TPPA secrecy is undemocratic

The continuing silence of most New Zealand MPs regarding government’s clandestine negotiations about the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement indicates either their ignorance of what is going on or their willing connivance in selling New Zealand down the river, according to Democrats for Social Credit (DSC) health spokesman David Tranter.

The DSC has already called attention to the threat posed by TPPA secret deals to Pharmac’s ability to purchase pharmaceuticals at low cost, but added to this is the further threat to any revamp of New Zealand’s alcohol laws whereby any desirable changes would be opposed by international liquor companies.

“If they get their way our government could be sued if they tried to make such changes as raising the purchase age or lowering the blood alcohol level for drivers” Mr. Tranter said.

“Similar constraints would apply if the tobacco industries get their way in the TPPA negotiations. The Uruguay government is already being sued by Philip Morris Tobacco because they have legislated to require cigarette packaging to show the harmful effects of smoking. Philip Morris Asia has also stated their intention to take legal action against the Australian government concerning its plan to introduce plain packaging for tobacco products.

“That this action is being taken under the Bilateral Investment Treaty between Australia and Hong Kong further illustrates the tortuous processes by which these threats to countries’ sovereignty are being pursued” Mr. Tranter said.

Given that the TPP negotiations were begun in March 2010 and that seven rounds of negotiations have taken place, it is extraordinary that the government have kept the public totally in the dark and that most MPs seem quite happy to connive in that secrecy, Mr Tranter concluded.

ENDS

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