Greens have no confidence in GE-irresponsible Government

The Government's fixation with lifting the GE moratorium in October means that the Green Party will express no confidence in it, during tonight's Budget vote.

"The Green Party signalled last year that we could have no confidence in this Government if it risks our environment and our economic livelihood by recklessly and precipitously allowing the release of GE into our farms, forests and environment," Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said today.

"The Royal Commission recommended that the Government should proceed with caution and recommended that research into the possible effects of GE be undertaken before release. Much of that research is still years from completion.

"It would be crazy to allow the moratorium to expire without knowing the results of this research and, while we will continue to work with any party interested in advancing responsible social policy, we can have no confidence in a Government that rushes so blindly over the precipice," said Ms Fitzsimons.

The Greens will propose an amendment during the Budget third reading debate. It states:

"that this House cannot express confidence in this Labour-Progressive government and their United supporters because they are determined to promote the release in to our farms, fields and environment of unpredictable genetically engineered organisms, despite strong opposition from consumers, growers, food manufacturers, exporters, economists, environmentalists, health workers, local authorities, churches and ordinary people with common sense."

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