Defence Report - Rejected By Nats - The Week Ahead - Waco Lessons - East Timor Vote - Plea For Peace - Wallabied - Watson - Super - Top Scoops and much more...

TODAY'S SCOOPS

Defence Report Back - Recommends Major Change

- The Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee presented its final report back on New Zealand's defence forces and defence requirements. It recommends a drastic defence shakeup. See the press releases from the Committee:
- Why We Need A New Defence White Paper [1] ;
- Greater Defence Contingency Capability Required [2] ;
- NZDF Headquarters Restructuring Required [3] ;
- Open Debate On Defence Policy Urged [4] ;
- Wider Defence Cooperation Promoted [5] ;
- Broader Recruit Training Advocated [6] ;
- Defence Force Priorities [7] ;
- Civilian Staff Would Bring Efficiency And Economy [8] .
All in the Parliament wire. See reaction immediately below.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00525.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00524.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00523.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00522.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00521.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00520.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00519.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00518.htm

Defence Report Out - Nats Reject It

- New Zealand would be unable to play its role in world affairs or protect its own backyard if Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee report proposals were adopted, Defence Minister Max Bradford says. See... Niche Force Won't Protect New Zealand's Interests [1] . Annabel Young agrees saying there is No Room For Isolationists In Defence Debate [2] and Don McKinnon says that denying New Zealand of naval and air strike capacity would be like playing a game of rugby without a front row. See... Half a team would see NZ in third division [3] . However Labour say National has isolated itself as the only major political party out of step with the Foreign Affairs and Defence Select Committee's report. See... National out of step on defence - Braybrooke [4] . All in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00515.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00513.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00517.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00514.htm

The Week Ahead

- With five sitting days till the house rises the Beehive's best and brightest are engaged in a game they became well accustomed to last year, as the government sat on a knife edge - counting the numbers. See... The Week Ahead: Playing The Numbers [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00123.htm

The Lasting Lessons Of WACO

- If you were near a television set on April 19, 1993, you will never forget the sight of the Mt. Carmel religious community in Waco, Texas, going up in flames. What precisely had these people done to justify the Fed's surrounding them with tanks? With reluctance, the FBI is now inching towards telling the truth. John Howard reports. See... The Lasting Lessons Of WACO [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00124.htm

Thousands Turn Out In Peaceful Timor Vote

- The polls opened today at 10:30am (New Zealand time) for the historic vote on the independance of East Timor. Reports say thousands of people are continuing to head out to vote and over 50 per cent of registered voters have cast their votes already. The area is calm, and as yet there has been no violence, despite sporadic shooting in the capital, Dili, overnight. Hundreds of people are lining up to vote in the heat and they say while they have been afraid they are now excited and determined. Scoop will keep readers updated as news comes to hand during the day. Yesterday pro and anti-independence groups held a joint press conference with the UN and promised to remain peaceful today. However according to reports this morning there is little evidence yet of the militia observing their promises. More details lower down this page.

Indonesia Peace Plea

- As violence threatens to take still more lives in East Timor there are probably only three people capable of making any difference: The President of Indonesia B.J. Habibe, leader of the largest opposition party Megawati Sukarnoputri, and ABRI and Indonesian army chief General Wiranto. Scoop's Alastair Thompson analyses the worsening situation in East Timor and argues the trio of Indonesian leaders now face their greatest test. See Only Indonesia Can Save East Timor Now [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00122.htm

More East Timor Ballot Information - UN Extends Timor Missio

N - In the General wire see the UN East Timor Special Representative's Press Briefing from last Friday... UN Security Council On East Timor [1] . Also the announcements that the UN has adopted a resolution to extend the UN mission for three months... UN Security Council On East Timor [2] and UN Statements On Eve Of East Timor Ballot [3] . This information will be regularly updated.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00132.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00132.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9908/S00131.htm

Watson Defence Underway

- The defence in the Scott Watson murder trial is well under way in the Wellington High Court. It is expected to take about 10 days and it is unknown whether Watson will take the stand. The defence say the man who got off a water taxi with Ben Smart and Olivia Hope was clearly not Scott Watson and the defence will focus on reported sightings of a double masted ketch. Eight of the 25 witnesses have now given their evidence. Scoop will keep you posted.

Labour's Green Credentials On The Line Over West Coast Forests

- Labour's green credentials go on the line this week, according to conservationists, as the Labour caucus considers its position on West Coast native forests. See... Labour's Green Credentials Go On The Line [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00118.htm

Top Scoops

- For the Top 20 rating items on Scoop last week see... Scoop Ratings - Week's Top 20 [1] in the News Monitor wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/NM9908/S00187.htm

No Tax For 50,000 Families?

- Next year, around 50,000 low-to-middle income working families will pay no tax, Treasurer Bill English said today. See... 50,000 Families Pay No Tax [1] . However Jim Anderton says that statement shows English doesn't understand tax. See... English doesn't understand tax [2] . Both in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00509.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00512.htm

Govt. Plans to Privatise Timberlands - NFA. Nick Smith Denies

- Native Forest Action say that, speaking at the annual ECO conference held over the weekend, the Minister of Conservation, Dr Nick Smith confirmed that the government plans to privatise Timberlands West Coast Ltd - with the feeble reassurance that this wouldn't happen "before the election". See... Minister Confirms Plans To Privatise Timberlands [1] in the Politics wire. However Conservation Minister Nick Smith today slammed Native Forest Action for "distorting his views on the future of Timberlands" as outlined at the annual ECO Conference in Wellington on Friday night. See... No Plans To Privatise Timberlands [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00115.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00511.htm

Anderton Speech On Superannuation

- "Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you this morning. I value the opportunity to talk to you about our plans for superannuation and to hear your comments." See... What can we expect on Superannuation [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00507.htm

Petrol Price Fixing Trial Begins Today

- The Commerce Commission's case alleging price fixing by oil companies Caltex (NZ) Limited, Mobil Oil New Zealand Limited and Shell New Zealand Limited goes to trial in the Auckland High Court today. See... Oil companies price fixing trial starts today [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9908/S00134.htm

Lotteries Commission Disappointed At Job / Salary Criticism

- Lotteries Commission Presiding Member Geoff Thompson said he was disappointed at the criticism of the salary paid to the Lotteries Commission Chief Executive. See... New Zealand Lotteries Commission Annual Results [1] in the Politics wire. Today ACT Leader Richard Prebble said the government should get out of the gambling business. See... Govt Should Get Out Of Gambling - Prebble [2] in the Parliament wire. ACTs Rodney Hide says the huge salary raises a number of questions. See... $400,000 salary for lotto boss raises questions [3] in the Parliament wire. On Friday Green MP Rod Donald documented the salary and said it was way too much. See... $410,000 Lottery Salary Challenged By Green MP [4]
. Today Donald said he wants to shift the focus of the Lotteries salary scandal away from the State Services Commission and onto the six person Lottery Commission which first negotiated the salary. See... Focus On Lotteries Commission Over Salary Scandal [5] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00113.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00504.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00501.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00478.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00516.htm

America's Cup Update

- A replica of the schooner 'America' which began the America's Cup saga by winning the Royal Yacht Squadron's original race around the Isle of Wight in 1851, will visit Auckland during the America Cup and be berthed at the Cup Village. See... America's Cup Update [1] in the Auckland wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK9908/S00150.htm

Weekend Scoops

- The Top 20 rating items at the weekend [1] are in the News Monitor wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/NM9908/S00191.htm

Green Party Issues List

- The Green Party this morning issued its complete party-list of candidates for this year's general election. See... Green Party Launches Party List [1] . Three well-known Aucklanders, Sue Bradford, Nandor Tanczos and Keith Locke have been placed in the top seven places - see . Three Auckland candidates in Greens' top seven [2] and candidates from the top of the South Island have also secured key places, see.. Top Of South Candidates High On Green List [3] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00502.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00112.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00111.htm

Are You Being Ripped Off By Your ATM?

The Alliance has revealed that banks are charging customers $15 if they exceed their EFTPOS limit rather than declining their transactions and says that Banks should display bank charges at the point of sale. See... Banks stop declining but charge extra fees [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00500.htm

Wallabied

- The All Blacks' unbroken record of victories this year was Wallabied on Saturday night. See.. Scottish Ref A Serious Threat To Cup Hopes [1] in the Headlines wire for a match report.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00121.htm

INSIDE APEC: Operation Mandible

- His tale reads like a scene out of the Frederick Forsyth book "The ODESSA File". But while what you read here is cloak and dagger, it is not fiction. Published on Scoop for the first time in New Zealand is Jaggi Singh's account of what Canada's mainstream press called a "political kidnapping". Code Name: "Operation Mandible." Setting: Vancouver. Date: November 1997. See... Inside APEC Exclusive - Canada's "Highest Threat" [1] in the Headlines wire. For the first part in the series see A Scoop Exclusive - Inside APEC Series [2] . The series will continue over coming days.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00118.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK9908/S00135.htm

E-mail Espionage At Wellington City Council?

- Allegations of blackmail and espionage at Wellington City Council? Sounds ridiculous, perhaps, but there appears to be some substance behind the latest contretemps between the spurned independent councillors and the Labour-Wellington Alive coalition. Scoop's Alastair Thompson reports. See... Email Espionage At Wellington City Council? [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00116.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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