Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Monday, 15 May 2006, 5:45 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
A Week of It: National and Big Business Stand Up For The Little Guy
Law Reform: Is NZ's Immigration Law About To Lurch Toward The Repressive?
Politics/Entertainment: Hide Does the 'Dance Of Love' - Rankin Fired
Civil Defence: Claims National Emergency Management Plan is a Manmade Disaster
Arts: Wellington Arts Open Weekend Images
Intelligence: Paul Buchanan on 'Potential' Threats
Some Of World’s Most Repressive Countries On Human Rights Council
Fiji’s Rabuka Charged With Inciting Mutiny
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Washington: George Bush's Political Advisor Karl Rove Indicted For Perjury
Utah: Suzan Mazur Gets Inside The Polygamy Protection Scandal
Stateside: Rosalea Barker Marks Mothers Day With Some Pix
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:
Film: Sonia Nettnin Covers The Chicago Palestine Film Festival

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:
Employment: Former ACT Deputy Appreciates Government Funding
Budget: Money for Buy Kiwi Made Campaign
Environment: National Courts Green Vote, Plans to Have Environment Policy
Justice: MPs Front at 'Beyond Retribution' Conference
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

A Week of It: National and Big Business Stand Up For The Little Guy

Once seen as the party that protects the poor and dispossessed, Labour has recently come under fire from some new and unlikely champions of the marginalised poor – Business New Zealand, the National Party and Roger Kerr of the Business Roundtable. Those who as, Dr Don Brash said, are "too old" or "too brown" to get a job are being championed by those on the right side of New Zealand politics through the introduction of a 90 day probationary period whereby an employer can fire a new employee at will. See... A Week of It: Employment, Peachey's Periodicals and Dead Ducks [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00242.htm

Law Reform: Is NZ's Immigration Law About To Lurch Toward The Repressive?

- Katie Small reports that the Immigration Minister, David Cunliffe has released a discussion paper on Immigration Act law reform. The changes affect global migration, who wants to come to New Zealand, and how New Zealand desires to respond to potential immigrants. But is it a repressive shift toward the totalitarian compared to the current law? Justice, security, and immigration commentators say this time the Government's gone too far. See... Is The NZ Govt's Immigration Review Repressive? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00243.htm

Politics/Entertainment: Hide Does the 'Dance Of Love' - Rankin Fired

- Last week the PM pointed out that she didn't have time to watch TVNZ's Dancing With the Stars – after Scoop paid a visit to the magical Avalon studios we consider the PM should make the time. The first sight to greet Scoop in the Avalon foyer was ACT leader Rodney Hide wearing a slashed to the waist sparkly black shirt. Later on Scoop had the pleasure of seeing former WINZ boss Christine Rankin involved in a slow dance of love wearing the sort of costume that would probably have lead to a heart attack for her former boss Mark Prebble. See... Dancing With The Stars - The First Elimination [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00213.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00329.htm

Civil Defence: Claims National Emergency Management Plan is a Manmade Disaster

- Canterbury’s Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has restated its concerns about the inadequacy of the new National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, and will be asking other groups around the country and their regional controllers to articulate their views. See... Emergency confusion concerns continue [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00154.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00155.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00327.htm

Arts: Wellington Arts Open Weekend Images

- This weekend, Wellington arts institutions opened their doors for the "Big Look-See", allowing the public a look at what happens behind the scenes. Scoop's photography crew checked out some of what was on offer. See... Karim Sahai and Kelsi Doscher: Big Look-See Photos [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00214.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00110.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00101.htm

Intelligence: Paul Buchanan on 'Potential' Threats

- In early April Director General of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service, Ambassador Richard Woods, presented his 2005 annual report to the government. In it he highlighted the potential threat of local al-Qaeda sympathisers, drawing direct parallels with the 2004 Madrid train bombings, 2005 London tube and bus bombers and the arrest of purported jihadists in Australia. He urged vigilance against a threat that, if low at the moment, had the potential to become real sometime in the indeterminate future. See... Of Myth and Reality in Terrorist Threat Assessment [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00205.htm

Some Of World’s Most Repressive Countries On Human Rights Council

- The 9 May 2006 election of 10 of the world's worst violators of free expression - Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Cuba, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Tunisia - to be members of the UN's new Human Rights Council was called a "scandal" today by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). "It is outrageous that 10 countries that violate the rights of journalists and free expression on a massive scale should have been chosen to ensure that human rights are protected throughout the world - we foresee nothing good coming from this council," the press freedom organisation said. See... Most repressive countries on Human Rights Council [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00235.htm
[2] - /stories/WO0605/S00196.htm

Fiji’s Rabuka Charged With Inciting Mutiny

- The former Fiji prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, has appeared in the Suva magistrate’s court charged with inciting the November 2000 mutiny. Mr Rabuka was charged and arrested in Suva late last night on his return from medical treatment in India and brought to a packed courtroom late this morning. Mr Rabuka has also been charged with attempting to incite a person serving in the Fiji Military Forces, namely Lt Col Viliame Seruvakula, to commit a mutinous act aimed at removing the military commander, Commodore Bainimarama. See... Fiji’s Rabuka charged with inciting mutiny [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00233.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00238.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00230.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00228.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00222.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00221.htm

Washington: George Bush's Political Advisor Karl Rove Indicted For Perjury

- Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald spent more than half a day Friday at the offices of Patton Boggs, the law firm representing Karl Rove. During the course of that meeting, Fitzgerald served attorneys for former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove with an indictment charging the embattled White House official with perjury and lying to investigators related to his role in the CIA leak case, and instructed one of the attorneys to tell Rove that he has 24 hours to get his affairs in order, high level sources with direct knowledge of the meeting said Saturday morning. See... Karl Rove Indicted on Charges of Perjury, Lying [1] and Rove Informs White House He Will Be Indicted [2] MORE:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00209.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00208.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00235.htm

Utah: Suzan Mazur Gets Inside The Polygamy Protection Scandal

- It will take more than Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's "mea culpa" to the Los Angeles Times to clear him and other officials who are responsible for allowing polygamy to flourish up and down the US Rocky Mountains, with Utah currently at the epicenter of sex cult activity. Why? Because America along with 182 other countries is signatory to the 1979 UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women recognizing that Polygamy Is A Human Rights Violation. See... Suzan Mazur: Most Wanted In Polygamy Coverup [1] RELATED:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00244.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00245.htm

Stateside: Rosalea Barker Marks Mothers Day With Some Pix

- I have only a cheap internet camera so these pix aren’t all that good, but hopefully you’ll get some idea of how the recent months of rain and the subsequent warm, sunny weather of the last two weeks have brought out the best in the Bay Area. See... Stateside: A Postcard and Flowers for Mothers Day [1] . See also... Stateside: Banana Sunday With A Sprinkling Of Nuts [2] MORE MOTHERS DAY COMMENT:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00238.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00239.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00223.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00222.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00240.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00207.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00236.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00234.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00233.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00228.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00220.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00232.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00231.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00230.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00229.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00227.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00226.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00225.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00224.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00219.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00221.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00218.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00217.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00216.htm

Film: Sonia Nettnin Covers The Chicago Palestine Film Festival

- In Director Rina Khoury's short film, "West...East," bombs explode in the distance. A young boy named Amer and his blind mother walk amid trees, tall grass and bushes. Mother Azizeh uses a wooden cane. Scattered on the ground are peoples' belongings: ... See... Sonia Nettnin Film Review: West...East [1] MORE CPFF FILM REVIEWS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00237.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00203.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00181.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00159.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00148.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00130.htm

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00212.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00241.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00215.htm

Employment: Former ACT Deputy Appreciates Government Funding

- Ken Shirley, the former deputy leader of Act, is returning to Wellington to take on a new challenge to implement a strategy to grow domestic and export sales of organic products to a billion dollars by 2013. As Executive Director of the recently established umbrella organisation, Organics Aotearoa New Zealand, Mr Shirley will co-ordinate a diverse sector... See...New Act for Ken Shirley: Head of Organics Aotearoa [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00325.htm

Budget: Money for Buy Kiwi Made Campaign

- Funding of $11.5 million will be made available over the next three years to fund a Buy Kiwi-Made programme, Economic Development Minister Trevor Mallard and Government Spokesperson for Buy Kiwi-Made Sue Bradford announced today. The Buy Kiwi-Made programme was part of the post election cooperation agreement between the Government and the Green Party. See... http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00319.htm [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00319.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00321.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00145.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00150.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00151.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00322.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00330.htm

Environment: National Courts Green Vote, Plans to Have Environment Policy

- My simple message to this conference is that National can do a better job of protecting New Zealand’s environment and ensure that we achieve that alongside our core goal of raising living standards. This afternoon I want to talk about what recent polling data tells us about how New Zealanders think about the environment; about the strategic importance of the Green vote; about how the Government is failing our environment; and some ideas that I am putting up for discussion in the process of developing National Party environment policy. A Bluegreen Vision for NZ [1] Also at the Conference:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00312.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00313.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0106/S00046.htm

Justice: MPs Front at 'Beyond Retribution' Conference

- The representatives of the five political parties who took part in a panel discussion on the possibility of a multi-party accord, were urged by the 280 participants at a Law and Order Conference to continue the discussion... It was clear that there had already been cross-party discussions on the issue, said Kim Workman, National Director, Prison Fellowship New Zealand. What came through was that thought there may be some reservations around how the discussion should proceed, it was a matter worth pursuing. See... Multi-Party Accord on Justice Reform Urged [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00144.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00142.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00143.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00327.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00326.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00325.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00322.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00320.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00318.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00317.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00316.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00315.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00314.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00312.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00310.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00309.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00308.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00324.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00137.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00313.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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