Super Scheme Survives – Gisborne Cancer Law Suit – GE Cows – Patient Records Astray – Christine Rankin – Ecuador Landslide – Roumanian Toddler Rescued – Brazil Rescue

SUPER SCHEME SURVIVES: The man who nearly destroyed the last government is riding to the rescue of this one. Winston Peters says he is “extraordinarily optimistic” that the government’s planned super fund will survive. Michael Cullen says he expects cabinet to approve the changes negotiated. Peters wants the legislation to allow for individual accounts. Bill English says this is a sop. With the Greens not supporting the scheme Labour needs NZ First support. Super has always been central to Winston Peters support base. He is definitely trying to put himself back on the government’s radar screen.

GISBORNE CANCER LAW SUIT: A patient who took Gisborne Pathologist Dr Michael Bottrill to court has been told she cannot sue Dr Bottrill for exemplary damages by the Court of Appeal. Patient one’s identity is suppressed. Her original law suit led to the Gisborne Cancer Inquiry. The decision was not unanimous with Justice Thomas dissenting. The court found that the Dr would have had to have in someway intentionally or recklessly misread the slides to be sued.

GE COWS: The three genetically modified calves at the center of the GE cow debate were displayed to the world today. The calves are four days old. AgResearch say there are more GE calves on the way. Synthetic human genes were added to the embryos for the calves before they were implanted. Opponents of the experiment are not happy. Jeanette Fitzsimmons is accusing AgResearch of holding a publicity stunt in displaying the calves. She says that the calves are part of a manufacturing experiment.

PATIENT RECORDS ASTRAY: Tauranga Hospital is apologising to a group of five patients after their confidential medical records were accidentally sent to a complete stranger in the South Island. The patients were all diabetes patients. Medical records were being typed up by a staff member working at home. The patients are now seeking compensation.

CHRISTINE RANKIN: WINZ Boss Christine Rankin today drew a line in the sand. She turned up to a Select Committee to defend her department’s work, but refused to be drawn on her employment case against the crown. ACT MP Muriel Newman would not give up – she asked if Rankin received a bonus. Muriel Newman then said she thought it outrageous that Rankin’s dress sense had been raised by members of the government. Rankin says she exceeded expectations. Rankin’s Minister Steve Maharey did not go to the hearing.

ECUADOR LANDSLIDE: In Ecuador around 40 people have been killed in a landslide caused by heavy rain.

ROUMANIAN TODDLER RESCUE: A village in Roumania is celebrating the remarkable rescue of a two year old who fell down a narrow bore hole. A slim 18-year-old was lowered down the hole head first to bring the toddler out. As she emerged she reached out for her father.

BRAZIL RESCUE: In Brazil a mother and daughter whose car crashed into a river were rescued by a TV crew.

© 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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