Cemented into the CP/TPP = Stuck in a 20th Century Trade Treaty

ConcretePlusTPP (CPTPP)

As Labour MP David Parker prepares to sign the CPTPP trade deal in Chile, four (4) people have cemented themselves in place in front of Minister for Primary Industry, Damien O'Connor's Labour Party office in Motueka. They say, “We want people and planet-friendly ethical trade rules.” Standing shin deep in concrete in Motueka, Dr. Joanna Santa Barbara, a co author of Our Climate Declaration*, states, “Don’t cement Kiwis into a deal where foreign corporations tell us what laws we can pass.”

“Despite years of opposition to the TPP, the people of Aotearoa are being stuck in the TPP treaty. By signing we’ll be a step closer to being cemented in place, vulnerable to being sued by overseas corporations when we try to take action on climate change, public health, or to protect our waterways”

“Kiwis must get moving to encourage the Government to break out of the CPTPP before the concrete can finally set with CP/TPP ratification by parliament” Joanna continued. Dr Santa Barbara was clear that the action today was intended to “send a message to the people of New Zealand - to pay attention and get active, because the Labour led government is using the same TPP concrete that we opposed when National was the mixing the cement. It's the same Cement brand – good for transnational corporations.”

She finished with a message to New Zealand Government Ministers, “We will continue to work to protect our future from dangerous climate change, enhance public policy particularly health, and stop the exploitation of our rivers. This is your chance to show leadership on these issues and listen to the people. If not, we’ll be making cracks to grow through the concrete.”

Years of sustained protest saw Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens all coming into power opposing the TPP trade deal.

Greg Rzesniowiecki said, “The Government coalition parties, are the ones who have pulled a tricky stunt, flipping New Zealand into 20th Century regressive cement.”

“22 of the 1000+ TPP provisions have been suspended to rebrand it CPTPP, pending US re-entry, but they have not been removed. Everyone knows the agreement signed in Chile on the 8th of March will not survive US reentry as they want more for US corporations making it Concrete Plus TPP.”

After Chile it will still need to be ratified by the NZ government to fully come into effect.

Joanna said; “We are resisting - don't cement NZ in CPTPP!”

“Let's do this: petition NZ parliament for healthy trade policy and treaties” http://dontdoit.nz

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