Celebrating 25 Years of Scoop
National Radio 8am Bulletin
Health Bill Veto - Income Related Rents – ACC Lump Sums – West Papua – US Elections – Israel – Youth Drinking – Kids
HEALTH BILL VETO: The Minister of Finance has vetoed an amendment proposed by the Greens which would have created an independent Public Health agency. Michael Cullen said he vetoed the amendment to demonstrate the principle that the government could stop amendments which involved substantial expenditure.
INCOME RELATED RENTS: The National Housing spokesman Tony Ryall says the income related rents policy which starts today unfairly favours state house tenants. The Minister of Housing says that the government is committed to increasing the number of houses.
ACC LUMP SUMS: Groups and lawyers representing accident victims have welcomed the reintroduction of ACC lump sum payments. Payments will range from $2500 to $100,000. Hazel Armstrong says that this is the only fair way to deal with injuries.
WEST PAPUA: The police in the Indonesian province of Papua have been instructed to shoot any armed indigenous Papuans. Today is an important anniversary for the independence movement.
US ELECTIONS: Florida may still have a voice in the US Presidential election even if the Florida vote remains tied up in the courts. Florida’s State Legislature is considering appointing the 25 electors for Florida itself. Florida Governor Jeb Bush says the legislature has considerable power.
ISRAEL: Palestinian officials have called an offer from Ehud Barak an election ploy. They want any offer to include coverage for the refugees and Jerusalem.
YOUTH DRINKING: Police and researchers say that widespread fears that lowering the drinking age would cause problems for youth have proved correct. Police say they are concerned about the large number of teenagers drinking in public places.
KIDS: A
director of Parent Line Maxine Hodgson says that today would
be a great day for adults to treat children how they would
like themselves to be
treated.
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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