Tax Cuts Dumped Before Election - Pete Hodgson's Moment of Glory - Members Night - Producer Board Reforms - Smoking - David Bale Resigns - The Wages Of Lotto
Today's Scoops
Failed Tax Cut Deal Nail In Govt. Coffin - Clark
- Labour Leader Helen Clark said today that the Prime Minister's failure to stitch up a deal over tax cuts with Mauri Pacific had driven a final nail into the government's coffin by revealing the limits of the naked expediency which had characterised her term in office. See... Clark: Naked expediency tips govt over edge [1] in the Politics wire. Further reaction is lower down this page.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00010.htm
National Reject Tax Cuts Before Election
- National
is committed to continuing to reduce tax for hard working
New Zealanders as the economy continues to grow, Prime
Minister Jenny Shipley said today. But it will not be
happening before the election. See... Nats Will Deliver Tax Cuts By 1 April 2000 -
PM [1] in the Parliament wire. United New Zealand
leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says bully-boy politics from Tau
Henare and Mauri Pacific are the main reason the Government
has dropped plans for tax cuts legislation before the
election. See... Peter Dunne - Thank You Tau [2] , also
in the Parliament wire. Labour's finance spokesperson
Michael Cullen today said the move makes a nonsense of
National's election campaign. See... It's official - National stands for
nothing [3] in the Parliament wire. Labour Leader
Helen Clark
said today that the best way of ensuring a
change of government at the next election was for voters to
support parties who are committed to change. See... Clark: NZ First offers confusion, not change
[4] in the Parliament wire. Also in the Parliament
wire, ACT says New Zealanders should get Tax Cuts Because New Zealanders Deserve Them
- ACT [5] .
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00006.htm
[2]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00010.htm
[3]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00013.htm
[4]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00016.htm
[5]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00030.htm
Pete Hodgson's Moment Of Glory
- How Pete Hodgson was granted leave to deliver a 5 minute speech on what Labour will do to the ECA during question time - and what he said. See... Pete Hodgson's Moment Of Glory? - Question 3 [1] . See also... Questions Of The Day (7-12) [2] - APEC - Tauranga Nurses Strike - CIA and Norman Kirk - PMs Mistakes - ACC Premiums - Human Capital In IT Sector and Questions Of The Day (1 and 3- 6) [3] - Ministry Of Fisheries Travel Claims - Tax Cuts -Housing - Asbestos - Tertiary Education Funding. Both in the Headlines wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00006.htm
[2]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00005.htm
[3]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00007.htm
House: Members Day And House Mechanics
- Today is probably the second to last Private Members day of this Parliament and past patterns would indicate that none of the private members bills currently on the order paper have much life left in them. See... House: Members Day And House Mechanics [1] in the Headlines wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00003.htm
Rough Road Ahead For Producer Board Bills
- The government is planning to push through three significant bills reforming the Kiwifruit, Apple and Pear and Dairy boards over the next four sitting days, however the passage of the legislation is not expected to plain sailing. Scoop's Alastair Thompson reports. See... Rough Passage Expected For Producer Board Bills [1] in the Headlines wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00002.htm
Smokers Of The World Unite! Protest March
- For those few who still think this is just a protest for bleating 'scumbag smokers', Joy Faulkner has a message for you: "Wake up!! This march is," she says," about getting big brother government off our backs and out of our lives." For more info on the Libertarian led march see... Smokers Of The World Protest March [1] in the Politics wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00009.htm
Lotteries
Commission Boss Resigns
- The head of the Lotteries
Commission David Bale has resigned over the scandal
concerning his $400,000 salary. - David Bale says for the
first time in 12 years he no longer appears to have the
confidence of the PM. See... Lotto CEO David Bale - Resignation Press
Release [1] . - "I believe David Bale's resignation as
Chief Executive of the Lotteries Commission is
appropriate,"; Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said today.
See... Resignation is appropriate says PM [2] .
- The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jack Elder, to whom the
Lotteries Commission is responsible, has thanked David Bale
for his 12 years service as Chief Executive. See... Resignation Of Lotteries Chief Executive
[3] . - The Alliance said it is the ineffective State
Services commission and the government croni
es on the
lotteries board that should resign not the Chief Executive
of the lotteries commission. See... The wrong head has rolled [4] . -
Labour state services spokesperson Trevor Mallard said while
Lotteries Commission chief executive David Bale had 'done
the honourable thing' in resigning, the main culprits in the
lottery commission salary saga still had their jobs. See...
The real culprits still have their jobs
[5] . - Green Party MP Rod Donald says Lotteries Commission
Chairman Geoff Thompson should resign over the Lotteries
salaries scandal, not Chief Executive David Bale. See... Chairman Should Have Resigned - Greens
[6] . - ACT Finance Spokesman Rodney Hide said the whole
issue raised questions about State Services boss Michael
Wintringham's performance. See... State Sector Boss Must Take
Responsibility [7] .
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00008.htm
[2]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00020.htm
[3]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00022.htm
[4]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00018.htm
[5]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00024.htm
[6]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00025.htm
[7]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00031.htm
Delamere To Stand For Te Tawharau
- Independent MP Tuariki John Delamere announced today he would stand as a candidate for Te Tawharau. Read his speech... Speech - Delamere To Stand For Te Tawharau [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00037.htm
News Flash - Independent WACO Inquiry Ordered
- Hot off the wire John Howard's informed sources in the US say Attorney General Janet Reno and FBI Director Louis Freeh have jointly agreed on calling for an "outside investigation" into their agencies' failure to disclose the use of incendiary devices within hours before the Branch Davidian compound at Waco was burned in 1993.
Goodman Fielder Statement To Ernest Adams
Shareholders
- Goodman Fielder is a Trans-Tasman company with a proud New Zealand heritage. The Goodman family started the company with a single bakery in Motueka in 1867 and built it into a global company with over NZ$3 billion in turnover. See... Goodman Fielder Statement To Ernest Adams Holders [1] in the Business wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9909/S00005.htm
Lockwood Challenges Anderton On Trade
- Trade Minister Lockwood Smith has given Jim Anderton a month to come clean with New Zealand families and outline the detail of the Alliance's policy on import tariffs. See... Lockwood Smith Challenges Alliance On Trade Policy [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00035.htm
Kiwi Quake Experts Fly Out To Turkey
- A team of New Zealand specialists is to spend 10 days in the earthquake-hit region of Turkey collecting information aimed at helping New Zealand minimise the impact of a similar disaster. See... Kiwi Earthquake Experts To Visit Turkey [1] in the General wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00004.htm
Labour Defence Policy "Immoral" - Australians Don't Like
it
- Max Bradford and Don McKinnon say Australia defence experts have warned that New Zealand could shut itself out of regional security co-operation if it accepted the recommendations of the Quigley report and policies of Labour leader Helen Clark. See... Labour Defence Policy Immoral, Aus. Supports Govt. [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00015.htm
Reports Of Coalition Preference Incorrect - Peters
- Surprise, surprise... NZ First Leader Winston Peters, said today that reports about New Zealand First being more likely to go with Labour had been too "literal an interpretation" of comments he made on a Saturn Television programme. See... No Coalition Position Decided - Peters [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00014.htm
Asian Banks In Serious Trouble
- Banks in Asia are still in serious trouble and could spark further financial turmoil in the region, according to an international banking authority. John Howard reports. See... Asian Banks In Serious Trouble [1] in the Headlines wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00001.htm
East Timor Press Briefing by UN at End Of Polling
- A press briefing from Carina Perelli, chief of the electoral assistance division at United Nations headquarters. The conference at the close of voting covers the death of the UN worker and the procedures in terms of counting and security of the vote count. See... Transcript Of Press Conf. After Timor Poll Closes [1] in the General wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00005.htm
Fisheries Bill Creates Global Criminals
- The New Zealand Seafood Industry Council is bitterly disappointed that the government is promoting a bill which they say will effectively turn honest New Zealand fishermen into global criminals. See... Fishery Bill Turns Fishermen Into Global Criminals [1] in the Politics wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00007.htm
Ansett
Cancels 50 Flights
- Ansett has cancelled 50 flights today after pilots called in sick en masse. This action is the latest move in a lengthy contract dispute.
Shirley Talks From Timor About Tauranga Strategy
- ACT Deputy Leader Hon Ken Shirley said from East Timor today that the ACT team in Tauranga was considering whether he should withdraw as a constituency MP for Tauranga and just go for the list vote .See... ACT Tauranga Team Considering Tactics [1] in the Parliament wire. Tauranga MP Winston Peters has welcomed the news that Shirley is considering pulling out. See... Tauranga Deserves Better than Shirley [2] in the Parliament wire. This attack angered Richard Prebble who in turn said Peters Clearly Rattled In Tauranga [3] .
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00011.htm
[2]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00033.htm
[3]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00036.htm
Auckland APEC 'Clean-up' Déjà vu For APEC Protestors
- APEC Monitoring Group organiser Aziz Choudry says the current makeover of Auckland for the upcoming APEC Leaders Summit follows in the footsteps of controversial 'clean-ups' at previous Summits. See... Auckland APEC Clean-Up Deja Vu For Choudry [1] in the Politics wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00004.htm
Electricity Competition Flourishing - Bradford
- "When you look at the electricity industry in New Zealand today, it's hard to believe how far we've come in such a short time." See... Electricity retail competition is flourishing [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00005.htm
Plan Launched To Save 200 Threatened Native Plants
- Conservation Minister Nick Smith today launched a plan setting out the conservation priorities for New Zealand's most threatened native plants at a site where recovery is taking place, pest-free Moutohora (Whale) Island in the Bay of Plenty. See... Plan To Prevent Extinction Of 200 Native Plants [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00007.htm
Peters Speech - Leadership Crisis
- "A recent television survey about the New Zealand political scene pointed to a crisis of leadership as the main issue facing the country this election. This has come as no surprise to people close to the political scene." See... Peters Speech To Windsor Club [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00009.htm
Young Nats New Web Site
- "The Young Nationals are the youth branch of New Zealand's (if not the world's) greatest political party - the New Zealand National Party. Come and surf our new site for information about ourselves! See the Young Nationals Executive Committee posing with 'Big Spice' in the Beehive. See... http://www.youngnationals.org.nz/ [1] . (This photo may well be a useful historical document... Ed).
[1] - http://www.youngnationals.org.nz/
CYPFA Call For Discussion About Concerns Over Buller
Services
- CYPFA is calling on the local community to directly discuss with the agency any worries about social work services in Buller. See... CYPFA Respond To Concerns Regarding Buller Service [1] in the General wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00001.htm
WINZ Pay $210,000 for Maori Advice, Still Fail To Meet Own
Targets
- Work and Income New Zealand has failed to meet its own targets for Maori unemployment despite paying consultants over $200,000 for advice on improving Maori outcomes, said Green MP Rod Donald. See... WINZ Pays $207,500 for Maori advice [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00547.htm
Wages Of Lotto: Wintringham Replies, Labour Still Outraged
- State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham has issued a further statement on his part in the Lotto salary row. "The consultation process on the chief executive's contract was inadequate. It took too long for Lotteries to supply the State Services Commission (SSC) with the information that the SSC required to consider the chief executive's employment terms and conditions in their entirety," he says. See... Media Statement from the State Services Commission [1] . Following Mr Wintringham's statement Labour state services spokesperson Trevor Mallard said he agreed that the State Services Commissioner should have alerted the Government, but says that does not absolve SSC Minister Simon Upton. See... Government not innocent over lottery salary [2] . Both releases are in the Politics wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00125.htm
[2]
- http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9908/S00126.htm
Wintringham Should Have Told Me - Williamson
- Maurice Williamson yesterday said the State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham should have alerted him to the lack of information he was receiving from the board of the Lotteries Commission over its contract negotiations with Chief Executive David Bale. See... SSC Should Have Alerted Minister-Williamson [1] in the Parliament wire.
[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9908/S00545.htm