JUST POLITICS
Literacy Assessment For Primary Students
How To Opt Out Of The Property (Relationships) Act
Reunited Protesters Pen Belated Apology To Vietnam
Minister Happy With Nowra Crash Investigation
East Timor Aid Programme Agreed
AK Transport Funding: Tizard Has A Point
WWF - We Do Not Support Commercial Whaling!

POLITICS FROM TODAY’S TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House – Today’s Questions
GM REPORT: Howard’s End: Tomatoes, Tomatoes… Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off
GM REPORT: A Partially GE-Free NZ Won't Work - Greens
GM REPORT: Royal Commission On Genetic Modification Report Released
GM REPORT: POLITICAL REACTION
GM REPORT: OTHER REACTION:
Underlying Electricity Issues Still Not Addressed
Writings From The Right
Standardised Maternity Contracts Welcomed

JUST POLITICS

Literacy Assessment For Primary Students

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard has had a 'road to Damascus' conversion over the assessment of the literacy of primary school children, National's Education spokesperson Gerry Brownlee said today. See... Mallard's Assessment Conversion [1] and New Ways Of Assessing Children's Progress [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00528.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00522.htm

How To Opt Out Of The Property (Relationships) Act

- From 1 August, de facto (including same sex) or married couples will be able to contract out of the new Property (Relationships) Amendment Act 2001. See... Contracting Out Of Property (Relationships) Act [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0107/S00129.htm

Reunited Protesters Pen Belated Apology To Vietnam

- In New Zealand the two strongest and most significant international solidarity movements have been the anti-Vietnam war movement and the movement to oppose the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand. See... Letter Of Apology To Vietnam [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0107/S00130.htm

Minister Happy With Nowra Crash Investigation

- Defence Minister Mark Burton said he had been briefed on the results of the Court of Inquiry conducted by the RNZAF into the Skyhawk crash which claimed the life of Squadron Leader Murray Neilson. See... Minister Briefed On Nowra Skyhawk Crash Report [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00525.htm

East Timor Aid Programme Agreed

- New Zealand has agreed on a ground-breaking long term aid programme with East Timor, says Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Matt Robson. See... Ground-Breaking Aid Package [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00523.htm

AK Transport Funding: Tizard Has A Point

- Judith Tizard's call for Infrastructure Auckland to front up with more cash for Britomart or she'll close it down is no way to get attention, but the point she makes is valid, the Employers & Manufacturers Association says. See... Minister For Auckland's Threat Valid [1] and Urgency needed from Infrastructure Auckland - Tizard [2] MORE: - United Future - Transport Commissioner Needed For Auckland [3] - Nats - Funding good news but road blocks ahead [4] - Mayor’s Chris Fletcher And Phil Warren - Transfund decision acknowledges Britomart project [5] - David Thornton - Govt. Bullying Tactics On Britomart Out Of Order [6]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0107/S00243.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00507.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00524.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00504.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0107/S00072.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0107/S00071.htm

WWF- We Do Not Support Commercial Whaling!

- Following recent reports in the New Zealand media, WWF New Zealand wishes to clearly outline its position on whale conservation and the International Whaling Commission (IWC). See... WWF and Whale Conservation – position statement [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/WO0107/S00107.htm

TOP SCOOPS

Scoop Is In The House – Today’s Questions

– Today's questions of the day concerned: Royal GM Commission x 3 - Power Crisis – Super Policy - Undermining The People’s Bank – Whaling – Charitable Status Definition – League Tables For Primary Schools – Tertiary Education Funding – DPB And Teenagers –Lakeland Health Funding. See... SCP HOUSE: Questions Of The Day – 31 July [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0107/S00188.htm

Howard’s End: Tomatoes, Tomatoes… Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off

- You would have thought that New Zealand was about to embark on World War III if you were listening to talkback radio about the release of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification report. See... Howard's End: You Say Tomatoes, I Say Tomatoes [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0107/S00187.htm

A Partially GE-Free NZ Won't Work - Greens

- Keeping genetic modification (GM) free areas alongside GM crops would be as untenable as maintaining possum free areas is now, Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons says. Guy MacGibbon reports. See... GM & Conventional Crops Cannot Co-exist - Greens [1] and Scoop Images: GM Report Released At Parliament [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0107/S00181.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0107/S00185.htm

Royal Commission On Genetic Modification Report Released

- The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification has backed the limited use of genetic engineering technology in its report released by the government at a press conference in the Beehive this afternoon. See... NEWSFLASH: Royal Commission Report Released [1] . For the full report see... THE FULL REPORT – ROYAL COMMISSION WEBSITE [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0107/S00178.htm
[2] - http://www.gmcommission.govt.nz/RCGM/rcgm_report.html

POLITICAL REACTION

: - Nats - Greens hung by own dreadlocks on GM inquiry [1] - NZ First - How Can Greens Support Government Now? [2] - Green Party - Preserving opportunities - but closing off options [3] - Commission fails to address GE Food Safety issues [4] - Jim Anderton - Anderton welcomes Royal Commission report [5] - Environment Minister Marian Hobbs - Royal Commission Praised For Comprehensive Report [6] - Prime Minister - Report of the Royal Commission on GM [7] ACT - GM Moratorium Should Be Lifted Immediately [8] - ACT Praises GM Commission For A Job Well Done [9]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00521.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00518.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00517.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00516.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00513.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00512.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00510.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00527.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00509.htm

OTHER REACTION:

- Rare Diseases Org. - Patient Advocacy Group Welcomes Recommendation [1] - GE Free Coalition - Commission Report Contradictory And Impractical [2] - Greenpeace - Commission fails on the GE issue [3] - Business NZ - Royal Commission offers a way forward [4] - GE Free NZ - Death knell for NZ's quality primary production [5] - Federated Farmers - 'Preserving Opportunities' welcomed by Feds [6] - Association of Crown Research Institutes - Royal Commission Offers Sound Path Forward On GM [7] - NZ Life Sciences Network - Royal Commission endorses a science-based future [8] Click through to the Just Politics page for full GM Royal Commission coverage [9]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0107/S00089.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0107/S00087.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0107/S00127.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0107/S00242.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0107/S00086.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0107/S00241.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0107/S00085.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0107/S00084.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=justpolitics

Underlying Electricity Issues Still Not Addressed

- Today's high-level electricity meeting presented no evidence that the power crisis is lessening, and the core issues have not yet been addressed, says Business New Zealand Chief Executive Simon Carlaw. See… Underlying Electricity Problems Not Addressed [1] MORE: - MoH - MoH Supports Energy Conservation [2] - MEUG - Declare Power Situation An Emergency [3] - Windflow - Wind power the answer to power cuts [4] - Greens - Greens Welcome Campaign [5] - NZ Govt - Parliament Turns On Generators [6] - Hutt City Council - Hutt City Powers Down [7] - ACT - Price Rationing Could Help Crisis [8] - NZ First - Call For House To Resume Under Urgency [9] - Nats - Govt Must Rectify Cuts To Energy Efficiency Budget [10] - Government Must Practise What It Preaches [11] - Government still dithering on electricity [12] Click through to the Just Politics page for full power crisis coverage [13]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0107/S00252.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0107/S00057.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0107/S00244.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/BU0107/S00238.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00492.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00503.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0107/S00073.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00491.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00488.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00499.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00497.htm
[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0107/S00481.htm
[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/features/?s=justpolitics

Writings From The Right

- In this week’s edition: 1. Labour Increases Student Debt - 2. Michelle Boag Speech To Conference - 3. Student Magazine Threatens Rival - 4. Greens Humiliated By Gm Report - 5. Top Ten: Where Is David Benson-Pope? - 6. Website Of The Week. See... The New Write: Young Nationals Newsletter [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PO0107/S00128.htm

Standardised Maternity Contracts Welcomed

- GPs are pleased with the Ministry of Health’s new maternity plan, and are optimistic that it forms “the foundations of a constructive approach”, says Royal NZ College of General Practitioners President Dr Helen Rodenburg. See... Cautious Welcome To New Maternity Plan [1] and Standardised Maternity Contracts To Be Introduced [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0107/S00056.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0107/S00055.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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