Record number of ISDS cases in 2015
10 February 2016
As the world prepares for a massive expansion of the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system through the TPP, startling information has come to light.
TPP tabled in Parliament
10 February 2016
Trade Minister Andrew Robb tabled the National Interest Assessment of the TPP in the House of Representatives on Tuesday. The National Interest Assessment is done by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which negotiated the agreement and is not independent.
He was again criticised for seeking ratification of the TPP without a proper, independent cost-benefit examination of the deal and its impacts on Australians.
Cancer patients arrested during peaceful TPP protest
8 February 2016
Two cancer patients in the US were arrested on World Cancer Day for linking arms and refusing to leave the lobby of PhRMA, the trade association which pushed for extreme medicine monopolies in the TPP.
Protestors hit Auckland's streets as TPP is signed
4 February 2016
As TPP trade ministers held a ceremonial signing in Auckland, thousands of protestors jammed the streets, including Maori performing the traditional Haka. Watch the video here
Minister Robb shoots the messenger, refuses independent TPP assessment
MEDIA RELEASE, February 4, 2016: Trade Minister Robb today rejected calls from 59 community organisations representing over two million Australians for an independent assessment by the Productivity Commission on ABC national radio this morning. He claimed that the broad alliance of public health, church, environment, aid and development and union organisations were just ‘the usual suspects opposed to all trade agreements’.
We must fight to stop “worst trade deal ever", says MSF
4 February 2016
International medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on ll citizens of TPP countries to fight back against the “worst trade deal ever for access to medicines” ahead of the TPP signing to be held in New Zealand today.
TPP Canberra forum a success
4 February 2016
AFTINET joined the ACTU, GetUp and the Public Health Association in Canberra yesterday at a forum hosted by Labor, Greens and independent MPs.
The groups outlined different concerns but were united in calling for an independent review of the TPP before any vote on its implementing legislation.
TPP forum to be held in Canberra today amid strong community opposition
3 February 2016
Fifty-nine community organisations - representing more than two million Australians - have endorsed AFTINET's letter to parliamentarians calling for an independent assessment of the Trans-Pacific Partnership before Parliament votes on the TPP implementing legislation.
TPP faces a rocky road through Parliament
3 February 2016: The signing ceremony on February 4 in Auckland for the Trans-Pacific Partnership is mainly a public relations exercise, writes AFTINET Convener Dr Patricia Ranald for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and the Canberra Times
Read her full article here.
NZ Labour says TPP threatens sovereignty
26 January 2016
The New Zealand Labour Party has released a statement expressing its concern that the TPP threatens sovereignty for little economic gain.