Top Scoop Stories December 11th 2009 News Summary

Friday, 11 December 2009, 5:07 pm
Column: The Scoop Editor

LEAD STORY

------------

Scoop Satire: Travel Ideas For MPs
With just a few days of Parliament left, MPs will – if they’re anything like me – be thinking about planning their summer break.Ah, the traditional MP’s Christmas: the enforced seizure and redistribution of presents, the community-controlled opening of new liquor bottles, the crabby aunts trying to exaggerate your liabilities, the endless round of coup-plotting barbecues, and the chance to spend some time getting away from it all.Always keen to help, Scoop provides a few holiday suggestions... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00102.htm

------------

NZ POLITICS

------------

ALSO:

The Week In Parliament 11.12.09 [2]

Questions and Answers - 10 Dec 2009 [3]

Today In Parliament 10.12.09 [4]

Questions and Answers - 9 Dec 2009 [5]

Today In Parliament 10.12.09 [6]

Questions and Answers - 8 Dec 2009 [7]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00109.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00156.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00091.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00144.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00091.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00118.htm [7]

Industrial Relations: There Is No Justice, Just Strikes
An ongoing national strike for adequate pay by staff of High Courts, District Courts and Tribunals must be resolved as quickly as possible, says the President of Auckland District Law Society Incorporated, Anna Fitzgibbon. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00147.htm

ALSO:

Ministry of Justice confirms end of bargaining [2]

Justice workers call on Ministry to resume negs [3]

Law society call for end to court pay dispute [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00139.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00133.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/30522.html [4]

Gordon Campbell: Obama’s Peace Prize(+ Al Quaeda)
Before going into what Obama might need to do in future to justify the prize, we should spare a thought for those who have been having an even worse decade than the US for the past nine years, and by that I don’t mean the citizens of Iraq and Afghanistan. I’m talking about al Qaeda. More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/11/gordon-campbell-obamas-peace-prize-al-quaeda/

ALSO:

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Speech [2]

David Swanson Obama's Rejection Speech [3]

The Nobel Speech Obama Should Have Given [4]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00228.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00106.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00108.htm [4]

Sugar-Free Drinks: Kedgley Still Not Happy
"The much touted agreement is more about public relations and spin than public health," Ms Kedgley said. "Children in schools will still be exposed to highly acidic, enamel-destroying fizzy drinks with addictive and controversial additives in them, despite this so-called accord." More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00195.htm

ALSO:

MP slams fizzy drink deal for schools [2]

Adapting to climate change in the Pacific [3]

Govt to consult with industry on ETS allocations [4]

Private Sector Must Support of Global Climate Deal [5]

Doctors say climate change real and demands action [6]

CLIMATE CHANGE – we’re all in the same boat [7]

ETS Deadlock, Cost Corrections [8]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/30515.html [2]

[3] - http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/adapting-to-climate-change-in-the-pacific/ [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00203.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00254.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00157.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.newswire.co.nz/in-depth/climate-change/" target="_blank [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0911/S00181.htm [8]

ACC: Government Announces 2010/11 Levy Rates
ACC levies for workers, employers and motorists will increase next year but less than those recommended by the ACC Board, ACC Minister Nick Smith says. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00159.htm

ALSO:

Doubling of workplace deaths predictable [2]

Cabinet paper proves ACC cuts target low income NZ [3]

Start advocating for senior citizens Minister [4]

National scaremongering on ACC and Super exposed [5]

Pay-as-you-go way to go for ACC [6]

Maori Party looks at claims of ACC discrimination [7]

AA welcomes lower ACC levy increases [8]

ACC's Culture Of Ignorance For The Injured [9]

ACC builds a fortress against sex abuse claims [10]

ACC: Discrimination against Maori women [11]

ACC Changes Discriminate Against Māori Women [12]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00171.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00151.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00120.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00077.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00155.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00167.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00143.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00127.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00099.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00091.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00148.htm [12]

ACC levy hike officially announced
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/politics/30471.html

ALSO:

ACC Levy Rises, Cover Cuts [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0910/S00138.htm [2]

Technology: Minister Inspects Hi-Tech Police Vehicles
A range of hi-tech Police vehicles, which are being put into frontline service, will give Police the edge over criminals, Police Minister Judith Collins said. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00164.htm

------------

BUSINESS SCIENCE & TECH

------------

Xenotasmanthingy: Animal To Human Transplants Get Aussie Go-Ahead
Australia has lifted the ban on research involving animal to human transplants. In 2004, NHMRC recommended that there should be no animal to human transplantation (xenotransplantation) clinical trials in Australia for five years, subject to review in December 2009. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC0912/S00029.htm

Comestibles: Fourth Consecutive Monthly Fall In Food Prices
Food prices decreased 0.3 percent in the November 2009 month, Statistics New Zealand said today. This is the fourth consecutive monthly fall in food prices, which has not occurred since July 2004. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00283.htm

ALSO:

Justice workers call on Ministry to resume negs [2]

Ministry of Justice confirms end of bargaining [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00133.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00139.htm [3]

Of Interest: The Official Cash Rate Unchanged At 2.5%
Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said: "The New Zealand economy continues to recover but there remains considerable uncertainty about the durability of the expansion. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00231.htm

ALSO:

Tax reform and fiscal restraint key, says Bollard [2]

NZ Dollar jumps on Bollard hint of early rate hike [3]

Bollard says kiwi dollar still overvalued [4]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/10/tax-reform-and-fiscal-restraint-key-says-bollard/ [2]

[3] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/10/nz-dollar-jumps-on-bollard-hint-of-early-rate-hike/ [3]

[4] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/10/bollard-says-kiwi-dollar-still-overvalued/ [4]

Bollard keeps interest rates low...for now
- More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30459.html

ALSO:

Electricity Bill should include smart metres: PCE [2]

Energy sector transformation to benefit consumers [3]

Energy customers benefit under one scheme [4]

National must cut Kiwi power bills [5]

Is Brownlee Smarter Than The Market? [6]

Meridian Studying Implications Of Transfer [7]

Meridian suspends Renewable Energy Notes [8]

Government announcement on the electricity market [9]

Electricity Industry Review [10]

Electricity reforms for the better [11]

Older people need support, not ads [12]

Farmers applaud bold electricity reform [13]

Electricity changes may increase hydro spills [14]

MEUG welcomes decisions on power sector [15]

Electricity Reforms to Spark Productivity [16]

Brownlee's energy reform 'may lead to higher prices' [17]

Anti-environmentalist spite [18]

[2] - http://business.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/10/electricity-bill-should-include-smart-metres-pce/ [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00125.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00179.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00131.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00178.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00220.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00225.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00224.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00287.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00222.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00126.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00244.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00144.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00261.htm [15]

[16] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU0912/S00255.htm [16]

[17] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/business/30460.html [17]

[18] - http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2009/12/anti-environmentalist-spite.html" target="_blank [18]

The Ice: Antarctic Treaty Meeting Of Experts In Wellington
Around 80 delegates will be attending the meeting which will examine issues surrounding ship-borne tourism in the Antarctic Treaty Area. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00112.htm

ALSO:

Speech: McCully - avoid an Antarctic disaster [2]

Delegates work to make Antarctica safe for tourists [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00142.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/lifestyle/30430.html [3]

------------

COMMENT

------------

Martin LeFevre: The Nobel Speech Obama Should Have Given
Fellow citizens of the world, I stand before you in a time of undeclared war to accept the world’s greatest commendation for peace. It is in this contradiction we, the peoples of the world, find... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00108.htm

ALSO:

Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Speech [2]

Just Wars and Obama’s Nobel [3]

Obama's Peace Prize (+ Al Quaeda) [4]

Obama's Rejection Speech [5]

Copenhagen Cartoons [6]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00228.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00113.htm [3]

[4] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/11/gordon-campbell-obamas-peace-prize-al-quaeda/ [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00106.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00069.htm [6]

Lyndon Hood: Travel Ideas For MPs
With just a few days of Parliament, left MPs will – if they’re anything like me – be thinking about planning their summer break. Ah, the traditional MP’s Christmas: the enforced seizure and redistribution of presents the... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00102.htm

A Fair Adjectival Cow: Why cubicle farming is a really bad idea
A handy guide to Newzild, issued to US servicemen during the war, says that ''a fair cow'' or, more forcefully, ''a fair adjectival cow'', means “an unpleasant man, woman or situation”. It's exactly the right term, I reckon, to describe the plan to house... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00103.htm

Ramzy Baroud: The Hypocrisy Of Al-Demoqratia
In 2004, France banned headscarves and school principals chased after young ''defiant'' Muslim girls who continued to cover their heads in school. Now, following a national referendum, Switzerland has banned the construction of minarets, because minarets... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00104.htm

ALSO:

Banning Minarets in Switzerland [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00038.htm [2]

Gordon Campbell: Risk Free Tax!
On current indications the Buckle Tax review will provide the final draft of their recommendations to the government just before Christmas – to enable it to digest the content – and then release the document to the public during the... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/09/gordon-campbell-risk-free-tax/

Binoy Kampmark: The Conviction of ‘Foxy Knoxy’
It has been a sordid tale, enrapturing audiences in Italy and globally. The murder of 21-year-old British student Meredith Kercher, who was found with her throat slit in her Perugia apartment in November 2007 after being sexually assaulted, continues... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00085.htm

ALSO:

Amanda Knox: I'm no murderer [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/world/30205.html [2]

Stateside With Rosalea: Stop! Water Thief!
When California’s Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, travels to Copenhagen this week to participate in Subnational Day at the UN Climate Change Conference, he and his support staff may be doing so at the expense of a wealthy business owner who contributes... More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00062.htm

Gordon Campbell: China’s Role In Our Problems With P
Media coverage of the battle against P has tended to focus on the role of Maori gangs in the P trade. Yet most of the intercepts of the pseudoephedrine precursor to P that were being touted by John Key at his press conference yesterday... More »[1]

[1] - http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/08/gordon-campbell-china-and-our-problems-with-p/

ALSO:

John Key on "P" and Unemployment [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0912/S00066.htm [2]

------------

LIFESTYLE

------------

13/12/39: Battle Of The River Plate Commemorated
Six veterans of the Battle of the River Plate will be joining the Royal New Zealand Navy this weekend for the 70th Anniversary Commemoration of the battle. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00155.htm

ALSO:

Battle of the River Plate commemorated [2]

Online Resource on the Battle of River Plate [3]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0912/S00174.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00143.htm [3]

King Of Cajun: Dr John To Play Auckland in April
There’s no other New Orleans musician operating today who is as great as Dr John, pure and simple. Best of all, the man has a real fire in his belly again, proven by the new Dr John and the Lower 911’s album City That Care Forgot, which deals with various aspects of post-Katrina New Orleans outrage. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00133.htm

Sport: Kiwis Dominate Freediving Champs
New Zealand Freedivers have shown the world, that when it comes to going deep, those from down under truely have what it takes. Over 2 seperate events held in Denmark and The Bahamas, Kiwi Freedivers have won a total of 9 medals, out of a possible 22, hauling the highest Medal Tally of any country, and cementing NZ's place as the leading freedivers in the world. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00100.htm

Chapman Tripps: DarWin!
The winners of the 18th annual Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards were named last night, with Auckland-based Wellingtonian Arthur Meek scooping the major prizes for his production Collapsing Creation. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0912/S00091.htm

ALSO:

Collapsing Creation - play and lecture series [2]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU0911/S00098.htm [2]

------------

WORLD

------------

World Environment: Future Of Humanity Hinges On Conference, Ban Says
The outcome of the historic United Nations climate change conference under way in Copenhagen will have reverberations for the future of humanity and the planet, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00177.htm

ALSO:

Copenhagen Talks Heading Towards Agreement [2]

Progress Made On Technology In Copenhagen [3]

Adapting to Climate Change [4]

Children at risk from climate change [5]

Oxfam: The Price Of Success In Copenhagen [6]

Causes of Climate Change not 'Settled' [7]

Climategate Used to Settle 'Vendetta,' says Mann [8]

Bombshell UN Documents Outline Climategate [9]

Copenhagen And The Quest For Climate Justice [10]

Climate Change Conference Kicks Off In Copenhagen [11]

Ambitious International Climate Change Deal [12]

Obama Decision To Attend Copenhagen [13]

Statement On Climate Change Conference [14]

Protecting The Planet On International Day [15]

[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00242.htm [2]

[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00252.htm [3]

[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00256.htm [4]

[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00266.htm [5]

[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00117.htm [6]

[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00150.htm [7]

[8] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00145.htm [8]

[9] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00208.htm [9]

[10] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00146.htm [10]

[11] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00125.htm [11]

[12] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00113.htm [12]

[13] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00087.htm [13]

[14] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00086.htm [14]

[15] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00085.htm [15]

Democracy: Barriers To The Ballot: The 2008 Election
2008 was a banner year for U.S. democracy and its elections. Many states saw record increases in voter registration – particularly among minority and youth voters – and record increases in voter turnout. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00265.htm

Environmentalism: World Bank Launches ‘Green’ Index Of Businesses
The private sector arm of the World Bank today launched the first ever eco-friendly stock market index that allows investors to track the carbon efficiency of companies doing business in emerging economies. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00251.htm

Global Trade: Tough Times Ahead For Shipping Industry
Around 80 per cent of global trade is transported by sea but challenging times are ahead for the shipping industry, which is faced with a surge in the supply of vessels and tumbling freight rates amid the economic crisis More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00178.htm

Ban Ki-Moon: Efforts To Thwart Rebels In Eastern DR Congo
Progress in bringing stability to the war-wracked east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is mixed, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says in a new report. More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00183.htm

World Can't Wait: Obama War Escalation Speech: War = Peace
The U.S. organization “The World Can’t Wait,” having organized weeks of protest against President Barack Obama’s escalation of troops to Afghanistan, said today: More »[1]

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0912/S00159.htm

ENDS

Scoop

Scoop Independent News

Scoop is NZ's largest independent news source; respected widely in media, political, business and academic circles for being the place on the internet for publishing "what was really said", and for the quality of its analysis of issues.

Contact Scoop

Editorial - editor@scoop.co.nz
Twitter - @ScoopNZ
Facebook
YouTube
Services - services@scoop.co.nz
Phone - 04 910 1844

Top Scoops Headlines

Top Scoop Stories December 11th 2009 News Summary