Media release: Its Our Future

Friday October 4, 2013

Wake-up call to National as 5000 sign TPPA petition in 3 days

In just over three days, more than 5000 New Zealanders have signed the petition to release the draft text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA). 

The petition was launched on Tuesday as the TPPA trade ministers prepared to meet in Bali this week to discuss political trade-offs in the hope of concluding the deal. 

A video by well known New Zealand musicians, actors and commentators has been released to promote the petition under the banner "It's not democracy – and it's not right!".

‘This response is a wake up call for the government’, said said Robert Reid, FIRST Union General Secretary, a sponsor of the petition.

‘Prime Minister Key and trade minister Groser seem to think the secrecy of the TPPA is a non-issue and if they keep saying “trust us” people will just say “OK”. ‘

Robert Reid warned ‘as these negotiations roll towards an election year, the TPPA looks set to become a political issue. All political parties should take note’.

Musician Moana Maniapoto, who contributed to the video, sent a congratulations message to the website while performing in South Korea: 

‘New Zealand prides itself on being transparent and democratic, yet New Zealanders are being cut out of the entire negotiations process by our representatives who will only tell us the details of the agreement AFTER it is signed.’ 

‘It is our right to see what is being negotiated in our name, and in the name of our children. 5000 strong and still counting.'

The petition, at www.itsnotright.org.nz, remains open for six weeks.

Ends.

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Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>