29 JULY 2015

New Zealand First Shut Out of Debate on TPPA

National finally admitted medicines will cost more once the TPPA deal is signed, yet denied New Zealand First time in Parliament to debate the issues around this so-called trade agreement.

“The TPPA is in its final days of negotiation in Hawaii and with the dire consequences this agreement brings, the Speaker denied us the time yesterday to raise the real issues New Zealanders are concerned about, says New Zealand First’s Trade Spokesperson Fletcher Tabuteau.

“The public have been completely misled by this government, particularly the Prime Minister and the Trade Minister, who have both gone on record to assure every New Zealander that the costs of medicines won’t rise under this agreement.

“The Prime Minister has been caught lying. He has had to admit that the cost of our medicines will rise because patents are going to be extended under the Trans Pacific Partnership. He’s now running a farcical line that Kiwis won’t pay more because the government will increase the subsidy. This is nonsense. Any subsidy from the government is taxpayers’ money.

“New Zealand First supports the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) who have made it clear that higher drug costs will put more pressure on our already struggling healthcare system and will further compromise the health of all New Zealanders.

“These negotiations have been conducted in secrecy and clearly have been conducted contrary to the best interests of New Zealanders.

“The Prime Minister asked us to trust him and his Trade Minister. With his admission yesterday we can no longer trust him, or his government to be upfront and honest with New Zealanders.”

ENDS

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