Scoop Today - East Timor And Other News

Friday, 24 September 1999, 9:53 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

See further below for the latest Scoops on issues other than East Timor....all the news you need and much more....

EAST TIMOR/JAKARTA LATEST REPORTS

INDONESIA PASSES RANGING 'SECURITY' LEGISLATION - CONCERN AT PROSPECT OF MILITARY RULE - PROTESTS FLARE IN JAKARTA

All Eyes On Jakarta

- As Kiwi and Aussie diggers hunker down in Dili tonight their future is being decided not at home - where loved ones wait and elected leaders worry - but in Jakarta where the worries of East Timor are increasingly playing second fiddle to a domestic political crisis. Scoop's Alastair Thompson discusses the latest developments in the fast unfolding crisis. See...Scoop Opinion: Fire In The Sky [1] .

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00195.htm

NEWSFLASH 5pm, September 23rd: Indonesia Passes 'Security' Legislation In Very Quick Time

- The Indonesian parliament, sitting in its final days, just passed controversial security legislation - mentioned in the next two stories which people say threatens the democratic reforms and paves the way for military rule. The decision was made around 4.30pm NZT. See two stories below for background.

Situation Tense In Jakarta As Protest Expected

- 10am Jakarta Time - 3pm NZT: "We're expecting 10,000 students in the street, and I'd give you better than even money one of them get's shot," a Jakarta journalist tells Scoop down the phone line. See... The Mood In Jakarta Is Tense... [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00194.htm

Jakarta Students Protest Threatened Democracy

- John Howard reports that in the latest Jakarta developments, hundreds of Indonesian student demonstrators last night staged a last-ditch attempt to prevent the adoption of a new security law that threatens much of the democratic reform of the past year and opens the door to military rule. See... Students Protest Over Threatened Democratic Reform [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00193.htm

OTHER SCOOPS

Information On The Ansett Lockout From The Pilots

- The travel plans of thousands of New Zealanders have already been disrupted by Ansett's decision to lock out pilots. The pilots have been LOCKED OUT, they are not on strike. Ansett have refused our offer to fly for no wages during the period of the school holidays. See... Ansett Pilot's Information Sheet On Lockout [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00175.htm

Cannabis Laws A Form Of Apartheid - Te Tai Tonga Cannabis Challenger

- "I am respectfully asking that Maori of Te tai Tonga consider my humble and symbolic offer to cross the racial boundary as a non-separatist candidate." In what he describes as a "dramatic statement" Blair Anderson says he is challenging the way New Zealand usually thinks about race relations. See a press release full of gems... Cannabis Campaigner challenges for Te Tai Tonga [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00094.htm

United Delighted Hobbs Supports Transmission Gully

- The United New Zealand candidate for Wellington Central and former city councillor, Kent Clark, has said he was delighted, to learn of Labour candidate Marian Hobbs' strong support for Transmission Gully. See... United Candidate Welcomes Marian Hobbs Endorsement [1] in the Politics wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO9909/S00093.htm

Gisborne Cervical Inquiry Team Named

- The three person Ministerial inquiry in to the Gisborne Cervical Screening case has been named. See... Inquiry Team Named [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00501.htm

Explanation Sought After three 111 Calls Ignored

- Labour MP Phil Goff has written to the Minister of Police seeking an urgent explanation as to why Auckland police failed on three occasions to respond to a serious incident of domestic violence in his electorate. See... No response to three 111 calls [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00493.htm

New Ambassador To Russia

- New Zealand's next ambassador to Russia will be career diplomat Geoff Ward, Foreign Minister Don McKinnon has announced. See... New Ambassador to Russia [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00492.htm

Parties Must Act Now To Save Devastated Environment

- The Forest and Bird Protection Society has called on all political parties to make commitments to protect the environment in the light of a United Nations report that time is fast running out to prevent global environmental catastrophe. See... NZ Must Act To Help Stop Environmental Catastrophe [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00163.htm

Bradford Releases 'Disappointing' NZQA Reports

- Tertiary Education Minister, Max Bradford has released the results of the three reviews he had requested into the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). See... Bradford Releases 'Disappointing' NZQA Reviews [1] in the Parliament wire. Labour's associate education spokesperson Steve Maharey says the saga of New Zealand Qualifications Authority former chief executive Douglas Blackmur is further evidence of the Government's inability to properly oversee its departments and agencies. See... Another woeful misuse of public money [2] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00484.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED9909/S00040.htm

New CEO For NZQA Announced

- The New Zealand Qualifications Authority announced the appointment of Dr Norman Kingsbury as Chief Executive. Dr Kingsbury commences a one-year appointment on 20 October. See... New Chief Executive for Qualifications Authority [1] in the Education wire. The APSU Student Union has welcomed the announcement that Dr. Norman Kingsbury will be taking over as Chief Executive Officer of the NZQA. See... APSU Welcome NZQA Appointment [2] in the Education wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED9909/S00039.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED9909/S00037.htm

Kiwi Soldiers Need Association To Protect Themselves

- New Zealand First has called for a professional association to be set up to defend the rights and conditions of service for New Zealand Defence personnel. See... Soldiers Need Their Rights Defended [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00494.htm

Credit Downgrade Over Deteriorating Accounts - Cullen

- "The growing deterioration in New Zealand's external accounts virtually guarantees a credit downgrade post-election," Labour finance spokesperson Michael Cullen said. See... Sharp deterioration in BoP result [1] in the Parliament wire. See the Stats Department release on the trade deficit... Balance of Payments - June 1999 quarter [2] in the Business wire. Winston Peters says the situation is out of control. See... Balance of Payments Out of Control - Peters [3] in the Parliament wire. ACT Leader Richard Prebble says Michael Cullen is trying to put out excuses even before getting anywhere near the Treasury benches. See... Excuses, excuses from Michael Cullen [4] while Bill English says he e
xpected the trade deficit. See... Current Account Deficit In Line With Expectations [5] . Both in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00483.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU9909/S00119.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00496.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00499.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00498.htm

Head For Gisbone Cervical Inquiry Named

- The Health Minister said he would appoint Auckland Queen's Counsel Ailsa Duffy to head the Ministerial inquiry into the Gisborne cervical smear test case. See... Gisborne Cervical Cancer Inquiry Head Named [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00479.htm

Shipley Post Apec Speech

- "People have a right to know what we got out of all the effort, and whether it was worthwhile for New Zealand. I have no doubt that chairing APEC, and the associated State visits were good for this country." See... Shipley Speech - Post Apec [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00488.htm

Lee Says Restrictions On More Foreign Ownership Lifted

- Restrictions on foreigners buying up New Zealand are being quietly lifted, even while New Zealand's overseas deficit continues to climb, says Alliance MP Sandra Lee. See... Open slather foreign ownership [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00487.htm

Terrorists In Your Back Yard - Myles

- New Zealand First MP Gilbert Myles is concerned that terrorists could be entering New Zealand because of lax investigation procedures. See... Terrorist Could Be Your Neighbour [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00485.htm

Rankin on Thursday: Ansett Pilots Face The Reality Of The 1990s

- For most of this month, Ansett New Zealand pilots have been in dispute with their employer. Ansett New Zealand is 100% owned by News Corporation (meaning media magnate, Rupert Murdoch). The dispute is not just about Ansett. See... Rankin - Ansett NZ Pilots Confront 90s' Reality [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00189.htm

NZEI Elect New Executive

- The following members were elected to the national executive yesterday at the 116th annual meeting of NZEI Te Riu Roa. See... NZEI elects new national executive [1] in the Education wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED9909/S00035.htm

WTO Announce Tax Breaks For Exporters Illegal

- In a decision which may affect New Zealand exporters the World Trade Organisation (WTO) last Monday declared that tax breaks for exporters are illegal. John Howard reports. See... WTO - Tax Breaks For Exporters Illegal [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00190.htm

STD Timebomb Created By National - King

- A sexually transmitted timebomb has been created by the National Government's neglect, Labour health spokesperson Annette King said today. See... Sexual health neglect [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00482.htm

Nats In Disarray Over Tax - Culle

N - "The National Party will go into the election campaign in complete disarray over tax," Labour finance spokesperson Michael Cullen said. See... Nats in chaos over tax [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00481.htm

Biggest Ever Privacy Breach Alleged

- The author of a bestselling book on privacy says a burglary that's netted criminals the names, addresses and possibly even credit card details of thousands of New Zealanders may be the biggest ever privacy breach in this country. See... Burglars Commit 20,000+ Privacy Heist - Wishart [1] in the Headlines wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL9909/S00188.htm

No Tax Laws Before Election - English

- Treasurer Bill English said speculation that the Government planned to introduce tax legislation before the election was incorrect. See... No tax legislation pre-election [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00480.htm

Assessment Policy Populist - NZ First

- New Zealand First Education spokesperson Brian Donnelly said that the new assessment policy for primary schools announced by the Minister of Education, Nick Smith, is an endorsement of New Zealand First's position whilst in coalition. See... Assessment Policy Endorses NZ First's Stance [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00478.htm

Lotteries Commission To Review Travel Spending

- The Minister of Internal Affairs, Jack Elder, has asked the Presiding member of the Lotteries Commission, Geoff Thompson, to review the Commission's travel practices and report back to him by the end of October. See... Lotteries Commission To Review Travel Practices [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00473.htm

Bluff Oysters Back On Sale Now In Very Rare Move

- Bluff oyster lovers rejoice. You're in for a rare treat with the announcement today that a national supermarket chain is stocking about one million of the southern delicacy. See... Bluff oysters are on the summer menu for last Time [1] in the General wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE9909/S00160.htm

Nats Stand Aside In Wellington Central - Free Run For Prebble

- The President of the New Zealand National Party, John Slater, has announced that the Party would not be standing a Constituency Candidate in the Wellington Central Electorate for the 1999 General Election. See... Nats Not Standing In Wellington Central [1] in the Parliament wire. Richard Prebble says the decision is a great compliment as it recognises he is doing a good job as an MP. See... Wellington Central a contest for the best local MP [2] in the Parliament wire. However Labour's Wellington Central candidate Marian Hobbs said she was confident many National voters would vote for her. See... Hobbs ready for vigorous campaign [3] in the Parliament wire. Winston Peters says National has just officially abandoned the people of Wellington. See... NZ First Accuses National Of Deserting Wellington [4] in the Parliament wire. Alliance Wellington candidate Phillida Bunkle says Richard Prebble has done so little as MP for Wellington Central that the National Party are having to bail him out of his nose diving popularity. See... Nats trying to bail out Prebble [5] in the Parliament wire. National's Wellington Central electorate chairperson Bridget-Anne Fowler says National will still launch a110% campaign for the Party Vote [6] . Labour Leader Helen Clark said today that National's promotion of the Act candidate in Wellington Central left the way clear for middle-of-the-road National voters to support Marian Hobbs as their electorate MP. See... Wellington Central set
to swing behind Labour [7] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00452.htm
[2] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00454.htm
[3] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00456.htm
[4] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00458.htm
[5] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00465.htm
[6] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00470.htm
[7] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00474.htm

Big Quakes Not Abnormal

- The recent series of big overseas earthquakes in populated areas is nothing out of the ordinary in terms of size and frequency of large quakes around the world, the Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Limited (GNS) said. See... Big Quakes Not Outside Global Trend [1] in the science wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/SC9909/S00013.htm

Sergeant Major Should Not Be Dissolved - Ron Mark

- New Zealand First Defence spokesperson Ron Mark today said he cannot support the ill-considered proposal to abolish the rank of Sergeant Major. See... Sergeant Major Role Should Not Be Dissolved [1] in the Parliament wire.

[1] - http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA9909/S00475.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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