Following more leaked TPP documents, Peter Martin publishes the article ‘Leaked memo shows steep concessions for Pacific trade deal’ in the Sydney Morning Herald. The leaked documents, published by The Huffington Post and WikiLeaks, are a memo and spreadsheet prepared by negotiators from one of the 12 nations attempting to reach agreement.
The Guardian published an overview of the agreement titled ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership: a guide to the most contentious issues’. They list each of the following issues by sub-heading: Intellectual property, Investment, E-commerce, Medicines and health, Environment, Financial regulation, Labour rights, Tobacco control and Agriculture.
10/12/2013
Trade Minister Robb has admitted that he is ready to allow foreign investors the right to sue governments as part of the TPP.
The government claims that health and environment legislation have been carved out from the ISDS clauses in the agreement. But this has proved impossible in other agreements, where investors have pursued cases even when there have been so-called exemptions for health and environment laws.
Peter Martin writes about the secrecy surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, reporting that “the government has refused the Senate access to the secret text of the trade deal it is negotiating in Singapore, saying it will only be made public after it has been signed.”
9/12/2013
Deborah Gleeson published an article on The Conversation titled ‘What you need to know about the Trans Pacific Partnership’ as ministers meet in Singapore.
Also in the Conversation, Brigitte Tenni published: ‘US concessions don’t give Trans Pacific partners access to drugs’
6/12/2013
'Senate to force TPP publication', Delimiter reports. “The news comes as consumer advocacy group CHOICE today ran an advertisement in The Australian newspaper informing Australians about the secretive trade deal,” the article reads, and includes quotes from Choice’s CEO. Read the article
5/12/2013
4/12/2013
Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, Penny Wong, today published an article in the Financial Review titled 'TPP must not trade away Australia’s national interest'.
3/12/2013
AFTINET's Convener, Dr Patricia Ranald writes for Working Life about upcoming Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations in Singapore.
"There is an agenda for change our domestic legislation which is being driven by US corporate and industry interests. This agenda would permanently limit the ability of governments to regulate in the public interest.
"This week I’m heading to Singapore for a meeting to which I’m not invited. Trade ministers from twelve countries will gather from 7-10 December for the last scheduled meeting for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations. I’ll be hovering at the margins, hoping for an audience..." Read More
27/11/2013
ABC's The Business aired a short segment on the Trans Pacific Partnership and its impact on medicine prices and public health resources.