Scoop: Just Politics

Friday, 20 October 2000, 4:43 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

JUST POLITICS
Farmers Urged To Speak Up
Willie Jackson Speaks Out Then Shuts Up
Bunkle On Vegetables
Prison Debate
Newman Is Not Deterred From Use Of Employment Stats
In The Committee Room
Child Abuse Reporting Call
Gay And Lesbian Marriages - Submissions Summarised

POLITICS FROM TOP SCOOPS
Upton On Line: Met-e-morphosis
Business Forum ‘Cynical Manipulation,’ Leaked Papers Show
Youth Suicide Issue Must Be Aired
Greens Raise Morning Star Flag, As Troops Gather In Papua
Waikato University Votes For Compulsory Unionism In Controversial Circumstances

JUST POLITICS

Farmers Urged To Speak Up

- Farmers risk being left behind if they fail to make their voices heard on the genetic modification debate. See... Southland Times Eckhoff Column [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00424.htm

Willie Jackson Speaks Out Then Shuts Up

- Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton says that Willie Jackson Alliance List MP has agreed not to make further comment on the Government policy regarding Treaty claims and petroleum at this time. See... Jackson Not Making Further Comment Says Anderton [1] and We Never Signed Up To Swain’s Minerals Policy [2] for what Jackson won’t be talking about any more.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00422.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00416.htm

Bunkle On Vegetables

- See... Bunkle Accolade for Franklin Vege Project [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00421.htm

Prison Debate

- From its musing on home detention, parole, and work release this Government seems to believe the purpose of punishment is to meet the ‘needs’ of criminals.. See... What Does The Government Think Punishment Is For? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00419.htm

Newman Is Not Deterred From Use Of Employment Stats

- Employment Minister Steve Maharey’s latest outburst against ACT Employment Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman shows that he is rattled over the problem of the country’s worsening long-term unemployment. See... Maharey’s Dismissal Of Unemployed Disgraceful [1] and Time For Act To Reconsider Newman's Role [2] for the latest installment of the employment stats spat.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00418.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00410.htm

In The Committee Room

- For news from the Committee rooms this week see... Select Committee Business [1] West Papua MPs Peace Petition - A petition signed by 24 New Zealand MPs is being sent to the Indonesian Embassy today, calling for Indonesian military restraint in West Papua. See... 24 MPs Sign Petition For Indonesian Restraint [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00417.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00414.htm

Child Abuse Reporting Call

- National's Social Services spokesman Bob Simcock is calling on the Government to reconsider its stance on a major conference on mandatory reporting, which will take place in Parliament a week from today. See... Simcock Calls For End To Govt Indifference [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00413.htm

Gay And Lesbian Marriages - Submissions Summarised

- A Ministry of Justice paper summarising reponses to the discussion paper “Same Sex Couples and the Law”; has been released. See... Summary Of Submissions Released [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00412.htm

POLITICS FROM TOP SCOOPS

Upton On Line: Met-e-morphosis

- Strange speculations (and some out-right fantasising) have caused upton-on-line to disclose the forthcoming transmorgrification of this publication. By a process of neural re-engineering that is still awaiting FDA approval (and could yet be stopped in its tracks by the Royal Commission on genetic nasties) See… Upton-on-line October 20th [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00415.htm

Business Forum ‘Cynical Manipulation,’ Leaked Papers Show

- Opposition Finance Spokesperson Bill English has released secret Government briefing papers for next Tuesdays Business Forum which, he says, “portray the Forum as nothing more than a cynical manipulation of the good intentions of the business community.” See... Leaked papers Government wants "pawns and yes-men" [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00408.htm

Youth Suicide Issue Must Be Aired

- Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton says he has been overwhelmed by the response to Wednesday night’s “Questions” programme on youth suicide. See... The Youth Suicide Toll Must Come Down [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00411.htm

Greens Raise Morning Star Flag, As Troops Gather In Papua

- Green Members of Parliament raised West Papua's "Morning Star" flag on the steps of New Zealand Parliament yesterday, to welcome OPM representative and West Papuan exile, Mr John Ondawame. Mr Ondawame was also welcomed by MPs from the New Zealand Government's Labour and Alliance parties. See... Green MPs Raise Morning Star Flag In NZ [1] and Fears Of Indonesian Crackdown In Irian Jaya [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0010/S00151.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0010/S00149.htm

Waikato University Votes For Compulsory Unionism In Controversial Circumstances

- “It took a secret vote, held during study week when few students are on campus, with 24 hours notice, only one side of the debate being heard and unconstitutional actions on behalf of the Waikato Students' Union (WSU) for a compulsory vote on student student union membership to be achieved at Waikato University." See... Civil Rights at Waikato Squashed in Backroom Deal [1] . See also... Maharey welcomes the end of an error [2] OTHER REACTION - Waikato Result Welcomed [3] - Waikato Students Overturn Voluntary Membership [4] - 10% Support Not A Convincing Mandate [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0010/S00030.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0010/S00420.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0010/S00029.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0010/S00031.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/ED0010/S00032.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.

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