SCOOP LEAD STORY
State Of It: Cullen's Burden - Budget 2007

Scoop co-editor Selwyn Manning writes: The burden Michael Cullen carries into Budget 07 is the dilemma: how to deliver to Labour's historical constituency at a time when political pragmatism insists Labour must seduce center/centre-right voters. That burden has now caused much debate within the Labour Party, factions are dividing, and its angst is showing in the polls. The New Zealand Labour Party now faces the same conundrum that the Australia Labor Party (ALP) faced under the Beazly and Latham leaderships: how to win back support from those who have benefited from past Labour policies but who now demand centre-right economic policies as an assurance their wealth will continue to grow. More >> [1]

Also Pre-Budget Analysis:
• (95bFM Audio): The Wire Cullen's Burden: [2] Paul Deady and Scoop's Selwyn Manning discuss why Michael Cullen is being laden with this Budget 07 burden. Really, should we demand tax cuts? What's it all about then?
• NZ Govt - Record increase for New Zealand’s Aid Budget [3]
• NZ Govt - Foreign aid increase delivers on election policy [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00327.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00329.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00327.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00342.htm

POLITICS:
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00378.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00368.htm

Bain Case: After 12 Years David Bain Finally Released From Jail

- Includes Full Coverage Of This Case: After serving 12 years in prison for the murders of his mother, father, and three siblings David Bain has been released on bail. More >> [1]

Also:
• United Future - Dunne disappointed at Justice Minister's inaction [2]
• Victoria University - Innocence Project established at Victoria [3]
• (KiwiFM Audio): Wallace Chapman & David Bain’s original defence lawyer. [4]
• (95bFM Audio): Mikey Havoc and Joe Karam [5]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00319.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00360.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0705/S00264.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00325.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00307.htm

Charity: Nats Propose More Support For Community Sector

- National Party Leader John Key today announced further policies to benefit the community and voluntary sector, including a commitment to support PlunketLine. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• National - Key: Plunket Society Annual Conference [2]
• NZ Govt - Dunne: Plunket conference, Dunedin [3]
• NZ Symphony Orchestra - The Birth of Contemporary New Zealand Music [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00376.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00377.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0705/S00380.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0705/S00178.htm

BUSINESS & SCIENCE:

Food: NZFSA considers direct imports of unpasteurised cheese

- The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is looking to allow direct imports of Roquefort, a soft raw milk cheese made in France, following an extensive programme of risk assessment work. It is now consulting with industry groups on a proposal to allow direct imports of Roquefort and extra hard Parmesan style raw milk cheeses Grana Padano, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Romano, Asiago and Montasio. More [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0705/S00348.htm

Media: Canwest Mediaworks (NZ) Receives Takeover Notice -

CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Limited has received a takeover notice from HT Media (a wholly owned subsidiary of Ironbridge Capital). As per NZX rules, a copy of the notice has been sent to the NZX and the Takeovers’ Panel. The document contains the terms of a conditional offer, under the New Zealand Takeovers Code, to purchase all of the shares in CanWest MediaWorks (NZ) Limited. More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0705/S00339.htm

MULTIMEDIA:

• (KiwiFM Audio): Wammo n List: Wammo and Scoop's Kevin List touch on the Bain case. Also, the sordid history behind the Privy Council and the King's bum cleaner; Section 59 celebrations.
• (95bFM Audio): The Wire Cullen's Burden: Paul Deady and Scoop's Selwyn Manning discuss why Michael Cullen is being laden with this Budget 07 burden. Really, should we demand tax cuts? What's it all about then?
• (KiwiFM Audio): Wallace Chapman on the Bain Case: Wallace talks to Michael Guest, David Bain’s original defence lawyer, now a Dunedin Councillor for the Cargill Ward. What does he think of the bail ruling and our judicial system in general.
• (KiwiFM Audio): Wallace Chapman & John Key: Discuss his poll successes; David Bain case; Privy Council; Plunket. He doesn't talk about the Budget!
• (Scoop Audio): Manning on Radio Adelaide: Scoop's Selwyn Manning & Radio Adelaide's Peter Godfrey discuss: David Bain on bail; and Budget 07 and Labour's failing public support.

LIFESTYLE:
DWTS Images: Greer's Dancing Dreams Smashed -

Poor timing led to poor scores for perky dancing couple Greer Robson and Aaron Gilmore. The perpetually smiling Greer was given short shrift by the judges who were instead impressed by a scowling Suzanne Paul and an apparently moving performance by Good Morning host Brendon Pongia. More >> [1]

ALSO:
• NZ's Favourite Broadcaster Not NZ's Favourite Dancer [2]
• Episode Four DWTS: Goodbye Krystal And Frank [3]
• Images: Dancing With The Stars – The First Few Episodes [4]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00326.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00195.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00109.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00102.htm

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

Global/Fiji News: Cuba Tightens Ties As Suva's Standing Diminishes

Andreas von Warburg writes: The Cuban government is tightening its ties with the Pacific Rim. After establishing closer diplomatic relations with the Solomon Islands earlier last month, Cuba has now offered to assist Fiji in developing new programs ... See... More >> [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00322.htm

Letter From Lebanon: Southern Lebanese Farmers Face Uncertain Future

Yasmine Ryan writes from Beirut: Ibrahim Akeel has an axe hanging over his neck. Along with his fellow farmers in the southern Lebanese village known as Sinai, the elderly man has little control over his fate and that of his children. Like countless peasants across Lebanon, he lives in fear that in the not-too-distant future, a change in heart from one of the four absentee landlords - who own almost all the agricultural land available to the villagers - will destroy their way of life. A complete lack of government protection for smallholder farmers means that there is little Akeel could do if this were to happen. See... More >> [1] Also:

• Yasmine Ryan - Letter from Lebanon: Farmers Risk Losing Big Under Trade Lib Reforms [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00245.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0705/S00246.htm