3 August 2015

Groser’s emotions should not define NZ’s TPPA stance

Tim Groser should not let his personal stake in the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations supersede the best interests of the New Zealand public, said the Green Party today.

“For Tim Groser to say that he doesn’t want to walk away from a shoddy deal because he is ‘not emotionally in the space of wanting to leave’ is quite disturbing,” said Green Party trade spokesperson Dr Russel Norman.

“Who cares if Tim Groser is not emotionally ready to walk away from this deal? This deal should be about what is best for New Zealanders, not his emotions or defining his career.

“Of course, what is best for Kiwis is for the Government to be transparent so that New Zealanders can make up their own minds about whether this deal is good or not.

“It seems that our negotiators from MFAT and Tim Groser, who previously worked at MFAT, are sticking to this deal for ideological reasons rather than what is in New Zealand’s best interest.

“New Zealanders do not want the TPPA, the negotiations have failed in spectacular fashion and even John Key has admitted that New Zealand will pay more for pharmaceuticals under the TPPA. Even the EU trade commissioner has said that the traditional investor state dispute clauses – like the ones found in the TPPA – are no longer fit for purpose in the 21st century. If these are not reasons to walk away, I am not sure what is.

“Even at this stage, there is nothing lost if New Zealand walks away.

“We are not getting a good deal on dairy, Pharmac will be kneecapped, our prospering ICT sector will suffer and our democratic sovereignty will be curtailed if we continue with these negotiations,” said Dr Norman.

ends

© Scoop Media