TPP trade deal walks all over Australian sovereignty

Vanguard March 2012 p. 1

The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is all about an unequal partnership between countries in the Asia-Pacific region and the dominant power, the United States.

It is all about facilitating the penetration of powerful US corporations into markets across the region. They seek to do this by sweeping aside local laws and protections that benefit the people, claiming that these are a restriction on “free trade” and should not apply to their investments and activities.

The US negotiators didn’t get way their way entirely with the bi-lateral Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA), so they’re having a second go with this multi-lateral TPP, and trying to rope in New Zealand, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Peru, Chile and Singapore as well.

What it means for Australia

The proposed TPP could be used to overturn domestic laws on foreign investment, quarantine, medical and education standards, intellectual property rights, food labelling, agriculture and food production, cigarette advertising, Australian content on TV, and many other matters that benefit the people. Also in their sights are workplace laws, such as the already limited rights of workers and unions to take collective action over wages, working conditions and safety.

The TPP could also be used to over-ride the government’s power to protect native flora and fauna, heritage regions, national parks and marine parks and threaten indigenous rights granted under Native Title.

Foreign corporate monopolies would have free range to trample all over us, wreck the natural environment and even demand compensation if any local restrictions were put in their way of profit making.

Like the earlier AUSFTA, a prime target is still the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) which provides a large number of common medications to the people at affordable prices.

The US ‘Free Traders” argue that government subsidisation of the PBS unfairly infringes on the competitiveness of the giant US pharmaceutical monopolies. They want to be able to penetrate the Australian market and charge similar prices to the USA, typically between three and ten times more than here for the same medications.

Even more outrageous is the proposal to insert into the agreement the right of corporate investors to sue the Australian government for damages if government action or legislation restricts their ability to make investments or to accrue profits.

These so-called ‘investor state’ provisions were inserted in the North American Free Trade Agreement and have been used successfully against the governments of Uruguay and Canada. Already, cigarette company Phillip Morris has signalled it intends to oppose Australia’s plain packaging laws.

While US imperialism is using the TPP to strengthen its grip on the Australian economy, it is moving to preserve its dominion of the region by basing troops in Australia and expanding its military profile.

Reject the TPP!

A public information campaign by groups such as AFTINET (www.aftinet.org.au) and a range of trade unions and community groups has pressured the government to stand up for Australia’s sovereignty throughout the round of negotiations. But now, the campaign of protest and resistance needs to get tough and demand that the TPP is rejected outright, as it betrays the interests of the Australian people.

This is important, as the ongoing global economic crisis, coupled with high unemployment and protectionist policies in the US, means that increased access to US markets for Australian and other regional producers is just not going to happen.

Mobilise against the TPP!

 

This month, a new round of negotiations will be held in Melbourne between trade representatives of the countries involved. The sad fact is we have a weak and subservient government that trails along behind every US policy position and initiative. The Gillard government has already virtually committed to signing up.

The TPP should be rejected!

Protest rallies and public meetings are being organised, and should be supported by as many as possible.

US economic, political and military domination of Australia should be opposed.

Fair Trade between countries must be based on mutual benefit and mutual respect, not this shonky deal.