Tell the your State Minister that GM crops is an election issue – for you
The Australian state governments of New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria are under pressure from the Howard Federal Government and the biotech industry to lift bans on growing genetically modified (GM) food crops, like GM canola.
All have announced panel inquiries into whether the GM bans are necessary. Yes, they are!
Email or write to your State MP, letting them know that you are against GM products and you consider this to be a federal election issue. With enough response from the public, they’ll be sure to pass the news onto Kevin Rudd and cohorts.
The current legislation for states and territories are:
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has introduced a moratorium on the commercial release of GM food crops in the ACT until 2006+. The moratorium will be reviewed annually. The Health Minister has indicated that the ACT will continue to support licensed, scientific research into genetically modified organisms (GMOs) being conducted in territory.
Katy Gallagher, MLA
Deputy Chief Minister; Minister for Health
ACT Legislative Assembly
GPO Box 1020
Canberra ACT 2601
gallagher@act.gov.au
The New South Wales (NSW) Government has banned GM food crops until 2008. It has not banned GM cotton, which has been grown commercially in Australia since 1996, and will allow any GM crop field trials to continue at the discretion of the Agriculture Minister.
The Hon. Ian Macdonald,
Level 33 Governor Macquarie Tower,
1 Farrer Place,
Sydney NSW 2000
macdonald.office@macdonald.minister.nsw.gov.au
The South Australian (SA) Government has implemented legislation to establish a moratorium on GM crops until 2008. The Bill does provide for exemptions to allow field trials to continue under specific conditions.
Hon Rory McEwen MP
Minister for Agriculture, Food & Fisheries
GPO Box 668
Adelaide SA 5001
minister.mcewen@state.sa.gov.au
The Tasmanian Government has extended its moratorium on the commercial release of GM crops and animals in Tasmania until 2009. Provisions for research trials using GM non-food crops continue to be strictly enforced, for example GM poppy field trials have continued in the state despite the moratorium
David Llewellyn
Minister for Primary Industries and Water
GPO Box 123B
Hobart TASMANIA 7001
No email address!
The Victorian Government has implemented a moratorium until 2008, with the Control of Genetically Modified Crops 2004 Bill passed in May 2004. The Bill specifically prohibits the commercial planting of GM canola.
Joe Helper
Minister for Agriculture
PO Box 175
Maryborough VIC 3465
joe.helper@parliament.vic.gov.au
In December 2003, the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Bill 2003 was passed by Western Australian Parliament, and in March 2004, the Premier declared the entire state of Western Australian a GM free area.
A review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act is to be conducted in 2008.
The Hon Kim M Chance MLC
Minister for Agriculture and Food
11th Floor, Dumas House
2 Havelock Street
West Perth WA 6005
kim-chance@dpc.wa.gov.au
Both the Queensland and Northern Territory Governments support the national gene technology regulatory scheme and have not implemented any further legislation.