❓ A parliamentary question addresses concerns regarding a genetically modified canola animal feeding study, focusing on information access and transparency between ministers, researchers, and reference groups. The current minister acknowledges the issues and outlines steps taken to obtain information.
AnsweredQoN 1122Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CANOLA — ANIMAL FEEDING STUDY
I refer to the $92 000 animal feeding study on genetically modified canola that is being conducted by Dr Judy Carman, and to published comments by Dr Ian Edwards, who was a member of the genetically modified organism reference group established by the former Minister for Agriculture and Food, Hon Kim Chance. (1) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ reported view that the GMO reference group was denied basic information by the previous minister? (2) Is the agriculture minister aware that Dr Carman reportedly said that former Minister Chance’s office was kept informed of the progress in developing this methodology, and that his senior staff member was present when the methodology was approved? (3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
I refer to the $92 000 animal feeding study on genetically modified canola that is being conducted by Dr Judy Carman, and to published comments by Dr Ian Edwards, who was a member of the genetically modified organism reference group established by the former Minister for Agriculture and Food, Hon Kim Chance. (1) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ reported view that the GMO reference group was denied basic information by the previous minister? (2) Is the agriculture minister aware that Dr Carman reportedly said that former Minister Chance’s office was kept informed of the progress in developing this methodology, and that his senior staff member was present when the methodology was approved? (3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(1) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ reported view that the GMO reference group was denied basic information by the previous minister? (2) Is the agriculture minister aware that Dr Carman reportedly said that former Minister Chance’s office was kept informed of the progress in developing this methodology, and that his senior staff member was present when the methodology was approved? (3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(2) Is the agriculture minister aware that Dr Carman reportedly said that former Minister Chance’s office was kept informed of the progress in developing this methodology, and that his senior staff member was present when the methodology was approved? (3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(1) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ reported view that the GMO reference group was denied basic information by the previous minister? (2) Is the agriculture minister aware that Dr Carman reportedly said that former Minister Chance’s office was kept informed of the progress in developing this methodology, and that his senior staff member was present when the methodology was approved? (3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(2) Is the agriculture minister aware that Dr Carman reportedly said that former Minister Chance’s office was kept informed of the progress in developing this methodology, and that his senior staff member was present when the methodology was approved? (3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(3) Is the agriculture minister aware of Dr Edwards’ concern that the current minister has not been provided with any documentation on the progress or protocols of the study; and, is this the case? (4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(4) Has, as has been reported, Dr Carman declined to provide the agriculture minister with confidential updates on the project? (5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(5) Given that Dr Edwards has called for an inquiry, what processes has the agriculture minister undertaken to acquire a comprehensive update on this project? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(1) Yes. (2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(2) Yes, but Minister Redman is unaware of which person from former Minister Chance’s office was privy to that information. (3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(3)-(4) Yes. (5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
(5) Minister Redman and his department wrote to Dr Carman in October 2008, February 2009 and September 2009 requesting detailed information. All responses indicated that the request for information would be referred to the board of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research. Minister Redman and his department will continue to press for a comprehensive report as this is a matter of public accountability.
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