Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

Thursday, 5 April 2007, 1:46 pm
Article: The Scoop Team

NEW ZEALAND LEAD:
Campaign Finance Reform: 'Deputy' Omitted From Bill English PR
Environment: OECD Report Says NZ Could Do Better
Full Coverage: Report Into Police Conduct Made Public
Technology: Flying Robots Over South Island
Media: Mr Carter's Underpants Billboards Set To Cause Traffic Chaos -
Kiwi Pride: Modern Afghanistan Captured In Oil Paintings By NZ Artist -
Health: Hodgson Calls In Auditor-General After Auckland DHB Fiasco -
Special Report:
Solomons Tsunami: NZ Death Confirmed
PM's Presser: Govt Won't Take Up Section 59 Bill
Scoop Audio:
Privacy v Liberty: Opposition Mounts Against Govt Registers Bill

SCOOP INTERNATIONAL LEAD STORY:
Solomon Islands - UN Assessment Team Deployed
Yasmine Ryan's Letter from Lebanon: De Facto Landmines Continue to Maim -
More International Headlines:
US Justice: Amnesty Observer Details David Hicks Gitmo Hearing

SCOOP LEAD STORY
Election 2005 Revisited: Peters Sets 'Humourless' Media Straight

The Baubles of Office as defined by Winston Peters: "Professor Walsh, the editors of the book, Stephen Levine and Nigel Roberts, and Victoria University Press - thank you for the invitation to launch this book - 'The Baubles of Office'. This book highlights the validity of the maxim never to judge a book by its cover. You see, while the content contained within is meritorious and useful, the cover is both mischievous and erroneous." See... Peters - Never Judge A Book By Its Cover [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00120.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00084.htm

RECOMMENDED AUDIO:

Scoop Audio: [1] Scoop's Selwyn Manning & Radio Adelaide's Peter Godfrey discuss: the release of a Commission of Inquiry report into a culture of sexual deviancy within the New Zealand Police.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00066.htm

KiwiFM Audio:

Scoop's Kevin List joins KiwiFM's Wammo to deliver his weekly News Roundup. Items discussed: Report into dodgy cops; and Christine Rankin… what was she famous for and does her opinion really count?

95bFM Audio:

Opposition is mounting against a controversial bill that would see official records of births, deaths, marriages and registrations locked away from public eyes. 95bFM interviews journalist and historian Graeme Hunt and Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker on this issue.

KiwiFM Wammo-Audio-Feast:

Wammo presents a feast of informative interviews from his morning show. So sit back and listen to the Wammonator quiz Russell Brown on whether musos are being bled to death by internet downloads; Gerry Brownlee on giving your kid a crack; and an Aussie doctor who says we are feeding our kids too much Ritalin.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00128.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00116.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00072.htm

NEW ZEALAND LEAD:
Campaign Finance Reform: 'Deputy' Omitted From Bill English PR

- The new leader of the National Party, Bill English, has laid out a clear case for electoral spending reform if the public is to understand the confusing leadership structure of the National Party, Finance Minister Michael Cullen said today. "Mr English's first press release since resuming the leadership criticises the proposed plans to clean up the rules around election funding," said Dr Cullen. See... Nat's new leader strengthens spending reform case [1] ALSO:

National - Labour should reveal all on electoral reform [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00126.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00121.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00127.htm

Check Out Scoop's Audio and Video Podcast Feed

Environment: OECD Report Says NZ Could Do Better

- New Zealand has improved its environmental performance over the past decade, but should reinforce water and waste management, energy efficiency and climate protection efforts. The OECD’s Environmental Performance Review of New Zealand makes a number of recommendations. See... OECD urges NZ to improve water, waste management [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00079.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00124.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00089.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00088.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00087.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00096.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00109.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0704/S00090.htm
[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00076.htm
[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00075.htm
[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00074.htm

FULL COVERAGE: Report Into Police Conduct Made Public

- Commissioner Of Police Apologises To Victims Of Officers - Howard Broad: "I find it difficult to express in words my feelings about these people for they have caused immeasurable damage to a number of New Zealanders that they had sworn to protect... I acknowledge the hurt and harm that's been done and the grief that's been caused to you, your families and supporters." See this and more, including the entire report. See... FULL COVERAGE: Inquiry Into Police Conduct [1] 95bFM Audio: [2] The Wire's Paul Deady IVs Greg O'Connor & Scoop's Selwyn Manning - What changes can we expect to see resulting from this Commission of Inquiry into sexual inappropriateness and dodgy police practice going back 25 years? Is this just a few bad apples? Scoop's Selwyn Manning says No way! Police Association's Greg O'Connor says yes!

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00057.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00091.htm

Technology: Flying Robots Over South Island

- Robotic planes flying out of new Canterbury University research centre The development of an unmanned, robotic plane for farmers to collect data on animal health, crop and soil conditions, water uptake and water use is one example of the work to be done at a new multi-million dollar research centre being launched tonight by the University of Canterbury. See... Robotic planes flying out of new research centre [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0704/S00013.htm

Media: Mr Carter's Underpants Billboards Set To Cause Traffic Chaos -

Champion first-five Dan Carter continues to wow them on the rugby field from Aussie Stadium to Twickenham. And now he’s tackling global fashion markets – this time in his Jockeys! New Zealand’s very own rugby royal is being launched as the international ambassador in the United Kingdom and 23 markets in Europe for Jockey’s innovative new 3D range. See…Dan goes global with Jockey 3D [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0704/S00091.htm

Kiwi Pride: Modern Afghanistan Captured In Oil Paintings By NZ Artist -

The work of Captain Matt Gauldie, the New Zealand Army artist operationally deployed to the Solomon Islands and Afghanistan in 2006, will be exhibited in Christchurch from April 16 to May 12. Capt Gauldie, official New Zealand Army artist since 2005, has used those experiences as the basis for several of his paintings in the upcoming Combat on Canvas exhibition at Our City gallery. See... Army Artist To Exhibit Afghanistan Paintings [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00071.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00062.htm

Health: Hodgson Calls In Auditor-General After Auckland DHB Fiasco -

The Minister of Health Pete Hodgson has asked the Auditor-General to undertake a focused performance audit to examine how conflicts of interest are dealt with in each of the three Auckland DHBs (the Auckland DHB, Counties-Manukau DHB, and the Waitemata DHB) under section 16 of the Public Audit Act 2001. See... Auditor-General to look at Auckland regional DHBs [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00059.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00066.htm

SPECIAL REPORT:

Solomons Tsunami: NZ Death Confirmed

- Solomons Islands police have advised officials a New Zealand resident missing in Solomon Islands has been officially confirmed as killed in the tsunami. Mr Teangauki Toma was trying to rescue family members when he was killed. High Commission officials in Honiara and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials in New Zealand have been liaising with family members and will continue to provide assistance to them. See... FULL COVERAGE: Solomon Islands Quake/Tsunami [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00038.htm

PM's Presser: Govt Won't Take Up Section 59 Bill

- The spectre of a nation full of delinquent children running amok, their bottom's protected by the State was not one the Prime Minister seemed overly keen on dwelling on at today's post-cabinet press conference... According to the PM Sue Bradford's Bill would not become a Government Bill and would therefore not be pushed through the House this week. The Prime Minister also took some time to make comments about a report into Police Culture prepared by Dame Margaret Bazley that is due for public consumption tomorrow. See...

Scoop Audio:

Audio: PM Smacks S59 Criticism For SixALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00039.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0704/S00045.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00049.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00036.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00042.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00052.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00056.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0703/S00511.htm

Privacy v Liberty: Opposition Mounts Against Govt Registers Bill

- UPDATED Scoop Report Now Includes Audio of PM's Response - Opposition is mounting against a controversial bill that, if passed, will see official records of births, deaths, marriages locked away from public eyes – shifting this information out of reach of researchers, historians, many genealogists and others. Journalist and author, Graeme Hunt (pictured), says this government bill encroaches on well established principles held sacred within open and free democracies. See... Opposition Grows Re: Births Deaths Marriages Bill [1] Other Legislation:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00002.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00023.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0704/S00011.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:
Solomon Islands - UN Assessment Team Deployed

A six-member United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team has been dispatched to the Solomon Islands, a day after the Pacific country was struck by a deadly tsunami caused by a powerful underwater earthquake. See... Solomon Islands: UN Assessment Team Deployed [1] ALSO:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00090.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00059.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00067.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00075.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00038.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00056.htm

Yasmine Ryan's Letter from Lebanon: De Facto Landmines Continue to Maim -

Rasha Zayoun shyly brings out her drawings. The teenager likes to draw women’s clothing, mostly long flowing dresses and vibrant skirts. Since the 17 year old had her leg blown off by an Israeli cluster bomblet, however, many of her former other activities have become far more difficult. Rasha spends most of her time confined to the house in Maarakeh. See... Letter from Lebanon: De Facto Landmines Continue to Maim [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0704/S00064.htm

MORE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00087.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00084.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00083.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00079.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00074.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00072.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00066.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0704/S00065.htm

US Justice: Amnesty Observer Details David Hicks Gitmo Hearing

- At a hearing in Guantánamo on 26 March 2007, in his sixth year of detention and at the start of the US administration’s second attempt in the last three years to try him before a military commission, Australian national David Hicks pleaded guilty to one specification under the charge of "providing material support for terrorism". This plea was made after years of indefinite detention, isolation and allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and after a day in which Hicks’ legal representation was reduced by the military judge overseeing the commission. See... Amnesty Int: Hicks Pleads Guilty On One Count [1] ALSO:Video: David Hicks Defence Council Speaks Out [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00530.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0703/S00531.htm

Scoop Audio:

Scoop's Selwyn Manning & 95bFM's Paul Deady discuss: how Australian David Hicks has pleaded guilty to one specification under the charge of "providing material support for terrorism". How has the US extracted a guilty plea and why now?

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