The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade returns to secrecy over the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations.
By Carol-Ann Edwards
Contributing writer for Real News Australia.
Four days ago DFAT announced a public information session much to the amazement of those who are closely following the TPP. However, as of Wednesday October 30, DFAT has quietly withdrawn its announcement for a TPP public information session. The session will go ahead but without the public, including journalists and lawyers seeking information on our behalf.
“Pirate Party Australia has received confirmation that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has rescinded confirmations of attendance for journalists to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement briefing to be held in Sydney at 4pm on 30 October, stating that the meeting is “off-the-record”, and that journalists are not welcome.”
The Secrecy Continues
For more than 6 years the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations have been held in secret. Only 600 corporate lobbyists and a few bureaucrats from 12 countries are allowed to know the details – even members of the Australian Parliament and American Congress are excluded. Only through a few leaked chapters has the public has learnt about the TPP.
Lawyers and advocacy groups, after reviewing the leaked chapters, call the TPP “a corporate coup d’etat.” It will put mega-corporations above national laws and national interests in almost every aspect of our lives including: internet, food standards, health and pharmaceuticals, natural resources, energy, land use, patent and copy right, financial regulations and government procurement.
The secrecy is necessary to block public debate until the deal is signed and locked in. Unfortunately Tony Abbott wants the TPP to go ahead and is no rush to allow open and informed debate in Australia.
Real News Australia 
We had better look out, After emailing my local mp they mentioned this public meeting but you say it’s not happening, I’d really like to know why no-one seems to care about this
The Trans Pacific Partnership, if we allow this monstrosity to go ahead, will be a coup d’etat on this nation. Tony Abbot is keen to sign. What does that tell you? Our leaders are NOT there to serve We, the People. They are there in fact to CONTROL we the people. Now, sheeple, please all remain calm and return to your telly, your beer and your sports and soapies, and aren’t those boat people so terrible, tut, tut, tut……..focus on that news (as you have been made to for the last dozen years – get it?).
Under the TPP, if international corporations are prevented from doing as they please in our country, they will get compensation from an international tribunal (which they create and control) for any loss of profits. Consider the consequences of this.
Thanks. I have a free magazine download on my blog for anyone interested: The New American Magazine Special Report: “How The Free Trade Agenda is Knocking Down America”. This full issue is dedicated to the TPP and the TTIP plus other Free Trade Agreements. I think it is a must read and it is free.
There’s a news story exposing the TPP in the latest issue of New Dawn magazine (Nov-Dec) which is available in the newsagencies. It basically is an expansion on what Carol-Ann writes about – the powers-that-be have successfully swept this under the rug and it looks like they’ll get away with it scot-free. Which is totally unlike previous free trade deals that many Australians knew were being negotiated. The mainstream media has been a willing participant in the cover-up – yet again!
Reblogged this on conspiracyoz.
This is scary. This is NAFTA on steroids. If implemented living cost will sky rocket and living quality will deteriorate. Pharmaceutical companies will make sure that no more generics are allowed – Monsanto and friends will make sure that GMO labelling will be abolished “because it could reduce profits”. But hey – no problem – they then can sue the contry and demand compensation…….right?