Jane Kelsey speaking (TPP Action Group)

Wellington Forum on the TPP shows public concern
Press Release: TPP Action Group Wellington
Thursday 7th July 2011
For Immediate Release

Strong concern about the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (1) was expressed at a public meeting held in Wellington last night.

“The forum was so well attended that the room was overflowing,” said Mary Ellen O’Connor of the TPP Action Group Wellington. “Over 130 people came to hear Jane Kelsey (University of Auckland) (2), Des O’Dea (University of Otago) (3) and Thomas Beagle (Tech Liberty).

“MFAT and the Government should take note: people do not want the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. We do not want to see negative effects on public health, on our liberties on the internet, on sovereignty, on our ability to limit the harms of mining companies and cigarette companies.

“The TPP is a significant threat to New Zealand that would allow multi-national companies the right to challenge government decisions. This is already happening in Australia with Philip Morris challenging the Australian government's decision to have brand free packing for cigarettes.

“The TPP is not about ‘free trade.’ It’s about ripping the country open to multinational companies,” said Mary Ellen. “The TPP represents the great New Zealand sell-out. The fiasco over The Hobbit, and the Copyright Bill, would be just a taste of what is to come if the government goes ahead with the TPP.”

ENDS

NOTES(1) The Trans Pacific Partnership is a trade and investment agreement being negotiated by New Zealand and eight other countries, including the United States. The text of the agreement is being kept secret. The US negotiating position is based on the North American Free Trade Agreement, it seeks a long term binding agreement to limit the New Zealand government's ability to make laws and adopt policies designed, for example, to allow PHARMAC to provide cheap medicines or to limit tobacco advertising. All to the benefit of global corporations. The text of the agreement must be released so its provisions can be publicly debated.

(2) Jane Kelsey is also Convenor of the 'Release the Text' campaign, and editor of No Ordinary Deal: Unmasking the Trans-Pacific partnership Free Trade Agreement.

(3) Des O’Dea has worked in the past for the Ministry of Health and Midland RHA. His areas of expertise include health services modelling, capitation and population funding formulae, and research into the links between income and health.

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