Scoop : Just Politics

Tuesday, 28 November 2000, 4:40 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

JUST POLITICS
Struggling To Comprehend Cop Killer Decision
Whangaparoa Ferry Closure
Mozzie Management
Ideas Galore In Northland On Cannabis
Lee’s Bill To Modernize & Democratise Local Govt
Electricity Bill Tabled
Crisis In CYFS Offices
Opening Doors For Our Mexican Mates
Super Bill Chance To Put Politics Aside

POLITICS FROM TOP SCOOPS
Scoop Is In The House - Questions
Green’s Will Work With Any Party For Best Result On Health Bill
PM’s Post Cabinet Presser
Survey Contradicts Predictions Of Gloom Over ERA
ACC Premiums Down, But Nats Take It With A Grain Of Salt
Duelling With The Glassy Winged Sharpshooter

JUST POLITICS

Struggling To Comprehend Cop Killer Decision

- The decision by the Court of Appeal to reduce the minimum sentence of convicted police killer Carlos Namana, from 18 years to 16, has been roundly criticised by New Zealand First spokesman on Law and Order Ron Mark, as “one of the most incomprehensible acts ... See... What’s Next For Murderers - Air Points? [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00494.htm

Whangaparoa Ferry Closure

- Auckland Central MP and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Auckland Issues, Judith Tizard, has expressed dismay over the decision by Fullers Group to cancel its daily ferry service between Gulf Harbour and Downtown Auckland. See... Tizard Dismayed Over Ferry Service Closure [1] . See also... “Fullers To Stop Gulf Harbour Ferry Service” [2] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00497.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/AK0011/S00091.htm

Mozzie Management

The Government has approved the first phase of the response to the new discoveries of the exotic southern saltmarsh mosquito, on the East Coast near Gisborne, and in two sites in the Hawkes Bay, Mahia and Porangahau. See... Funding For Mosquito Programme On East Coast [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00495.htm

Ideas Galore In Northland On Cannabis

- Green MP Nandor Tanczos said he was heartened at the range and quality of ideas floated by the Kaitaia community at a forum last Friday on how New Zealand could do better in dealing with cannabis. See... Northland cannabis forum broadens debate [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00492.htm

Lee’s Bill To Modernize & Democratise Local Govt

- The Minister of Local Government has introduced a publicly long-awaited Bill into Parliament today that provides for councils' local authority trading enterprises (LATES) to be able to operate beyond a narrow commercial focus and also be able to take into account non-commercial considerations, including social and environmental consequences. See... Lee Introduces Local Govt Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00504.htm

Electricity Bill Tabled

- The Government has tabled an Electricity Industry Bill at Parliament today that will give effect to the Power Package decisions announced in October. See... Hodgson Delivers Electricity Industry Bill [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00502.htm

Crisis In CYFS Offices

- “CYFS recently admitted to the Social Services Select Committee that offices servicing over half of all CYFS clients are now under extreme pressure. But in reality, those offices are in crisis - with an increasing number of social workers leaving every day," Hamilton based National MP Bob Simcock said today. See... Govt's 'Fiddling' With CYFS Not Enough [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00501.htm

Opening Doors For Our Mexican Mates

- Mexican visitors to New Zealand will no longer require visas from 1 December this year, Foreign Minister Phil Goff and Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel announced today. See... Visa Waiver Introduced For Mexico [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00499.htm

Super Bill Chance To Put Politics Aside

- “The New Zealand Superannuation Bill is an opportunity to take super out of the political arena and to offer a much greater level of certainty to this and future generations of elderly,” says Finance Minister Michael Cullen. See... Bill offers chance to put super above politics [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00498.htm

TOP SCOOPS

Scoop Is In The House

- Today’s Questions concerned the subjects of: Economy – Racial Unrest Over Closing Gaps – ANZFC Food Standards – Officials Advice On Gaps – Public Sector Leadership – Foodbanks Demand – Apple Deregulation – Super Scrutiny – Cell Phone Safety. See... SCP HOUSE: Questions Of The Day – 28 November [1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0011/S00165.htm

Green’s Will Work With Any Party For Best Result On Health Bill

- The Green Party today said it would support amendments to the Health and Disability Bill that improved the legislation, regardless of which political party proposed them. See... Greens will work with anyone to improve health [1] and Government Set To Suffer A Major Defeat - ACT [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00486.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00490.htm

PM’s Post Cabinet Presser

- Voluntary Police - Fiji Sporting Ban - Business Confidence - Following two incidents where rural police were caught short in the weekend, Prime Minister Helen Clark said she didn’t know if there was any progress on introducing voluntary policing, which Police Minister George Hawkins said Labour hoped to pilot during last year’s election campaign. See... No Word On Police Volunteers From The PM [1] , No Mixed Messages On Sport With Fiji, Clark Says [2] and Business Confidence Vindicates Govt, Clark Says [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0011/S00158.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0011/S00161.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0011/S00160.htm

Survey Contradicts Predictions Of Gloom Over ERA

- Contradicting months of hype by lobby groups, the vast majority of businesses believe the Government's new employment legislation will have no impact on the number of people they employ, a survey released today shows. See... Introduction Of ERA Does Not Affect Hiring Levels [1] . See also…Employers Getting On With The Job Under New Law [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0011/S00163.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00493.htm

ACC Premiums Down, But Nats Take It With A Grain Of Salt

- ACC premiums are on the way down again, almost a year after the Government introduced legislation to remove private insurers from work place accident insurance. See... ACC premiums on the way down - again [1] . See also…Caution over new ACC premiums [2]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00485.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00488.htm

Duelling With The Glassy Winged Sharpshooter

- The so called 'incurable' Pierces' disease, ravaging grapevines in California and posing a biosecurity risk to New Zealand grapevines, could well be 'curable' thanks to new technology developed at HortResearch. See... Possible cure to 'incurable' Pierces' disease [1] and Californian Grapes Present Low Risk [2] . See also... Urgent investigation needed of grape pest threat [3]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/SC0011/S00109.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/GE0011/S00082.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/PA0011/S00482.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.

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