Excess investor rights in trade deals an election issue
Writing for the Canberra Times, Thomas Faunce argues that the differing positions on international trade between the Labor/Greens and the Liberals are an election issue.
Trans-Pacific Partnership
TPP: The fight over investment rights
In a recent piece published by the Lowy Institute, Amy Schwebel warns that including clauses in trade agreements that allow foreign corporations to sue governments could limit government policy decisions based on public interest, hence jeopardising Australia's sovereignty.
Six nations to protect health in TPPA
Six nations, including Australia, have pushed against US pressure to extend patent rights on medicines in the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), according to an article published by the Sunday Star Times.
The US led proposal could delay the entry of generic medicines into the market and undermine the Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Letter to Trade Minister Richard Marles
The Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) has sent a letter to Trade Minister Richard Marles detailing our concerns about clauses in trade agreements which would enable foreign investors to sue governments for damages on the grounds that government regulation harms their investment, known as investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS).
The letter has been endorsed by more than 30 organisations Australia-wide.
Trans-Pacific Partnership rules could block alcohol warnings
Deborah Gleeson and Paula O'Brien express their concerns about the proposed new rules for alcohol labelling under the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) on The Conversation
These could prevent the implementation of effective health warnings on alcohol products, including warnings related to consumption during pregnancy.
Senator Questions the Secrecy of TPP Negotiations
Senator Abdul Shukor Mohd Sultan has called on the Malaysian government to make the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) negotiations public in order to allow feedback from the people.
He said the people had the right to know the details of the agreement as it would affect their cost of living.
"Why won't the government disclose the TTPA talks to the public? Is it too technical? Even the senators have not been provided with any information on it for our debates. Why the secrecy?"
MSF letter to TPPA leaders slams US proposals for higher medicine prices
As TPPA negotiations begin in Malaysia this week, MSF (Doctors without Borders) has written to all TPPA leaders seeking rejection of US proposals which would strengthen patent on medicines and delay the availability of cheaper generic medicines
Trade Minister Marles vows not to cave to US pressure
Sydney Morning Herald reports ALP Government continues to oppose investor rights to sue governments, but Opposition willing to negotiate
Trade talks should be in the public, not corporate interest
Joseph E. Stiglitz, Nobel Prize winner for economics, discusses why international trade agreements, including the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), should put public interests ahead of commercial interests. He argues that the current process is neither democratic nor transparent
See http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/economics-blog/2013/jul/05/free-trade...
Reject TPP provisions on patent protection, urge AIDS groups
At a recent conference of international HIV/AIDS groups, many expressed their concerns about the provisions on patent protection in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, arguing that these could reduce access to cheap medicines for many people in need.
See http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/don-t-sign-tpp-agreement...