Lamb Tariffs – Community Services Card – Nuclear Missiles – May Day London – Israel – Celia Lashlie – Police Rapist – Spooks Bill – Tourism Boost

LAMB TARIFFS: The trade negotiations Minister Jim Sutton says he is confident that the USA will quickly remove illegal tariffs against NZ and Australian lamb. The comments follow a WTO ruling against the US tariffs. The Meat Industry Association say that NZ farmers are set to gain $20 million a year from the move.

COMMUNITY SERVICES CARD: The CTU is seeking a meeting with Annette King to discuss the Community Services Card. 48,000 low paid workers do not have access to the card on similar incomes to beneficiaries who do. The CTU says the government shouldn’t take union support for granted.

NUCLEAR MISSILES: President Bush has outlined a missile defence system as his preferred future for the US military. He described the old Anti Ballistic Missile treaty as preserving the past.

MAY DAY LONDON: 1000s of Anti-Capitalist protestors remain trapped in Oxford Circus in London. Earlier 600 cyclists staged a critical mass cycle rally through the city.

ISRAEL: Just hours after bombings in Israel and the occupied territories there have been more deaths on both sides of the Intifada.

CELIA LASHLIE: The Primary Teachers Union is supporting an investigation into the sacking of a senior manager in the Special Education Service. Education Minister Trevor Mallard has called for an investigation into the sacking of Celia Lashlie.

POLICE RAPIST: Police say they are still paying an officer convicted of rape, but a decision on his dismissal will be made soon. The possibility that the officer might receive his superannuation pay-out has outraged the Police Minister.

SPOOKS BILL: A push to put the countries evesdropping spy agency on a proper legal basis has been made with the introduction of a GCSB Bill. Meanwhile there will be a mock terrorism exercise today at Parliament.

TOURISM BOOST: A major boost in domestic tourism is expected as a result of cheaper air fares.

© 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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