Media Statement
Friday 4 December 2009

Dunne: What are we signing up to Mr Power?

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne has called on the Government to release details of the recent international negotiations on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement.

“There is a lot of conjecture about the contents of ACTA and what it will mean for the protection and enforcement of intellectual property and copyright law here in New Zealand,” said Mr Dunne.

“The veil of secrecy surrounding the contents of the ACTA agreement is causing a lot of concern not only here but also among the other nations involved.”
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The EU Parliament has just recently voted to force the European Commission to be much more transparent over ACTA and disclose documents relating to the negotiations.

“It is in the public interest for the Government here to be as transparent as possible over ACTA.”

“While we have been told by Mr Power that the negotiations bear no relevance to the issues around the review of S.92A of the Copyright Act, many people are nervous that this is what has held the current review up.”

“A simple disclosure of the terms and text of ACTA negotiations would allay any misplaced anxiety while also giving New Zealanders the opportunity to voice concerns they may have.”

“Mr Power was quick to listen to New Zealanders over S.92A and scrap Labour’s unjust law; I encourage him to do the same over ACTA,” said Mr Dunne.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The Government's Assault On Maori

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