The formation of a business led network to advocate for trade liberalisation is a welcome step, ACT Trade Negotiations Spokesman Owen Jennings said today.

"This move is overdue given the value to all New Zealanders from opening up markets, reducing protectionism and eliminating subsidies. Farmers have benefited from the gains made under the Uruguay Round and additional gains will achieved if a new round is instigated at Qatar later this month.

"There has been a tendency for the private sector to sit back and let the government of the day take responsibility for convincing New Zealanders of the value of freeing trade and for carrying New Zealand's case to the World Trade Organisation and similar international bodies'.

"It is sadly, abundantly clear that the current government is insufficiently committed to trade liberalisation with the Green party constantly opposing any progressive initiative to reduce protectionism.

"The new organisation has an important role both here and around the world with its investment capable of yielding valuable returns," Mr Jennings said.

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>