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Note: This is a special extended bulletin - Including today's news and highlights from the weekend...
AUSTRALIAN PEACEKEEPER WITH TIMORESE CHILD ON BEACH -
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/images/9910/8ed1856c8f37fa22b47a.jpeg - Source ADF
Shipley Orders More Troops To Timor – Now Full Battalion
- New Zealand has agreed to increase the size of its peacekeeping force in East Timor from a company group to a
battalion group of more than 800 defence personnel, Prime Minister Jenny Shipley has announced. See… NZ Commitment To Timor To Become Battalion [1] in the Parliament wire.
For comprehensive coverage of the crisis in East Timor click on the link above.
OTHER NEWS
Bugger
- What's driving the future of automotive brands? Kevin Roberts addresses the Toyota Australia dealers conference.
See... Kevin Roberts - Honk If You Love Toyota! [1] in the Business wire.
The World’s Biggest Rip Off
- Concern is mounting worldwide that donor-money countries provide to the IMF and World Bank for loans may not be
reaching those in need. John Howard reports. See... The Biggest Money Laundering Scandal In Histor [1] in the wire.y
Executives Preparing For the Worst – Y2k Survey
- With less that 90 to go before Year 2000, a new poll reveals fifty-six percent of corporate leaders from US companies
operating in the global market, plan to put aside nine days of food and withdraw ten days worth of cash in anticipation
of y2k computer problems. John Howard reports ... See... Y2K: Prepared Or Compliant? [1] in the Headlines wire.
Hard News
- The latest Hard News - Doing it for the kids - is in the headlines wire. See... Hard News - Doing It For The Kids [1] .
Massey University Kicks Fee Issue For Touch
-. Massey University is waiting until after the 27 November election to announce fees for 2000. Fraser Rolfe reports on
what looks set to become a timing nightmare for WINZ. See... Massey delays fee setting until after the election [1] in the Headlines wire.
Govt Ducking Says Maharey
- The Government appears determined to duck Parliamentary questions on the Auditor-General's inquiry into the Work and
Income NZ chartered aircraft affair, says Labour's social welfare spokesperson Steve Maharey. See... Govt ducking questions on Winz debacle [1] in the Parliament wire.
Farmers Turns Ninety
- "In October 1909, founder Robert Laidlaw opened his successful catalogue mail order company, Laidlaw Leeds, trading
from small premises in Auckland's Fort Street. He eventually sold this business to the Farmers' Union Trading Company
and took over" ...the full story of the Grand Old Lady Of Retailing Turns 90 [1] in the Business wire.
Number Of MPs Debate Welcomed
- The initiative of the group of academics campaigning against the referendum to reduce the numbers of MPs in
Parliament is warmly commended by Waitakere MP and Chair of the Electoral Law Select Committee, Hon Marie Hasler says..
See... MP numbers debate welcome [1] in the Parliament wire.
Immunisation Improvement Targeted
- Labour Leader Helen Clark and Labour health spokesperson Annette King said that boosting the childhood immunisation
rate would be a priority under Labour. See... Immunisation a priority under Labour [1] in the Parliament wire.
Parents Views Invited
- The Ministry of Education is inviting people throughout the country to visit its Legislation for Learning web-site.
See... Launch Of Legislation for Learning Website [1] in the Headlines wire.
New Law Society Pres.
- The next president of the NZ Law Society will be Christine Grice, a partner with Harkness Henry and Co in Hamilton.
See... Christine Grice - Next President Of The NZ Law Soc [1] in the Business wire.
..And Laywers Unhappy About Changes
- “The latest Legal Aid Remuneration Instructions from the Legal Services Board will further reduce people's access to
justice and quality legal representation,”; President of the NZ Law Society, Ian Haynes, said today. See... Legal Aid Remuneration Instructions - Law Soc [1] in the Business Wire wire. In the Politics wire Annis Somerville, chair of the New Zealand Law Society Family Law Section says, “Further cuts to legal aid coming
into effect on 15 November will be disastrous for domestic violence victims and other users of the Family Court” .
See... Cuts To Legal Aid Will Be Disastrous - Law Soc [2] .
Green’s On Conservation Blitz
- The Green Party today sent a stuffed toy kiwi to Labour Leader Helen Clark and one to Prime Minister Jenny Shipley,
saying they were symbols of the fate of New Zealand's main icon under their governments' policies. See... Greens Send Stuffed Kiwi To Nats And Labour [1] . Launching its conservation policy, the Green Party is looking beyond saving threatened species on land and is
setting its sights on conservation at sea. See... Greens set sights on the sea [2] . The party has also revealed that the North Island Hector's dolphin has dropped to such low numbers that
scientists expect it will soon be extinct. See... Unique New Zealand dolphin on edge of extinction [3] .
Alliance Housing Policy Launched
- Income related rents for state houses, 1000 new state house a year and financial assistance for first home buyers are
the main features of the Alliance housing policy. See... Alliance housing policy [1] in the Parliament wire. Minister Tony Ryall says the Alliance Policy Would Be Devastating For Thousands [2] .
Flashflood School Back In Session
- Education Minister Nick Smith today opened the rebuilt Panguru Area School in Northland. The School was ravaged by
flood in January and has been rebuilt on higher land at a cost of $4 million. See... New Beginning for Panguru Area School [1] in the wire.
Shades Of Reds Under The Bed ?
- Annabelle Young says Labour's East Coast candidate relies on Unions and asks Is Janet Mackey's team a union team? [1] in the Parliament wire.
Drivers License Changes In Force
- Modifications to the driver licensing system, including measures to assist commercial drivers came into effect today,
Transport Minister Maurice Williamson said. See... Driver Licensing Changes In Place [1] in the Parliament wire.
Global GE Challenge Welcomed
- 'The announcement that the biggest antitrust lawsuit ever is to mount an international challenge to take leading GE
seed producers to court is very welcome,’ said Alliance health and environment spokesperson Phillida Bunkle. See... Alliance supports global legal challenge to GE [1] in the Parliament wire.
Lotto Perk Debate Goes On And On...
- The Lotteries Commission has admitted spending $1.2 million to send commissioners, staff and their wives to
international conferences over the past 12 years. See... $1.2 million superdraw for Lotto travel junkets [1] in the Parliament wire.
Tax Breaks Proposed For Rural NZ
- At a rally in Dargaville yesterday afternoon New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters, announced tax breaks
for Provincial NZ. See... NZ First Plans To Boost Provincial New Zealand [1] in the Parliament wire. Food and Fibre Minister John Luxton has replied saying Rural New Zealand will not be fooled by the smorgasbord of
populist policies See... Luxton Slams NZ First's Rural Policies [2] .
Big Nuclear Accident In Japan
– A major nuclear accident has injured nearly 60 people at a uranium refining plant just out of Tokyo. A leak developed
after a fire in the plant and radiation levels outside the plant were reported to be 15,000 times higher than normal at
monitoring stations two kilometres from the site of the accident. People injured from radiation exposure include
residents, plant workers and fire fighters. Coolent water is being drained from tanks which will probably reduce
radiation levels. Green Party co-leader and anti-nuclear campaigner Jeanette Fitzsimons said the level of exposure from
the leak will inevitably cause delayed cancers in many people in the area, just like Chernobyl.
Free Trade Talks
In the Parliament wire, Lockwood Smith says there has been progress in setting up a free trade agreement with some Asian countries.
Wanted: Maori Men To Lead The Battle Against Smoking
- In opening the National Auahi Kore hui this morning the Associate Minister for Health Mrs Georgina te Heuheu called
for leadership among men particularly Maori men to be exercised in the battle against smoking. See… te Heuheu Speech On Smoking [1] in the Parliament wire.
Election 1999: Week One On the Election Campaign
- The Last weeks announcement of the November 27 election date has well and truly seen campaigning by all parties begin
in earnest. Jonathan Hill reports on the first of nine long weeks. See… Week One On The Election Campaign [1] in the Headlines wire.
Blind People Left In Dark By Y2K Readiness Commission
- Blind and vision impaired people are outraged that the Y2K Readiness Commission has refused to meet the cost of
distributing Y2K material in braille and audio. See… Blind People Left In The Dark By Y2k Commission [1] in the General wire.
NZ On Air Facing Difficult Times – Chair
- “NZ On Air faces increasing difficulty in meeting its responsibility to ensure New Zealand's culture and identity are
reflected and developed by the nation's broadcasting services,” said NZ On Air Chairman, David Beatson. See… Difficulties Ahead Says NZ On Air [1] in the General wire.
And No, Jim’s Not Doing The Running…
- The Alliance have got in behind Siegfried Bauer’s 454km 'run for the right to work' this morning. He will run from
Wanganui to Auckland. The run is designed to make unemployment an election issue. See… The Right To Work Run Is Launched [1] in the Parliament wire. ACT say he would have had to run around the globe if he was highlighting Alliance spending plans. See… Alliance Spending Sends Runner Around The Globe [2] in the Parliament wire.
OSH Investigate Another Tranz Rail Accident
- Occupational Safety and Health are investigating an accident which saw a Tranz Rail employee fall ten meters down a
stairwell at Tranz Rail HQ. The 38 year old man is in hospital with serious leg, back and head injuries. Yesterday Tranz
Rail were successfully prosecuted by OSH - the fourth time since 1997 - following a shunting accident in which an
employee lost his leg. They were fined $27,000.
Mexico Quake Kills 13
- A big earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter Scle has killed 13 people in Mexico. The quake rocked central and
southern Mexico for a full two minutes. A New Zealand scientist says it is not unusual for a cluster of large
earthquakes to occur every three years.
Kiwis Support Life Meaning Life
- A report in the Dominion this morning shows that eight out of ten people who do not support the death penalty think
the very worst criminals should be given life sentences with no parole and should die in jail. The Assignment/Colmar
Brunton Poll found that most people think violent crime is increasing and the justice system is too soft. Over half
think the death penalty has a place in the justice system.
Smith Speech – The Next Chapter in The Story Of Tomorrows Schools
- While our own pace of change may appear slow, internationally we have been recognised as innovators in education.
Hardly a month goes by without an overseas Minister dropping by to discuss how New Zealand has involved parents in
school governance. See… Smith Speech: 10th Anniversary of Tomorrows School [1] s and The Next Chapter In The Story Of NZ Schools [2] . However Labour in government would stop the regulatory review of the education system which is being pushed by
National Party idealogues, associate education spokesperson Steve Maharey said today. See… Review opens the way for privatisation of schools [3] . All in the Parliament wire.
Prebble Won’t Deal With Peters - ACT
Leader Richard Prebble confirmed today that the ACT Party will not allow Winston Peters to hold an auction between the
parties as he did so disastrously last election. See… ACT Kills Winston Peters' Bargaining Power [1] in the Parliament wire.
Kiwi Export Markets Threatened By Genetic Engineering Food Production
- The Organic Products Exporters Group (O.P.E.G.) has warned of irreversible, negative environmental and economic
consequences, should New Zealand pursue the commercial production of genetically modified food. See… NZ Markets Threatened By GM Food Production - OPEG [1] in the General wire. Also a new group called Consumers for Education about Genetic Engineering have produced a sheet they say debunks the myths of genetic engineering. See… The Myths Of Genetic Engineering Corrected [2] in the General wire.
Incomes Rise, Residential Building Boom Continues, Enterprise Slips
– The latest releases from Statistics New Zealand show income has risen on average. See… Rise in Average Income [1] . The residential building boom continues. See… Residential Building Boom Continues [2] and enterprise registrations and profits slipped slightly. See… Enterprise Numbers Flat [3] . All in the Business wire.
Super Portability Starts For PI People
- Pacific Island recipients of New Zealand superannuation will now be entitled to receive their payments in the
islands, Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Pacific Islands Minister Tuariki John Delamere said today. See… Super Portability For Pacific People Begins [1] . However Labour’s spokesperson on Pacific Island Affairs Taito Phillip Field said Jenny Shipley’s opportunistic
attempt to seize the credit for making New Zealand Superannuation portable will fool no-one. See… Shipley's Opportunism Wont Fool Pacific Islanders [2] . National’s Arthur Anae says Mr Field cannot accept National have delivered a good deal for Pacific Island people.
See… National’s delivered and Labour can’t hack it [3] . Belinda Vernon agrees it is sour grapes for Taito Field. See… Fields Sour Grapes [4] . All in the Parliament wire.
Medical Association Call For Urgent Meeting Over ‘Serious’ Maternity Problems
- The New Zealand Medical Association is seeking an urgent meeting with Health Minister Wyatt Creech to express
concerns about the Maternity Review, released yesterday, which they say fails to address serious problems in the
maternity system. See… NZMA Seeks Urgent Maternity Meeting [1] in the General wire.
Peters Promises Tough Coalition Bargaining
- New Zealand First will be driving a hard bargain on behalf of thousands of New Zealanders on the 28th November – the
day after the General Election. See… NZ First Promises Tough Coalition Bargaining [1] in the Parliament wire.
British GE Scare Shows Need For NZ Investigation
- The Green Party has called for an investigation into genetically-engineered canola field trials in the South Island
after research made public today showed genetically engineered pollen can be spread up to five kilometres. See… GE Scare Shows Needs For Canola Investigation [1] in the Parliament wire.
Hospital Announced For Newtown Site
- An announcement has been made by Health Minister Wyatt Creech that the new Wellington Hospital will be built on the
existing Newtown Site. Creech also announced what he described as beefed up hospital services at Kenepuru and a project
to fast-track better integration of health services. See… State Of Art Hospital For Wellington [1] and Question and Answers On New Hospital [2] . Roger Sowry says the announcement is also great news for Porirua and the Kapiti Coast. See… Sowry Welcomes Better Services For Porirua/Kapiti [3] . However Richard Prebble says while the announcement of a new tertiary hospital for Wellington at Newtown is
wonderful news, the battle's not over yet. See… Hospital battle not over yet - Prebble [4] . Labour's Annette King says she is pleased with the site but concerns remain. See… King reacts to Wellington Hospital decision [5] . Annabel Young says the decision to place the tertiary hospital at the Newtown site with secondary hospitals at
the Hutt and Kenepuru gives Wellington people a clear vision of the future for Wellington. See… New Hospital Plan a Vision for a better Wellington [6] in the Parliament wire. However the Alliance’s Phillida Bunkle is not so happy, saying Richard Prebble is telling lies. See… Prebble Telling Lies - Bunkle [7] . She also says the Government’s announcement of a long overdue upgrade of Wellington Hospital is a “hollow promise
made of election fairy dust”. See… Undersized Hospital Election Fairy Dust [8] . All in the Parliament wire.
Tighter Controls On Ferrets In Pipeline
- Conservation Minister Nick Smith today announced plans to tighten the controls on ferrets by launching a public
discussion document ‘What can we do about ferrets?’ See… Ferret Controls To Be Tightened [1] in the Parliament wire.
Greens Promise To Stop Building Motorways
- The Green Party is calling for a five-year moratorium on urban road building. The call, part of the party's transport
policy, comes as urban development lobby group Campaign for a Better City (CBC) today launches its 'Alternative Route'
campaign. See… Green Party Commit To Ending Inner-City Motorways [1] in the Parliament wire. Despite this ACT say they are the only party openly acknowledging that New Zealand, and Auckland in particular,
has a transport crisis. See… Toll Roads To Solve Auckland's Traffic Crisis [2] in the Parliament wire.
99 MPs Not Enough – Smallest Parliament In Developed World
- IF NZ cuts the number of MPs to 99 it will have one of the smallest national parliaments for its size in the
developed world.That was among figures presented by political scientist Jonathan Boston at the first City Voice/Scoop
election forum. See… Ninety-Nine MPs Too Few - Boston [1] in the Headlines wire.
Tranz Rail Fined Over Worker's Accident - Again
- Tranz Rail has been fined $27,000 after a rail worker lost his leg after the rusty railing he leaned on broke. The
worker was given $20,000 of the fine but says his life is ruined and he would rather have his leg back. This is the
fourth time Tranz Rail has been successfully prosecuted by Occupational Safety and Health since 1997.
Business Confidence Continues to Slide
- The NBNZ Business Confidence Index has ebbed again in the seventh consecutive monthly decline and the percentage of
respondents to the survey who believe conditions will improve over the next year also slipped. See Deutsche Bank
research… Economic Note (New Zealand) NZ - Business Outlook [1] in the Business wire.
Election A Test For New Competitive School Model
- The new competitive model of education will be tested in the 27 Nov election, reports Bridget Mayne from City Voice.
Bridget takes a look at what each of the parties propose. See… Election Test For School Reforms [1] in the Headlines wire.
Advantage Purchase WebMaster
- Advantage Group Limited (NZSE: ADV) today announced it has strengthened its position as a leader in e-commerce
development with an agreement to purchase Internet development company WebMasters Ltd. See… Second acquisition boosts Advantage’s e-commerce [1] in the Business wire.
Prebble Speech On Tax – The Key Issue Of The Election
- With the release of the Alliance's policy to have an 'executive' tax rate of 47 cents, tax has become the first issue
of the 1999 election. All of the parties have issued income tax proposals. See… Tax - the issue of the 1999 election [1] in the Parliament wire.
Petrol Prices Up Across Board
– All petrol companies have increased their petrol prices in the fifth increase in two months. Shell Oil explain the
move. See… OPEC price rises force another increase [1] in the Business wire. Challenge have instead made moves to tighten up the gap between 96 and 91 octane fuel. See… Challenge Offers Fair Deal For “High Octane” [2] , also in the Business wire.