[Linux-aus] The ALP and the FTA

[Bret Busby <bret@busby.net>]

As I said in a previous message, I had sent emails to the four WA ALP 
senators, regarding the proposed trade agreement with the USA. Only one 
of the senators even acknowledged my correspondence - Ruth Webber. She 
responded to both of the emails that I sent to her.

The second response, which I received yesterday, includes the following, 
which I am posting, with the permission of Senator Ruth Webber's office.

"Thank you for your email of 12 August 2004 regarding the impact of the 
so-called Free Trade Agreement on the information technology industry."

"Labor shares your concerns about US companies' bullying tactics. That 
is why we have developed a range of policies that will rein in their 
influence on intellectual property.

The key proposal is the establishment of a Senate Select Committee on 
Intellectual Property, which will act as a watchdog on the abuse of IP 
arrangements. Its mandate will be to protect local industry against the 
anti-competitive behaviour of big US companies.

I have enclosed a copy of Senator Kate Lundy's media release on this issue."

The media release is at 
http://www.alp.org.au/print.html?link=/media/0804/20008111.html .


--
Bret Busby
Armadale
West Australia
..............

"So once you do know what the question actually is,
 you'll know what the answer means."
- Deep Thought,
  Chapter 28 of
  "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
  A Trilogy In Four Parts",
  written by Douglas Adams,
  published by Pan Books, 1992
....................................................