There are a number of Joint Standing Comittees Starting that might be off interest to people. The Federal Deptartment of Health and Aged Care under "Towards a National System of Gene Technology Regulation" is seeking community views and comment on the "Draft Gene Technology Bill 2000 (dated December 1999)". This Bill is said to cover the regulation of all aspects of the research, development and use of GMOs and their products. The Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (IOGTR) "welcomes submissions from interested individuals and organisations. The website address is: www.health.gov.au/tga/genetech.htm. Also there is much of this going to be a Joint Standing Committee the role of the United Nations in Australia. (Details below and are from The Australian - Saturday 27/11/99). Of particular interest is the "question of a standing army"!!! Regards Kerry Spencer-Salt B.E., LL.B (Hons) The National Watchman Australian Community Organisation P.O. Box 136, Surry Hills NSW 2010 Phone : (02) 9360 0610 E-Mail : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website : www.rockroll.com.au/watchman AUSTRALIA�S RELATIONS WITH THE UNITED NATIONS ============================================= On 15 November 1999 the Minister for Foreign Affairs referred the following matter to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Through the sub-Committee on the United Nations, chaired by Senator Ferguson, the Committee will inquire into and report on the role of the United Nations and Australia's relationship with the organisation in the post Cold War environment. Of particular interest is the increasing demand for and the changing nature of peacekeeping operations; the implications of these operations for national sovereignty: the question of a standing army for the United Nations; an International Criminal Court; and reform of the structure and financial arrangements for the United Nations. Written submissions are invited from organisations and individuals interested in placing evidence before the Committee. if possible, the Committee prefers submissions delivered electronically. Submissions become Committee documents and are generally made public after consideration by the Committee. Persons making submissions should not release them without the prior concurrence of the Committee. The Committee will consider all submissions and may invite individuals and organisations to give oral evidence at a public hearing. Full terms of reference and information on how to make a submission may be obtained by contacting the Secretariat or by visiting our web site. Submissions should be forwarded by 21 February 2000 to: The Secretary Sub-Committee on the United Nations Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Parliament House . CANBERRA ACT 26OO. For further Inquiries: Telephone: (02) 6277 2313, Facsimile: (02) 6277 2221. Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] au Web site: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/ jfadt/U_Nations/UNIndex.htm ---------------------------------------------------------------- This is the Neither public email list, open for the public and general discussion. To unsubscribe click here Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=unsubscribe To subscribe click here Mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Subject=subscribe For information on [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.neither.org/lists/public-list.htm For archives http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
