6 October 2015

TPPA a “betrayal” – union

The government has betrayed the interests of working New Zealanders by signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), says FIRST Union General Secretary Robert Reid.

“The TPPA is a threat to our sovereignty.”

“Under the deal our ability to legislate in the public interest is compromised. Companies who believe their profits or market privileges are threatened can sue our government in secretive overseas tribunals,” says Reid.

“Even on the government’s primary metric for success – dairy access – they’ve fallen remarkably short. Protected dairy markets remain mostly intact.”

“The deal also locks in protections for big pharmaceutical companies with biologics patents, this means less competition and higher prices for Pharmac and ultimately New Zealanders,” says Reid.

“Working New Zealanders can have no confidence in this government.”

ENDS

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