Dear Editor,
Sovereignty and Democracy at risk!
Recently a public forum at Parliament House Canberra heard that Australian jobs, workers rights and safety and affordable medicines are under threat. Moreover the Turnbull government are putting Australian sovereignty and democracy at risk with the government’s support of the 12 nation Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) with investor state dispute settlements (ISDS).
Dr Patricia Ranald Convener of Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET), Ged Kearney President of the ACTU and Michael Moore from the Public Health Association spoke of their concerns about the impact of the TPP on the community and environment.
Dr Ranald explained that ISDS will enable global corporations to legally bypass national courts and sue governments unfairly “in international tribunals over health and environment laws” exposing Australians to multi-million dollar legal claims.
Ged Kearney ACTU President says contrary to the Turnbull Government’s promises, the TPP will not - protect workers’ rights; test local jobs availability; support claims of jobs and growth and will ensure more temporary migrant workers.
Michael Moore President of the Public Health Association of Australia says access to affordable cancer/life threatening disease treatments, will be out of reach for many people because of longer monopolies under the TPP. Chemists will be forced to increase prices due to pressure on the PBS.
A recent report by Dr Kyla Tienhaara (ANU) found that the TPP would expose Australia, for the first time, to being sued by US multinationals citing ‘regulatory chill’, “where governments back away from critical health or environmental regulations because of the threat of ISDS.”
You are invited to a Public Meeting on Thursday 24th November at 6-8pm at the Batemans Bay Soldiers Club. Jane Timbrell and Pauline Westwood from AFTINET will be there to talk about the TPP and take questions from the public.
