Poll finds 75% want independent analysis on TPPA-11

Wednesday, 28 February 2018, 6:45 pm
Press Release: ActionStation

Poll finds 75% of New Zealanders want independent analysis on TPPA-11 before it’s signed
Media release: ActionStation

A new poll shows that 75% of New Zealanders want independent analysis on the revised TPPA agreement before the government signs it.

“The results overwhelming show the public support for the government to take a second, independent, look at the agreement before they sign us up to a deal which could restrict the ability of our government to make laws in the public interest” says ActionStation spokesperson Rick Zwaan.

The polling was crowdfunded by hundreds of members of the ActionStation community who remain concerned about the agreement and was conducted between 19th and 26th of February by independent research company UMR.

“We’re pleased the government has released analysis conducted by MFAT ahead of signing the deal but many experts have critiqued that analysis and found similar flaws to thoseas that the Labour Party criticised during the orginal TPPA debate. In order for the public to have confidence in what the government plans to sign us up to they must commission an independent analysis of the agreement.”

“It’s crucial that we know exactly what the impact of this agreement will have on our health system, world leading Pharmac model, our ability to create effective laws to ensure a safe climate future, and people’s jobs and livelihoods.”

“For example the Council of Trade Unions Economist, Bill Rosenberg, has highlighted how MFAT’s analysis assumes that anyone who loses their job because of this trade deal will immediately be reemployed. All the evidence, and common sense, shows that’s not realistic. This flaw is just one example of why we need independent analysis on the agreement.”

“Anyone buying a car wouldn’t just take the salespersons’ word for it, you’d get a mechanic to take a second look before handing over the cash. Why wouldn’t we do the same thing before signing a far more significant agreement?”

“We hope Trade Minister David Parker acknowledges the vast public concern and commissions independent analysis of the agreement” concludes Mr Zwaan.

Details of the poll:
The poll was crowdfunded by ActionStation members and conducted between 19th to 26th of February by independent research firm UMR. A representative sample of New Zealanders 18 and older were asked:

“As you may be aware, the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, sometimes called the TPPA for short, is an international trade agreement that the government has recently re-negotiated with other countries. Even though it may carry some cost, and take some time, in general do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose or strongly oppose the government getting an independent analysis of the agreement before signing it?”

© Scoop Media