Write to Minister Robb: We can't risk the TPP
It's a deal, so shrouded in secrecy, even our own Parliament doesn't know the details. Watch the video below to find out why Prime Minister Abbott and Trade Minister Robb are so eager to keep this one under wraps.
What's the deal, Minister Robb? New leaks revealed today by Wikileaks suggest the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) looks as bad as we feared – if the leaks are true, foreign companies could take legal action against Australian governments for making regulations in the interests of protecting our environment or food safety. This deal stands a real chance of putting our sovereignty and democracy at risk. In this interview last week, he suggests he hasn't heard from many Australians who are concerned – even though more than 80,000 of us have taken action so far. Let's show him just how many of us are concerned about the TPP: http://www.getup.org.au/tpp
Posted by GetUp! on Thursday, March 26, 2015
For years, there's been talk of creating a new free trade deal that would span countries bordering the Asia-Pacific, including the US, Canada, New Zealand, as well as several countries in Latin America and Asia. The deal is called the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement – or "TPP" for short.
The TPP agenda is being driven by big business, big pharmaceuticals and big tobacco – but the impacts will affect all Australians.
Between foreign corporations suing our governments over public health measures and environmental protection laws, higher pharmaceutical prices, and surveillance of Australians' internet usage, there's a lot for citizens to be concerned about – which is why Prime Minister Abbott and Trade Minister Robb are keeping it quiet.
What we do know from leaked parts of the agreement is terrifying. But most Australians haven't even heard about the TPP. That's why we need to sound the alarm now, and sound it loudly.
Will you write to Minister Robb, asking him not to sign our rights away - and share the video with everyone you know?
The TPP agenda is being driven by big business, big pharmaceuticals and big tobacco – but the impacts will affect all Australians.
Between foreign corporations suing our governments over public health measures and environmental protection laws, higher pharmaceutical prices, and surveillance of Australians' internet usage, there's a lot for citizens to be concerned about – which is why Prime Minister Abbott and Trade Minister Robb are keeping it quiet.
What we do know from leaked parts of the agreement is terrifying. But most Australians haven't even heard about the TPP. That's why we need to sound the alarm now, and sound it loudly.
Will you write to Minister Robb, asking him not to sign our rights away - and share the video with everyone you know?
Want to know more about the TPP?
Do you know about the deal that's keeping people in the dark?Today: Another report confirms that if the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal is signed medicines will be more expensive and controls on alcohol and cigarettes scrapped. Last week: it was further weakened food labelling laws. Next week? The Abbott Government's sending negotiators to the US to finalise this secret, dirty deal - a deal that most Australians have never even heard of. While 500,000 people have already watched our video and said no thanks, we need an even bigger public outcry to put a stop to this. Join us: getup.org.au/tpp
Posted by GetUp! on Tuesday, March 3, 2015
If the trade agreement includes Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions, it could mean that foreign-owned companies will have the power to sue the Australian Government for decisions that adversely impact on their investments in Australia. Worst of all, these cases would be played out in private international courts which only corporations have access to.
For more on the potential dangers of ISDS provisions, see ABC Radio National's story here.
For more on the potential dangers of ISDS provisions, see ABC Radio National's story here.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (or "TPP" as it's known) is a major trade deal being negotiated by Australian and 11 other countries. If agreed to, the deal would account for 800 million people and 40 per cent of the world's economy – making it one of the world's largest trade deals.
Australia joined the TPP negotiations in 2011 under the Gillard Government, and negotiations have since continued under the Abbott Government, which have been largely led by the US.
The 12 negotiating countries include: Australia, the US, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Chile, Mexico, and Peru.
Australia joined the TPP negotiations in 2011 under the Gillard Government, and negotiations have since continued under the Abbott Government, which have been largely led by the US.
The 12 negotiating countries include: Australia, the US, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Chile, Mexico, and Peru.
This is already being seen in the case of tobacco giant Phillip Morris, which is using an ISDS provision in the Australian-Hong Kong treaty to sue the Australian Government over its plain-packaging laws.
When Quebec placed a ban on dangerous fracking processes in a local river, a trade agreement similar to the TPP made it possible for a foreign-owned energy company to file a $250 million lawsuit against the Canadian government.
It's already happening in El Salvador, where a Canadian company is suing the government for $315 million in "loss of future profits" because local citizens won a hard-fought campaign against a gold mine that threatened to contaminate their water supplies.
It's happening in Argentina, where the government imposed a freeze on water and energy bills during the GFC and was sued by an international utilities company.
It's even happening in Canada, where American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is demanding $500 million in compensation — as well as changes to Canadian patent laws — because courts revoked two of its patents for lack of evidence around the drugs' supposed benefits.
For more on the potential dangers of ISDS provisions, see ABC Radio National's story here.
It's already happening in El Salvador, where a Canadian company is suing the government for $315 million in "loss of future profits" because local citizens won a hard-fought campaign against a gold mine that threatened to contaminate their water supplies.
It's happening in Argentina, where the government imposed a freeze on water and energy bills during the GFC and was sued by an international utilities company.
It's even happening in Canada, where American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly is demanding $500 million in compensation — as well as changes to Canadian patent laws — because courts revoked two of its patents for lack of evidence around the drugs' supposed benefits.
For more on the potential dangers of ISDS provisions, see ABC Radio National's story here.
The treaty gives global pharmaceutical companies far-reaching power to extend their patents in order to prevent or delay the manufacture of cheaper generic medicines and curb subsidy programs that keep drugs more affordable in Australia and elsewhere. Imagine having to pay $50-$100 - or more - for a simple asthma inhaler. That's the average cost in the US, when they currently sell for less than $10 here.
...and dob you in for possible copyright infringement. We all know piracy is illegal, but this treaty gives US companies the power to pull strings that could make heavy-handed spying, fines, internet service disconnection and even criminal charges the norm for even the most minor and potentially unintentional infringements. And what about privacy?
When Quebec placed a ban on dangerous fracking processes in a local river, a trade agreement similar to the TPP made it possible for a foreign-owned energy company to file a $250 million lawsuit against the Canadian government. We really don't need foreign-owned mining companies bullying our government or preventing us from protecting our land.
For more information about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, click here to read the Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network's (AFTINET) explainer.
Write to Minister Andrew Robb
According to his recent interview on the 7.30 Report, Minister Andrew Robb doesn't think Australians are concerned about the TPP - the same deal that could put Australia's sovereignty and democracy at risk.He thinks he can get away with negotiating the deal secretively - but we need to let Minister Robb that we still have serious questions about the TPP, and he doesn't have our blessing on what we know so far. Will you use this page to email Minister Robb and tell him that he doesn't have your support on this deal?
Not sure what to say? Use the talking points below the video.