nznews

Thursday 11th March 10. I think Paula Bennett needs a licence to practice politics. See above.

Former Hanover owners Mark Hotchin and Eric Watson have decided they will no longer hit up mum and dad investors for cash because it's "too hard" without the Government guarantee. Mr Hotchin wrote to investors in finance company FAI Money this week telling them they would be repaid early and the company would no longer be raising money from the public to fund its lending. FAI Money, which lends to consumers to buy goods like fridges and televisions, is covered by the Government's deposit guarantee scheme. But Mr Hotchin said the company was too small to get a rating to be eligible for the Government's extended guarantee starting on October 12. "Without that it would have been too hard," he said. They never had a government guarantee before?     Article

It has been confirmed there is a problem with this year's batch of Girl Guide biscuits - but do not worry, it is not the taste. Girl Guides has been investigating complaints the look of the biscuits is not as uniform as they would like. There have also been complaints the iconic biscuits are dryer than usual. Chief Executive Ruth Teasdale says the problem is a teething issue with Griffins' new factory. She says the recipe remains unchanged, but that there is however greater than usual variability in their appearance. My God! The "experts" can't get anything right?         Article

Health Minister Tony Ryall has asked for an urgent report into why it took the Medical Council a year to cancel an Auckland doctor's practising certificate despite "grave concerns" about his patients' safety.   And it appears the doctor may still be working even though 16 formal complaints have been made against him.   A Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal decision made public yesterday found Ratilal Magan Ranchhod guilty of working without a current practising certificate in 2008 and 2009 and forging one.   The Medical Council did not renew Dr Ranchhod's practising certificate when it expired in December 2008, after 16 complaints about him were made to the Health and Disability Commissioner.   Dr Ranchhod has held an interim practising certificate since April 2009 but with stringent conditions, including supervision.   The answer is simple: bureaucratic malaise. Article

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announces she has accepted an Eisenhower Fellowship for the Women’s Leadership Programme 2010. The prestigious six week Fellowship was awarded to only 20 women around the world who were identified as outstanding leaders. Ms Bennett has chosen to study successful US examples of the social corporate responsibility model while in America. An individually tailored programme will grant exceptional access to leading business people, high level politicians and successful community leaders.   Is this the sort of politician NZ needs?                Article