Scoop: Top Scoops + Just Politics

Tuesday, 23 May 2006, 11:21 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Budget 2006: Peter Harris And Pals Discuss Budget's Social Impact

- While many in the media were obsessed with haranguing Dr Cullen for tax cuts – presumably to enable them to take that extra overseas holiday– Scoop rose before any self respecting crow the day after Budget 2006 and attended Public Health Association's annual post Budget brekky to see if there were other stories around. Dissecting the Budget from a social perspective at the PHA's post budget breakfast were four high profile speakers: Rod Oram, Peter Harris, Cindy Kiro and Debbie Te Whaiti. See... Budget 2006 - A Social Perspective [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00308.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00291.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00292.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00403.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00407.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00453.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2006.html
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2006.html#commentbud
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2006.html#presskit
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2006.html#reaction
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2006.html#preview
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/features/budget2006.html#prebud

TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS:
Telecom: Securities Commission to Investigate Cunliffe Comments
Scoop Competition Results: Lucky Scoop Readers Get Powerball Action
Education and Business: Canterbury Announces High Performance IT Centre
Entertainment: Hide's Fred Astaire Like Antics Keep Him Alive -
Defence: Always Wanted an Army Landrover?
Comedy: David Doherty Makes It OK To laugh At The Irish -
MORE HEADLINES:
Retirement: Nurses Union Says All Images Have Consent

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Australia: Howard Upsets the Nuclear Balance in the Pacific
Palestine: Who’s Guilty?
MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:
Egypt: It's Time to Tell Mubarak, 'Enough!'
The Council of Europe: As Russia Takes Over Chair, It Must Respect Rights

SCOOP COLUMNS:
Solomons: John Roughan Assesses The Success Of RAMSi
Human Rights: United Nations Seeks Closure Of Gitmo – Again
Mexico: Julie Webb-Pullman Reports On The Rape Of The Women Of Atenco, Mexico
MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

OTHER NEWS (Just Politics):
POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:
Regulation: Govt. Launches Red Tape Review
Immigration: Visas for Student Guardians Tightened Up
Patriotism: Is Dr Brash A Fosters-Swilling Vegemite Eater? -
Rhetoric: Brownlee Prefers National's Buzzwords to Labour's
MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:
POLITICAL COLUMNS

Telecom: Securities Commission to Investigate Cunliffe Comments

The National Party welcomes the decision by the Securities Commission to investigate Communications Minister David Cunliffe and his public statements regarding Telecom’s investment policy, says Associate Finance spokesman Bill English. "On Friday, the Securities Commission added another target to its inquiry into the Telecom leak. It has already announced it will investigate the Government’s procedures for handling market sensitive information." See... National welcomes Cunliffe remarks probe [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00500.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00514.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00463.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00213.htm

Scoop Competition Results: Lucky Scoop Readers Get Powerball Action

- The winners of Scoop's Powerball competition have been chosen. Scoop received a range of entries from readers who wanted to develop Popeye-like 'mussels', avoid 'bingo arms', or deal with shopping problems. However, our choice of winners are as follows... See... Scoop Competition: Powerball Competition Winners [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00307.htm

Education and Business: Canterbury Announces High Performance IT Centre

- Leading international and New Zealand information and communications technology companies IBM, Hewlett Packard (HP), Jade Software Corporation and Tait Electronics are to be key partners in a new multi-million dollar research centre at the University of Canterbury. See... ICT giants all under the one roof at Canterbury [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0605/S00058.htm

Entertainment: Hide's Fred Astaire Like Antics Keep Him Alive -

ACT Leader Rodney Hide's twinkle toes will keep twinkling for at least another week after he pulled himself out of the scoring basement and edged his way up the cellar steps of dancing glory in last evening's Dancing with the Stars. Sadly for Iron-person Steve Gurney his jolly japes chatting about dancing with his blokey mates will be limited to discussing the other contestants. See... Hide Lives To Dance Again - Gurney A Goner [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00310.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00494.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00213.htm

Defence: Always Wanted an Army Landrover?

- The second and the largest lot of Army V8 Landrovers will be auctioned 'on site' at Linton Military Camp on Wednesday 24 May 2006 at 10.30am. One hundred and eight Landrovers will go under the hammer. 68 landrovers auctioned at Burnham last week sold. The final auction will be held at Trentham Military Camp next week. See... Largest auction of Army Landrovers looms [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00228.htm

Comedy: David Doherty Makes It OK To laugh At The Irish -

For the first time in NZ, Ireland’s most talked about young comedian, David O’Doherty brings his critically acclaimed blend of offbeat ‘low-fi’ comedy to Auckland and Wellington festival audiences. The show involves a curious mix of stories and songs performed on an awesome Yamaha Portasound keyboard from 1986. See... David O’Doherty In “Grown Up” [1] ALSO AT THE FEST (Wellington)

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00205.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00172.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00179.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00178.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00177.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00176.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00175.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00174.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00173.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0605/S00171.htm

MORE HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00430.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00187.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0605/S00406.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0605/S00182.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00124.htm

Retirement: Nurses Union Says All Images Have Consent

- The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has today reconfirmed that the family of a rest home resident whose photograph appears in a photo essay published in NZNO's magazine Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand gave full consent for publication. NZNO acting CEO, Cee Payne-Harker, said NZNO stands by its view that media reports of another family's involvement have been a case of mistaken identity. See... Media statement regarding images of caregiving [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0605/S00120.htm

Australia: Howard Upsets the Nuclear Balance in the Pacific

- The Prime Minister's advocacy of an expanded nuclear industry in Australia sends a message of approval for Indonesia to become a nuclear power too, Greens leader Bob Brown said today. "Australia and our region are essentially nuclear-free. Mr Howard is abandoning that security to grab uranium profits and facilitate an Australian role in nuclear enrichment," Senator Brown said. See... Howard invites Indonesia to become nuclear power [1] ALSO:AWPA condemns security treaty with Indonesia [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00433.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00409.htm

Palestine: Who’s Guilty?

- THOSE WHO listened to the radio news last Saturday heard a stunning report: that Muhammad Abu-Ter and Uri Avnery had barricaded themselves together in a private home in a-Ram. The very fact that these two - the No. 2 man of Hamas and the notorious Israeli leftist - were together was already shocking enough. But the fact that they had invaded the home of an innocent Palestinian family and barricaded themselves there, like criminals fleeing from the police, was even more staggering. This false news item would, perhaps, deserve no special mention, if it were not typical of the whole media coverage, not only of this specific demonstration, but of all joint demonstrations of Israeli peace activists and Palestinians. See... Who's guilty? The victim of course: Palestine [1] ALSO:Israel: The "Only Democracy in the Middle East"? [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00442.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00443.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00437.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00444.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00439.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00428.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00427.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00384.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00403.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00401.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00390.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00377.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00375.htm

Egypt: It's Time to Tell Mubarak, 'Enough!'

- As Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's government brutally cracks down on Egyptians campaigning for democracy and political reform in Cairo, global business leaders are gathering today in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el- Sheikh to discuss "the new positive dynamics in the region's politics" at the World Economic Forum's annual Middle East meeting. These corporate leaders should use their influence to let Mubarak, who will open the forum, know that his systematic repression of peaceful dissent will alienate not only the human rights community, but also the investors whose support is critical to Egypt's future. See... Egypt: It's time to tell Mubarak, 'enough!' [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00387.htm

The Council of Europe: As Russia Takes Over Chair, It Must Respect Rights

- Ffor the first time the Russian Federation will assume the chair of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, shortly after the 10th anniversary of its joining the Council of Europe. We, Russian and international human rights organizations, strongly believe that this occasion carries special responsibilities and heralds opportunities. See... As Russia Takes Over Chair, It Must Respect Rights [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0605/S00381.htm

Solomons: John Roughan Assesses The Success Of RAMSi

- Whether the Solomons was a failed state or not, there is no doubt that in the hour of our greatest need, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) failed us. The heroics of police personnel, ordinary citizens, both men and women, fortunately spared the nation the agony of mourning its dead. Startling as it was, during the whole two-day riot--Black Tuesday and Black Wednesday--not a single person died although some experienced narrow escapes. But the bottom line remains: the rowdy crowd that surrounded Parliament Building spun out of control and became an uncontained, rock throwing mob. What happened? See... John Roughan: RAMSi failed us! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00326.htm

Human Rights: United Nations Seeks Closure Of Gitmo – Again

- For the second time this year, a United Nations body has chastised the United States for its torture of prisoners and told it to close its prison camp at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. In February, the UN Human Rights Commission criticized the US government for force-feeding hunger strikers there - calling it torture - and urged the United States to "close the Guantánamo Bay detention facilities without further delay." See... Marjorie Cohn: UN to US: Close Guantanamo [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00317.htm

Mexico: Julie Webb-Pullman Reports On The Rape Of The Women Of Atenco, Mexico

- I have spent the last week translating statements given to human rights organisations by 19 women brutally detained, beaten, sexually assaulted and/or raped in San Salvador Atenco, Mexico, and who are now in prison, invariably charged with blocking public ...See... Atenco - Women of Mexican Dissent the New Target [1] Narconews Reports From Atenco:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00313.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00255.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00315.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00300.htm

MORE SCOOP COMMENT & OPINION:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00327.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00325.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00306.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00323.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00322.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00321.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00319.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00316.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00305.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00304.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00303.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00302.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00301.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00299.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00298.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00297.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00320.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00318.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00314.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00296.htm

POLITICAL NEWSLETTERS:

Molesworth & Featherston (Budget) – May 19th 2006 [1] Transtasman Political Letter – 18 May Digest [2] The Letter – Monday, 22 May 2006 [3] POLLS: TV3 News/TNS Opinion Poll May 2006 [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00311.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00293.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00328.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00215.htm

Regulation: Govt. Launches Red Tape Review

- The Labour-led government is committed to a regulatory environment that promotes economic growth, business confidence, globally competitive firms and social well-being. See... Charting a dynamic course for quality regulation [1] . See also... Parts 4 & 5 of Commerce Act to be reviewed [2] & Dalziel: Taking a Fresh Approach to Regulation [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00530.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00529.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00528.htm

Immigration: Visas for Student Guardians Tightened Up

- The Labour-led government is moving to stop any abuse of the visa system by guardians of foreign fee-paying students, says Immigration Minister David Cunliffe. Restrictions will be put on the type of work permits granted to people who come to New Zealand as guardians. This follows evidence that some students have been able to avoid paying fees when their guardians gain a work permit. See... Government closes guardian visa loophole [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00507.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00533.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00537.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00515.htm

Patriotism: Is Dr Brash A Fosters-Swilling Vegemite Eater? -

The National Party's billboards may be a big thumbs up for Australia, but they offer no vision for New Zealanders, says Education Minister Steve Maharey. "Don Brash is always telling us that Australia, Singapore, or any where else, is better than us. He never has anything good to say about New Zeland and the achievements of New Zealanders. See... National Billboards talk-up Australia [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00487.htm

Rhetoric: Brownlee Prefers National's Buzzwords to Labour's

- National Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee says a Labour Party paper on the language it uses admits that National has the upper hand in policy debates... "The paper recommends reframing debate on important issues so that taxes are called 'investments' and welfare dependency is rebranded as 'investing in people's future'," says Mr Brownlee. See... Labour admits it's losing policy debates [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00496.htm

MORE POLITICAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00536.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00535.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00534.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00533.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00532.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00527.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00526.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00525.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00524.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00523.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00522.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00521.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00520.htm
[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00519.htm
[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00518.htm
[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00513.htm
[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00512.htm
[18] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00511.htm
[19] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00504.htm
[20] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00502.htm
[21] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00501.htm
[22] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00499.htm
[23] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00498.htm
[24] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00495.htm

POLITICAL COLUMNS

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00483.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00484.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00477.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0605/S00309.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00475.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00473.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00472.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0605/S00420.htm

© 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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