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KEITH LOCKE says the planned $445 million upgrade of the Air Force's Orions is at odds with the country's new defence thinking.

Without the guise of victimhood provided by attempts to suppress him, Irving's arguments would have largely disappeared from sight many years ago.

The treatment of Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui is a blot on the Government's record. He remains in solitary confinement in Paremoremo prison 10 months after he arrived here seeking asylum.

The Identity (Citizenship and Travel Documents) Bill may be rushed through Parliament before Christmas despite being panned by most submitters to the government administration select committee.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff will be visiting Sri Lanka this month (4-5 March) to see the tsunami relief efforts first hand. He can be proud of the contribution New Zealanders have made there and in the other countries inundated on Boxing Day.

When China made its bid for the 2008 Olympics, Chinese authorities promised improvements in human rights. Since then, the harsh methods used to prepare the country and Beijing for the games have actually made things worse. Find out what's going on and and why we should stand up for the human dignity the games are supposed to represent. Clark and Cosgrove must challenge Games web censorship Currie must stop discouraging free speech for athletes

It is good that the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security has confirmed that the all SIS files on sitting MPs have been closed.

I have never had as many heartfelt messages of gratitude as I have for speaking out against our SAS troops going off to Afghanistan.

Pressure is on the Government to give the green light to a $445 million electronic upgrade for the Air Force Orions.