Thousands say NO to Investors’ Rights to Sue

Over 4,700 Kiwis have told the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee that they oppose giving foreign investors’ the right to sue NZ when we change our laws, according to It’s Our Future spokesperson Edward Miller.

Submission for the Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and the Republic of Korea (NZSKFTA) closes today, and 4762 submission were sent from submission forms run by It’s Our Future and campaigning platform Action Station.

“This Select Committee has given thousands of kiwis the chance to break the sound barrier and voice their concerns about secret deals that give foreign investors the right to challenge our laws and policies in costly lawsuits,” said Edward Miller.

“With TPPA negotiations taking place with the US and 10 other countries behind closed doors, New Zealanders have been given practically no formal input into these deals. Yet this enormous response shows that people really do want input these deals, and want to be able to decide to say no to investors’ rights to sue.”

“Secret agreements and investor rights are a recipe for an agreement that suits the interests of the very few to the detriment of the rest of us. We cannot change the content of the Korea Agreement, but we can make our voices heard about what we want to see in future agreements.”

“For that reason It’s Our Future has welcomed the introduction of the Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill from New Zealand First, and looks forward to seeing the Bill debated in Parliament.”

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