This page contains media reports related to our PACER-Plus Campaign.
It will be regularly updated with new media items.
Brisbane negotiating Round – 26th to 28th March 2012.
On 26th March 2012 the Australian Government will be hosting the second Non-State Actors (NSA) meeting on PACER-Plus. This meeting is meant to be the premier consultative forum for NGO’s and Business’s interested in PACER-Plus.
The NSA occurs in conjunction with the Forum Island Trade Ministers Meeting, which is scheduled to take place on 27th and 28th March 2012 in Brisbane.
30 March 2012: Media coverage
Two short articles on March 30th 2012 on Radio New Zealand as a result of AFTINET joint media release with PANG issued on 28th March 2012.
NGO says benefits in alternative approaches to Pacific trade negotiations: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=67173
Call for more funding so NGOs can take part in Pacific trade talks: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=67169
28 March 2012: Non-State Actor Dialogue Fails 'meaningful' test at PACER-Plus talks
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) and AFTINET have issued a joint media release on the Non-State Actors dialogue which took place in Brisbane on Monday 26th March. For a copy of the media release follow this link.
23 March 2012: NGOs critical of 'consultation about consultation' on regional trade agreement
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG), AFTINET and AID/WATCH have issued a joint media release critical of the key consultation on PACER-Plus which occurs once per year. For a copy of the media release follow this link.
Pacific Leaders Meeting - Auckland, New Zealand September 2011.
Will Australia and New Zealand really allow sovereignty to Pacific Countries on Trade Decisions - media release 12th September 2011.
AFTINET and AID/WATCH released a joint media statement on 12th September calling on the Australian government to reflect on the outcomes of the Pacific Island Leaders meeting and honour the sovereignty of the Pacific Island Countries. For a copy of the media release follow this link.
NGOs tell Australia to Respect Island Country Sovereignty – Australia Risks its Reputation in the Pacific - media release, 2nd September 2011.
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) and AFTINET released a joint media statement on 2nd September calling on the Australian government to respect the sovereignty of the Pacific Island Countries. For a copy of the media release follow this link.
The funding saga over the Office of Chief Trade Adviser (OCTA) drags on, with a battle raging on ABC's PACBeat. It culminated with the OCTA claiming Australia was attempting to undermine the sovereignty of the Pacific Island Countries. To listen to the interviews follow the links below:
Office of Chief Trade Advisor - Funding Dispute:
Greens slam Australia's handling of Pacific Chief Trade Advisor office
Updated August 30, 2011 17:00:48
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201108/s3305952.htm
The Australian Greens say Canberra is using strong arm tactics on the Pacific Islands and trying to undermine the independence of the region's crucial Chief Trade Advisor's Office.
The office was set up to provide advice to the Pacific countries in their negotiations with Australia and New Zealand over PACER Plus - a controversial new trade agreement.
Last month, New Zealand signed a new 2-year funding deal for the office but Australia is stalling.
Presenter: Pacific Economic and Business reporter, Jemima Garrett
Speaker: Senator Lee Rhiannon, Australian Green's spokesperson on overseas aid
Aust rejects Greens' claims on Pacific trade funding
Updated August 31, 2011 10:44:38
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201108/s3306347.htm
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, rejects any suggestion that Canberra is throwing its weight around in negotiations for the new round of funding for the Office of the Chief Trade advisor.
Australia has already funded the first year of the Office's operations and is in routine negotiations about its commitment to fund the next two years.
Presenter: Jemima Garrett
Speaker: Richard Marles, Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs
Pac Trade Advisor says funding offer challenges Pacific sovereignty
Updated September 1, 2011 10:26:54
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201109/s3307353.htm
The Pacific's Chief Trade Advisor, Chris Noonan, says Australia is still placing unacceptable conditions on funding for the Office he heads - an Office tasked with providing expert advice for the Pacific's negotiations with Australia and New Zealand for the proposed PACER Plus trade agreement.
A new draft funding contract was delivered to Mr Noonan late on Tuesday, following allegations from the Australian Greens that Canberra is using the funding to undermine the independence Chief Trade Advisor's Office.
Mr Noonan says the contract is better than the previous draft sent in May, but still not good enough to sign.
Presenter: Jemima Garrett
Speaker: Chris Noonan, Chief Trade Advisor to the Forum Island Countries
May 2011 - Call for independence of the Office of Chief Trade Advisor:
The recent Pacific Island Forum Trade Ministers Meeting, held in Tonga on 18th & 19th May 2011, failed to resolve the issue of funding for the Office of Chief Trade Advisor (OCTA). The issue was deferred until the Pacific Island Fourm Leaders Meeting in Auckland in September, timed for the Rugby World Cup.
AFTINET and Aid/Watch have issued a call for both Australia and New Zealand to fund the OCTA with no strings attached. Follow this link to download the media release.
The call for no strings attached funding has recieved some media attention already with reports on Radio New Zealand, ABC Radio National's Pacbeat program, Island Business and PACNEWS.
Pacific Trade Winds Consultation:
The following links are to media coverage of the Pacific Trade Winds Consultation in Suva from 18th-20th November 2010.
http://fijitv.info/yahoo_site_admin/assets/docs/8.323231520.wmv
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=160188
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=160189
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=160187
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=160241
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=160242
http://www.fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=49203
http://www.fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=49257
http://www.fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=49333
http://www.fijisun.com.fj/main_page/view.asp?id=49334
