ActionStation: TPPA Bill must be taken off the agenda

Thursday, 10 November 2016, 12:44 pm
Press Release: ActionStation

ActionStation: TPPA Bill must be taken off the agenda

Despite the admission from the Prime Minister that the TPPA now has a ‘zero to none’ chance of being ratified, the Government is still trying to drive the TPPA Amendment Bill through it’s final reading tonight.

People-powered campaigning movement, ActionStation, have delivered over 3,000 emails sent to Peter Dunne in the last 48 hours imploring him to vote against the undemocratic agreement.

“The TPPA Amendment Bill must be taken off the agenda. This is a deeply cynical move by the Government to try to push through legislation that will further erode our democracy under the guise of a trade deal that they have admitted won’t happen” said ActionStation spokesperson, Marianne Elliott.

For over two years hundreds of thousands of everyday New Zealanders have protested against the deal which would hand enormous power to foreign multinational corporations, thereby impinging on our sovereignty and Te Tirititi o Waitangi obligations, while not providing a proven benefit to New Zealand’s economy.

“By not taking the Bill off the order paper, the Government is persisting with what has been an undemocratic process right from the start. In essence the TPPA is a law that makes it against the law to make laws against multinational corporations.”

Independent polling by UMR, crowdfunded by ActionStation members, showed that 62% of New Zealanders either think the TPPA will be a bad deal for New Zealand or remain unsure of it's benefits.

The second reading of the TPPA Bill passed through Parliament last week with a slim majority of 60 to 59.

“This is our final opportunity to stop this legislation in it’s tracks. It’s time Peter Dunne listens to New Zealanders and changes his vote” concludes Elliott

ENDS

© Scoop Media