Closer biotechnology research links between Queensland and New Zealand were discussed by Queensland Premier Hon Peter Beattie and Minister of Research, Science and Technology Pete Hodgson yesterday.

Premier Beattie has been an active promoter of the Queensland Government's ten-year “bioindustries strategy”, launched in 1999, which aims to promote the state as a biotechnology hub. He strongly supports closer links with New Zealand.

Premier Beattie’s visit builds on a growing science relationship with Australia. In February this year, Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton and Australian Prime Minister John Howard agreed to promote closer science links. Since then officials have met and the following initiatives have been agreed:

 establishing a travel fund in New Zealand to build closer links between researchers from the two countries;
 encouraging New Zealand research organisations to be involved in the Australian Co-operative Research Centres Programme;
 increasing the exchange of scientific and policy information;
 jointly showcasing biotechnology opportunities internationally.

“One way New Zealand will increase its capacity for innovation is by strengthening the international links of our scientists and research institutions,” Mr Hodgson said. “Our links with Australia are particularly important and I am pleased that with Queensland they will be getting stronger.”

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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>>