Join AFTINETIs the RCEP the TPP by another name

Sign the PETITION to the Senate against damaging clauses in RCEP

The RCEP is a massive trade deal being negotiated in secret between Australia, New Zealand, China, India, South Korea, Japan and the ten-member countries of ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations). The proposed RCEP would cover half the world's population.

We need to tell all political parties in the Senate not to agree to damaging clauses in the negotiations.

Sign the PETITION to the Senate against damaging clauses in the proposed RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) and in favour of enforceable workers' rights and environmental standards.

You can print a hard copy of the Petition here, and donate to the campiagn here.

See more information, including a short printable flyer, here, and a longer explainer here. 

Women’s rights advocates warn of RCEP risks

November 20, 2019: Kate Lappin, Asia Pacific Regional Secretary of Public Services International, and Michelle Higelin, Executive Director of ActionAid Australia, have warned of the danger that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement (RECP) poses to the 1.1 billion women living in RCEP member countries, arguing that “a gender equitable trade policy is possible. But it would look nothing like the RCEP.”

Economist decodes India’s decision to withdraw from the RCEP

November 11, 2019: Professor Biswajit Dhar from Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi has analysed the Indian government’s decision to withdraw from the RCEP. Highlighting the ongoing disagreement between India and other RCEP countries on market access provisions, the protection and promotion of foreign investment and e-commerce provisions as central to India’s decision to withdraw from the negotiations.

Media Release: Giant RCEP regional trade deal text without India must be released and evaluated before signing says AFTINET

November 5, 2019: “India’s departure from the 16-member Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) announced yesterday in Bangkok is not only caused by India’s resistance to lower tariffs. There is a hidden agenda of non-tariff issues that could restrict future government regulation by giving more rights to global corporations, “AFTINET Convener Dr Patricia Ranald said today.​

Economist argues against Australia joining trade deals that undermine sovereignty

October 31, 2019: A new article by Richard Denniss, chief economist at The Australia Institute, argues against Australia signing free trade agreements that undermine our sovereignty. Denniss calls out the hypocrisy of the Morrison government that has ratcheted up populist rhetoric while signing up to agreements that grant excessive rights to international investors at the expense of the Australian community.

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