Scoop Today - Catchup Edition (For Friday)

Monday, 12 June 2000, 10:25 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

NOTE: Scoop apologises for the absence of a Scoop Today service on Friday afternoon. The following is a catch up bulletin and contains both the Scoop Today - Top Scoops and Scoop Today - Just Politics content. Normal service resumes today. - The Scoop Team...

HEADLINES

TOP SCOOPS
Sludge Stumbles Over A Motherload Of It...
Abortions Are Up
Honiara Evacuation Update
Scoop Business: Mixed Signs For The Economy
Scoop Insight: Fiji Land Reform
Scoop World: Suharto Loses Libel Suit

FIJI COUP
Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians?
Speight's Dodgy Pyramid Past
Scoop Opinion: Election Failure

MORE SCOOPS
NZ 'CHiPs' Re-launched
Retraining Overseas Doctors
Scoop Business: Unique New E-Partnership
Deputy Commissioner Appointed
The Departure Of “Brown-eye Bob”
Submissions Support ERB
Submissions For Marital Property Changes
Scoop In The House: What They Did This Week
Talking To The Animals
Healthy Diet.com
Child-care Funding Approved
ACT’s Sour Taste About The Budget
Closing A New Gap
Banks And Overcharging
Farmers Welcome Biodiversity Package
School Bulk Funding?
Primary Health Submissions
Waitakere City & Sport
Scoop Business: Trade Figures Improve

TOP SCOOPS

Sludge Stumbles Over A Motherload Of It...

- Today's Sludge Report relates a strange tale involving the visit of a NZ MP to Fiji on a speaking trip, free money for the secretive and greedy, and a so called "financial freedom" movement which promotes tax avoidance, offshore trusts and VERY high yield investment schemes. All this is set against a background of greed and secrecy. And it is happening here in New Zealand. See... Sludge Report #10 - Free Money For Greedy Mystery [1] for the Scoop of Scoops.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0006/S00034.htm

Abortions Are Up

- Just over 15,500 abortions were performed in New Zealand during the 1999 December year, about 3.1 per cent more than in 1998, according to the latest figures released by Statistics New Zealand. See... More Abortions in 1999 [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0006/S00050.htm

Honiara Evacuation Update

- The embarkation of Australians and other foreign nationals wishing to evacuate Honiara resumed this morning at approximately 8:00 o'clock. Approximately 300 people have boarded HMAS Tobruk which has spent the night anchored in Honiara harbour. See... Evacuation of Australians from Solomon Islands [1] For an earlier report see.. Evacuation of Australians from Solomon Islands [2] in the International wire. Also see... NEWSFLASH: Australia Moves To Evacuate Civilians [3] . Meanwhile the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phil Goff, has said he will continue to go with a ministerial team to the Solomon Island capital Honiara despite the resumption of heavy fighting in the city. See... Goff Off To The Solomons [4] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0006/S00063.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0006/S00059.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0006/S00030.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0006/S00027.htm

Scoop Business: Mixed Signs For The Economy

- Manufacturing sales rose by 2.0 per cent in the March 2000 quarter after seasonal variations were removed, according to Statistics New Zealand's latest Quarterly Manufacturing Survey. See... Manufacturing Growth Sustained by Agricultural Boom [1] . Meanwhile, the latest Overseas Trade Indexes released today by Statistics New Zealand show that seasonally adjusted total merchandise import volumes fell in the March 2000 quarter, following two quarters of significant increases. See... Import Volumes Fall [2] . For Deutsche Bank analysis see... Overseas Trade Indexes - Q1/2000 [3] all in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0006/S00057.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0006/S00055.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0006/S00056.htm

Scoop Insight: Fiji Land Reform

- Following is a University Of The South Pacific paper on the problens of land reform in the Fijian Islands – “Reforming The Leasing And The Use Of Agricultural Land In Fiji: An Economic Incentive Approach.” Problems over land reform have been blamed for the current coup situation in Fiji. See... Reforming The Use Of Agricultural Land In Fiji [1] in the International wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0006/S00062.htm

Scoop World: Suharto Loses Libel Suit

- Former President Suharto yesterday lost his first legal battle after his fall from power when his multi-billion dollar libel suit against Time magazine was thrown out by a Jakarta court. See... Suharto's Suit Against Time Thrown Out [1] in the International wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0006/S00060.htm

FIJI COUP

Too Many Chiefs, Not Enough Indians?

- While Fiji coup leader George Speight meets with a group of Western Fijian chiefs to discuss solutions to the crisis, the military Government has distanced themselves from another delegation of chiefs which met Mr. Speight yesterday. See... Fiji Coup: Too Many Chiefs... [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0006/S00033.htm

Speight's Dodgy Pyramid Past

- More revelations about Fijiam Coup Leader George Speight’s involvment into a pyramid selling scheme was revealed to an Australian State Parliament yesterday reports the Sydney Morning Herald. See... George Speight’s Dodgy Pyramid Past [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0006/S00032.htm

Scoop Opinion: Election Failure

- George Speight's seizure of Fiji's parliament may have shocked the world, but it comes as less of a surprise to those familiar with the situation here in Fiji. See... The Failure of Electoral Engineering in Fiji [1] in the International wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0006/S00052.htm

MORE SCOOPS

NZ 'CHiPs' Re-launched

- LA road safety package of $152 million road over four years will include $76.5 million to fund a 225 strong specialist Highway Patrol group to police New Zealand's state highways. See... Government Announces 225 Strong Highway Patrol [1] . Also see... Road Safety Package Announced [2] . Any moves to continue to reduce the road toll will be welcomed by New Zealanders but we should not be throwing money away on cosmetic changes, says National. See... Hawkins toying with police cars [3] . ACT meanwhile has applauded the Government’s “CHiPs” initiative to reintroduce a dedicated highway patrol for New Zealand roads. See... ACT Welcomes “CHiPs” Initiative [4] all in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00181.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00126.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00129.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00135.htm

Retraining Overseas Doctors

- Health Minister Annette King yesterday announced an $11.8 million Budget package for retraining overseas doctors. See... Retraining of Overseas Doctors [1] . The Minister of Immigration, Lianne Dalziel, has congratulated Ms King for the move. See... Minister welcomes moves to retrain overseas doctor [2] . “The Health Minister's so-called pre-Budget announcement to retrain overseas doctors is a joke” says National. See... Not a dollar more from Labour for doctors [3] all in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00170.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00171.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00168.htm

Scoop Business: Unique New E-Partnership

- E-commerce software company JADE have announced the formation of a groundbreaking partnership with brand response agency Trigger Australasia, part of the global giant Omnicom Group. See... Omnicom Agency Forms Unique Technology Partnership [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0006/S00054.htm

Deputy Commissioner Appointed

- The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, today announced the appointment of Tony Hartevelt as the first new Deputy Commissioner to join the State Services Commission. See... Appointment of Deputy Commissioner [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0006/S00023.htm

The Departure Of “Brown-eye Bob”

- Reports that the Prime Minister is pushing Labour President Bob Harvey not to stand for re-election are good news for South Islanders, says Canterbury National MP David Carter. See... Bob Harvey's exit would be timely for South [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00177.htm

Submissions Support ERB

- Over 13,500 of around 17,000 submissions on the Employment Relations Bill support the proposed legislation, says Employment and Accident Insurance Legislation Select Committee chair Graham Kelly. See... ERB supported by vast majority of submissions [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00184.htm

Submissions For Marital Property Changes

- The Justice And Electoral Committee is inviting public submissions on supplementary order paper no 25. The chair of the Committee, Tim Barnett, has announced today that the closing date for submissions is Friday, 7 July 2000. See... Consultation Opens - Relationship Property Law [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00183.htm

Scoop In The House: What They Did This Week

- There were five committee meetings in New Zealand, four of which were in Auckland. One committee (Social Services) has been meeting with counterparts in Australia this week. See... Select Committee Business 2 June to 9 June 2000 [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00182.htm

Talking To The Animals

- Agricultural Minister Jim Sutton made a speech to a Veterinarian’s Conference today. Vets around the country have recently been on a National strike which is halting work in the meat industry. See... Jim Sutton At Veterinarians' Conference [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00180.htm

Healthy Diet.com

- Annette King, Minister Of Health launched a unique healthy diet website today. See... Minister launches unique healthy diet website [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00179.htm

Child-care Funding Approved

- Thirty-eight early childhood centres will benefit immediately from the Government's boost to funding to the 1999/2000 discretionary grants scheme, Education Minister Trevor Mallard said today. See... 38 early childhood centres benefit from funding [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00178.htm

ACT’s Sour Taste About The Budget

- ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide said today Michael Cullen’s first Budget was shaping up to be a “lolly scramble” with no clear policy framework within which government decisions are to be made and implemented. See... Budget shaping up as a “lolly scramble” [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00176.htm

Closing A New Gap

- "New Zealand faces an investment gap. The New Zealand economy needs an estimated $10 billion a year just to stand still." See... Prebble's Presentation to Chambers Of Commerce [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00166.htm

Banks And Overcharging

- Today the a Serious Fraud Officer said the fact that Bankers are knowingly taking huge sums of money from customers is the responsibility of the polititians to remedy. See... Deliberate Bank Overcharging Is Theft [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0006/S00024.htm

Farmers Welcome Biodiversity Package

- Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) today described the Government's $37m funding boost for conservation on private land as welcome recognition that protected land needs active pest management. See... Biodiversity Funding Welcome Recognition [1] in the wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0006/S00023.htm

School Bulk Funding?

- Education Minister Trevor Mallard today announced details of a new system for working through schools' capital works needs. See... Government announces new property plan for schools [1] . It is ironic that only six months ago Trevor Mallard described National's school property bulk funding policy as privatisation by stealth of school property yet today announced the Government's adoption of the policy, says National. See...Govt U-Turn On Property Bulk Funding Welcomed [2] both in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00165.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00169.htm

Primary Health Submissions

- Health Minister Annette King said today New Zealanders had responded positively to the primary health care discussion document she launched on March 27. See... Submissions flow on Primary Health Care Strategy [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00172.htm

Waitakere City & Sport

- “It would be fair to say that within the Presidency of the Labour Party there is a certain bias towards Waitakere City. Which is why just about every Labour MP knows that Waitakere City is demographically the youngest in the country.” Sports Minister Trevor Mallard’s speech. See... Mallard: Sport Waitakere Regional Sports Forum [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00167.htm

Scoop Business: Trade Figures Improve

- The value of merchandise exports continues to grow, assisted by the low New Zealand dollar. Detailed export values released today by Statistics New Zealand for the month of April 2000 confirm preliminary estimates showing the monthly rate of growth in exports exceeds that of imports.. See... Latest Statistics Confirm Export Growth [1] in the Business wire. The growth is encouraging says Finance Minister Michael Cullen. See... Latest trade data encouraging [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0006/S00046.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0006/S00146.htm

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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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