Trans-Pacific Partnership
Tobacco companies use trade agreements to undermine tobacco regulation: Gillard
Julia Gillard describes in The Guardian how tobacco companies are using trade agreements to undermine tobacco regulation and why investor rights to sue governments should not be included in the TPP and other trade agreements.
Dr Ranald explains ISDS in Australia
AFTINET Convener, Dr. Patricia Ranald, talks about the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions in the TPP at a NGO press conference in Singapore during TPP talks in December 2013.
Dr Ranald acknowledges the risks ISDS pose to health and environmental regulation, and why it is so controversial in Australia.
20/12/2013
Dr Deborah Gleeson: Update from the latest Trans Pacific Partnership meeting
Dr Deborah Gleeson reports on secrecy and health during the latest Trans-Pacific Partnerhip (TPP) negotiations in Singapore in The Conversation.
16/12/2013
Radio interview: TPP only of benefit for big business
AFTINET's Dr Patricia Ranald interviewed on ABC radio program Pacific Beat: 'TPP only of benefit for big business'
16/12/2013
Study: Aussies in the dark about risky TPP trade deal
The Australia Institute has issued a media release titled Aussies in the dark about risky TPP trade deal, following their recent study on Australian's knowledge and attitudes towards the TPP. The study found most Australians were not even aware that the deal was being negotiated.
14/12/2013
Australia 'stumbling block' on tobacco law
Australia has been accused of failing to defend its historic plain packaging tobacco legislation, with one report from Singapore talks describing Australia as a ‘‘constant stumbling block’’ to other nations attempting to secure the right to follow suit, reports Peter Martin in the Sydney Morning Herald.
13/12/2013
Govt of El Salvador sued over protection of environment
An Australian-based mining company is taking over a mine in El Salvador, blocked by their government for environmental reasons. But the miners have legal power on their side, writes Jemma Williams in the New Matilda
The mining company, recently aquired by Australia-based OceanaGold, is suing the government of El Salvador for almost half of the national schools budget in an international tribunal.
ABC Radio discussions of TPP: Trade deal favours US corporate agenda
ABC breakfast radio reports that Australia, New Zealand and Canada have caved in to US pressure on patents and medicines as part of negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership talks in Singapore, and the US has reportedly prevailed in its demands for longer and stronger patent laws on generic medicines.