JUST POLITICS
Common-sense Prevails On Industrial Hemp
Govt Keeps Poker Face In Community Card Game
COMMUNITY SERVICE CARD - FULL COVERAGE:
CHP Oppose Promiscuity Promotion Bill
Spend No More Taxpayer Money On Northland Prison
Incubating Small Business
Anzac Brothers In Arms Drifting Apart
ACT Musical Chairs

POLITICS FROM TODAY'S TOP SCOOPS
Double Dose Of Hard News Is Here!
Eco Economy: Why Not Interest Free Loans For Councils?
Begging The Question: Where’s Lashlie’s Journalism Award?
Dunne Demands Govt Response To Chinese Arrogance
Electrifying Government
MAY DAY: Good Advice From The Reverend
Its Moider Out There For Press Secretaries
Super Prefunding Is Not The Way – Farmers
Lady With Lockjaw Lapdog

JUST POLITICS

Common-sense Prevails On Industrial Hemp

- Green Party co-leader Rod Donald today welcomed Health Minister Annette King's decision to allow trials of industrial hemp in time for the next planting season, saying it was a commonsense move which was long overdue. See... Industrial hemp trials at last! [1] and Trial cultivation of industrial hemp - With Q&A [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00431.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00429.htm

Govt Keeps Poker Face In Community Card Game

- Green MP Sue Bradford says while a meeting today didn't find a solution to short-term inequities, the Greens and the Government are in agreement that scrapping the Community Services Card is the long-term answer. See... Scrapping Community Card Only Way To Equity [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00415.htm

COMMUNITY SERVICE CARD - FULL COVERAGE:

- Nats - Cabinet's cruel card trick [1] - Govt - Community Card Changes Only Affect Superannuitants [2] - Nats - Greens need to back up commitment [3] - United Future NZ - Card Debacle Shows Need For A Family Focus [4] - National - King Ignorant Of Community Card Savings [5] - Government - Maharey Moves To Clear Confusion Over Card [6] - Nats - Govt's Card Decision In Breach Of Human Rights Act [7] - ACT - Urgent Debate Sought On Plight Of Low-Paid Workers [8] - Annette King - Community Services Card to be reviewed [9] - Sue Bradford - Healthcare Eligibility Changes Unacceptable [10] - Roger Sowry - Govt Unfair To Low Income Workers [11] - Winston Peters - Government Removes The Incentive To Work [12] - Jim Anderton - No One Worse Off Under Community Card Adjustment [13]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00418.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00413.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00379.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00395.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00397.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00401.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00394.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00392.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00341.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00362.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00371.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00363.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00364.htm

CHP Oppose Promiscuity Promotion Bill

- Party Leader Graham Capill told the Justice and Electoral Select Committee that the Prostitution Reform Bill was unlikely to promote the human rights of prostitutes in the way suggested by its proponents. See... CHP Defends The Human Rights Of Prostitutes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0104/S00092.htm

Spend No More Taxpayer Money On Northland Prison

- ACT Northland-based MP Dr Muriel Newman said the Government should see sense and abandon plans to spend up to $500,000 of taxpayers money appealing a decision against the planned Northland prison. See... Government Should End Northland Prison Madness [1] No Time To Waste On Transmission Gully - ACT NZ Transport spokesman Penny Webster said it was unacceptable for Transport Minister Mark Gosche to say that the Transmission Gully Highway would at least a decade away. See... Transmission Gully Delay Unacceptable [2] and Transmission Gully – Govt [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00435.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00434.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00411.htm

Incubating Small Business

- The Government is establishing a support agency and cash awards to help New Zealand's business incubators, Minister for Small Business Pete Hodgson announced today. See... New support for NZ's business incubators [1] and Backing business growth: NZ's business incubators [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00432.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00433.htm

Anzac Brothers In Arms Drifting Apart

- The Australian Defence Minister Peter Reith taking issue with Prime Minister Helen Clark's perspective on defence confirms our concerns that New Zealand is cutting its ties with its strongest partner in the Asia-Pacific region, National's Defence Spokesperson Max Bradford said. See... Australia At Issue With Clark's Isolationism [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00426.htm

ACT Musical Chairs

- ACT is sharpening its focus on the key issues of the environment, local government and the Resource Management Act by giving Gerry Eckhoff responsibility for related spokesmanships. See... ACT Changes Key Spokespeople [1] Sutton Excited By Canadian Trade Office - The opening of a new Trade New Zealand office at the New Zealand consulate in Toronto was an exciting step forward in relations with Canada, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton said today. See... New Trade NZ office opened in Toronto [2] and Jim Sutton Toronto Business Meeting Speech [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00412.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00428.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00430.htm

TOP SCOOPS

Double Dose Of Hard News Is Here!

- GOOD DAY MEDIAPHILES ... and greetings from Amsterdam, home of meat, bread, cheese and chocolate; of buds and beer, of tolerance and the apparently compulsory smoking of tobacco. See... HARD NEWS FROM EUROPE: The Stolen Edition [1] . Yes, it's me down the phone line again, but from parts no more distant or exotic than Pt Chevalier. Where, I am happy to report, the weather is pleasant and the vista a delight. See... HARD NEWS 27/4/01 - A Shambles in Paradise [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0104/S00144.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0104/S00143.htm

Eco Economy: Why Not Interest Free Loans For Councils?

- Ratepayers continue to suffer because local authorities are paying interest on their loans for essential capital works when they could be getting this money interest free from the Reserve Bank. NZ Banking Reform is having a public meeting on Monday at Connolly Hall, Hill St, Thorndon on Monday 30 April at 7.30. Alliance mayoral candidate Stephanie Cook, Nathan Goodhue, Heather Smith, and Lowell Manning will be speaking. See... Eco-Economy: Interest Free Council Loans Possible [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0104/S00142.htm

Begging The Question: Where’s Lashlie’s Journalism Award?

- The incident of Ces Lashlie's expulsion from the Specialist Education Service coincided with a report on School expulsions - you can shoot the messenger but some measures and some messages won't go away that easily. See... Begging The Question : Shooting the Message? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0104/S00140.htm

Dunne Demands Govt Response To Chinese Arrogance

- United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne, is calling on the New Zealand Government to lodge an official protest with the Chinese Government over the Chinese Embassy's actions in writing to New Zealand MPs warning them against visiting Taiwan. See... NZ Must Protest Chinese Embassy's Actions [1] and Re: Dunne Release On Chinese Embassy [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00414.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00424.htm

Electrifying Government

- Prime Minister Helen Clark and State Services Minister Trevor Mallard released the Government's e-government strategy yesterday. See… Government.nz@your.service [1] - The future for Joe Public under e-government [2] - How E-Government will help our businesses [3] REACTION: - ITANZ - Industry Supports E-Govt Plan [4] - Nats - E-Government Is All E-Spin [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00421.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00422.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00423.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0104/S00179.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00400.htm

Good Advice From The Reverend

- Christchurch anarchist group the Anarchist Round Table (ART) is delighted to announce that Reverend Jeremiah Lovebucks, head of the International Church of the Almighty Dollar, will be in Christchurch to lead a special May Day service starting at 12 noon on Tuesday May 1 at the corner of Cashel Mall and High Street, Christchurch. See... Reverend Jeremiah Lovebucks Is Coming To Town! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0104/S00088.htm

Its Moider Out There For Press Secretaries

- RE: Matt Robson's press release. “Disarmament Minister Matt Robson is asking the Opposition leader Jenny Shipley to reign in her defence spokesperson.” See... Roobson Moiders Englich Languish [1] EARLIER: - Matt Robson - Shipley Needs To Get Bradford Under Control [2] - Max Bradford - See... Robson In Land Of Noddy [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00408.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00402.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0104/S00390.htm

Super Prefunding Is Not The Way – Farmers

- Federated Farmers, President, Alistair Polson earlier today congratulated the Government on recognising that an ageing population is going to place a large strain on the economy. However, farmers do not consider the approach proposed in the New Zealand Superannuation Bill is acceptable. See... Prefunding Super Not The Answer For The Future [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0104/S00175.htm

Lady With Lockjaw Lapdog

- “It was with horror, loathing and appalled disgust that we learnt about the career prospects of Prebbo if ARF loses its kennels in Parliament!!!” exclaimed Sister Raptophilia SM at news of a breaking political scandal. See... Prebbo Seeking Royal Corgi Vacancy- Denounced!!! [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0104/S00091.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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