January 30, 2015:Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz warns in the New York Times that US proposals at ongoing TPP talks would strengthen monopoly rights for pharmaceutical companies to delay cheaper generic medicines, and would undermine government regulation of drug prices.
GetUp social media group has released a short video on the TPP called ‘The dirtiest deal you never heard of’. It slams the secrecy of the negotiations and corporate powers to sue governments.The website has a link to AFTINET for further information.
MEDIA RELEASE January 27, 2015
As secret Trans-Pacific (TPP) trade talks resume in New York, an unusually diverse mix of 47 Australian community groups including public health, environment, union, church, development aid and other groups have written an open letter to Trade Minister Robb citing mounting evidence that the TPP is not in the national interest, and demanding that the text be released for public scrutiny before it is signed.
January 27, 2015
A letter from 47 Australian community groups tells Trade Minister that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is not not in the national interest
The ALP and Greens have responded to community concerns raised by AFTINET and others and have initiated a Senate Inquiry into Australia’s trade agreement process. Currently all trade negotiations are secret and we don’t see the details until after they are signed. The terms of reference mean we can raise concerns about secrecy and lack of democracy, educate politicians and promotes public debate about these concerns.
It is important that the Inquiry receives as many submissions as possible by February 27 2015, so that it holds public hearings and maximises publicity. Here are some suggested short points.
James Crisp reported on January 15 that the European Union won’t decide whether to include the investor- state-dispute-settlement (ISDS) clause in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) until the “final phase of the negotiations” with the US.
The New York Times reported on January 8 that a broad coalition of Democratic lawmakers and activists from organized labor, environmental, religious and civil rights groups is stepping up efforts to stop congress from granting "Fast Track" passage of the TPP, forbidding amendments and allowing only a yes or no vote.
A study by health experts published in late December 2014 examines the potential costs for Australia of a proposal in the leaked intellectual property chapter of the Trans-Pacific Trade deal which would delay the availability of cheaper generic medicines and would cost taxpayers over $205 million in one year,
Protestors urged Congress not to grant fast-track authority for the TPP, They want Congress to debate the full text of the agreement, and not to support fast-track, which would mean only a yes or no vote
Canadian-Australian mining company OceanaGold is suing the El Salvador government for $US301 million before a World Bank tribunal. because it refused a permit for a gold mine that would contaminate 60 per cent of the population's drinking water. Step up the pressure by asking OceanaGold investor AMP to demand that it drops the case against El Salvador.