To the leaders of NZs political parties, The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), and the way it is being negotiated, are both fundamentally flawed. I want to know what’s being negotiated in my name or for the Government to walk away from the agreement. Because of the far reaching implications for our country, I want to see a rigorous cross-party inquiry established to examine the TPPA to remove the secrecy and to question whether there is any real gain in this agreement for NZ. New Zealands opposition parties must stand shoulder to shoulder and assume the leadership and responsible management of our country that is currently missing from Government’s ‘behind closed doors’ approach. Transparency must be brought to the process. For the sake of future generations and future lawmakers I ask that you target those clauses that will tie our hands behind our back. The provision to prevent foreign companies from being held accountable for the environmental destruction, health risks, and social injustice must be scrapped and our right to self-determination preserved. No Government has the mandate to make such profound decisions for our future. I want a New Zealand where Kiwi innovation thrives without being controlled by foreign corporations who only care about their shareholders. They should not be able to sue the New Zealand government in secretive offshore tribunals for introducing progressive laws, just to protect their profit. This will make it harder for the government to safeguard our environment, promote public health and make decisions in our best interest. I want a country where future governments are free to act in the interests of ordinary kiwis, to safeguard our values and the things we hold dear like our clean beaches, land and rivers - the very assets that will be the bedrock of a cleaner, smarter New Zealand. I don’t want big pharmaceutical companies to be given more powers over PHARMAC, and I don’t want the availability of affordable generic medicines to be reduced. I don’t want New Zealand’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 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 a foreign economic treaty to take precedence over the Treaty of Waitangi. I am deeply concerned that the Government is negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement in secret, without public consultation which undermines the very democratic principles that we all cherish. I and all kiwis have the right to know what is done in our name and to have a say. Make the negotiations public, and don’t trade away our future. WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT PATHS BUT WE ALL SHARE THE SAME GOAL! A FREE HUMANITY
Posted on: Thu, 18 Sep 2014 00:32:46 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015