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

 

What’s the Rush? Halt the TPPA Ratification process

What’s the Rush? Halt the TPPA Ratification process

The Parliamentary Inquiry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) has concluded with strong opposition expressed by Labour, the Green Party and NZ First.

It’s Our Future – Kiwis Against the TPPA spokesperson, Barry Coates, commented: “There is no a sufficient basis of support for a responsible government to move ahead with ratification of the TPPA. Not only do the main opposition parties oppose ratification of the TPPA, so does the New Zealand public according to public opinion polls.”

The Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Select Committee released its report into the TPPA yesterday after a huge response to the Inquiry. There were 6351 written submissions and 255 individuals or groups gave oral evidence, the vast majority against the TPPA.

The opposition parties criticised key elements of the TPPA, including the inclusion of an Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism that would allow foreign corporations to sue the New Zealand government in an international tribunal, and the undermining of the government’s right to regulate in the public interest. They noted that New Zealand would be giving up significant sovereignty and protection of important rights for the public in exchange for a very small amount of economic benefit, if any.

Barry Coates commented: “The reports from opposition political parties are damning. It is time the government stopped trying to sell a bad deal and started listening. Public opinion polls show that that the New Zealand public do not want the TPPA. It would be deeply undemocratic if the government continued with the TPPA which would remove democratic rights for future governments”

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.

Barry Coates questioned the undermining of democratic process, highlighted by the three opposition parties in their reports on the TPPA: “The arrogant disregard for democratic process shown in six years of secretive negotiations has continued. The government-controlled Select Committee ignored calls for more time for the large number of submitters to respond to over 6000 pages of complex legal text. The timing of the report was brought from the end of May to yesterday, allowing only three days from the end of hearings. This shows disrespect for democracy and the submissions process.”

Barry Coates concluded: “What’s the rush? It appears that the government is looking to change New Zealand legislation at a time when it is clear that the TPPA may never be ratified by enough countries to bring it into force. It is time to call a halt to the ratification process.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media

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


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... 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.