ACT Environment Spokesman Gerry said it was appalling the Government planned to release the report of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification to the Green Party before any other interested parties.

"This is no way to ensure the balanced debate which is needed to allow the public to gain an informed view of the issue.

"We've already seen with the rallies today that the Greens are laying the groundwork for an onslaught on the report if it proves to not share their narrow view of the world and how it should operate.

"The Government is giving the Greens an opportunity to launch a pre-emptive strike and get their slanted view out into the public domain before anybody else has the opportunity.

"This extraordinary decision by the Government could completely undo all the tremendous work done by the commission. This has been the most thorough investigation of the GM issue that has been conducted in the world.

"The Greens pushed for this inquiry, they insisted on being an interested party ' are they now to be allowed to attempt to totally discredit a process they pronounced themselves happy with - if it doesn't deliver the results they want?

"The Government should reconsider immediately and adopt an even-handed approach to the release of this important report," Mr Eckhoff said.

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