Scoop Today - New News

Thursday, 25 May 2000, 4:23 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

HEADLINES

Chaudhry Government On The Way Out?
Fiji Coup Analysis: Values In Conflict
Sex In Prisons
Scoop Opinion: On The Dropping Dollar
Scoop Arts: A Wizard LOTR Update
Scoop Is In The House
Scoop World: South Asian Peace Maker On Diplomacy
Washington Extends A Hand To China

The WINZ of Change
NZ No1 For Disease
Is This The Blue-Greens?
NZ In Construction Jihad
Golden Handshake Transparency
The Bill For The Disabled
Employment Relations Bill Needs Clarification
Matrimonial Property Law
Dunne Gets Over Aotearoa Day Defeat
State Housing Rent Law Today
Marian On The Belt
Whanganui Economic Development?
International Bio-safety Protocol
Hospital Board Transitions
There's Power In That Wind

TOP SCOOPS

Chaudhry Government On The Way Out?

- The democratically elected Government of Mahendra Chaudhry may be on the way out according to United New Zealand Leader Peter Dunne. See... Newsflash: Fiji Coup - Choudhry Government Out? [1] . Meanwhile, Internet news site fijilive.com [2] report Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara has agreed to appoint an interim administration to replace the Chaudhry Government. For coup leader George Speight’s demands to the Fijian Council of Chiefs see... Speight's Letter To Great Council Of Chiefs [3] in the International wire. Also see... Chiefs Still Talking Over Fate Of Hostage-Taker [4] in the International wire. FULL COVERAGE - Fiji BC Bodyguards - Staff members of the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation have been given 24-hour police protection after reporters were threatened by a group claiming to represent coup leader George Speight, the Fiji Times reports. See... Fiji journalists threatened in hostage crisis [5] . - Hostages To Stay For Now - SUVA: Rebel leader George Speight has refused an appeal by two international envoys for immediate and unconditional release of Fiji's elected government, held hostage for the past six days in the Pacific nation's Parliament. See... Rebel Leader Rejects Envoys' Appeal Free Hostages [6] in the wire. - Who Is Really Leading This Coup - Today Fijilive.com is reporting that George Speight, whom everybody believed to be the leader of the group, is in fact a ring-in, chosen for his communications abilities, and pulled into the coup plot at the last minute. See... NEWSFLASH: Coup Leader Speight A Front Man? [7] . - (Scoop will be providing newsflash updates throughout the day as further developments come to hand... to subscribe click >>>HERE [8] )

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0005/S00115.htm
[2] - http://fijilive.com
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00123.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00116.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00115.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00113.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0005/S00104.htm
[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/cgi-bin/newsagent/new_user.cgi?form=home

Fiji Coup Analysis: Values In Conflict

- At the heart of the Pacific Way, which is so much at odds with the Western Way, is the network of kinship ties and reciprocal obligations that guides all cultural, social, economic and political thinking and behaviour throughout the Pacific. See... FIJI - European Principle vs Polynesian Kinship [1] in the International wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0005/S00109.htm

Sex In Prisons

- Corrections Minister Matt Robson wants to grant prisoners conjugal visits and let inmate mothers care for their children under programmes he hopes will reduce reoffending. The Alliance MP believes "family-friendly" policies will give prisoners a better chance of normalising before release and improve their home environment. Reaction to the proposal has been swift.
REACTION - PRIME MINISTER AND DEPUTY - Conjugal prison visits not government policy [1] .
- MATT ROBSON - Robson On Prison Sex [2] .
- JENNY SHIPLEY - Sex in prisons concept "highly offensive" [3] .
- NATIONAL- Robson wants more rights for criminals [4] .
- ACT - Has Robson Lost His Mind? [5] .
- NZ FIRST - Sex In Prisons – You Must Be Joking! [6] .
- UNITED NZ - Corrections Minister Should Stop Flying Kites [7] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00541.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00540.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00534.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00528.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00532.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00537.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00549.htm

Scoop Opinion: On The Dropping Dollar

- It should be a matter of acute embarrassment to the Reserve Bank that the foreign exchange value of the New Zealand dollar should fall in response to its latest jacking up of interest rates. Instead of blaming Governor Don Brash for his lack of understanding of financial markets, it was Deputy Prime Minister Anderton who was to shut up in case he 'spooked' the markets even more. ... See... Keith Rankin - Exchange Rate Blues? [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0005/S00108.htm

Scoop Arts: A Wizard LOTR Update

- According to star Christopher Lee, who plays the dark mage Saruman in Peter Jackson’s three film epic, the director hasn’t lost his touch. Chris Holm reports. See... Lord Of The Rings - Don't Believe The Hype? [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0005/S00107.htm

Scoop Eco-Economy: Economic Growth – Who Needs It?

- Last week the ritual worship of ‘economic growth’ continued unabated, and few ever stop to ask if we are really better off, or whether in a finite world we can actually have perpetual growth. See... Why we have compulsory devotion to economic growth [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0005/S00138.htm

Scoop Is In The House

Today's questions concerned the subjects of: Prison Sex - Fiji Crisis - Prison Sex - Police Computing - Prison Sex - Tourism - ERB and Independent Contractors - Prison Education - Armageddon Economic Analysis - Gambling - Defence Review - Income Related Rents - Labour Minister's Select Committee Attendance. See... SCP HOUSE: Questions Of The Day May 25 [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0005/S00112.htm

Scoop World: South Asian Peace Maker On Diplomacy

- Before heading to South Asia to work at bringing peace between Pakistan and India Thomas R. Pickering delivered an address on the nature of diplomacy. See... Four Variations on the Theme of Diplomacy [1] in the International wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00121.htm

Washington Extends A Hand To China

-- The House of Representatives voted 237-197 to grant China Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status May 24. See... House of Representatives Passes China PNTR Bill [1] . See also…. Vice President Gore Commends House for PNTR Vote [2] and Clinton Statement on House PNTR Vote [3] . For a transcript of an interview with President Bill Clinton on the subject before the vote see…Interview of the Clinton by Tom Brokaw of NBC News [4] all in the International wire. In New Zealand Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton has welcomed the news. See... Govt Welcomes US Congress Vote On Chinese Trade [5] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00114.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00117.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00118.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0005/S00103.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00552.htm

MORE SCOOPS

The WINZ of Change

- The first phase of changes to the way the Department of Work and Income deals with those receiving benefits was outlined today by Social Services and Employment Minister Steve Maharey. See... Government response to beneficiary advocacy groups [1] . Also see... Improved access to Special Benefit and childcare [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00535.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00536.htm

NZ No1 For Disease

- A recent survey shows New Zealand leads the first world in its rate of communicable diseases. Acting Health Minister Ruth Dyson said today New Zealand still had much to do to stop the spread of these diseases, but a two-pronged approach was underway. See... Govt wages two-pronged fight against disease [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00519.htm

Is This The Blue-Greens?

- The Green Party has been billed by mistake for postal costs of 25,000 anti-Green pamphlets or postcards published by the National Party and delivered to all Coromandel homes. See... Law change needed after Nats' Coromandel postcard [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00525.htm

NZ In Construction Jihad

- Mr Saeidi Kia, Iranian Minister of Construction Jihad, is visiting New Zealand this week for high level trade and economic consultations, Hon Jim Sutton, Minister for Trade Negotiations said today. See... Iranian Minister Of Construction Jihad Visits [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00518.htm

Golden Handshake Transparency

- The Government will not support an Act bill to which purports to cover disclosure of financial settlements, State Services Minister Trevor Mallard said. See... Government opposes Act Bill [1] Parliament yesterday debated a Bill from ACT MP Muriel Newman to end secret payouts to civil servants. See... Bill To End Secret Payouts Before Parliament [2] in the Parliament wire..

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00531.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00511.htm

The Bill For The Disabled

- People with intellectual disabilities could be locked up without having committed a crime, IHC National President Barbara Rocco, told the Health Select Committee today. See... Bill Threatens Rights of Intellectually Disabled [1] in the Politics wire. The appointment of a reference group to the New Zealand Disability Strategy will ensure people with disabilities and other stakeholders are actively involved in developing the strategy, Minister for Disability Issues Ruth Dyson said today. See... Reference Group To Advise Govt On Disability [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0005/S00142.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00520.htm

Employment Relations Bill Needs Clarification

- Labour Minister Margaret Wilson reaffirmed today that she would be fully supportive of any changes to the Employment Relations Bill that clarified its intent. See... Minister welcomes proposals to clarify Bill [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00513.htm

Matrimonial Property Law

- The Government has completely ignored the advice of the Law Commission in their changes to the Matrimonial Property laws, says Opposition Women's Affairs spokesperson Anne Tolley. See... Lawyers Win, Women Lose [1] in the Parliament wire. FULL COVERAGE - YOUNG NATIONALS - Young Nationals Welcome Wilson’s Reality Check [2] . - GREENS - Greens mystified by opposition to Matrimonial Bill [3] . - GOVT - Matrimonial Property Bill to be referred [4] . - ACT- Attorney General Still Denying Proper Scrutiny [5] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00522.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0005/S00143.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00508.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00486.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00493.htm

Dunne Gets Over Aotearoa Day Defeat

- United New Zealand leader, Peter Dunne, is unbowed after Parliament’s rejection of his Aotearoa New Zealand Day Bill this afternoon. See... Dunne Unbowed By Aotearoa NZ Day Bill Defeat [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00548.htm

State Housing Rent Law Tomorrow

- The law change needed to restore income related rents for state house tenants will be introduced into Parliament tomorrow the Minister of Housing Mark Gosche said today. See... Income Related Rents Legislation [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00530.htm

Marian On The Belt

- Wellington Central MP, Marian Hobbs, has met the Friends of the Wellington Town Belt to discuss possible legislation to protect the former Chest Hospital land on Mt Victoria from sale by Capital Coast Health. See... Marion Hobbs - Wellington Town Belt [1] . Meanwhile, Wellington Central National List MP Annabel Young says Labour is “gutless” for refusing to allow discussion in Parliament today of the proposed sale of the Town Belt land by Capital Coast Health. See... Labour MPs veto discussion of Town Belt Sale [2] both in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00529.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00523.htm

Whanganui Economic Development?

- At a speech in Wanganui Finance Minister Michael Cullen outlines some of the Government initiatives for regional development. See... Michael Cullen Whanganui Eco. Development Speech [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00527.htm

International Bio-safety Protocol

- New Zealand would sign the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety when it opened for signature in Nairobi Foreign Minister Phil Goff said yesterday. See... New Zealand To Sign Biosafety Protocol [1] in the Parliament wire. Also see New Zealand Greenpeace’s analysis... New Zealand Plans To Sign Biosafety Protocol Today [2] in the wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00524.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0005/S00140.htm

Hospital Board Transitions

- Health Minister Annette King said today the interviewing process was well underway to appoint extra directors to Hospital and Health Service boards in the transition to the new health system. See... Interview Process Underway - Annette King [1] in the wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00521.htm

There's Power In That Wind

- New Zealand has the potential to meet its energy needs from wind power, but is so far failing to meet this opportunity, Greenpeace stated today at the New Zealand Wind Energy Association conference in Wellington. See... Time to build a renewable energy revolution [1] in the Parliament wire. Also see Environment Minister Marian Hobbs’s speech on Wind Energy - See... Marion Hobbs Speech - NZ Wind Energy Association [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0005/S00144.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0005/S00551.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

• Linkedin
• Twitter - @althecat
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz