ACT leader Richard Prebble said he expected the Royal Commission of Inquiry into genetic engineering would be “a huge
waste of time and money.”
“Everybody is included on this Royal Commission except the people who produce the food. How about putting a commonsense
farmer on the commission? What about someone who grows the vegetables?” Mr Prebble said.
“This commission is very politically correct, with the sex and racial balances carefully established by the Government.
Nonetheless, Sir Thomas Eichelbaum is a sensible fellow, although it must be 50 years since he last did any science.
“No-one who has ever produced or manufactured anything is involved – we have a former chief justice, a biology lecturer,
a clergyman, and a GP. We are predicting now that this will be a huge waste of time and money,” he said.
$4.8 million has been budgeted for the 12 month Royal Commission.
ENDS