Scoop Today - Your Daily Wired News Fix

Thursday, 2 September 1999, 5:41 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Rankin On Y2k - Waco - Labour's Campaign - East Timor - Questions - New Casino Boss - Bingo! - Aussie Wine - Tax Cuts Fallout and much much more…

Today's Scoops

Rankin's Thursday Column - Ignoring A Burning Fuse

- In four months time we will know the immediate impact of the 'Y2K' computer bug; the bug through which computers with 2-digit date fields cannot distinguish which century we are in. See... When we Ignore a Burning Fuse [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00009.htm

WACO Tapes Seized By Furious Attoney General

- John Howard's Washington sources report that in a move sure to have international implications, including in New Zealand, a furious Attorney-General, Janet Reno, ordered federal marshalls to the headquarters of the FBI to seize infrared videotapes recorded during the early morning raid of the Branch Davidian compound at Waco on April19, 1993. It has been alleged the FBI deliberately fired incendiary tear gas and machine-gun fire into the compound killing 80 people including two New Zealander's.

Setting Themselves Apart - The CIA, Labour and the 'Credit Card' Campaign

- Scoop's Jonathan Hill looks at how Labour Party President Bob Harvey's comments on the CIA this week could be the much needed start of a fresh new approach to Labour's election campaign. See... The CIA, Labour and the 'Credit Card' Campaign [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00011.htm

UN Under Seige In East Timor

- Mob violence appears to have returned with a vengence in East Timor. Yesterday the streets of Dili were again a hazardous place to visit for journalists and UN staff alike. Three hundred people scaled the walls of the UN compound for shelter as pro-Jakarta and pro-independence militiamen fought outside, killing at least five people. The UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has issued a strongly worded statement calling on Indonesia to curb the violence immediately. The Canadian Foreign Minister has requested that the Timor situation be discussed at next weeks APEC meeting. Labour Leader Helen Clark today strongly endorsed the proposal. See... Clark: APEC leaders should discuss East Timor [1] in the Politics wire.Scoop will keep you posted.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00015.htm

Timor Demonstration at Indonesian Embassy Tomorrow

- There will be a demonstration tomorrow at 12.30pm outside the Indonesian Embassy, 70 Glen Rd Kelburn (Wellington), to express outrage at the Indonesian authorities' refusal to prevent the violence of the paramilitaries in East Timor. See... East Timor - Demonstration [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00012.htm

Corso Call on Govt / Albright For Firmer Stand With Indonesia

- Corso's National Co-ordinator, Suzanne Menzies-Culling today appealed to the New Zealand Government to urge the UN to take a firmer stand with the Indonesian Government as violence continues to escalate in East Timor. See... International Concern Growing About Violence in ET [1] in the General wire. Corso also called on US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright to halt all military assistance to Indonesia. See... Military Aid to Indonesia Must Stop [2] , also in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00010.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00011.htm

Questions Of the Day

- Immigrant Employment - ECA Row (continued) - Maori Reserve Land - Pilot Strikes - State House Sales - Defence 2000 Report. See... Questions Of The Day (7-12) [1] . Lotto Commissioners - Labour Productivity - Tax Cuts - Northland Prison - Lotto Commissioners - Asbestos Contamination. See... Questions Of The Day (1-6) [2] . Both in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00013.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00012.htm

Call to Protect Underwater Fiordland

- The fiords of Fiordland deserve to be protected within the Fiordland National Park and included in the South West World Heritage Area, according to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. See... Call For Protection Of Underwater Fiordland [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00013.htm

New Casino Control Chief

- The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jack Elder, has announced the appointment of Auckland lawyer, Judith Collins, as the new Chairperson of the Casino Control Authority. She replaces Jock Irvine who has served as Chair since the Authority was established. See... New Casino Control Authority Chair Appointed [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00059.htm

Reassessment of Medical Credentials

- The Health Funding Authority (HFA) is reviewing the systems public hospitals use to ensure that their medical staff have the correct qualifications and experience to do the job they are employed for. See... Public Hospital Medical Credentialling Reviewed [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00020.htm

Time Running Out For Some Drivers

- The LTSA will today begin the process of sending out 235,000 driver licence upgrade packs to drivers who were born in September. A new television advertisement, targeting Virgos, reminds drivers that it's time for them to upgrade. See... Time running out for some drivers [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00007.htm

Timberlands Fail To Return Dividend - Again

- Controversial SOE Timberlands West Coast Ltd have again announced they will not be paying a dividend to the government for logging publicly-owned native rainforests and pine plantations. The decision is published in Timberlands annual report which has been tabled in parliament. See... Timberlands Surprisingly Pays No Dividend - Again [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00017.htm

Appeal Court Upholds Transpower

- A full bench of the Court of Appeal has upheld Transpower's view that any challenge to the pricing of services from the national electricity grid should be applied under the Commerce Act and State- owned Enterprise Acts according to Transpower. See... Appeal Court Confirms Transpower's Pricing [1] in the Business wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9909/S00013.htm

School Dental Clinics Threatened - King

- The school dental health service, which is already badly fragmented, is under further threat, Labour health spokesperson Annette King revealed today. See... School Dental Clinics under threat [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00052.htm

Parental Leave Bill 'Killed' But Not Dead - PSA / Mackey On Ropes

- The PSA today said last night's 'killing' of the paid parental leave bill was a case of 'cynical party line politics winning out over a logical and compelling case for necessary social change.' See... Parental leave demand will not go away - PSA [1] in the Politics wire. National MP Annabel Young said Labour MP Janet Mackey has been hung out to dry by Labour on the Paid Parental Leave issue as she had previously slammed the legislation she eventually supported. See... Janet Mackey out of Party Line on Parental leave [2] in the Parliament wire. Max Bradford also says Janet Mackey's integrity is under question after she voted for a bill she told constituents she would oppose. See... Mackey Says One Thing, Does Another [3] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00016.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00055.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00058.htm

Bingo!

- All five appointed members of the Lotteries Commission are current or former National Party officials or candidates, Green MP Rod Donald has discovered. See... Bingo! [1] in the Parliament wire. Also on the Commission, though with a rather different angle, National's Annabel Young says that more business for the Lotteries Commission is not a necessarily a good thing. See... Not Lotteries Commission Role to Increase Gambling [2] in the Parliament wire. Alliance Internal Affairs spokesperson Grant Gillon says the five National Party appointees on the Lotteries Commission should be removed. See... Sack all the National Party cronies [3] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00049.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00050.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00057.htm

New Te Papa Appointments Announced

- Hon Marie Hasler, Minister for Culture and Heritage, today announced three appointments to the Board of the Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa Tongarewa. See... Appointments to Te Papa Tongarewa Board [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00047.htm

Industrial Policy Row Heats Up

- "Bill English seems incapable of debating any issue on the facts. Instead he always resorts to distortion and untruth," Labour finance spokesperson Michael Cullen said today. See... Another gross misrepresentation from English [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00046.htm

Parliament Expected To Oppose Nuclear Shipments Today - Fitzsimons

- Green MP Jeanette Fitzsimons said Parliament is expected to support her motion today opposing regular shiploads of highly radioactive nuclear fuel passing through the South Pacific. See... Green MP - Parl. Expected To Oppose Nuclear Ships [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00043.htm

Huge Tax Break For Aussie Wine Industry

- The Australian wine industry has emerged as huge winner from a generous $A30 million tax break negotiated between the Government and the Australian Democrats. John Howard reports. See... Aussie Wine Industry Gets Huge Tax Break [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00010.htm

Govt. Should Resign If Cannot Pass Legislation - Anderton

- The failure of proposed tax legislation means the Government should call an election immediately, Alliance leader Jim Anderton says. See... Govts which can't pass tax Bills should resign [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00041.htm

Failed Tax Cut Deal: Nail In Govt. Coffin - Clark

- Labour Leader Helen Clark says 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

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 yesterday - and what he said. See... Pete Hodgson's Moment Of Glory? - Question 3 [1] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00006.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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