The World Trade Organisation last night ruled that Europe had broken
international trade rules by blocking the import of genetically
modified food, in a decision US trade officials hailed as a victory.
The
WTO found that Europe had imposed a de facto ban on GM food imports for
six years from 1998 which violated trade agreements, and that Austria,
France, Germany, Greece, Italy and Luxembourg also had no legal grounds
to impose their own unilateral import bans.
Full story in the Guardian
Cabinet was expected on 6 February 2006 to approve the sale of the
federal Government’s 13 per cent stake in Snowy Hydro Ltd, moving the
electricity generator closer to a $2 billion public float, reported The Australian (7/2/2006, p.2).
Decision to sell will cloud COAG meeting: The decision follows a
controversial move by the NSW Government to sell its billion-dollar
stake in the power generator. But Canberra’s decision to sell could
heighten state and federal tensions in the lead-up to Friday’s Council
of Australian Governments meeting, which will focus on replacing the
decade old competition policy.
VIC govt undecided: Victoria is yet to decide if it will follow
Canberra and NSW’s lead and sell its 29 per cent stake in Snowy Hydro.
Federal Industry Minister lan MacFarlane has led the Government’s
efforts over several years to sell the commonwealth’s slice.
The Australian, 7/2/2006, p. 2
To take some measures: It would now be up to the Security
Council to decide what further action to take. It is expected to start
by making a so-called “presidential statement” reinforcing the IAEA’s
demands. China, a permanent member of the Security Council, opposes
sanctions.
The Australian, 6/2/2006, p. 11
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net
The Canberra Times, 4/2/2006, p. B4
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net
The Sydney Morning Herald, 3/2/2006, p. 2
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net
It’s all about getting Green preferences: Moreover, the measures
represent a policy invasion by the Victorian Government, which is
muscling in on an area of Commonwealth responsibility. The upside for
the Labor Party is that efficiency sapping energy measures will help
cement Green preferences which might deliver Labor control of the State
Upper House. But $1 billion and a legacy of hopelessly uneconomic
windmills is a high price to charge the Victorian people for the
privilege of representing them.
The Age, 3/2/2006, p. B10
Source: Erisk – www.erisk.net