The CTU is concerned that the "upgrade" of the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement has not removed the threat of
investor suits against the New Zealand government (Investor-State Dispute Settlement, ISDS). Alongside the reduced
oversight of Chinese investment into New Zealand with the raised threshold of business investment to $100 million for
government investments and $200 million for non-government investments, the risk of poor quality investment is raised
while the ability of China-based investors to sue the New Zealand government in international investment tribunals
remains.
CTU Economist Dr Bill Rosenberg comments, "We urge the Government to release the text of the changes as a matter of
priority so that the public can see the nature of new commitments such as in government procurement, e-commerce,
audio-visual services, real estate services and "other education services". With the TPPA, the text was released before
legal checking. With appropriate warnings, and the same could apply."
"Similarly we urge the release of the text of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) deal which MFAT
tell us is complete even though schedules of commitments and India’s agreement are still being negotiated," Rosenberg
said.
ENDS