Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Oxfam calls for ‘no decision’ on Pacific FTA

For immediate release

Oxfam calls for ‘no decision’ on Pacific free-trade agreement

23 August 2016

Current negotiations on the PACER-Plus regional free trade agreement between Pacific Island countries, Australia and New Zealand are edging closer to completion, with Pacific people most likely to lose out in the deal.

The Pacific free-trade agreement has been heralded as a “development agreement” that will help build robust economies generate sustainable growth amongst the Pacific countries.

However, there are concerns about the potential impact of encouraging more foreign investment and greater access for overseas companies to the Pacific nations’ internal market.

A recently released report from the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) highlights the threats posed to Pacific governments, including their right to regulate, the right to food for Pacific Islanders, significant negative health impacts, and disproportionate impacts that would be borne by women.

Oxfam supports the report’s recommendation that there be no decision on PACER-Plus until there is a fully-funded, no bias, independent assessment to allow Pacific people to make an informed decision about exactly what the agreement means.

Rachael Le Mesurier, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand said that Pacific economies face unique challenges and any regional trade policy must bear that in mind. “The Pacific is unique for its number of small island developing states and it is hard to see how a free trade agreement can be a fair trade agreement if small countries, with populations of a hundred thousand or less, are up against New Zealand, Australia and the WTO powers.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“Whilst the negotiators have gone some way to speak to these concerns the substance remains, that there are very real doubts as to whether PACER-Plus will provide fair benefit for those living in the Island nations.”

Civil society groups, trade unions, church groups, environmentalists, gender activists and many more are calling for Ministers to make no decision onPACER-Plus until there has been a proper social impact assessment and mandate from the Pacific people who are most likely to be affected.

Trade Ministers will meet in Christchurch on August 26th to further discuss PACER-Plus and make any recommendations to Leaders.

-ENDS-


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.