I’m concerned that you are negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in secret, without a satisfactory level of public consultation. All I can find out about the TPPA is based on leaked documents and detective work. This is not acceptable. Australia is a democracy, which means that we have the right to know what is done in our name and to have a say. If the TPPA goes ahead, you will be putting at risk our innovative economy, our pristine environment, our health, and the ability to shape our own future. I don’t want foreign investors to be given more rights to buy up Australia, and I don’t think they should be able to sue the Australian government in secretive offshore courts if they claim that new laws have negatively affected their investment. I’m worried that this will make it harder for the government to protect our environment, promote public health and protect the nation’s interest. I don’t want big pharmaceutical companies to be given more powers over our PBS, and I don’t want the availability of affordable generic medicines to be reduced. I don’t want Australia’s copyright laws to be re-written in a way that would restrict internet freedom, restrict access to information, and stifle innovation. I don’t want to pay more for everyday products because parallel imports are banned. I don’t want foreign banks, insurance companies and money traders to be given more powers to challenge laws designed to prevent another financial crisis. I don’t want future Australian governments to have their hands tied — we need them to act in the interests of ordinary Australian’s, not foreign investors and big corporations. The TPPA will have a huge impact on Australians both now and into the future and we want to have a say. Please feel free to send this to your local member.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 07:36:57 +0000