Greens Condemn Hill's Failure on WTO

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

Monday, 22 November 1999

Greens Condemn Hill's Failure on WTO

Greens Senator Bob Brown says the Government is letting Australia down by
failing to do an environmental assessment of next week's World Trade
Organisation round of negotiations in Seattle.

"Last week US President Clinton ordered such an assessment. Canada and the
European Union have got reviews underway," said Senator Brown.

"Environment Minister Hill has failed his duty to this nation, including
environmentally sensitive businesses.  Besides the natural environment,
clean-green industries may suffer from unbridled trade.  

"The ongoing  scare about imports of fish threatening the Tasmanian Atlantic
salmon industry has had no impact on Canberra.  

"The Howard Government delegation to Seattle includes 8 business people but
has refused an offer by other community interests, including
environmentalists, to go along," said Senator Brown.

Senator Brown gave notice of the following motion:
That the Senate, iIn relation to the World Trade Organisation meeting in
Seattle, supports:

1. an environmental and social impact assessment of proposed new areas of
liberalisation;

2. a reinterpretation of WTO rules and dispute procedures to allow for
legitimate action to protect the environment; 

3. the removal of environmentally harmful subsidies, 

4. clarification of the relationship between WTO rules and eco-labelling;

Further information: Ben Oquist 02 62773170 or 0419704095
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Ben Oquist
Greens Senator Bob Brown
Parliament House, Canberra 2600
Australia
+61 2 62773170 ph
+61 2 62773185 fx
www.greens.org.au/bobbrown
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