and his personal approach to remixing. See... Arts Festival Preview: DJ Spooky's Rebirth of a Nation [1] Scoop Arts Festival Reviews:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00214.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00222.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00220.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00219.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/festival2006.html

Medical: Kedgley Questions NZ Price Of Herceptin vs UK Price -

Green MP Sue Kedgley says it is scandalous that the breast cancer drug Herceptin costs 50 percent more here in New Zealand than it costs in the United Kingdom. In New Zealand the drug costs $70-120,000, depending on the length of the treatment. "Clearly some drug companies are not charging the true cost of the drug, but rather what they think they can extract out of a market where there is huge demand for it. It is blatant opportunism from some of the world's richest companies. See... Cancer sufferers lose life-savings for drug [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00262.htm

Conservation: Outdoor Enthusiasts Attack TVNZ Breakfast Host

- "Conservation Minister Chris Carter's 'say everything do nothing' ideas on saving the great white got an unexpected boost today from TV One's talk host Paul Henry simply because he was ignorant of the issues", said John Friend ORNZ Marine Coordinator. "The fact is that it was obvious from the interview conducted by Paul Henry that he had not one insight to offer, nor a decent question regarding the real issues concerning the depleting numbers of the great white shark. See... Paul Henry swallows Chris Carter's shark story [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00110.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00242.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00119.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0603/S00127.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0603/S00038.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED0603/S00037.htm

Next few weeks a ‘crucial period’ for Middle East

- “The coming weeks are a crucial period for the Middle East…Israel and the Palestinians will form Governments, the Security Council will discuss the Iranian nuclear programme, and Iraq, Syria and of course, Lebanon will equally continue to figure prominently on the international agenda,” said Terje Roed-Larsen. “Decisions made now will determine the course of events in the Middle East for a prolonged period of time and will form the basis for either continued deterioration or stabilization. My hope of course is that we will make further headway in Lebanon, which will send important signals across the region.” See... Next few weeks a ‘crucial period’ for Middle East [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00278.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00277.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00276.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00275.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00274.htm

Greenpeace’s Rainbow Warrior into Papua to Protect Rainforest ‘Eden’

- The Greenpeace flagship, Rainbow Warrior, sailed into the Indonesian province of Papua for the first time today as part of a global campaign to help protect the world’s last ancient forests. Greenpeace is on a mission to protect the Paradise Forests, the last ancient forests in Asia-Pacific, from illegal and destructive logging, and is launching an eco-forestry programme in Papua to offer community-based forest management as an alternative to large-scale, industrial logging. See... Greenpeace into Papua to protect rainforest ‘Eden’ [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00259.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00287.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00286.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00285.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00284.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0603/S00273.htm

Upton-On-Line's Latest Diaspora Edition

- The annual French Salon de l’Agriculture takes place amidst self-doubt and virally induced gloom; James Lovelock preaches climate apocalypse and nuclear salvation; and Simon Upton opines on a recently published report, Closing the Net, which brings to a close an interesting experiment in trying force the pace of international action on illegal high seas fishing. See... Upton-on-line Diaspora Edition 15th March 2006 [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00217.htm

Book Review: How To Work Less And Live More

- How do you fund the life you want when you are no longer part of the daily grind? When you do get to the stage of wanting to step back and have an easier lifestyle how do you know you have enough? Best-selling financial author, Martin Hawes shows you how to plan the life you want, maximise your financial potential in your earning years and recognise when the time is right to make the break and re-organise your finances to sustain your new lifestyle.See... Book Review: Martin Hawes' Twenty Good Summers [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00229.htm

Anthony Ravlich Considers New Zealand's Role In The New UN Human Rights Council

- Countries with a more balanced approach to human rights at the international level, such as New Zealand, should be used in peace-maker roles on the new United Nations Human Rights Council. See…The New United Nations Human Rights Council [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00215.htm

Remi Kanazi - America Has Lost The War In Iraq

- America has lost the war in Iraq. The chance for victory vanished long ago with the hearts, minds, arms, legs and lives of the Iraqi people. The insurgence hasn’t won; rather the American government never obtained the formula to win. America, led by war-bent hawks (Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz) entered this war with many interests. In this excess of interests, the US neglected a major factor in the equation—the Iraqi people. See... Accepting Reality: America Lost the War in Iraq [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00211.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00228.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00213.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00231.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00230.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00227.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00226.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00225.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00224.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00216.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00212.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00210.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00209.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00205.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00203.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00208.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00207.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00206.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00204.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00202.htm

Katya Rivas's Passion Serialised For Lent (Part 9)

- I was taken before Caiaphas, where I was received with jeers and insults. One of his soldiers struck My cheek. It was the first blow I received and in it I saw the first mortal sin of many souls who, after having lived in grace, committed that first ... See... Katya Rivas: Jesus Is Taken before Caiaphas [1] SEE ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00223.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00201.htm

Legislation: Possibility of Fewer Representatives Declared a Victory for Democracy

- New Zealand First MP Barbara Stewart says the passing of the Electoral (Reduction in Number of Members of Parliament) Amendment Bill to select committee is a victory for democracy and honours the intent of the 1999 referendum to reduce the number of MPs in parliament. See... A Victory For Democracy In New Zealand [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00263.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0603/S00198.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00224.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00253.htm

GE: NZ Engineers GE-Labelling-Resistant Trade Talks

- New Zealand is now the only country standing in the way of an international agreement on labelling of GE organisms traded across borders. "We have been the object of international condemnation for some time for being one of the countries to block agreement. Now, to our shame, we stand alone in wanting to deny developing countries the protection of a robust international standard," Greens Environment Spokesperson Nandor Tanczos says. See... NZ isolated on GE [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00260.htm

Environment: Marina Society Applauds Pro-Marina Bill

- "The strong political support the Whangamata Marina Society is receiving for legislation to reinstate the Environment Court's ruling is much appreciated," Society President Mick Kelly said today. "We have now been assured of support from the National Party, United Future and Act and we are meeting tomorrow in Wellington with New Zealand First to see if they would be prepared to back the bill, at least to select committee," Mr Kelly said. See... Political support welcomed [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00109.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00121.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00192.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00102.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00218.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00220.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0603/S00113.htm

Kiwi Pride: Maharey Reckons 2005 Was A Cracker Year For Kiwi Musos -

New figures show New Zealand music accounted for a record 20.8% of music played on commercial radio in 2005 - up from 18.6% in 2004 Airplay of New Zealand music has doubled since March 2002 when the government and the Radio Broadcasters Association launched a Code of Practice for New Zealand music content, agreeing to a target of 20% of local music by the year 2006. See... '05 record year for airplay of NZ music [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00206.htm

Conservation: Minister Seeks Protection For Our Sharks

- Conservation Minister Chris Carter today released a discussion document canvassing options for protecting the great white shark in New Zealand waters. "Great whites sharks are the celebrity predators of the ocean. They are an object of fear and fascination, but sadly there is growing evidence that this magnificent and rare species is in trouble internationally," Mr Carter said.. See... Discussion document on protecting great whites [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00199.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00238.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00249.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00247.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00246.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00240.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00250.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00248.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00245.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00244.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00243.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00261.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00257.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00256.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00241.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0603/S00251.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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