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Turia’s Controvertial Comments – Australia Snubs UN – Billionaire Name – East Timor

- TURIA’S CONTROVERTIAL COMMENTS: There has been public condemnation of associate Maori Affairs Minister Tariana Turia’s comparing of colonisation’s effects on Maori with the Nazi holocaust. Her comments have put her offside with her own party – especially the absent Prime Minister, whose office told called Mrs Turia with a telling off. Mrs Turia is at a family tangi and is not commenting. The Jewish community have been among the critics.

Mrs Turia also linked home invasion today with homeland invasions in the 1800s – referring to the Maori wars and the 1881 Parihaka invasion.

All major political parties agree Maori issues need attention, but none have supported Turia’s comments.

- AUSTRALIA SNUBS UN: The Australian Government has told United Nation they will not cooperate with UN inquiries anymore, after UN reports which have attacked Australia’s human rights record with native Aborigines and asylum seekers.

- BILLIONAIRE NAMED: The American billionaire who was granted name suppression after being caught with marijuana in New Zealand has been named – he is Peter Lewis. Mr Lewis was busted with Over 100g of cannabis. Name suppression was lifted by the court of appeal. The NZ Herald waged an eight month court battle to have the man’s name suppression lifted – the Herald said the Mr Lewis used his influence to get special treatment from the New Zealand courts. Mr Lewis has also made a name for himself donating to high profile pro-marijuana causes in the USA. Mr Lewis says he uses marijuana to ease the pain of his amputated leg.

- EAST TIMOR: It was one year ago today that East Timor voted to become independent, resulting in bloody civil war. Rebuilding the shattered economy of East Timor has been a slow process. Unemployment is at 70 percent. Many East Timorese are in West Timor refugee camps – which are still being attacked by pro-Jakarta Militia. 660 NZ troops remain on Peace keeping duties in East Timor.

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