26 September 2001 Media Statement

English Desperate for Coverage

Bill English is desperately seeking publicity as part of his renewed bid to steal the leadership of the National Party off Jenny Shipley, Internal Affairs Minister George Hawkins said today.

"Mr English is trying to win the support of wavering backbenchers, by announcing what he calls "secrets" about the outcomes of the Gaming Review. In fact he is just jumping in without the facts.

"The Government is still in the process of making final decisions on the Gaming Review and once that process is complete final announcements will be made.

"Some announcements have already been made, and there are more to come. I will not be responding to speculation while the decision-making process is still underway.

"Mr English will have to wait for the final outcomes of the Gaming Review, just like everyone else.

"In the meantime, I advise Jenny Shipley to hurry home from New York," said Mr Hawkins.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>