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Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
It is long past time the New Zealand Government took the people into its confidence and explained their position on the TPPA. There is a lot of information floating about through leaks on Wikileaks etc but our elected representative along with their list colleagues are hell bent on keeping New Zealanders ignorant of the gains and losses attributable to this so called free trade agreement.
Firstly Hon Tim Grosser answered some questions I put to him in a letter to the Timaru Herald stating this government had carried out more consultation on the TPPA than any other trade agreement.
He neglected to say however who the consultation was with.
He also stated the agreement would not be signed unless it was advantageous to New Zealanders but neglected to say which New Zealanders, The Haves or Have Nots.
Our Prime Minister has stated the treaty would not be signed if it affected the way in which Pharmac buys pharmaceuticals required for treating New Zealanders yet he has just admitted the pharmaceutical corporates are expecting to extend their patent rights from 20 years to 27 years.
This of course will mean it will be a lot longer before generic medecines are available.
He stated also that the Government would pick up the difference but neglected to say that some drugs may no longer be available because of the extra expense.
This piece of information can be checked in Hansard.
It is common knowledge that the only way members of the TPPA alliance can find out what is in the agreement is to sign it and who in their right minds would sign any document without first examining it. The latest from WikiLeaks is that TPPA means all SOEs will be privatised and run for profit and this is quite believable because of the taking over of the Canterbury Regional Council by Government appointed commissioners and the threatened takeover of the Southern District Health Board.
Grey Power members all over New Zealand are waiting to hear their fate and what the government has in store for them if or when this document is signed
End.
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