Scoop Weekend - Your Weekend Wired News Fix

Saturday, 28 August 1999, 1:11 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Inside Apec - Email Espionage - Loopy Tax Defended - Dairy Merger - Violence In Dili - The Wages Of Lotto - Clinton's Visit Detailed - Rainbow Labour on Capill and much much more...

WEEKEND SCOOPS

INSIDE APEC: Operation Mandible

- His tale reads like a scene out of the Frederick Forsyth book "The ODESSA File". But while what you read here is clock and dagger, it is not fiction. Published on Scoop for the first time in New Zealand is Jaggi Singh's account of what Canada's mainstream press called a "political kidnapping". Code Name: "Operation Mandible." Setting: Vancouver. Date: November 1997. See... Inside APEC Exclusive - Canada's "Highest Threat" [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00118.htm

Violence Flares In Dili

- The Australian army has been placed on alert to evacuate 200 Australian citizens after violence flared yesterday in Dili, East Timor. The long-awaited independence referendum in the former Portuguese colony is due to take place this coming Monday. A party of New Zealand MPs and a small number of New Zealand journalists are presently in East Timor to observe the referendum. New Zealand police and armed forces personnel are also in East Timor assisting in the UN referendum operation. See.. As Referendum Approaches, Violence Flares In Dili [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00114.htm

E-mail Espionage At Wellington City Council?

- Allegations of blackmail and espionage at Wellington City Council? Sounds ridiculous, perhaps, but there appears to be some substance behind the latest contretemps between the spurned independent councillors and the Labour-Wellington Alive coalition. Scoop's Alastair Thompson reports. See… Email Espionage At Wellington City Council? [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00116.htm

Column: Is Transaction Tax Really So Loopy

- Late this week treasurer, Bill English and Act's Rodney Hide came out swinging against the Alliance proposal for a financial transaction tax to replace GST, calling it “a loopy and failed idea.”; But the international community is presently studying the idea John Howard reports. See... Column: International Studies Of Transaction Tax [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00119.htm

INSIDE APEC: APEC Behind The Shadows

- In another Scoop Exclusive Selwyn Manning reports on a Canadian activist who had a similar experience to Aziz Choudry at the hands of security ervices in advance of Canada's APEC summit. See... A Scoop Exclusive - Inside APEC Series [1] in the Auckland wire. The series will continue over coming days.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK9908/S00135.htm

Commerce Commission On Dairy Changes

- The Commerce Commission has made a preliminary ruling against a mega dairy co-op. The release is in the business wire, reaction is in the Parliament wire.

Employers Federation Correct Misleading Statements

- Following a series of misleading statements quoted in both written and electronic media, the Employers' Federation has today forwarded the attached two communications to the Labour Party. See the letters and explanation… Employers Federation Clarifies Misleading Comments [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00108.htm

Second Millennium Concert Canned

- Labour tourism spokesperson Damien O'Connor said the cancellation of the Millennium concert planned for Bastion Point was the end of a sorry saga which could have lasting damage to New Zealand's tourism industry. See… End of a sorry saga [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00491.htm

Christian Heritage Deplore Massage Parlour's Offer To Help Fight Cancer

- The Christian Heritage Party suggest a Wanganui massage parlour's offer to give five per cent of the week's takings to Daffodil Day is really an investment. "It is well known that promiscuous sexual activity is connected with genital cancer," says spokeswoman Mrs Donoghue. See… Massage Parlour Gift To Daffodil Day Not On [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00106.htm

Tertiary Education Funding rates Announced / Decision Slammed

- Tertiary Education Minister Max Bradford today announced the Tertiary Tuition Allowance Subsidy Rates for 2000. See… Tertiary Education Funding Rates Announced [1] in the Parliament wire. The decision has been slammed by the Opposition. Labour associate education spokesperson Steve Maharey has slammed the Government's funding announcement for tertiary education as "more of the market driven policies which have been so destructive to the sector over the past nine years." See… More competition won't build a knowledge society [2] in the Parliament wire. The Alliance said today's announcement that private tertiary institutions are going to get access to public money without the promised quality assurance authority being set up amounts to the privatisation of tertiary education without any quality control. See… Public tertiary funding to go to private schools [3] , also in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00487.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00490.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00492.htm

Official State Visits Detailed

- Today the Prime Minister Jenny Shipley announced the details of state visits to New Zealand by the President of the United States, the President of Korea and the President of China. See… State Visit Of United States President [1] , State Visit Of Korean President [2] and State Visit Of Chinese President [3] . All in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00482.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00481.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00480.htm

Peters Launches More Legal Action - This Time Against NBR

- Winston Peters said today that he has instructed his lawyers to start defamation proceedings against the National Business Review in relation to an article published on Friday 27 August 1999.

Bradford Advocating Breaching International Standards

- "The Minister of Labour, Max Bradford's claims of a 'backroom deal' between the Labour Party and unions can only reflect the Minister's wilful ignorance of international labour standards," Trade Union Federation, President, Maxine Gay said today. See… Max advocates Breaching Interntional Standards [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00107.htm

$410,000 Salary For Lottery Commission Boss Challenged by Donald

- Green MP Rod Donald wants to know why the chief executive of the Lottery Commission is paid over $400,000 a year, and has written to the State Services Commissioner and the Secretary for Internal Affairs to find out. See… $410,000 Lottery Salary Challenged By Green MP [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00478.htm

Come Clean Over Union Deal Cullen - Bradford

- Labour's pressure-prone deputy leader Michael Cullen should come clean with the New Zealand public over any backroom deal Labour has negotiated with trade unions, Enterprise and Commerce Minister Max Bradford says. See… Cullen, Come Clean Over Union 'Deal' [1] in the Parliament wire. National's Ilam MP Gerry Brownlee said he believed Doctor Cullen knows National's industrial relations policy is right for New Zealand. See… More To Cullen Outburst [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00477.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00479.htm

China, Russia, Asian States Pledge To Thwart US Global Domination

- In a move which does not bode well for the upcoming APEC talks in Auckland, China, Russia and three Central Asian states have pledged in a declaration to promote a "multi-polar world" and thwart global domination by the United States. John Howard reports. See… China/Russia Pledge To Thwart US Global Domination [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00115.htm

The Auckland City Council 'Lost Column' On APEC - Read It Here

- Auckland City Councillor Maire Leadbeater refused to edit her column for this week's edition of the council's PR rag to the public, 'City Scene'. Instead, she opted to drop the column altogether. The Audit Office ruled that Leadbeater's column was in contravention of the rules governing local body publications which should be about "the business directly affecting rate-payers" only. Scoop, however, has no such qualms. See Maire Leadbeater's "Lost Column" on the looming APEC conference… Auck Councillor's Un-Censored APEC Column Revealed [1] in the Auckland wire. Thanks to Auckland's 95bFM.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK9908/S00143.htm

Rainbow Labour Criticise Capill

- Rainbow Labour, the Labour Party's gay, lesbian and transgender branches, said yesterday that Graeme Capill's reaction to the Discussion paper on same sex relationships was extreme and desperate. See… Rainbow Labour says Capill is out of touch [1] in the Politics wire. A Remuera Minister agreed with Rainbow Labour in a Scoop column earlier this week. See… Remuera Minister Supports Same-Sex Commitment [2] also in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00097.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00099.htm

Inquiry Requested Into Ascot Case

- Labour health spokesperson Annette King has asked the Health and Disability Commissioner to investigate the care Shirleen Casey received at Ascot Hospital in Auckland. See… Commissioner asked to investigate Ascot case [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00471.htm

Photographer / Publisher To Stand For Parliament

- Landscape photographer and publisher of Secrets and Lies and Secret Power, Craig Potton, is to stand as a list candidate for the Green Party in this year's general elections. See… Craig Potton To Stand For Green Party [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00472.htm

Kiwi Trade Policy Threat To Human Rights - Christian Heritage

- Robin Corner of the Christian Heritage Party reckons New Zealand's trade policy is a threat to human rights. See… NZ Trade Policy A Threat To Human Rights [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00100.htm

GE Jitters Great For Kiwis

- An investment bank report finding lower prices for genetically engineered food and advising investors pull funds out of biotech companys is being hailed as good news for GE-free New Zealand farmers. See… GE Jitters Great News For Kiwi Farmers - Greens [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00103.htm

Crown Pays Out, Apologises Over Choudry SIS Case

- Christchurch GATT Watchdog Organiser Aziz Choudry And The Crown have reached a settlement of Mr Choudry's damages against the Crown for the entering of his home by two Security Intelligence Service officers in July 1996. See… Crown Pays Up, Apologises In Choudry SIS Case [1] in the Parliament wire. Aziz Choudry and the spycatcher, David Small, also comment on the decision in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00462.htm

Cullen Ejected From House

- Labour's Michael Cullen was ejected from the House yesterday during a rowdy question time. For a blow by blow account see… Questions Of The Day (7-13) [1] in the Headlines wire. John Carter has comments on it. See… Cullen suspended from the House [2] in the Parliament wire. Roger Sowry says Cullen lost control following a grilling over industrial policy. See… Cullen Cracks Over Employment Relations [3] . Annabel Young gives a description of the ejection. See… Berserk Cullen booted out [4] . Both in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00110.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00454.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00458.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00457.htm

Free Vs Fair Trade

- Last week Reserve Bank governor Don Brash was reported (Herald, 20 August) as having chastised his fellow economists for not having done more to convince the public that free trade is always the best policy for any nation. Keith Rankin sees it a little differently. See... Rankin Column: Free Trade and Economic Correctness [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9908/S00104.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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