The Dominion

Friday, 17 March 2000, 10:16 am
Article: Alastair Thompson

Cannabis Reform – Valuable Stamps – WINZ Consultant – Bowls Champs – False Rape – Icecream – Inside Political Headlines – Editorial: Pope

CANNABIS REFORM: The Dominion leads with a report that the Government will review the legal status of cannabis during this term of Parliament, Health Minister Annette King said yesterday. The story is accompanied by a panel quoting PM Helen Clark, Annette King, Nandor Tanzsos, Wyatt Creech, Ron Mark, Tony Ryall and Stephen Franks on the issue – with the exception of NZ First and Ron Marks all parties represented appear to have an open mind on the issue.

Also on the front page:

- VALUABLE STAMPS: a report that a rare collection of New Zealand stamps has fetched $1.7 million at a London Auction;

- WINZ CONSULTANT: a report that Social Services Minister Steve Maharey knew that Work and Income NZ had hired a director of a consultancy firm as its acting human resources manager but raised no concerns till questioned about it this week;

- BOWLS CHAMPS: a report that a solitary bubble of bubbly was all New Zealand’s newest world champions were allowing themselves to celebrate their victory in the triples championship at the women’s World Bowls in Australia last night;

- FALSE RAPE? a report that three men convicted in 1996 for the rape and sodomy of a woman – in two separate pack incidents – are still in prison more than a year after evidence that the accusations may have been fabricated;

- ICECREAM: a report that New Zealanders could end up eating icecream made of chicken fat under the new food standards code, says icecream maker Tip Top.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Inside Political Headlines:

- Chilean deal doubtful without Australia;
- Job for ex-Timberlands man “untenable” – minister;
- Douglas tipped to retain role;
- PM’s signature was sought for Lotto chief’s pay;
- Peters pulls out of MMP review;
- Tobacco company vows to defend court action;
- Wintringham disagrees with Clark over use of consultants;
- Driver education key – Goshe.

EDITORIAL – POPE: The Popes’ courageous decision to apologise for 2000 years of history will have wide ranging impacts.

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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

Top Scoops Headlines

COMMENT

Gordon Campbell: On Why So Many Young Males Like Donald Trump

Some clues to the allure of Trumpism can be found in the gender gap of unprecedented size that has opened up between those in the 18-29 age group.

Binoy Kampmark: Virtuous, Smug And Venal - British Electoral Interference In The US

US politics remain a matter of enormous importance to the UK. Interfering in US elections is a habit that dies hardest of all.

Ramzy Baroud: ‘Gaza Is Ours, Forever’ - Israel’s Extremists Have A Plan For The Day After The Genocide

Israel is a settler-colonial society, which has linked its colonial expansion to religious diktats and prophecies. So the forced departure from Gaza, to most of these settlers, must have appeared to represent both national treason and a sacrilegious act.

Peter Dunne: Dunne's Weekly - Volunteers Run Our Emergency Services

In many ways, volunteer firefighters typify community life in New Zealand. It has been often said that the two best ways to get known in a new community are to join the local volunteer fire brigade, or the school committee. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, and backgrounds. The resilience of the UFBA over the last almost 150 years stems from this.

Binoy Kampmark: Cattle Dog Gusto - How Bluey Conquered The United States

The fascinating aspect about Bluey is its central premise: neither the viewing parents nor their engaged children are treated like passive imbeciles. Both groups can partake in the themes of the series without feeling infantilised.