Call for Senate to vote down TPP as Aus Govt backs dead deal

MEDIA RELEASE                                            January 16, 2017

Fair trade groups call for Senate to vote down TPP as government backs a dead agreement

“The Prime Minister is backing a dead horse in his attempt to push the TPP implementing legislation through the Parliament despite the fact that Donald Trump will announce after January 20 that the US will withdraw from the agreement,” Dr Patricia Ranald, Convener of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network said today.

President-elect Trump has appointed key trade advisers who are opposed to the TPP, and has said he will make an announcement of withdrawal soon after his inauguration.

Dr Ranald said the TPP text is clear that it cannot proceed without endorsement from the US, the largest of the 12 economies involved.

An Australian Senate inquiry report into the TPP is due to report on February 7. The ALP and Greens have a majority on this committee, and both have declared today that they will not support the implementing legislation. The Senate report is expected to recommend against proceeding with legislation for an agreement which will not proceed.  The Nick Xenophon team and Jacqui Lambie have also consistently opposed the TPP.

Dr Ranald said community groups opposed the TPP because it gives global companies the right to bypass national courts and sue governments for millions of dollars in unfair international tribunals over domestic laws. It extends monopolies on biologic medicines for an additional three years, delaying cheaper versions of those medicines, which would cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars per year. It also entrenches copyright monopolies. Chapters on services reduce the ability of future governments to regulate essential services. The TPP also increases the numbers of temporary migrant workers who are vulnerable to exploitation, without testing if local workers are available.

“We will continue to urge the majority in the Senate to block the TPP implementing legislation,” said Dr Ranald.

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