Government response to select committee inquiry

The government's formal response to the report of the Local Government and Environment Select Committee inquiry into the alleged accidental release of genetically modified corn has been presented to Parliament, Environment Minister Marian Hobbs, announced today.

The Local Government and Environment Committee reported on its 'Inquiry into the alleged accidental release of genetically enginered sweet corn plants in 2000 and the subsequent actions taken' in October this year.

Marian Hobbs said the committee reached several unanimous conclusions about what it considered was inadequate preparation for enforcing new law.

"The committee made 10 unanimous recommendations," Marian Hobbs said. "The government is taking action to implement nine of the 10 recommendations, which deal with good practice. The 10th recommendation has merit, but requires further consideration because of the complexity of the issues it raises."

The minister explained the timing of the response being lodged.

"Under Parliament's rules the response had to be presented to the House by January 17, 2005 but with Parliament sitting under urgency we were precluded from tabling the response last week," Marian Hobbs said, "and, because of the Christmas break, we would not have been able to lodge the response until January 17.

“In consultation with the Select Committee Chair, Jeanette Fitzsimons, and the Deputy-Chair, David Parker, agreement was reached to table the report today.”

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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>>