Without independent analysis of the TPP impacts on Australians. I oppose the implementation of this agreement. I see far too much danger that could result from Australian citizens and industries in fact governments being exposed to the litigious US.
Couple all this with what seems like an attempt to obfuscate the facts from the citizens and I hold deep suspicions that will remain until there is independent analysis that I can understand.
No I don't trust the politicians to do the best for the people since they seem to live in a world that has little or no cognisance of how real people exist. Frank Holland
I am writing to you as a concerned member of the Australian public regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Former trade minister Andrew Robb refused to submit the TPP to an independent inquiry, but he's now been replaced by MP Steven Ciobo. The few leaked details we have about this deal are worrying to say the least. We are facing a very real threat to our national sovereignty, affordable medicines, internet freedoms and much more. We've already wasted millions defending our laws for plain cigarette packaging in Hong Kong and this would be just the tip of the TPP iceberg.
Respectfully I ask you to bring the Minister for Trade, Mr Ciobbo, to account and subject the TPP to an open and independent inquiry before it is put to the vote in parliament. In this election year I doubt the sitting members of the majority LNP would appreciate this level of scrutiny but this matter is too important for partisan politics and will affect both halves of the political divide for years to come.
Please Mr Jones, for the sake of our future as a nation able to govern itself without external interference, for the benefit of all Australians, I urge you to be courageous and speak out. James Gray
I am writing to express my concern about the current TPP agreement. In my opinion it has not been sufficiently scrutinised and I would urge a full independent assessment of agreement arrangements before proceeding. As far as I can see, there is insufficient transparency about agreements between parties and the Australian public stand to lose in the process. There areas to be confusion about rights and entitlements afforded pharmaceutical companies and the agreement seems to be in favour of large companies rather than the average Australian. There needs to be great fairness about where profits are made and how much is approved. I would be very distressed if pharmaceutical companies are able to benefit at the expense of average people int he same way that banks have been allowed to hold a monopoly in Australia. Pharmaceutical companies have a responsibility to the general public and the wellbeing of our society. If they do not adopt this then the Australian government has a responsibility to take this on instead. Australians deserve to have access to affordable healthcare including medication.
In addition it seems that large corporations will be given unprecedented powers under the TPP which ultimately damage the Australian economy in the long term. Our society need to survive in
1 the long term and politicians have a responsibility and obligation to consider the long term needs of Australia and its citizens. And to prioritise this above their own longevity as a politician. Susan Dalby
I urge the Australian Parliament to reject the TTP. Previous Trade Agreements of this sort have been disastrous for Australian regulation of copyright and intellectual property. The current one will have no benefits for ordinary Australians. It will give greater power to US Big Pharma. It will diminish Australian independence and sovereignty in relation to corporations being able to sue for loss of profit. It is time to call a halt on the ravages of neo-liberalism and its operational mantra that there is no society (in Thatcher's words). There is an Australian society, and it needs to be protected from the depredations of Big Finance. Jill Matthews
As a citizen, ratepayer and voter in Australia, it concerns me greatly that the rights of future australians may be signed away with the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement.
Without independant scrutiny, and with secrecy and obfuscation being the standard practise, I urge you to stand firm for the rights of Australians and the Australian government to retain sovereignty over economic, environmental and human rights matters.
Do not sign the deal without clear and open debate about whether this is actually good for Australia.
In its present form, TPP does not pass the 'sniff test'
It has been financed by, and developed for the rights of self interested big business, has no transparency or independence in the face of litigation, and erodes individual and national rights for those of faceless corporations.
Thank you. Marcus Wilson
Dear Sir/Madam,
I believe that the TPP deal that is underway does not demonstrate the Governments behaviour with regards to Public Interest.
I want it stopped because of the harm this can cause to affordable medicines and the fact that it seems the Governments is more affable with regards to its relationships with big Corporations and the USA rather that our own national interest.
It is in my opinion that the Government in power should enact to protect the environmental, health, workplace & protection laws. Are these not key priorities?
Your secrecy and the fact that you are trying to push through the TPP as quickly as possible its seems, is cause for concern, which could lead future Governments to be prosecuted by the population because of negligence in the face of what will inevitably expire in time.
2 STOP THE TPP NOW. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR INCOMPITENCE TO PROTECT WHAT IS RIGHTEOUS. Rhydian Lewis
It seems that the Trans pacific partnership recently signed by the Australian Government will erode environmental protections, create monopoly rights for medicines and allow foreign companies to sue governments for passing laws protecting consumer and workers rights.
This looks like a very bad deal for Australia that will result in erosion of our own protections in favour of the profits of foreign companies. There has been no publicly-available modelling to show that there will be any benefits to Australia. In fact the reverse is likely - the TPP will benefit a few wealthy individuals and corporations while raising the cost of living for most Australians.
The Australian Parliament must reject the TPP. David Carr
Among many issues including risks to accessibility to cheaper or alternative medicines, erosion of environmental and societal protections my main concern is the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and its role in officiating on ISDS (Investor State Dispute Settlement), which is essentially the antithesis of traditional judiciary processes. That is:
1. it is not separated from State and the executive
2. is not informed by precedent law and actually ignores it
3. not independently arbitrated by judges
4. does not have an appeal processes for the sovereign nation (only the corporation)
5. findings of the dispute settlement or changes to legislation do not need to be transparent
Bad deal full-stop. Chris Hansen
I hope to see the blocking of the Trans pacific Partnership for several reasons.
- It hands way to much power to corporations while taking power away from democratically elected representatives
-it will ensure the erosion of environmental and farming protection
- ISDS clauses are bloody awful. It's bad enough that we have a number of them in already signed free trade deals
- free trade deals- only free for the rich. Ordinary people will be further disenfranchised
- patent extensions....more power to the rich
3 -the secrecy surrounding the Trans Pacific Partnership is very concerning.
If you want to know why someone like Donald Trump is looking like a likely prospect, it's because of deals like this which make your average person feel like our representatives are incredibly out of touch and really have NO idea what they're doing. carolyn s
I don't understand all the facts about the TPP but what I have heard is concerning to me, my family and my friends.
We are all everyday taxpayers. We don't rely on government handouts to survive but we don't make enough money to be able to afford significant increases to medicine pricing if we get sick. Will the TPP allow overseas pharmaceutical companies to extend their monopoly rights beyond what is a fair return on their investment?
Worse still, will the TPP really allow multinational corporations to put their profits ahead of laws designed to protect Australians. How can anyone justify handing such an open-ended right to beggar the Australian taxpayer to a profit sucking business? Or to over-ride environmental protection which limits the ability of a corporation to make money and walk away with our children's future?
If those of us who have concerns are wrong; please publish the information that proves we do not need to be concerned. Karen Liddiard
The TPP will bring no discernible economic benefits to Australia, and runs the very strong risk of handing over sovereignty on many important aspects of Australian life and community, to international companies. Essentially it will reduce our ability to function as a meaningful independent society.
The entire process of its development has been deliberately secretive, because it is primarily being driven by large corporations. The lack of opportunity for consideration and discussion of the proposed treaty , given its potential impacts on our society and polity, reminds one of the lack of debate about going to war in Iraq - with similar potential for long-term damage to our interests and those of many friendly countries.
As for granting the right of companies in other countries to take our government to court for trade violations, I am sure there are less damaging ways of encouraging collaborative behaviour than opening up our legislation to being over-ridden by foreign countries. Robert Banks
The TPP is not a good 'trade' deal. It is a document written by big corporations without public advocacy groups input and will put all Australians under further financial pressure.
Specifically, pharmaceuticals - big pharma companies in the USA are one of the biggest reasons that medical care is so expensive in America. Many seniors - the most vulnerable demographic because
4 of their earning power - must choose between eating and getting the medications they need. Martin Shkreli is a fine example of the greed of the pharmaceutical companies - companies that receive huge tax benefits and government subsidies and then charge outrageous prices for product they produce with the help of the very people they are gouging.
If the TPP is ratified by all countries involved, the power given to big corporations will be a national security threat that is worse than anything seen before. Citizens of the world know this and are not fooled by their government representatives. This is the most important vote and it is vital that the politicians listen to their constituents - not Corporate America.
SAY NO TO THE TPP. Megan Breid
Good afternoon,
I am deeply concerned that the TPP will lead to the death of the PBS in Australia. I am concerned that the big American pharmaceutical companies will be able to charge what they deem fit for medications. I am bipolar and my medication without the PBS would cost me over $400 per month. I can not afford this. As well my aged parents use the PBS for their medications which would leave them unable to purchase them.
Please, please I am deeply scared and concerned about the TPP for this and for Environmental protections, Internet freedom and privacy and the ability of multinational corporations to sue our government for policies which may be detrimental to their profits. yours sincerely
Mr Malcolm Silis
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
This is a betrayal of what Mr Robb has been telling the Australian public, and is another reason for Australia rejecting the Trans Pacific Partnership treaty. The World Bank has calculated that it will have hardly any positive effect on our economy over the first decade if it is implemented. geoff coyne
5 There is so much wrong with this deal. What can we do to stop you?
Vote you out I guess..but will that be too late? Heading into old age..I do not want you to make it even more difficult for me to buy medicines that I may need.
These multinationals do not pay enough tax here yet can be in a position to sue is there is something they do not like.
It makes me feel very unhappy at this time of my life when it has been a wonderful country to live..you are changing this for my children. don't do it!
Jen Nash
Hi,
I have been told Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
Affordable medicines and protecting the ability of Australian government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws should be the key priorities for government.
I want to avoid giving Multinational corporations chance of suing Australia in private corporate courts over legal changes that protect people and environment.
I am against TPP. I am against it being such a hidden, mischievous, doggy deal. I feel its being sorted behind my back, in secrecy. I don't trust it, I am scared of powers given to rich corporations and power being taken away from people and the government.
I don't feel represented by my government I feel mislead and manipulated.
Please respond.
Kind regards Malgorzata Suchorska
Big pharmaceutical companies in the USA have a history of charging high prices for life saving drugs, and they take drastic measures to keep the drugs under patent protection for lengthy periods.
It is well known that many US Citizens cross the border into Canada to have their prescriptions dispensed because the drugs are cheaper than in the US.
We have an ageing population in Australia who regularly need prescribed medication. The government must take all steps necessary to keep drug costs within the reach of our citizens.
Ratifying the TPP is a retrograde step when it comes to protecting our access to reasonably priced medications. Pat Kirkham
6
What is all the secrecy about - we the people have a right to know what is going on and how it is going to change our life. We need affordable medicine in this country for everyone and not just the super wealthy. The pharmaceutical companies already have a monopoly and are not entitled to a higher one in my humble opinion. Everyone has the right to be able to access all medicines. We all have a right to life where possible.
Why should corporations be entitled to sue the government which in effect is suing the people because they don't like a particular law - for heaven's sake lets get real and get rid of this TPP as it is not going to help any of us - you know the little people who elect people to do the right thing by us but who seem to forget that as soon as they get into power.
If Andrew Robb has lied to the people of his country quite frankly he should be hung for treason.
If the Turnbull government wants my vote they need to be honest and upfront with the people of this country. Jann Chambers
Hi,
I am an Australian Citizen working in an American-owned company in Brisbane. I like the company I work for, they treat staff well and have a worthwhile mission. I stand strongly against Australia's participation in the TPP in any format that has been considered by the Australian government to date, and I cannot see how modifications could be made which would address my concerns while achieving the benefits TPP advocates are spruiking.
Australia is my country, and the Australian government is there to represent me and my interests, along with those of my fellow citizens. Any laws that make the Australian government subject to lawsuits from corporations for governing in those interests are completely unacceptable. Australia is and should remain a nation that determines its own sovereignty.
In the current age of rapid intellectual property creation and dissemination, our IP protection laws are drastically out of date and unfit for the business models of the emerging digital economy. Ratifying the TPP will serve to further consolidate the stranglehold of large corporations on the creative capacities of enterprising Australians and reduce our capacity to compete in the innovation space. We need to retain our national independence at the very least to keep our IP laws free from further corporate domination, if not to enable us to implement a more progressive IP agenda.
Kind regards,
Paul Berkman Paul J. Berkman
To Whom it May Concern,
7 Australia has been very lucky with how our government has been able to protect it's people from unfair corporate interests for such a long time. This was quite evident from our last trip to America when I got a cold and needed to go to a local pharmacy to pick up some cold and flue medication, medicated throat lozenges and headache tablets. The price for even the most basic medication was absolutely outrageous. The price of these items were literally 2 to 3 times more expensive! I was disgusted that even basic pharmaceutical items could be so far out of reach of most people.
Cigarettes were however so cheap since clearly the prohibition or taxation of these items of heavily lobbied against, something that Australia has been very lucky with again. The flow-on affect on the health and social system is vital.
The same goes for Australia's food laws, privacy and rights of ordinary Australian people and businesses. The TPP is heavily favoring large corporations that will contribute very little to the benefit of Australian people or taxpayers, but will take so much more away.
We do not want it. We do not need it. Please reject the TPP.
Regards Colin Boer
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties - TPP review,
I am extremely concerned about the negative implications (which in my view outweigh the benefits) for Australian citizens and society.
It is clear that the TPP will enable multinational corporations to sue Australian governments for regulations introduced to protect the interests of Australia, but which reduce the multinational's profits. This is emphasised by litigation underway in other jurisdictions which portend what will happen in the Australian context if the TPP is ratified. This includes regulations to protect our environment, employee rights, etc for multinational organisations operating in Australia. There are no guarantees that such litigation will find in Australia's interest.
I am also concerned by the recent admission Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb that the TPP will ensure Big Pharma receives the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States. This confirms that the TPP is designed to protect the interests of pharmaceutical companies, and will result in higher prices for medicines in Australia. It will also impact the Federal Government's revenue due to increased costs associated with medicines on the PBS.
I am also concerned that the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties will not reveal the true negative impacts of the TPP to the public, and implore the Committee to ensure these negative impacts are made public. The Australian public has the right and desire to know the truth about the TPP, instead of the deals and impact being hidden. Craig Parker
Dear Joint Standing Committee,
8 The TPP is designed to benefit large corporations, and this is usually at the expense of local workers, public health, and citizens' access to intellectual property at fair prices. The TPP is a threat to the sovereignty of signatory nations and carries little or no benefit for the most vulnerable in society. Corporations have proven time after time that they require more, not less, regulation, because they are without conscience or ethics. If most big corporations were people, they would be considered psychopaths. If you want an example, the Commonwealth Bank is an excellent one. So also is Monsanto, which will be a major beneficiary of any deal signed due to relaxing (standardisation) of environmental controls. Yet our government wants to allow corporations to increase their stranglehold on Australians. It is time to stand up to the shameful exploitation, rather than abet it. The TPP must not be allowed to pass into law, and undermine so many of the rights and control s that have been hard won over so many decades. It only takes the passing of one bill to undo the progress that has been built up over many pieces of legislation and regulation - each for the good of the Australian people.
Please recommend not to proceed with the TPP.
No government that introduces such a patently unfair change will ever get my vote.
Regards Diana Deele
I do not consider the TPP to be a good idea for the average citizen of Australia. It seems that Andrew Robb is unable to tell the citizens he is elected to serve that he actually intends to allow pharmaceutical companies the ability to use us a consumer profit ground.
While companies deserve to make profits we deserve to not be held to ransom by patents that mean we will pay more. Sure medicines cost money to research and market but the deeper structural violence of this TPP makes my skin crawl at the fact our government is selling us out to corporations. This is a representative parliamentary system but sadly the government seems to represent the 'big end of town' instead of the people they were elected to serve.
I do not support the TPP.
Yours,
Patrick McCartney
I would like Australia not to sign this agreement for a number of reasons one of which is this disgusting backwards step in health for the Australian people with allow pharmaceutical companies to have longer patent times keeping the prices high for a longer period of time this system does not work in America for the majority of their population leaving people with out affordable medical care. Why are we thinking to copy. It is disgusting the person who is not an elected individual is being allowed to give away Australian rights without scrutiny by the Australian people or passed by the Houses of Parliament. How shonky Jemima Whitford
9
Dear sir
Ok so big pharma wants an increase in profits at the expense of the poor and needy. The TPP is dodgy.
If the TPP weren't dodgy then why does it only include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States, and Vietnam. Basically a bunch of little economies that the US can exploit through its multi-nats. p.s. I note that the US is not done with Chile despite the overthrow of Pinochet. History repeats - only the methodologies change.
The governments of small economies like Oz should be wary of these deals. This is the same story all over again. Please stop now!
Block the TPP now!!!!!!!!!!!
Gerard Borg
I request Australian government does NOT sign the TPP because
- Australia could be sued for legislation that protects citizens. This is exposing us to corporations with no conscience who will bring Australia to her knees before sacrificing profit.
- I do not support the provisions regarding internet security and privacy. Our privacy will be diminished , again with all the advantages going to corporations.
- I believe TPP will increase cost of medicine in Australia by giving multinational corporations monopoly rights
- Our environment is not being protected fiercely enough now, let alone under TPP provisions which allow corporations to dictate terms to Australia.
I request that our politicians bring Australias long term interests to the table and NOT SIGN TPP Anne-Marie Wylie
When a nation loses control of its market and the price of its currency it has lost control of its future. A curse on all our governments.
It'sall right for you plutocrats sucking on our purse but you and previous governments have no conception of the disaster you have inflicted on us. Winston Churchill famously said the war was won in the factories - Where are our factories? Where are the lost skills of our people - we are the stupid people who listened to the latest fashion in economics.
10 You cannot have free trade with nations that pay lower wages than one's own. Cecil Forbes
To Whom it May Concern.
The TPP is dangerous and has been negotiated WITHOUT proper public consultation and scrutiny.
The LNP government is selling out the rights of Australians and the rights of our elected representatives to act in the national interest. The TPP effectively:
- DESTROYS our PBS and access to affordable medication
- ALLOWS CORPORATIONS TO SUE THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT. Explain to me how this is in the national interest when signing the TPP opens governments to litigation?
- DEMOLISHES Environmental Protections and legislation thereby allowing the pollution of our land, air and water. This is negligence from our government and a failure to uphold the wellbeing of citizens and our natural environment.
- Protects corporations over the rights and civil liberties of Australian citizens in the access to digital information and the Internet.
No elected representative has the right to sign such agreements without extensive public scrutiny and consultation. #NotInMyName
THIS IS TREASON.
Louise Noble
Did you know that a corporation in suing the Egyptian Government for raising the minimum wage?
Did you know the Quebec Government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking in order to protect groundwater and land?
Do you want this to happen in Australia? WE DON'T! CORPORATIONS HAVE ALREADY TOO MUCH POWER!
Also:
Andrew Robb has reassured the Australian community that the price of medicines will not be affected by the TPP, did you know he's told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US.
Well WE DON'T WANT THAT EITHER! WE WANT AFFORDABLE MEDICINES! Fabienne Drinkwater
11 After strong reassurances from (then Minister) Andrew Robb that there would be protections from the US Big Pharma ensuring no damage to Australia's access to moderately priced medicines, it now seems Mr Robb wants the US pharmaceutical companies to believe that the TPP gives them the stranglehold rights they want. The sort of very long lasting IP the these companies see as their natural business right do not deliver to our community.
Nor must there be any possible provision in the TPP by which a foreign entity may sue the Australian Government for loss of profit or access to markets as a consequence of Australia enacting laws to protect the Australian community from trade practices damaging to our environment, our health care delivery, our consumer well being or any other legislation designed to protect our interests.
Much is made of the benefits of trade agreements. Evidence to date suggests that many of the benefits of the TPP are limited at best and include only a limited portion of Australian commerce. Exposure to foreign business having the capacity to influence and alter Australian legislated controls is too high a risk.
Far greater certainty in the protections afforded the Australian community needs to be achieved before any real benefit may be gained from this TPP. David Grant
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
This is in direct opposition to our rights as Australian citizens to have what we need and expect in our pharmaceutical system and from our politicians.
The TPP as it seems to exist is a travesty and against what we have a right to expect. It must be stopped. Lynette McNab
I would like the TPP blocked in Parliament because it only supports the wealthiest 1% and the big multinational companies. It's got nothing to do with helping the average Australian. Why is the TPP so secret? Because it wouldn't be supported by the majority of Australians if they knew the full extent of the agreement. Why don't the main stream media cover the TPP in any great detail? You don't want them to, so the people are kept in the dark. It seems the government is only out to look after the global elite at the expense of the average person. It's not Australian, shame on you, our so called elected leaders, who should be supporting the people who put you in Parliament, the average Australian!
12 Regards
Ashley Watson Ashley Watson
Dear Committee Members,
I am deeply concerned that our politicians continue to pursue, with wild enthusiasm, so called free trade agreements such as the TPPA.
These agreements by and large seek to further advantage enormously profitable corporations at the expense of ordinary citizens, their rights and the rights of their sovereign governments.
Perhaps the worst outcome for Australian citizens will be watering down our PBS scheme in favour of Big Pharma from the US who will maintain patent monopolies over much needed medicines, denying our citizens affordable access.
I ask that you reject any treaty that allows our sovereignty to protect our human welfare, environmental or labour standards.
In other words, please reject the TPPA and protect the Australian citizens who elected you to stand up for their rights.
Thank you Rod Masson
3 years ago I lost my partner to Liver Cancer. He had been diagnosed 14 months earlier and told he had just 6 months. Had it not been for the availability of the chemo drugs he needed there would have been less time for him to prepare for his death.
We need to have the PBS here in this country as a vital part of our Health Care System. Don't let Australia become like the USA where if you can't pay, you are left to die.
DO NOT LET THE TPP CONTROL OUR LIVES.
We should be able to govern ourselves and not be governed by BIG BUSINESS, domestic OR International.
Stop this criminal deal being passed ,PLEASE....
Stefan Ivanow
I object strongly to a treaty that is negotiated in secret and that we, the people, are not allowed to have independently analysed.
13 On top of the secrecy I'm not happy that our government feels they have the right to give multinational corporations extraordinary rights over the lives of Australian citizens in our own country..
Why should we allow overseas companies to sue our government because they are unhappy with our laws??
Why should we allow overseas corporations to dictate what environmental protections we can establish in our country??
Why should we allow overseas corporations to force our ISPs to spy on us in order to appease copyright holders??
Before such drastic changes are enacted in our names shouldn't we have some opportunity to have a say??
Cheers
Daniel Drysdale
It is clear that the prime responsibility of the Australian Government is to protect the sovereignty of Australia and the sovereign rights of ALL Australians. Without effective control over decisions on wages, health or environment, we would effectively no longer be a sovereign state except in name. So there could be no reasonable excuse to reduce the ability of any Australian government to set wage, environmental, health or any other policy without fear of prosecution by a foreign corporate entity.
I urge the Australian Parliament to abandon any TPP deal that does not protect the rights of Parliament to set policy in the interest of Australians without the threat of prosecution from foreign corporations or governments.
Again, our Government's PRIME responsibility is to protect the interests of ALL Australians, and NOT to sigh agreements with foreign powers that may benefit a few here.
Please put ALL our long term interest first, and reject the Trans Pacific Partnership in any form that violates our sovereignty. Robert Miller
I don't like the idea of a trade policy that can interfere with future laws. If for argument sake a law is passed that bans Fracking because it's found that it has a huge impact on the health of people living close by and the environment, and then a multinational company comes along and sues the government for making those changes, how is that fair? The government is acting in the interest of the people in this argument.
If the law banning asbestos was passed in a time where the TPP had been agreed to, would the government have the backbone to ban it, or would they allow its continued use in fear of being
14 sued? How much would this cost in health care bills? Just to keep profits up. This hypothetical scenario makes me mad, it's government's job to keep business in line, not to be dictated by it.
I don't necessarily agree that the TPP is a bad thing, just that something that can impact laws that may be necessary in the future should be give every scrutiny it deserves. Aaron Job
The Transpacific Parnership, if signed, will see Australians' access to affordable medicines threatened. Please don't allow this to happen. We are already paying more for our medicines than other countries. Why is not our government protecting us from this type of legislation.
Another area of concern is the right this trade agreement gives Multinational Corporations to sue our governments. If this had been in place when plain packaging was legislated for, the tobacco industry could have torpedoed government legislation which is daily saving the lives of thousands of Australains.
We could also lose the environmental protections that big corporations have to provide in this country.
Why the secrecy? Please give this agreement the scrutiny it deserves and reject those parts of it which threaten our rights to govern the way we want. Lyn Wild
Sir:
I wish to make a submission regarding the TPP strongly recommending that you reject the TPP.
The bases for my recommendations are:
1. A study by the World Bank( http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/transpacific- partnership-will-barely-benefit-australia-says-world-bank-report-20160111-gm3g9w.html ) has indicated that the overall economic benefit to Australia is minimal.
2. The ISDS is frought with danger for Australia. This is clearly evidenced in cases brought against both the Australian and other governments by (largely US) private companies. This is a loss of sovereignty and a considerable financial risk. Some dispute mechanism is required but that contained in the TPP is not acceptable.
3. Experts in the health sector have warned that the provisions in the TPP will extend the monopoly period for medicines and thus result in less affordable medicines.
4. Environmental protections seen as necessary by our government could be subverted by overseas companies suing our government. This has already happened in Canada and we also have a health related example here with plain packaging for cigaretts.
All of this for such a small economic gain. It's not worth it.
Yours sincerely
15 Ray Liggett
I am deeply concerned that the TPP is about to compromise the relatively cheap access to vital medicines provided by our current system. I am yet to see a concrete example of where trading away our rights to multinational corporations will be of benefit to me.
I can see no advantage to the average Australian and I believe the TPP leaves us open to the absurd situation where foreign corporations will be able to sue Australia (in some sort of corporate court) over the decisions of elected Australian Government. Big tobacco hasn't been able to defeat our legislation in real courts. Why give them the opportunity to prosecute us in courts of their own.
I can't fathom why any government would be so reckless. Why would we imagine that multinational corporations would act in the interests of the Australian people rather than in their own interest?
It is the responsibility of the Australian Government to govern in the interest of the Australian People, that means all of us, not a subset who may be enriched at the expense of the rest of us. Please reject this dangerous folly.
Gary Whipp
How dare any government lobby to enact and join such a devastating deal.
People have been fighting against corporate bullies and law for years to get a fair deal and now our own government and some other governments around the world are planning to sign a deal to secure the ownership of operation of the worlds business, by the corporate world itself.
It's bad enough that certain industries around the world are governed and regulated by themselves but at least can be trumped through genuine corporate law and High Court judgements. But the TPP is handing total control of global business to the business world.
You would have to be mad and/or corrupt to do that.
Signing on to the TPP will be the next major mistake for the human race. Shaun Pollington
Dear Parliamentary Committee,
Government in secrecy is the antithesis of democracy. Sadly little was known about the TPP while under negotiation, which should have been enough to cause any lover of freedom concern.
As a sovereign nation, we should always be in control of the laws we make, and the conditions we set. We should never be held to ransom by private enterprise lawsuits. Corporate profits should never have precedence over a government's right and duty to protect its people.
16 These aspects of the TPP attack our national identity. Any agreement that sells out our rights of self determination to be at the mercy of law suites from multi-national corporations is abhorrent.
How would the TPP have affected our plain packaging of cigarettes legislation?
Will medication be more or less affordable for Australians, and for our government funded PBS if the TPP is signed?
Will we be able to manage our own natural resource security such as safe ground water without fear of corporate lawsuits from energy companies wishing to exploit our resources at the cost of our safety?
Will we be selling out our privacy online under the TPP?
Please don't let Andrew Robb's Tragedy of Profits over People (TPP) be the legacy you leave us. For the sake of us controlling our destiny as a nation, we cannot allow this so called trade agreement to be ratified and passed into law in Australia. James Boswell
Here are some facts that I know about the TPP:
The TPP allows foreign corporations to sue our government over changes to law in Australia that affect their profits. These cases are heard in secret tribunals that have no independent judges.
The TPP gives big pharmaceutical companies stronger monopoly rights, which will push up the prices of crucial, and potentially life-saving medicines.
The TPP will bring a meagre 0.7% of economic growth after 15 years in Australia, as estimated by the World Bank.
The TPP contains weak labour rights and environmental standards that are not enforceable.
In short, the TPP's not in Australia's public interest and threatens our democracy. Brett Andrews
I am alarmed to hear that Andrew Robb has been discovered saying one thing in the US and the complete opposite in Australia.
No politician worth his/her salt should be currying to the Americans and selling out local Australian conditions to Market Greed.
We have a fair system of pharmaceutical benefits and we want to keep it that way...... The greatest good for the greatest number should be the credo, NOT how to bend to the will of American conglomerates.
Thank God there are people watching press reports in other countries, maybe it is not too late to persuade the government that Australian citizens want to keep our fair society, not go down the American path of inequity. Helen Kulhanek
17
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Erin Williams, I am a mother of two boys. My own mother fought a type three aggressive cancerous tumour and won her battle. She would not have been able to afford to do that if we had an American styled health care system.
From what I understand there is several provisions of the TPP that could cause medical pricing to increase. As a mother and a daughter of a survivor, this deeply concerns me.
This is on top of opening ourselves up for leagal problems in regards to environmental protections, and Multinational corporations being able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
This is not acceptable and goes against the very foundations on what Australia should be about. What happened to Giving a fair go ?
This TPP is not the Australia that my Grandfather fought for in Korea.
I'm am absolutely appalled that the need to write this e-mail even exists. The truth on the TPP needs to come out and it needs to be disclosed to the public. If half of what is being said about this deal is true than I truly worry about what the future has in store for my kids and the rest of this nation.
Regards
Erin Williams
It is common knowledge that several nations who have agreed to TPP equivalents are now being sued by corporations on the grounds that their profits/interests are threatened by government policy.
The 5 year secrecy clause inherent in the TPP runs directly counter to democratic principles.
I am a voting citizen and am not interested in having my rights as an Australian citizen curtailed, or in having government policy dictated by multinational corporations and their boards.
As a person with full access to healthcare under Australian law, I am also not interested in paying hefty price hikes to line the pockets of pharmaceutical industry shareholders.
I also quite like my internet privacy just the way it is, thanks.
Say no to the TPP Annetta Mallon
18 Dear Sir or Madam,
The reports on the TPP are quite disturbing in terms of the possible impacts on the Australian people and government. I am particularly concerned about the potential for companies to sue to Government for making laws that reduce that company's profits. Laws that protect Australians and our environment may be legally challenged to preserve profits for a corporation. This is a ridiculous situation, and one that definitely does not pass the 'sniff test'.
Similarly, TPP provisions that require internet service providers to record my internet movements and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies seem to be horrible step in the wrong direction.
I would appreciate you forcing discussion of these issues in particular, and the TPP more broadly, into the public arena so that the benefits or otherwise of the TPP can be clearly understood by us, the people on whom the imposts of the TPP will fall.
Thank you for your time. Ben Gordon
I would like to see the TPP deal blocked for the following reasons:
Medicine affordability
A worrying flaw is that monopoly patents on pharmaceuticals are skewed toward those currently operating in the USA. This means medicines can be trapped under patent for longer periods at higher cost. I understand health sector groups have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
Corporate Lawsuits
ISDS provisions are an unsound proposition owing to the potential for corporations to use non court tribunals to sue government for legislative changes it makes in the interests of its citizens. Ceding decision making on disputes from the Australian judiciary to international commercial panels undermines sovereignty.
Internet Privacy and Freedom
I am opposed to TPP provisions which appear to lock in ISP reporting of suspected copyright infringement by ISPs to law enforcement agencies.
Frank van Laar
I'd like the TPP to be refused by parliament on the grounds of democracy.
We can't have multinational corporations suing Australia and its people and government for things they don't like or over legal changes that protect us. We all know about the recent Philip Morris legal case against plain cigarette packaging in Singapore. We are a supposed to be a democracy not a
19 country run by corporations. Do we really want global corporations testing us legally in overseas jurisdictions what we have democratically agreed upon just so they can make more profits?
Corporations must abide by Australian law just as we do. We can;'t have them suing us for this.
I am sure there are other issues as well but this is what troubles me the most. Jane Silversmith
Please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal on these grounds:-
1. Multinational Corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury,over legal changes that protect us,but hurt their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
2.Affordable medicines - Health sectors groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing
3. Internet privacy and freedom- The deal locks in the ability of our service provider to spy on us and report possible copyright infrindgement to enforcement agencies.
These are but a few concerns
Please make the only choice for Australia and that is to say NO to the TPP deal
Sincerely
Cherie Dunshea
As a cancer patient, 21 months battling it's spread, I rely on various drugs to help with neasea and other side effects from treatment. If the TPP causes the cost of these drugs to go up I will not be able to afford them. I had to take early retirement as I can no longer work. My superannuation is just above the Centrelink cutoff so I'm not eligible for any concessions etc. And I still have a small mortgage to pay off. Things are strained as it is now. If costs go up I will be forced to sell my house adding to the emotional upheaval. Plus the federal govrnment is looking to cut medicare costs via many of the tests - CT scans, blood work and so forth. It's a bad time to be seriously ill. Alison Gye
I am concerned that the Mr Robb has assured American companies that they will enjoy monopoly rights over medicines that they enjoy in the US. I am very concerned that the government is allowing Australian legislation to become subordinate to any other law. For a corporation to be allowed to sue the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage, if this is actually true, is no less than outrageous. If this type of action is to be allowable under the TPP, the cost is too high, in my opinion.
Please make sure our environment protection agencies are not vulnerable to legal attack for doing their job.
20 Please don't make arrangements that would allow anybody to sue the Australian Government for passing the legislation it is elected to pass and acting to protect the people of Australia. Lance Cowled
The TPP whilst probably a good idea at concept, has developed into a totally unacceptable submission and kowtowing to corporations. In this instance, pharmaceutical companies are being given the right to charge exorbitant charges for life saving medications and treatments.
My questions to government are:- how and why is it possible for a corporation to dictate to Australia how much we pay for our medications? What secret deal has been struck by the Australian government with these corporations? Why has there not been full disclosure of the proposed agreement to the voting Australian public.
It is worthwhile, each and every politician remember it is the people of Australia who are the actual employers of politicians - we the voters of Australia put you there; the taxes we pay, pay your salaries.
We can vote you out of power in this election year.
No corporation has the right to dictate to a government, any government. Dorothy Harland
I want to see our Joint Standing Committee reject the TPP as it is not in the best interests of us, the citizens and taxpayers of Australia.
I don't believe enough politicians and bureaucrats have enough of a well informed idea of how bad this agreement is and how it is going to impact in a detrimental way on all of us.
I have grandchildren and maybe you do too, and refuse to accept any deals with foreign entities that are going to impact on them, myself and every other citizen in this country.
I am appealing to your sense of decency and concern for your own families as well, please don't put dangerous treaties and kow-towing to foreign countries before any of them.
I trust you will stop this treasonous behavour from our politicians and not allow this TPP to become a part of our future.
Yours sincerely
Debra Nisbet
I served as a Harvard Consultant to The White House on policy issues, worked as a Deloitte/Touche management consultant in the USA for some years, and I taught MBA students the course Business Strategy. Back in my home country (Australia) I co-founded the company (Amfac-Chemdata) that
21 computerised over 80% of all pharmacies in Australia, and which automated the electronic lodgement of the 150m/yr PBS scripts into the Federal Government. I had over 25 years experience implementing the PBS system, drug pricing, drug-to-drug interactions etc. I served on the Federal Government committee to implement the 'informed consent' aspects of the Baume Report (former Minister of Health review of the medical & pharmaceutical industries).
The ISDS is 'DESIGNED' to make multinational corporations' profits trump any desire by the Australian people to govern their own country. This seeking to subvert the sovereignty of Australia is an intentional treason committed by Andrew Robb. Australia needs to be able to continue to make and change laws for the country, without wondering if it might adversely impact any foreign company.
There is no 'new business' element that would trump the sovereignty issue. All of the US and EU pharmaceutical companies already deal with the PBS, so there is no new benefit. And we will not be gaining any greater access to the oft-protected US market by virtue of the TPP. The TPP is designed to be one-sided - to lock-in existing preferences for (mainly) US multinationals, while preventing other states from making any decisions that might negatively impact those corporations. The TPP has the potential to go down in history as the 'opposite' of the Magna Carta, so perverse are its intentions in removing rights from party states. Graeme Harrison
It is time that our politicians realised that the Australian public WANTS government to speak for them and support them. They want stronger government, not weaker. And to me that means that the precautionary principle must be applied to major changes to trade laws.
The TPP smacks of a deal with the devil.
The TPP weakens Australian's control of their own affairs and their future by ceding control to international law, which will support other agendas rather than local ones.
In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. There are other examples of this, including the attempt by Philip Morris to sue Australia in Singapore over our anti-smoking legislation. Why invite more?
Did Mr Robb recently tell a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States? Does this imply that biologic medicines are under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on?
I do not believe that most Australians support this... put that to a plebiscite if you dare!
While you're at it, tax corporations properly instead of focussing on raising taxes for low income earners. Peter Dickson
22 TPP is a flat out rip off & a sellout to big biz control, especially Big Pharma. Mr Robb & his govt are selling out Australia and must be stopped. They need to be sacked, including Hunt trying to back Adani for more loss on coal! Status quo big biz over citizens & environment future? Are you kidding?
We note Big Pharma will have absolute control over Cannabis too, with far less for citizens or freedom of better choices. Home grow & dispensaries need to be available, much better than Big Pharma frankenstein bits at huge expense.
STOP THE TPP RIP OFF AND BIG PHARMA OWNING AUSTRALIA! Jerry Cook
The TPP should be blocked by parliament as the privatisation of our social services, particularly health, should not be something that is bargained and brandied about. Australia's social services are up there with some of the best in the world and the privatisation of such would lead to disaster as the private sector is no where near as well as equipped as our public health sector. The American health system, for example, is a complete disaster because of the deregulation sanctions placed on big pharmaceutical companies that consistently and continuously rip off the American people. If parliament has the interests of the Australian people as the most important part of their decision making, if they are truly representative of the people, then they will not allow Australia to be involved in the TPP. Amelia Caldwell
Dear Sir/Madam
Even for the American people this deal is wrong.
We need to retain our sovereignty, keep the teeth in our government, not sell out the people nor harm them by corporate greed and control.
This is not a trade deal, it is more about control.
How much have we , the Austrlaian people, had to cough up due to the ongoing Phillip Morris Hong Kong / Chine Trade deal debacle ??
Our sovereignty is paramount and this is tantamount to treason.
Every day some new sinister and secret caveat pops out and shows that this is NOT in the interest of our great country.
Hence why the fanatical cloaking of it and media silence.
SOS!
Thank you very much for your time. Luke Cunningham
23 Free Trade agreements have been shown time and time again to benefit large multi-national companies at the expense of everyone else. Not only that, all Free Trade deals I've read about, have clauses protecting the interests of the major players (be they Government or Private) that make this title a misnomer.
There has been very little scrutiny applied to the TPP by the parliament up to this point. The only information we have about the agreement is that it will be great for Australia, with no details on why this would be so. Independent research seems to suggest that, contrary to the governments claims, the TPP will actually allow large pharmaceutical companies to monopolies markets in this country. This would put pressure on an already underfunded health system, that would then be at the mercy of corporate interests.
Anything that would allow (or help) multi-national companies to sue a Government, is not in the interest of society.
One final point, now that Andrew Robb is retiring, it would be interesting for someone to investigate whether he has any personal, or financial, connections to those companies that would benefit from this deal.
Multi-national companies have done enough damage, both socially and economically, in the last few decades. Giving them more freedom, under the guise of free trade agreements such as the TPP, will just make matters worst.
Yours Sincerely
Louis Shea
Trading with the big boys is fraught with potholes. I don't believe for a moment it is in our national interest to take on the behemoths of this planet. We are amatures at this game and will be taken for a ride. Excuse my sinicism but what are the benifits for our underemployed? What are the benefits for our depleted manufacturing industries? What are the benifits for our intelectual property rights? What are the benifits to our service industries? If this are not clearly spelt out to the public I doubt we will be in any position to benefit from this Partnership. Andrew Fleming
Please do not sell us out. For the most part our pharmaceutical benefits scheme in Australia works for the betterment of all of us.
Just because another country has a different system does not make it right for us. Why can't we look after our people.
Without a subsidied scheme, I would need to find over $200 a month (on today's prices) just to stay alive.
Regarding Internet privacy, I am not naive enough to think big brother isn't trolling thru all sorts of personal information, but surely we have the right to privacy in this area. We are a country that
24 supposedly has the right to freedom of speech, and I would hate to think that if I made a personal comment , on line to a friend, that it could come back and bite me.
What is this obsession with following all things American. I've been there and it's not that great, what we have here in Australia is wonderful, and should be cherished by all of us, as it is, not as a carbon copy of a gun toting, litigenous country. Iren Boyle
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
So Andrew Robb, when he leaves politics, will end up on some multinational company board.
Just like John Howard has now got a position on the boards of both Macquary and J. P. Morgan banks for sending the price of houses through the roof!
There is nothing in the TPP that will benefit ordinary Australians only our corrupt politicians and their corporate benefactors. Wayne Smith
The TPP may or may not be a good thing for Australia - unfortunately we just do not know. We are in the dark as to its benefits and disbenefits because the TPP has not been subject to independent expert scrutiny which would assure the community.
In the US, the government and corporations are known to have been closely involved in backing the TPP negotiations from their perspective.
That's not the case, so far as is evident, in Australia. We only have the say-so of Minister Robb that the TPP is a good thing.
In recent times there has been reporting of expert analysis of other bilateral trade agreements to which Australia is a party. They reportedly say that the benefits to Australia are small and indeed may be detrimentally trade-distorting because trade is shifted in a free-trade agreement's direction and other opportunities missed.
Australia has, over many years, reduced its tariff barriers and other trade-distorting measures so that in a sense we have less to give away than other potential partners in negotiations. This is especially true in the cases of, say, Japan and USA where the trade barriers are cynically egregious. So we are obliged it seems to yield on things like Intellectual Property, copyright and other soft issues which nonetheless provide hard benefits to the other party. The impact on pharmaceuticals is one such example in the current case.
25 I am not personally critical of Minister Robb and his predecessors, for example Minister Vaille; they have done their best. But having seen negotiations in play between our somewhat innocent politicians and the really tough and expert negotiators on the US side, I can't help but fear that we will always come off second best if this is how negotiations are run.
At the very least, the TPP should be independently and expertly reviewed to find out if, on balance, it’s really worth it or not. John Burman
Dear Minister
Why are you selling Australia out? You are in charge to do what the Australian requests you to do, not to pander to big business or the unscrupulous Pharmaceutical Multi Nationals.
As a person with chronic health problems, it is already difficult enough to afford the medication required to keep me somewhat healthy. Why should I have to pay more to enrich these multi nationals. They have no regards for the Australian public and it seems that you also don't.
You were put in power by the government people to protect us and obtain the best deal you can, not make deals behind closed doors that will inevitably bring Australia's living standard to a third world standard.
What you are doing now may suit you for the benefits you will get for signing, however, have you thought of what this will do to you children, grandchildren and so on.
Don't be blinded by the offers to you personally, or made to your government to keep you in power. Eventually, it will come back to bite you.
Remember, once signed it will be impossible to refute. How can you accept this for your constituents and your family?
DON'T SELL US OUT
Sincerely
Elisabeth Ulm
Please reject the TPP legislation for the following reasons
1 there is little if any economic benefit to Australia (reference productivity commissission analysis
2 the Investor State Dispute Resolution clause gives away the constitutional sovernity and rights of the Australian Government to legislate for the health and economic wellbeing of Australians.
It may be fine to say that the Government would/may win against any action but at what cost to Australia. Ref Phillip Morris in The Hong Kong case. It was won but how many millions did it cost to win.
26 3 The Existing Trade agreements with NZ U S etc cover the majority of the countries in the TPP so why do we need another. Once again the analysis of the economic benefits from the Aus US trade agreement shows it to be of dubious economic benefit to Australia.
4 Lastly follow the money. Who are the major proponents of the TPP - large US and multinational corporations. That identifies the prime beneficiaries of the agreement.
Please do NOT finalise the TPP as it will be extremely detrimental to Australian sovereignty for very little if any economic benefit.
Vince Bourke
Affordable medicines: are the main thing that makes Australia the amazing country that it is...
What are you folks doing to us??? do you want to destroy this country and cause deaths at the profit of big pharma??? because as we see it Monopoly of meds is what the big American Pharma want... and you are pubic servants of Australians NOT big American corporations why are you allowing them to bulldoze us ??? this will cost the Govt Many more millions in Public health and illness
Do the right thing for our people or you will have consequences don't you think?
George Dionyssopoulos
Note the lower case for tpp, that is the standard of this trade deal it is in the same class as John Howard's American free trade deal rise in the cost of medication extended copyright by big pharmaceuticals and remember Ugg boots. The dumping of produce in Australia not only by US base firms but by US organisations oranges from south America processed by parent company in USA dumped in Australia. Tomatoes picked by illegal labour at way below the going farmhand rate . Do we want another Crucifixion of Australian Trade no , But that is the hand that has been dealt us . Remember the old adage while thinking of other trade deals with America such as Lend Lease for UK and Australia the Automobile industry . Our current defence contracts !. Once Bitten Twice Shy . Will we never learn. Colin Rixon
I'm writing in response to the TPP and it taking away our rights to have access to decent medicine. If anything we should be emulating towards the Canadian model in this and continuing free health care for everyone, so people can focus on providing for thier family rather than suffering. I believe suffering is a man made condition and we could eleviate it at least at the life end. We all will die, however we can at least be humane about it to people whom are sick. Unless we all become
27 robots...and maybe overtime with our technological advances, we will simply be robots. Lets try to be humans first before we become gods. Vijay Singh
To whom it may concern.
I wish to express my deep concerns re the TPP and the effect it may have on a number of areas.
I am concerned firstly about the lack of independent scrutiny that has been applied to the whole setting up and negotiations.
I believe that it will allow other nations or corporations to impinge on our sovereignty by allowing them to sue our government in cases where their profits may be affected by governmental decisions protecting Australians.
I believe that pharmaceutical companies in the US may be given monopoly rights over some medicines which will affect Australian access to these medicines at lower prices.
I am concerned that our government could also be sued by multinational corporations if laws are passed which strengthen our environmental protection but impinge on their profits.
Lastly, I am also concerned about possible changes to Internet privacy and freedom.
I believe that a Trade partnership should bring benefits to the countries signing them and not mean that countries are at the mercy of multinational corporations whose search for profits put our national sovereignty at risk.
Please put Australia and all Australians first and deeply scrutinise this deal and reject it firmly. Begin the process again and do it openly so that all know just what is being signed in our name.
Yours faithfully,
Sharon Sargent
The sovereignty of Australian law will be overridden by Multinational companies who wish to take advantage of a wide scope of our resources which can include just about anything. They are setting up their own courts and judges to make rulings in which we will have no say as not only the law will be weighted toward them but also these companies can out finance government bodies who don't have the same financial clout. The voting public are not even permitted to see these contractual agreements that our government is signing which to me seems like a dictatorial approach. Sofahnya Olsen
Who in their right mind would see ANY part of the TPP as a good thing for Australians?
28 Honestly, where are the moral compasses of people pushing for this agreement?!
If politicians are asking us for the main concerns of this deal, they should stop now. The whole thing stinks of power and control and we don't want anything to do with it. We already live in an extremely expensive world which is getting sicker - mentally and physically. If we go down this route of handing more power over to corporations, no good can come of it. Only more money in the pockets of the super rich.
I have a one year old daughter who will probably grow up in a much different world than I did. Our innocence has gone - nothing is sacred anymore. Our privacy, our environment, our rights as human beings - and the TPP is not making it better, it's making it worse.
Our fears:
- More expensive medicines for everyday Australians
- No privacy online from money driven agendas
- Our government left exposed when fighting for us
- Our fragile environment put at potential risk with no protection
What we want:
Cheaper medicine, more transparency, greater access to top medicines.
Greater privacy online - tighter rules against corporations using our stolen information.
A government working FOR US, not against us.
Our environment treated with genuine respect - for our kid's kids.
Make the RIGHT choice. Ditch the TPP. If not for a clear conscience, but for the generations that come after you.
Ben Colefax
Dear Parliament
Be aware that this deal which Andrew Robb is so proud of may well see you lose the next election - which I believe the government is clamouring for in the near future.
Australians are proud of our health system - creaking though it may be - and while Mr Robb may well be able to afford the cost of medicine under a USA style pharmaceutical deal, MOST OF US CAN'T.
WE ARE VOTERS and we have had quite enough of politicians making deals without any care to the people they are supposed to be representing. We have seen this nonsense time and again and we're over it.
29 Diana Hockle
How can we trust politicians who do deals that we have no knowledge of?
How dare Andrew Robb negotiate one thing, tell us another, and then retire before the consequences become clear. Coward, or liar. Not sure which is worse in this instance.
If you parliamentarians think that it is fine and proper to dismiss the thoughts and opinions of those who voted you in, not those who pay you, or appear to pay you for your vote, then you are destined to be found out and thrown out.
The time is coming when the general population will not put up with your deceptions, like the TPP.
Your future is assuredly short in this parliament, unless you change and do not proceed with signing it.
Make any excuse you want, just don't sign. Ross McNeilage
I strongly believe the TPP deal is not in the interests of the Australian people. It is a dangerous , dirty deal which will put us in an untenable situation in the years to come.
I'm very concerned with the implications for environmental protections, affordable medicine, and internet freedom. The very real possibility of corporate lawsuits are incomprehensible and should be enough for our government to take a stand. The fact there is no expiration date and apparently getting out of it is next to impossible is also of great concern. It is unAustralian to even think of the ramifications of this dirty deal.
I hope our government will think of the Australian people and future generations. It is not just a question of helping the Economy there is far more at stake here.
Yours sincerely Tanya McMillan
The TPP was developed behind closed doors by governments colluding with industry. This is an initiative by big business, for big business. This was never going to be a good deal for the people of the countries involved.
And so it has proved to be. Two particular pieces of evidence are:
1) An IMF study has revealed that the potential financial benefits for Australia are likely to be minimal, on the order of +$1b to the GNP over the next decade. Australian clearly is not a winner.
2) The ISDS provisions clearly define conditions where companies can take countries to court where they think their earnings may be impacted by government regulations or laws. This would be a
30 travesty of justice. For example, if the Australian government decided to introduce new laws or regulations to mitigate CO2 emissions (or any other public health benefit), international owners of coal mines or coal-fired power stations could initiate court actions for perceived loss of business.
The TPP can fairly be regarded as treasonous to the Australian state. If implemented, it would be a triumph of companies over countries, and a heavy blow against the workings of democracy.
The TPP should not be passed or implemented.
Sincerely,
Doug Mason
As a soon to be 70year old but still in employment I have grave concerns about the TPP. One is the secrecy in which it is cloaked. I watch TV news each night on reputable channels like the ABC and SBS and have heard very little about what is transpiring. We seem to be obligating our responsibility to look after the ordinary Australian elector and putting too much power into the hands of large companies and corporations.
Many reputable health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase the cost of medicines. As an ageing Australian and a type 2 diabetic I am worried for myself and others in my age group I am concerned about the affordability of essential medicines.
In the realm of the strengthening of environmental protection laws I am chilled to hear that large corporations could sue the government for strengthening protection against development in the area of fracking or water pollution. Is the environment and it's protection going to suffer because of the influence and pressure from these multinationals?
I urge the Standing Committee on Treaties TPP to listen to ordinary Australians and reject the TPP under its current terms.
Yours sincerely
Helen Nash
I have followed what has been going on related to signed TPP over the years and am disgusted that the Government can agree to pass control of anything to do with our medical system over to pharmaceutical corporations.
From what I've read this whole thing will be limiting our democracy. We don't want them controlling our laws if it doesn't suit them when it comes to health, medicine, environmental protection, internet privacy and many other things.
It is all about corporations not governments elected by the people.
Even the farmers may not be so well off as expected.
31 Mary-Joy Payten
You do not have our authority or any mandate to enter into any treaty for Australia and it's citizens, especially when that treaty would abrogate any of our rights or freedoms, or even our economic welfare, to the benefit of any other nation let alone a mere Corporation. While the Corporate world might accommodate your personal and political aspirations (this is called corruption BTW), it will only do so at the expense of our standard of living, which we have all worked hard to achieve and is not something we need to be convinced we should be grateful for or perhaps even not deserve. The TPP, TIPP and TISA are all a Corporate Construct to subjugate us and our national Governments, State and Federal, to the status of mere clients and agents of the Corporate masters who would even collectively sue us all in an unconstituted kangaroo court (Court Of International Settlements) which has no jurisdiction ANYWHERE and is not answerable to any nation or Government.
This is a fiction perpetrated as fact in the theatre of make believe World Government, which will only become effective if you, Mr Robb, illegally endorse it. And if you do all Australians will band together and sue you personally for unspecified damages and treason.
Yours Sincerely
Michael Eisenblatter
We cannot, under any circumstances, allow foreign corporations to have any type of control over what goes on in OUR country. Our government is selling us out all so they can line their own pockets. There is no other reason that they would allow this to happen. We elected these people to represent AUSTRALIA and the Australian people. So far, the only people that they have been representing are themselves. As soon as they get themselves elected, Mr Nice Guy disappears and Mr Lying, Arrogant Prick emerges (or Ms as the case marbe.) They refuse to listen to the will of the people. They (the ministers involved in decision-making) all know perfectly well that if it came down to an honest vote, no Australian citizen would willingly allow foreign corporations to dictate what goes on within our country. Why does our government want to allow this to happen???? Kaye Perrett
Dear Sir/Madam.
I would like to request that you Block the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal.
I feel that this would be a dangerous move that would place the Australian people in a situation whereby they would be placed at a distinct disadvantage should this partnership go ahead.
We know how American corporations try to monopolise markets where their sole aim it to boost profits at the expense of the ordinary man/women in the street and we also know how litigant they are if they do not get what they want, this has been proven time and time again.
32 The pharmaceutical industry in America is a cut throat business they trade on a user pays basis which if this partnership goes ahead will see many people placed in a position that they and the Australian government will not be able to afford.
Should this deal go ahead at the expense of the Australian people, then I can assure you that my loyalty to the party that approves this deal will not be getting my vote. Remember the Australian people come first, not greedy American corporations.
Kind regards.
Michael Wallace
I have serious concerns about some aspects of the TPP. I request the Federal Goverment and all representatives of Australian citizens ensure:
1. The protection of policies that provide affordable medicines for Australian consumers.
2. That overseas interests, corporate or Government, cannot influence, circumvent or take court action against Australian laws so that the interests of Australian citizens and producers are compromised: examples include but are not limited to: laws re packaging and labelling of products sold in Australia, laws re employment conditions and wages in Australia, laws re environmental management in Australia, laws re privacy in Australia, laws re foreign ownership.
Thank you for your attention.
Australian elector. Josephine Wearing
It has been known for a long time that the TPP was written by 600 major corporations, and along with the one aimed at Europe, is designed to grant them control of the world economy. Only 4 of the 40 chapters deal with trade. The rest is designed to allow them to do what they want and force governments to agree with their plan to create hardship for all but the super rich corporate bosses and major shareholders.
The claim that it will improve Australia's GDP by 0.7% in about 10 years is a complete guess, based on assumptions that have not been proven to be correct.
Even aspirants to be politically important in the U.S. have woken up to at least some content and the real purpose have withdrawn their support.
History will view support of this scam as an act of treason by the politicians who are stupid or corrupt enough to agree to it. Alan Cameron
33 No TPP for Australia. I get it that it may have some economic boost to corporates in Australia but nobody should sign up to something that the public doesn't have full information about including the horrific secrecy to surround this blasted TPP. Concerns about corporate lawsuits on the Australian Govt (look to what has happened in South America and in Quebec in Canada appalling). Concerns about maintaining affordable medicines for all Australians. Concerns about locking in allowing ISP to spy and report possible copyright infringements. TPP is nothing more than corporate greed and its time to put a stop to it. Sandra Barger
The TPP has been negotiated and shrouded in secrecy. There has been no independent assessment of its impacts on Australians. This Government caved in to demands that Corporate Anerica can sue the Australian Government - viz the Australian people - if they don't like our laws. We don't have reciprocal rights and even if we did they would be heard under US law.
There has been limited demonstrated good with respect to the TPP and substantial demonstrated negative impact. As Australians we cannot surrender our sovereignty, our environment, our health, our security, our economy or our people to Corporate American rule.
There has not been a trade deal yet negotiated by politicians and bureaucrats - neither of whom have ever run businesses let alone global trade businesses - and yet they have made decisions with the potential to impact every Australian citizen, making us slaves to US corporate greed and lust for monopoly control and power.
You cannot let this happen. Your committee is all that stands in the way of a catastrophic TPP and an horrendous impact on Australians. Please stop it now.
Thank you
Glenn Bunne
Dear Sir/Madam
As an Australian citizen my family, friends and I Do Not want the TPP agreement for Australia for the following reasons:
A flood of corporate law suits, Environmental Protection, Animal welfare and protection, Individual citizens rights, Internet privacy and freedom and finally taking away rights from governments and placing it in the hands of greedy multi-national corporations.
As an Australian living in a democratic society we want to retain our rights and appoint a government that speaks and protects us as its citizens, and has our best interest at heart.
There is no way that i wish to give my rights away to corporations who only have their own finacial interest as their only agenda.
34 Please I plead with you, all the ministers and decisión makers Not to have an TPP agreement for Australia.
Thank you for your consideration,
Kind Regards
Nasrin Lucas
Dear Mr Robb,
This is an appeal to you and all parliamentarians to resist signing this insane TPP agreement which benefits no-one except the big businesses and their mates.
Signing the TPP will mean that pharmaceutical companies will be given preference over the health of ordinary Australians.
You are supposed to represent the needs of your constituents not the greed of large companies. That is what you are elected to do. You have been elected in good faith to do what is right and proper for those who have put you in this position. You have done nothing to earn this right; it is given to you in trust by electors.
Don't give in to rich companies that think only of their profits. sincerely,
Patricia White
As a government representing the Australian citizens, it is imperative you do not allow the TPP to pass or the rights of governments, and ordinary people will be at the mercy of large corporations whose only interest is themselves and shareholders.
We need a government who is not afraid to stand up to these multi-national corporations; who does not give them the right to sue governments who represent the environment and people and who protects our rights to privacy....
Medications must be kept accessible to all, we must stop the prospect of monopolies and law suits against what is right and just for all, not just money making corporations.
SAY NO TO THE TPP and protect the future of our environment, citizens and governments.
Thank you Patricia Fitzgerald
I understand there is substantial expenditure and risk when developing new drugs and pharmaceuticals. The pharmaceutical companies have shown a willingness to exploit monopoly power in price setting. Individuals and the public health systems bear the cost of this monopolistic
35 pricing which ultimately results in harm to people. I'm realistic about risk and reward, understand the profit motive and prefer to live in a capitalist styled economy than the alternatives. And yet I am horrified that the people who are supposed to represent me are about to commit me and Australia to the TPP where pharmaceutical prices will be subject, without reasonable recourse and at great threat of massive legal penalties, to the whim of the heartless, the greedy and the unconscionable with price increases like those we have wirltnessed from Turing Pharmaceutical (Outrageous!!), Valeant, Allergan, Maltlinckrodt, and Mylan.
I don't accept giving up our rights to good, accessible health care to corporate vampires. I do not agree with the TPP in its current form on this matter and urge you to represent me and all other Australians who value our way of life which is very much built on a foundation of good health and affordable healthcare. Please don't have your legacy as being the ones who sold us out to Big Pharma. Marcus Coagulant
Dear Mr Robb and staff,
Look, we all know that there is some inevitable hypocrisy in parliament as individuals try to win votes; however, the weight of the values involved in allowing sick, impoverished or elderly Australians to rot if they need specific pharmaceuticals is too great to ignore.
We know we don't really have a democracy and that we run on a form of hypnosis that leads us to fantasize that there is a thing called the national interest when really it is only international corporate interests.
Telling the citizens of Australia one thing while telling big pharmaceuticals the opposite is but an extreme form of ongoing stand-for-nothing gestures, which unfortunately many of us have come to expect.
This to register a sigh, a prayer for sanity and for the display of some real character.
Yours sincerely, Jane Ahlquist
Please do not vote to approve the TPP. So far I have heard only vague promises from the Government about more jobs being generated and more goods being sold by Australia overseas. No details, just airy fairy claims.
On the other hand, there are lots of reasons why the TPP is really, really bad for Australia. Below are just the most obvious ones:
1. It would allow corporations to sue the Australian Government for passing any legislation to protect Australia, its citizens or environment, if that legislation had the potential to harm the profits of the corporations. You would have to be mad or very stupid to agree to the TPP on the basis of this aspect alone.
36 2. The cost of some medicines could increase substantially, making our health care bill even higher than today.
3. Foreign internet service providers would be permitted to spy on Australian citizens and potentially prosecute them for copyright infringements.
And all for some vague idea of increased jobs and exports!!! Aileen Jacob
Hello,
I'm writing because we are very concerned about what is hidden in the TPP agreement and would hope that it can be stopped.
We hear all about the supposed benefits that it will bring but nothing about the drawbacks.
My wife and I are very concerned that overseas corporations will be able to sue the Australian Government, ie: us if an overseas company thinks our laws are hurting it's profits.
That medicines could be dearer for longer.
That our environment could be put at risk if companies can sue our Government for passing laws that protect the environment.
That internet privacy and freedom could be at risk.
We ask you to speak against this on our behalf.
We are thinking of our children and grand children's future.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Nad Frances Mahood
I object to the secret negotiations of the TPP, if it is such a good deal, subject it to an independent enquiry, then we can all rejoice in its wonder and glory.
I object to the increased power of mostly foreign corporations, and point out to the parliament that corporations do not get to vote in elections as well as do not pay tax or invest in the welfare of this country. All they do is export jobs and cash.
Any corporations that make anything in this country are doing their best to offshore production as fast as they can, the rest just make big holes in the ground and we already have enough of them.
I am totally opposed the the TPP and intend to make my displeasure felt at the ballot box.
FORREST ELECTROTE Greg Sutton
37
I believe that rushing through any form of acceptance of the TPP agreement before a comprehensive comparative benefit analysis has been undertaken and the Australian public has been given the opportunity to examine any recommendations resulting from such an analysis to be a significant breach of trust by our Parliament to the Australian people.
This trade agreement appears to be offering up our national independence and sovereignty in order to obtain a purported benefit to Australia. It could be that the benefits may out way any disadvantages but without proper analysis and public discussion this can not be determined.
The time scale between the release of a complex legal agreement and the consideration by Parliament is at best hasty and at worst a refusal by government to permit a collective, considered position by Australians from all walks of life to be reached.
Please ensure that an experienced, independent authority review this agreement and make its findings public before submitting it to the Parliament.
Any agreement that is based upon Consensus of the participants will fail within a relatively short time, only an agreement based on Consent shall prevail as it is based on an agreed cultural position, this appears to be on the face of it a Consensus driven agreement. Malcolm McKiggan
Australia can not afford to let itself become involved in the TPP, medications that ordinary Australians rely on for treatment and quality of life will no longer be affordable and the average Australian will suffer. We will be at the ransom of big multinational pharmaceutical companies that exist solely to profit. Look at what has happened in the USA!!. Affordable Medicine and health care are basic human rights we all require and demand. Having a medical condition is stressful enough without having to sell your home and posessions to stay alive. This will be the case with or without private health insurance.
The TPP will also cause massive job losses across a wide range of industries and result in Australia relying on other countries and importing goods! Why??? We can almost be a self sufficient country if our industries and assets are managed for the betterment of our people and country. Not by farming out everything possible and putting Australians out of work and raising the cost of living. We need to protect our own economic and environmental sustainability for future generations and selling Australia out by committing to the TPP would be a fatal mistake. NO TPP!!!! Maggie Yates
What is wrong with this stupid government that it wants to sign away our (Australian ) rights ? so that Multinational Companies and the rest can sue our Government and us if they do not like our laws and regulations put in place to protect our Environment,Health,Medicines,Workplace protection Laws and other regulation and laws put in place to protect us from things like fracking
38 that are harmful to our water table and farmland. Pharmaceutical Companies are making huge amounts and still want more like monopoly rights over biologic medicines so that we pay more.
IF THESE CHANGES ARE MADE WE CAN BE SUED BY CORPORATE LAWSUITS IN PRIVATE CORPORATE COURTS WITHOUT JUDGE OR JURY OVER PASSING LAWS MEANT TO PROTECT US.
DO YOU STAND UP AND .PROTECT OUR FREEDOM OR DO YOU LAY DOWN AND GIVE AWAY OUR HARD WON FREEDOM TO THESE MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS? WILL THIS GOVERNMENT FOR ONCE STAND UP AGAINST THESE CHANGES AND PROTECT OUR COUNTRY AND IT'S PEOPLE? OR WILL THEY AS USUAL BACK DOWN? OUR SOLDIERS FOUGHT THROUGH 2 WORLD WARS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE FREEDOM WE HAVE TODAY..WAS THEIR SACRIFICE FOR NOTHING? SO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE. Lesley Kahler
For many years, Australians have been proud and considered themselves fortunate that we have such a wonderful health system. Access to affordable medicines is an invaluable support for us all.
When information on the TPP was first openly discussed, one of the major concerns raised was the control that US companies could have on our pharmaceutical benefits scheme.
Added to this, our plain packaging for tobacco products could be in jeopardy - another health issue!
But there are many other issues that could badly affect our country and the lives of Australian people if the US companies can bring lawsuits that endanger things like our strong environmental safety and welfare regulations; wages; water management; land use; internet privacy etc..
And what about gun control?????
We have worked hard for a way of life that provides some care and concern for our people - not just to make profits for greedy US and multinational companies. Jo Wynter
There are very many reasons for my opposition to the TPP. I have been keenly watching the development of this for over a year now and am alarmed at the secrecy of the details. It all appears to benefit corporations and their capacity to operate without impunity. It is a dangerous development for the ordinary person in the street and for the environment. It undermines democracy and the sovereignty of countries to decide on what is in each countries best interests, not just for the people who elect their representatives but also for the land, water and other parts of the environment and if course our climate. . I can't understand why it has got this far. I certainly do not want to leave this legacy for my children. Please STOP the TPP now. Charmaine Clark
What thE hell is our government doing, apart from lining their own pockets.
39 WHAT THE HELL IS RIGHT WITH THEM??????? NOTHING. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH INFO SENT AROUND ABOUT THIS TPP BUSINESS EXCEPT THE ODD LINE OR THREE ON OUR OWN EMAILS. THERE HAS BEEN A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RUMOURS SENT AROUND, BUT OUR GOVERNING BODIES ARE NOT ASKING THE CONSTITUENTS, aka PUBLIC, ABOUT THIS AND MANY OTHER ITEMS.
THEN SUDDENLY THIS SORT OF THING APPEARS,
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
NOW, I FOR ONE, AM YELLING NO, NO, NOOOOOOooooooooooo TO TPP
AS AN AGED PENSIONER, AND THEREFORE UNABLE TO INCREASE MY INCOME, I CAN SEE THAT SOME OF MY MEDICATIONS ARE GOING TO BE PROHIBITIVELY PRICED AND THEREFORE UNAVAILABLE TO ME. ALL BECAUSE I, AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER AGED PEOPLE, HAVE NOT BEEN
APPRAISED OF THE FULL DETAILS OF THIS, AND OTHER, AGREEMENTS TO THE POINT THAT I, AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER AGED PEOPLE, WILL HAVE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE.
WHY DID I HAVE TO PAY INCOME TAX, PLUS DOZENS OF OTHER TAXES, SOME HIDDEN, TO BE TOLD THAT FOR ALL MY WORKING LIFE, THAT PENSION I REASONED WOULD BE THERE FOR ME, BECAUSE I DID PAY MY TAXES, NOW SHOWS SOME CHANCE OF DISAPPEARING INTO THE POCKETS OF MULTI- BILLIONAIRES BECAUSE OF COMPANIES OVERSEAS WILL BE CHARGING HORRENDOUS PRICES FOR MEDICATIONS THAT I HAVE BEEN PUT ON TO JUST STOP THE PAINS THAT I HAVE, BECAUSE THE WORK I HAVE DONE OVER THE YEARS, TO BE ABLE TO PAY MY TAXES, HAS WORN THIS OLD BODY OF MINE DOWN TO THE LAST LAP TO BE A REALLY PAINFUL PLACE TO BE. IF IT LOOKS AS IF I AM SHOUTING, DON'T BELIEVE IT! 'COS I AM SCREAMING, I HELPED TO PUT YOU GUYS IN CHARGE, AND ALL YOU APPEAR TO BE DOING IS USING US AS MILCH COWS TO BE BLINDFOLDED, LED BY THE NOSE AND TAKEN ADVANTAGE OFF.
STOP THIS TPP BUSINESS NOW, NOT WHEN IT IS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE **IT THAT SEEMS TO BE OUR FUTURE.
JS. Jack Secker
Tell Parliament why they should reject the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
40 What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
But we can blow the whistle on this and other nasties in the deal. This Friday, submissions close to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review.
My comment:
You, the parliament and the 'elected representatives' of the population of men and women of Australia are not fulfilling your moral obligations to the men and women of Australia, you are committing fraud and deception if you sign up to the secret TPP agreement.
As a man and living in Australia I reject your self assumed role as a mouthpiece for my desires for any involvement in the TPP, you have no jurisdiction and no authority to bind me or any other man or woman to this agreement. Your presumptions of capacity are rebutted and I say you have none. If I am to suffer harm of any kind as a product of your actions I will attack you as a man or a woman directly and I shall inflict on you equal economic harms as you may inflict on me if you choose to presume to act on my behalf in the matter in signing up the men and women of Australia to this secret agreement.
Be warned. Nicholas Tomlin
Dear elected representatives
For some time I have been concerned about the implications of the Trans Pacific Partnership deal because the Us is so powerful and we are not.
The impact of the TPP on our health services in particular has been an issue for me. I am appalled at the state of health services for the average US citizen and worried about the power of US pharmaceutical corporations. They threaten our present affordable pharmaceutical system because they, like most big corporations, want to maximise profits. Already it seems Mr Robb is making us a promise that medicines will remain 'affordable' while being quoted in a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States where medicines cost more. Please do not let this happen.
Furthermore, if multinational corporations can sue governments, as in Egypt and Canada, when national legislation interferes with corporate profits; where does that leave social justice reforms and environmental protection laws? I do not wish a multinational to govern me. I expect my elected representatives to avoid agreements that make such a scenario possible.
Yours anxiously, Elizabeth Wright
When will the Turnbull Government wake up to the fact that Politics IS NOT Business !
41 Selling out Australia's interests in a purely business-based idealism will only lead to our economic downfall.
The TPP is not in the interests or benefits to Australian as a nation !
Nor is the sale/lease of the Darwin Port, or allowing the outsourcing our manufacturing and IT jobs among many other decisions by consecutive Australian Governments. Allowing the sale of our biggest dairy and macadamia farms recently are but two examples of selling out on Australians. Then there is the submarine construction quagmire we have.
And why in tarnation do we let multi-national companies to walk all over us and not raise a cent in revenue through taxation ?
We should adopt the ideals of China and Japan, for example, in saving and protecting every aspect of our productive output, our jobs and landholdings.
Selling or allowing the sale of the many pillars of our independence is shameful, short-term and erodes the cultural fibre of our great nation.
Yours Sincerely
Pete Redmile
Any treaty that is not transparent to the public is bound to contain repercussions for the Australian people.
Our pharmaceutical benefits scheme is the envy of my cousin who is a US citizen and the history of the US pharmaceutical companies is profits over people.
The same can be said for not protecting our environment. Environmental standards have to bee enforced no matter which company international or local.t
They should not be able to sue our country when we are enforcing our standard in our own country.
And allowing the sale of our farm land risks our food security.
This is basically selling our country's sovereignty and our citizens future. Pam Kemo
I have grave concerns about this free trade agreement. our laws are different to the USA, as is our medical system and I would like to see it remain that way. We often hear it said we will be better off but I do not see this and this monopoly patent on biologic medicines surely mean we will pay more. I already require a medication that is not available in Australia any more as the US corporation decided not enough of us needed it to be viable for them so I have to please for it and pay a considerable amount for it. I can see what will happen and I totally reject the TPP.
42 As well as the cost of medicines I am very concerned about corporations being able to sue. We must protect our environment to protect the future for our children but all I see is greedy corporations trying to find ways around this.
I am also not happy to think it will lock in the ability of my internet service provider to spy on me.
Please rethink and reject this trade agreement.
Thank you for your consideration. Cheryl Cooper
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to voice my vehement opposition of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement.
This countries governement seems to be giving away more & more of the rights & priveliges of this wonderful country we all inhabit, to overseas multinational corporations & I am fed up with it.
For the TTP to be passed &/or ratified, it should be up to the people of Australia to decide, not a bunch of faceless men who meet behind closed doors & agree to secret deals that will directly & indirectly affect all Australians!
Once the TTP has been implemented, there will be no undoing it, corporations will have greater powers to effect change in policy based soley on money & not the inetersts of every day citizens, the governemnet will have weakened capacity to stand up against greed & tyranny on behalf of the citizens it was put in power to represent, & it will have weakened capacity to protect our own environment. The very environment that we all need to survive & prosper. Who will foot the bill when corporations are entitled to sue the Australain government for loss of profits when the government initiates updated environmental protection policy's that affect a corporations revenue stream?
Who will clean up our underground aquifers where corporations & companies declare themselves bankrupt & insolvent & skip the country to rape & pillage their next natural resource?
Who will pay for the increase in the costs of medicines that are protected by intelectual property that companies & corporations own & exploit for profit, whilst sick & dying members of our community suffer?
Who will be responsible for the security of this country's data, when we give up our rights to the NSA to collect whatever they like, and when the Australian Federal Police are allowed to spy on whoever they want without any reason to do so.
This might sound alot like 'the sky is falling', but thats becuase it is! Evere so slowly the rights & priveliges of every human being who inhabits Australia is slowly being eroded away, whilst a weak government stands idly by & pretends to do what is right for them, by promoting a deal that is nothing more than a corporate power grab perpetrated by people who only have a vested interest in making money & exploiting the earth, & its peoples!
43 You have an opportunity to make a positive difference in the future of not only Australia, but all Pacific nations who are affected by this deal.
I implore this citizen elected government to stand up for the people it is put in place to represent, & stand up what is right.
REJECT THE TTP!
Regards,
Daniel Delane
Firstly, how can any citizen accept an agreement hammered out in secret. Except of course, that it wasn't kept secret from the likes of Big Pharma, was it Mr Robb? That our politicians would sell us off so easily is what we have come to expect, but not to forget.
Secondly, is it right that the people of Australia should be held to ransom when their governments introduce laws and regulations that protect them? Big Tobacco is still after our blood, and I see where a provincial government in Canada is being sued by a US energy company because the government wants to restrict fracking in order to protect the health of its citizenry.
Thirdly, it is bad enough now that the big end of town, with full pockets and bribes, prevent our governments from protecting the environment.
Stop the TPP. It in no way helps this nation. Glenn Warwick
There seems to be a lot of concern being expressed bout certain parts of the above deal. Am I to understand that Australia is going to give pharmaceutical companies in the US monopoly rights which would not be in the best interests of Australia and Australians.
I recently had a hip replacement in which I was fitted with a non US prosthesis since that was ten times less expensive than the US version and of a better design in the opinion of my surgeon.
As an Australian you should look after the best interests of Australians and only do deals which are to our advantage. Norm Heath
The Chairperson,
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, TPP Review
May I add my voice to all those who oppose Australia's being part of TPP.
44 I am particularly concerned about the possible impact the treaty might have on producers' accountability to Australian consumers and the restrictions which might be placed on the consumers' ability to respond to unethical practices.
It is already difficult trying to make ethical consumer choices locally i.e. discovering if materials are sourced sustainably, if production staff are treated fairly and environmental impacts are minimised and, as importantly, having an avenue of complaint if any of those things are not up to the standard that Australians expect..
Judging by the lack or inconsistency of information made public during the TPP negotiations I am not confident that this treaty will protect any rights we might gain, now or in the future, to full product disclosure nor will our freedom to chose better (perhaps not yet invented) alternatives be protected.
Unless the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties can find a way to guarantee that the standards which Australians have fought for will be protected, please do not endorse this Treaty,
Thank you. Penny Parrish
I am concerned that the so-called trade advantages of the TPP are limited and are far outweighed by the disadvantages. e.g. the ability of multi nationals to sue our Govt; an example being Phillip Morris claim around plain packaging of cigarettes the threat to the PBS via the ability of drug corporations to maintain monopoly rights over biologic medication internet privacy for individuals
It seems the major benefactor of the TPP will be corporation which are very poorly regulated.
Considering that there is bipartisan opposition to the TPP in the US House of Congress and Senate as well as in other signatory countries, I feel there is much more room for discussion in Australia before a vote for ratification occur.
It was made abundantly clear that Public Service officials and even Federal MPs have no idea on all the details and ramifications of the TPP. Much of what is know has been leaked and the lack of transparency and public discussion is not congruent with the democratic process.
How can MPs receive advice from the Public Service or even begin to understand the issues as nothing has been made public.
I believe that MPs should be consulting their electorate as well on such an important matter. this has not occurred either. Andrea Schoenheimer
45 Consider how the US hopes to use the TPP to manage trade for the tobacco industry. For decades, US-based tobacco companies have used foreign investor adjudication mechanisms created by agreements like the TPP to fight regulations intended to curb the public-health scourge of smoking. Under these investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) systems, foreign investors gain new rights to sue national governments in binding private arbitration for regulations they see as diminishing the expected profitability of their investments.
International corporate interests tout ISDS as necessary to protect property rights where the rule of law and credible courts are lacking. But that argument is nonsense. The US is seeking the same mechanism in a similar mega-deal with the European Union, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, even though there is little question about the quality of Europe’s legal and judicial systems.
To be sure, investors – wherever they call home – deserve protection from expropriation or discriminatory regulations. But ISDS goes much further: The obligation to compensate investors for losses of expected profits can and has been applied even where rules are nondiscriminatory and profits are made from causing public harm.
The corporation formerly known as Philip Morris is currently prosecuting such cases against Australia and Uruguay (not a TPP partner) for requiring cigarettes to carry warning labels. Canada, under threat of a similar suit, backed down from introducing a similarly effective warning label a few years back. John Hepburn
Big companies able to sue for loss of profits because they were not allowed to continue unsafe practices (South America). This means that any new research results will be useless because change means loss of profits for the 'Money Mafia'. Like the farrier suing the government for loss of profits when the car was invented....
The pharmaceutical Companies are already acting unethically (e.g. painkillers) and deceive consumers with terminology.... Biological medicines should not have a patent at all!! No monopoly for biological medicines! To pay more for essential medication means the rich live longer. Even now there are people that skip medications because of price.
Maybe we should look at what the politicians have to gain personally to even contemplate a disastereous deal like the TPP. Gisela Faull
HI,
I am extremely concerned about TPP and am asking you to reject it in no uncertain terms, because:.
- TPP would CANCEL DEMOCRACY by allowing multinational corporations to sue our (and other countries') government just for their own profit sake. It would, amongst other, make you, our government and all politicians within it, practically useless, shameful puppets of multinationals. In order to retain the respect you have from your electorate, instead of losing it altogether by
46 betraying its vital interests if you would accept the TPP, you HAVE to reject TPP. If you do not do so, you would be shamed for the rest of your lives and all through history as the biggest traitors of your own selves and of your whole country. Think also of how shamed your children and their children would be as well if you accept TPP.
- TPP would allow an unprecedented environmental destruction in the name of the greed for profit. Only the biggest fool would cut the natural branch on which he is sitting! We can NOT survive without our environment being protected in its balanced state.
- TPP would keep impoverishing all of us - except the shamefully corrupt ones who would sell their soul and piece of mind to multinational corporations - by reducing the number of jobs available, by dictating the prices of some essential commodities, including medicine, with the only aim to make bigger profit to corporations. TPP is the worse, most systemic rip off plan that was ever conceived on Earth! You would have to throw ALL you conscience down the drain in order to accept it, and posterity would never ever forgive you for having done that.
- TPP would curtail our privacy and internet freedom. It would be a return into the darkest ages of humanity.
Overall, TPP owuld trod on every bit of our humanity and culture in a catastrophic way. You gave your electorate an absolute minimum of time to give you feedback about TPP, after you have allowed it to be negotiated for a very long time secretly, and you have NO right to accept it as THE biggest abomination of democracy ever.
Democracy has been developing for longer than 2000 years to its present stage, and it is only democracy that gave you the power to rule this country honestly for the highest good of all concerned. Accepting the TPP would therefore be akin to killing your own mother.
Do NOT accept TPP which would be against all of us, including your own selves. Protect instead for good our right to have a good, truly democratic, trustworthy national government.
Stand for your own selves, you children, your honesty and conscience, your electorate and your country, and reject TPP for good.
Thank you and bless you.
Tiyana Maksimovich-Binno
I strongly urge that you oppose the TPP and protect the legacy of those that went to war to protect our democracy and ensure that future generations can live in a world that they are citizens and not subjects of multinational corporations.
-Corporations that can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
-Where medicines are no longer affordable medicines:
47 -Where Environmental concerns are pushed aside in peruse of profits
-Where our privacy and freedoms are constantly being eroded
It is a shame that I have to write this email and testifies to the betrayal of all that is Australian by the Liberal government that is willingly handing over the right to make laws that protect all Australians to corporations with no interest in anything but profit.
Shame on you Kenneth Jennings
To all Parliamentarians,
The TTP does not act in the interest of Australia.
What ever rights we have as Australians, given most of them have already been given away through treaties and dubious trade deals must be vigorously defended and not sold to the highest bidder. It is time that parliament started to act in the public interest and as the TTP only reduces the autonomy of the nation, it must be rejected.
I believe the environment of this island must be the prime consideration in any law passed by Parliament and as you realise this TTP would undermine the ability for you to pass laws protecting the welfare of our environmental life-support system, this is obviously makes a travesty of national interest and Parliamentary duty to all Australians.
Australians have little enough influence in protecting ourselves from multinational companies pursuing profits at ANY cost it would be nothing but absolute negligence to remove our rights in order to benefit 'trade',which is nothing more than a euphemism for economic domination.
Reject the TTP !
Sincerely, Ken Gillett
Sirs; I would like you to consider blocking the upcoming TPP agreement, although my reasons are a little different to most. My people (Aboriginal Australians), have never been afforded their true rights as traditional owners/carers of this land and its abundant resources, which you seem so willing to sell off for short-term gain. As an Australian citizen and a 1st nation man, I believe very strongly that the 1st Nation people should be now, and always, have been consulted about this land and any 'outside' deals we wish to make that affect it and us.
This particular TPP deal/agreement, smacks awfully of kowtowing to big brother USA without any dignified thinking. Regarding the USA however, to the 1st Nations people of this country and theirs - the non-indigenous folk of USA - they are all just colonials from Britain, who did the same thing here and in that country, they have so tragically turned into a media-circus land. One day, your people will learn the value of the 1st Nation people's longevity in this land and I hope to your God, it is not too late for our children's future. Stop the rot: vote no (please)... John Wenitong
48
Following the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement by Trade Minister, Andrew Robb, all of the government ministers stood up in parliament and applauded the minister. The government then spent millions of dollars on what now appears to be a false advertising campaign promoting the agreement by saying that it was good for all of us. It has recently been revealed, following analysis by the World Bank that by 2030 Australia’s GDP could increase by just 0.7 per cent and our increased growth is projected to be worse than 11 of the 12 countries that also signed the agreement. This new chapter of negotiating skills along with the government’s do nothing approach to our steel industry and the demise of our automobile industry just reinforces the incompetency of this coalition of dunces. Don Kelly
Our national sovereignty is of paramount importance. Surely there is some law that would make it illegal for a Minister of the Australian Government to give into greedy foreign multinational corporations by signing up to such a deal. This agreement would leave us at the mercy of merciless greedy foreign private corporations. Australia with all its faults is still a much more civilised nation than is the USA. If the US government signs up to this deal will the US government also be at the mercy of these corporations? How on earth will the inexorable slide into obscene inequality be stopped if our government is to be at the mercy of foreign corporations? At present the environment is at the mercy of growth at all costs when planet Earth is already under dangerous attack from the way we are demanding that the party should continue - ever-expanding consumption followed by huge piles of waste. We must not let the Australian government be a willing party to disaster. Janet Pitt
To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties - TPP Review
Please give very careful consideration to Australia signing the TPP. Over the last year there has been a large number of investigations that have exposed the cost to Australians of the practices of large corporations. The TPP is another treaty that will put monopoly rights in the hands of large corporations and see a further decline in areas of care that Australian was once proud off. For example affordable medicines.
We are not being told the truth nor the consequences of the TPP deal by the Turnbull Government, nor previous governments. Until such time as our 'representatives' are prepared to clearly spell out and discuss the implications of the TPP, it must be rejected.
Kind Regards
Raewyn Porter
49 To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to voice my concerns over the TPP agreement.
I am of the opinion that Australia has a great public health system which is accessible to all. I do not think this should be jeopardised by the TPP allowing big pharmaceutical companies the ability to monopolise the market, delay release of life-saving medications and charge exorbitant amounts for medicine, pushing them out of reach of every day Australians.
I plead with you NOT to let the TPP go through, especially in it's current form. Please act for every Australian's best interest.
Regards,
Jacqui Woods
As one of many people reliant on prescription drugs to maintain a reasonable life, I object to the TPP agreement when it has the means to increase the cost. Already so far this year, prescriptions for blood pressure drugs, has increased from $6.20 to $7.81 each, which if on a pension, & requiring more than one script, soon adds up.
We, in Australia, do not want to go down the American path to health care, we are better than that.
The TPP deal offers nothing in the interests of our country & therefore we call on Parliament to scrap it! Betty Evans
I am concerned by reports that Australian's pharmaceuticals and biologic medicines will not have the protection from US market enforced pricing under the TPP.
We do not want a US style health system here. Part of out egalitarian spirit and the Australian way of life is universal health care and education. Do not make the mistake of signing away these very special parts of our Australian ethos in the rush to sign a piece of paper that wont make it through the US congress in any case. In order to get it through US congress, the US negotiators will want to tighten up on these very areas of concern, such is the might of the pharmaceutical industry in the US.
It is time for some real transparency on just what Mr Robb is attempting to sign us up to. Prue Pring
You know why....
But I'll tell you anyway.
Australia, the land of the free for all.
50 Where the rich get really rich, gain their imaginary money in the most immoral yet legal way thanks to the commonwealth government. The poor are sucked into the corporate controlled media and fed crap food that makes them sick so they have to spend what little money they have on pharmaceuticals. Yeah that's progress alright.
Because the country was a five fingered discount anyway, taken from the indigenous and sold for a little as possible to whomever wants to buy it. It's pretty sad really. The amount of greed that %1 of the population is enough to bring down %100 of the population with them, slowly but surely. Australians will become the laughing stock of the world. This country is worth much more than the trillions of made up dollars in %1 of people's bank accounts. It is the largest most un touched fertile land in the world. You guys just want to mine the hills and cover the flats in glysophate just to fill your pockets now! Never mind the future that our families will have to deal with. Be smart. Sell less of it for top dollar we don't need anymore money in Australia. We need food and water security & we need a bloody fuel oil refinery in NSW!!! Water, fuel, food. Not politics, greed and money! Grow a pair and govern the country in fair and just manner. Dominic Brownbridge
I am deeply concerned that the TPP seems to go against all things that would protect the interests of Australia, namely her people and evironment.
Corporates should not be allowed to sue simply because law, legislature or policy hinders their profits. People and the environment must be held above corporate greed. Corporates already yield too much political power, why further empower them at the expense of Australian citizens and our environment?
Grow some backbone! Protect us rather than succumb to international market bullying. Do you want to be remembered as a greedy bastard that assisted the decline of your own people and nation? Jasna Marsanic
I have heard rumbling for months that the TPP partnership would not be good for Australia but I was somewhat concerned that Mr Robb did not explain the plan in full detail to the Australian public. I then heard Mr Robb saying it was the best deal for Australia; but now I hear that my first lot of information was correct all along. Does Mr Robb not know that the drug companies control what goes on in the world as to medicines , garden seeds, farmers horticultural needs, as well as seeds for their crops.
The worst possible outcome for Australia would be to give the American drug companies free reign over Australia's medications.
Mr Robb it is your job to PROTECT Australians and you need to take this responsibility most seriously. Josephine Walsh
51 Over 20 years ago I was alarmed by the content of the Multi-lateral Agreement on Investment (MAI), which was quashed after public debate revealed its anti-democratic nature.
Now the TPP is attempting to put into place many of the same features of the MAI and I am again alarmed.
My greatest fears lie in the following areas:
1. The right of multinational corporations to sue Australian governments for legislation that damages their profits, but which has been democratically decided here.
2. Multinational health corporations, as determined by a Canadian Royal Commission into the MAI, may find that our publicly funded health system is in conflict with their profits, leading to expensive court actions and the possible reduction of our health system to a profit-driven system.
3. I have concern about the monopoly rights of pharmaceutical corporations under the TPP and their possible effect on our PBS.
4. Environmental protections are very likely to be weakened as corporations seek to reduce the impact of these on their profits.
5. OHS is comprehensively legislated and working in Australia. Our level of worker and public safety will be under threat by corporations seeking to reduce their costs. This has always been the case, but the TPP gives them an effective tool to force changes to legislation.
6. There are a large number of areas in which this deal is suspect or downright dangerous, but there are a couple of overriding aspects which should cause any prudent person to think carefully: a. If the TPP is really beneficial to the majority of people in this country, why has its planning and details been shrouded under such a veil of secrecy? b. Who profits? The TPP is the brainchild of multinational corporations and its benefits clearly flow toward them. If one party in a two-party arrangement with limited resources (multinationals vs national interest, i.e. that of the people) gains the other must lose.
It is I think, not too great an exaggeration to say that the power that the TPP will hand to corporations will effectively emasculate legislation in certain in this country. The Australian people will not benefit in the long run.
Oh, and just in case you are swayed by the argument that increased corporate profits naturally lead to an increase in the welfare and living standards of the mass of people in a country, I invite you to seek out evidence, not common sense knowledge, to support this claim. There is very little. There is overwhelming evidence however that increased democratic power and a stronger state does benefit the majority of a population.
Please consider carefully and place the interests of all Australians ahead of those of a wealthy minority.
Thank you. Rob Gray O.A.M.
52
We don't want the American pharmaceutical companies ripping us off with higher priced medicines!
I am frightened at the idea of lawsuits being taken out on our Australian companies by other country's corporations that are made to protect OUR legal decisions.
What our government decides is the best for us should never be interfered with by other countries.
It's really alarming and frightening for us so please be strong and do what you know is right and not be pushed by others in parliament who would think it's all good.
We believe it's NOT.
Thank you.
Pauline McCarth
I wish to submit that the TPP, containing as it does an Investor State Dispute Settlement clause and provisions which further entrench intellectual property monopolies, should be rejected as not in our national interest.
Multinational corporations are repeatedly shown to be exploiting tax loopholes and shifting profits offshore whilst lobbying for a transfer of the tax burden to Australian consumers through a GST increase.
At the same time we are being asked to sign on to an agreement which effectively requires taxpayers to subsidise profits derived from intellectual property monopolies that will only serve to keep prices high, stifle competition and reduce choice for consumers.
Even worse, the TPP will further erode our sovereignty by effectively giving these same corporations the power to sue Governments over regulation that impacts their profits.
At a time when we are increasingly concerned about national security it seems especially ironic that we are being told to sign away our sovereignty through so-called trade agreements which will actually serve to limit trade and competition. Damien Flatter
As an Australian citizen I am extremely concerned at the way in which the government is seeking to give away its powers as bestowed by the election of the people to multinational corporations who care not for Australia's people, only their own profits. In agreeing to the TPP the government is giving away far more than the modest gains we will receive back from the deal in trade. Please carefully consider the consequences of allowing multinational corporations the ability to sue our government for protecting its people and environment and for the impact of the rising cost of medicines on people's accessibility to medication and the flow on effects to health and the wider economy. If you think it is still worth going ahead with, the Australian people should at least be
53 made aware of the details of the deal prior to its signing and given the opportunity to give feedback as part of the process as it is something that would deeply affect each and every citizen.
Your consideration in this matter is deeply appreciated
Yours faithfully
Rebekah Blunt
Another tear in the fabric of democracy, governments will no longer govern but be governed by corporations. Global ization in the best and fairest sense or colonization by corporations with agendas? Courts to become secret squirrel clubs for economic elephants there to trample on tranparency, make men into mice and goons out of government. Given permission to own, rape and pillage environments for economic gain. Permission to use, abuse and alienate in order to dictate and all in the stoke of a poisoned pen. Economies should not become exclusive clubs for the elite and powerful. Economies need to be circles (circle of life) not pyramids, need to be inclusive of societies which are made up of people not pennies. We need to be careful that an emphasis on growth doesn't become a cancer on communities Judith Deane
Hi
I believe that citizens rights are protected only by good governance.
Our government and politicians are paid by the Australian Taxpayer and not by corporations.
Therefore the best interests of the people need to be prioritised over the interests of large corporations.
The people should not have their wages, health, environment, or privacy compromised at the behest of profits.
If this treaty is signed It will only confirm the common belief that governments govern only for the big end of town and their own power and longevity.
Any politician who votes affirmative on this should hang their heads in shame, they will go down in history as divesting citizens of their rights to control their own country.
Jenny Venning
You should reject the TPP.
MR ROBB recently told a U.S. Publication that U.S. Pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly nights over biological medicines that they enjoy in the U.S.
54 Biological patents under monopoly patents for longer means we pay. More for the medicines we rely on.
This is unexceptable.
I also believe that U.S. Corporations should not be alowed to sue the government if we enact laws that reduce their profits. E.g plain packaging on ciggarettes.
Or labelling what chemicals or additives are in the products they produce. Or laws we enact to protect the environment.
Please stop the TPP Frank Schultz
Please allow more time for scruninty of the TPP and a review of Andrew Robb's performance, which is unacceptable. It is the government's responsibility to put the need of the majority first - especially public health care.
Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has been caught red-handed telling the Australian public one thing and American pharmaceutical corporations another.
Mr Robb's spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States [1] [2].
References
[1] TPP: Trade Minister Andrew Robb trumpets 'excellent' deal, The Australian,, 6 October 2015
[2] Morning trade: Robb reassures on TPP biologics, Politico, 22 February 2016
. Kara McCormick
I do NOT want to adopt any part of the American system of healthcare. Good health is not welfare and should be affordable for every single Australian. I have a family member who has a chronic illness not of her choosing, she needs medicine several times a day in order to stay alive. I read many stories from Americans who have the same illness she has and there are so many people who are not covered for a particular drug, the one which actually works with their body, and if they test more than the insurance company thinks they should (but about the number of times the doctor says they should) they run out of testing equipment. It is a dreadful outcome and a dreadful system. Stay away from this and subject the TTP to open and independent analysis. Sheila Beer
There is already a proven revolving door between politicians and their staffers, and the fossil fuel industry (lobbying, consulting and board positions). Our democracy is being destroyed by legal
55 corruption caused by industry donations to political parties i.e. Labor, Liberal and National. The TPP takes this to a new level. Our so-called leaders are being massaged into signing away what is left of our ability to control our future as a nation, to a bunch of foreign-owned companies who have no emotional investment in us as a nation.
It is already difficult enough to bring about change in areas such as energy policy, because of industry/government links. Such changes will become increasingly necessary as the planet warms. In an uncertain future, the need for substantial change to the way we do things as a nation will become essential. The TPP takes us in a direction counter to this. It transfers power from our nation to foreign companies. It will make change next to impossible since Governments will avoid legislating because of fear of being sued, or if they do, it will be the Australian taxpayer who has to buy back the rights we need.
It is impossible to understand why anyone would want to sell the future of our nation. Our leaders have either been hoodwinked or bought, or both. Hence the need for secrecy. Please save our country and block the TPP in the Senate. Otherwise, goodbye Australia, welcome MultiNationalia.
Thanks for reading. Grant Da Costa
Mr Robb has recently been caught out telling the Australian public nothing is going to change with regard to affordable medicines. Yet, he recently stated to a US publication that they would have the same monopoly rights over medicines that they enjoy in the US
And as for being able to sue the Australia government if something doesn't suit some US company and it affects their profits is a joke of national proportions.
The whole thing is a sell out by the Australian government. As if the public hasn't suffered enough with broken promises by the government and outright lies.
The TPP agreement needs a lot more scrutiny than the government has allowed. Roger Cuff
I would like the TPP to be stopped because it does not make any sense. It seems we are to hand the power to make important decisions about medicines,health,enviromental and workplace protection laws over to what really amounts to America. The fact that a corporation can sue us if they don't like the fact that in protecting ourselves they may not aquire as bigger profit is crazy. The fact that it has been clothed in secrecy sends warning bells to me. What is being hidden from the people of this country. Please do not sign the TPP.
Thank You for listening and hearing. Pauline Berry
I am writing as a private citizen. I am concerned that the details of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement are being decided in secrecy. The few details which are now emerging were leaked. The
56 lack of openness with these very important negotiations is extremeley disturbing and now that some of the details have emerged, the reason for this lack of transparency are revealing.
The TPP Agreement is linked to a proviso that US pharmaceutical companies be allowed to have longer patents on medicines sold in Australia. This would result in higher prices for longer periods of time on medicines. This cannot be in the best interest of the people of Australia. It would however, result in more profits for the United States pharmaceutical industry. The United States Trade Registry, in 2009, received public submission from US industry groups stating that they wanted further changes to Australian policies on the price controls on medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. US corporations dictating our national policies would be a very bad outcome for Australia. Australian interests would come a poor second to these large companies.
There is also the worry that foreign corporations would have the right to bring charges against the Australian government if our laws interfere with their profits. The chance corporations suing the Australian government for damages would become a reality. Why would Australia want to subject itself to this threat? We have the world's best legislation on tobacco and cigarette health warnings. If these warnings could be proven to reduce profits on tobacco sales in Australia, big tobacco would then be able to sue our government for loss of revenue. Giving the tract record of the tobacco industry and its penchient for law suits when its profits are endangered this could be a big problem.
There is talk about the TPPA creating jobs. However, I would like to see proof of that. To date there is no proof of this. And, while the proposed agreement remains secret, we have no way of knowing whether there will be any significant economic benefits. Australia already has bilateral free trade agreements with the ten ASEAN (Association of SouthEast Asian Nations) and with four the TPPA governments.
The whole agreement should be put out in the public domain and openly debated in parliament. If this fails to happen, we can only assume that the trade off in things like affordable medicine or the right of our government to be allowed to carry out its duty to govern Australia as it sees fit, will be sacrificed with nothing gained. Lois Katz
Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review, the TPP should be rejected in it's current form as only multinational corporations, typically big US and Euro' will benefit greatly, the Australian population will in general gain very little if anything and based on the scant information provided regarding the TPP, the average Australian will be worse off. These are the same corporations that currently avoid paying their fair share of taxes through legal means ably assisted by the big 4 multinational accounting firms. The list of problems with the TPP include the very real possibility of the multinationals suing the Australian Gov't when changes are made the benefit Australians such as our health, environment and may or actually financially impact the multinationals, big Pharma is given too much ability to gouge Australians financially without recourse, the whining Entertainment industry wanting to continue to be able to gouge Australians financially under t he guise of copyright infringement, the very real likelihood the US will invade our privacy through our email and internet activity.
Thank you for your consideration CJ Dibden
57
To the Honourable Members.
My name is Elaine Jeffery. I am a 75 going on 76, year old Single Australian born pensioner and I love my country.
I am dismayed to learn that my deepest concerns about the TPP are coming to pass.
We have been told by Mr Robb that medicines would not be part of this so called 'great' deal for us Australians. So good, indeed , that it has to be kept secret from us!!
I now learn that the Pharma in USA will be given all the licence they want to charge us for drugs for which they hold monopoly rights, and take us to court if they do not like any of our decisions.
This is deceit in the vilest form. Please do not vote for this piece of ignominious legislature. We have had enough broken promises from the Abbott/Turnbull Govt.
Please do not let them do this to our country. Please! Please!
What will this do to our medical bills? We are not another state of USA, we are a sovereign country, and we should protect ourselves from anything that hints of being bad for us.
If this should be passed because of undue pressure on all of you, I must tell you that I will ashamed to own that my Representatives have done this to Australia. i will be glad that I will not have to see many years of my beloved country being pillaged by those arrogant monopolies.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
Elaine Jeffery
The Australian public need the opportunity to see just what is in the fine print of this agreement. Government is assuring us that it is a great deal for us, so let's have a good look. It appears that the government are still trying to keep the details secret.
Does it contain changes to our laws, and how they work for corporations.? Does it contain changes to the patents on medicines? Does it reduce our privacy, and the protections that we now enjoy?
None of these questions have been answered in detail, with the actual text quoted, so we can be absolutely sure.
Until all these points are cleared up to everybody's satisfaction, we should not be signing this agreement. Christopher Barclay
58 I am horrified at the thought of the effects of Australia's signing the TPP. Most Australians understand the dire straights American people are in regarding medication, particularly the elderly and the poor and we know it will be very much the same here if the provision of biological medicines is limited as a result of the TPP.
Australia will be unable to protect itself from the lawsuits that will follow or the devastation to our land and our rights to privacy and a clean, healthy environment.
I am old and won't see the worst of the devastation. Don't government members care for the future of this country, their own families and future generations? If you do, then you cannot pass this bill.
Thank you. Margaret Sinclair
The TPP is not a partnership at all, it appears to be Australia kow-towing to its main ally, the US, to give US business a free hand and special protections in the Australian market, with a few token concessions for Aussie businesses to sweeten what is really a sour deal.
Answer me this: if it is so good for Australia, why the secrecy here and elsewhere around it? Someone has something to hid, and that something is obviously not good for Australia. Andrew Robb gave a hint of what we are getting when he said that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. Do we ant anything like the US heath system? Hell, no. Ours is not crash-hot, but it works, and does not need destroying.
Australian politicians are elected to serve ALL the people of Australia, not just businesses. THIS should be put to a plebiscite, not gay marriage, which would be fine with a conscience vote.
If it's good for Australia, be totally open about it. If you hide behind all this secrecy, we, the electorate, KNOW you have something to hide. David Ashton
Corporate lawsuits:
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Internet privacy and freedom:
The deal locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
All i see in this deal is the Government neglecting it's duty by over looking the well being of Australia in favor for economics, and whats worst is we as a country are not going to greatly benefit economically from this deal. It's true that economy is important to the well being of a country BUT the well being always comes before economics.
59 Any deal that cannot be fully outlined to the people in total transparency but instead is span and kept quite IS NOT A GOOD DEAL FOR AUSTRALIA NOR ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
If the government heads down this road then i will have no choice but to reject ALL AUTHORITY OF HIS GOVERNMENT AND CONSIDER IT A TRADER. My hope of a good future for not just myself but for my family, my friends and my fellow people who's governments have this deal on the table ends with it's signing. Michael Reason
The Trans Pacific Partnership dealings have a history of many years of secret negotiations between the corporate beneficiaries and our so-called representatives with 'we the people' being kept totally in the dark throughout the process.
Our chief trade representative Andrew Robb emerged recently from behind this veil of secrecy to reassure Australians about just one aspect of their concern (among many others) with regard to continuing affordability of medicines under the TPP. He stated that we're not going to change the system and yet we find the reality is quite the opposite!
Mr Robb is on record as recently telling a US publication that under the TPP, US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States, which surely must be interpreted to mean that biological medicines will remain under monopoly patents for longer, resulting in our paying more for them.
Is this an example of why we have been locked out of this process, so that people like Andrew Robb can snow-job the Australian public until the whole process becomes a fait accompli...!!
This is not democratic governance. In fact this process is just one step removed from fascism, and is a perfect example of the causes of the emerging groundswell of political discontent among a lately far more enlightened public.
As a concerned 73 year old Australian, I suggest that this TPP abomination be shelved until the people are allowed to fully participate in a completely transparent review of its contents.
Would this not be the democratic way, in acknowledgment of the democracy our young sons and daughters over the years have fought and died for? Glenn Law
I am deeply concerned about the TPP.
The impact it would have on many aspects of our sovereignty and right of governments and citizens to protect the environment are in jeopardy.
Governments are there to do what profit making corporations do not do -- enforce and instigate into the system support of the 'externalites' that are not naturally a part of a profit-making business remit: the items that a business would generally not pay for voluntarily, most usually it pays for these externalities through legal enforcement (taxes and rates and prices of utilities). Positive and negative externalites that need to be considered: pollution, carbon, environmental diversity,
60 environmental protection, reduction of fossil fuel usage, affordable medicines for everyone, cultural activities etc...
The TPP seems to be pushing the need to acknowledge and instigate and support these externalites into the background. The TPP sets up governments to be watchdogs for business rather than watchdogs for the rights of its citizens!
The recent revelation that Robb Andrews has in fact been saying that the system will stay the same [in Australia] while telling US pharmaceutical corporations that they would have the same rights they currently have in that USA -- that is changing the Australian system! Double messages such as this only seem to support the idea that our government is now on the side of corporations (even those not in Australia) rather than on the side of its citizens.
I ask parliament to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership and instead put in place long term support systems that acknowledge grow support for the externalites that will be eroded by the TPP. Greer Taylor
Mr Robb appears two faced with regard to the cost of patented medicine. This is just one more thing about a treaty made for big money organizations at the cost of the average person. I fail to understand how a government that is supposed to look after the interests of its voters would even dream to support the TPP. I guess the truth is that 'ordinary people don't count and the government, who ever they might be care more about corporate sponsorship than anything else.
I know that I'll probably get a reply saying that this is all above board and for the good of one and all, but I think it's only for the good of a few, I've seen the results of these treaties in other countries where corporations are suing government - who in their right mind would sign something like this if their interests were truly with 'the people
Regards Rene Birzer
The governmental silence on the entire TPP is the fact that makes me the most suspicious. If there were significant benefits for everyday Australians we'd have our news media jam-packed with all the 'good news' being negotiated for us on our behalf.
The American healthcare system is about as broken as it is possible to get - bankrupting bill costs, denial of access to treatment, financially-motivated treatment decisions and far worse. Our Medicare system is regarded as an exemplar model. Why any move towards control of Australian healthcare by insurance and pharmaceutical companies could be considered beneficial for patient wellbeing is utterly gob-smacking.
The TPP strips control from our Government and hands it to corporations whose only concern is the bottom line, regardless of how many lives are ruined to reach it.
61 Stop lying to Australians and start representing us, as you are being elected and paid to do. Michelle Dyson
There is serious concern that due to a lack of detail economic modelling, the benefits and losses of the,TPP are unknown.
No serious organisation would enter into an agreement with third parties based on ideology.
This agreement will restrict Australian parliament in its ability to make economic decisions, with no known benefit for us giving up that freedom.
Recent revues of past Trade agreements have shown little or no benefit to the overall economy due to losses of trade with excluded economies.
The main point is that policy should be evidence driven with measures to determine failure or success. This treaty has nobe Douglas Townsend
I am terribly concerned that the TPP will have repercussions for Australians that we haven't even begun to realise. I have read scant information about its contents let alone any critical analysis. The old clichéd, it will create jobs, just doesn't wash anymore. Even the international press has little to offer. Mind you, it's not likely that the Australian (i.e. Murdoch for the most part) press will ever present a full and balanced analysis.
Before my parliament comes to any decision, I would like to see a chart listing all the positive and negative aspects of this agreement. Section by section. No stone unturned. You owe the future that. Sandra Rae Mitchell
The citizens of all countries in the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement should demand that their political representatives reject the deal -all governments, in the interest of heir citizens should not sign or proceed.
Very few people have been informed of its binding conditions, and little independent assessment has been undertaken. Ordinary citizens have had no direct input, yet the lobbyists for big corporations have been able to enhance their influence and profits.
I have grave concerns for OUR environment under conditions that allow corporations to sue our Government if legislation interfers with their profits.
I feel we have been lied to about the cost of pharmaceuticals, and I believe this country has always defended personal freedom -including internet privacy.
Trade deals like this have invariably been detrimental to orddinary citizens -families, communities, farmers, small businesses -even to international trade itself.
62 Common sense and decent treatment of ordinary people like me must always prevail.
I remain, William Burris
the top issues that our politicians need to hear about:
A flood of corporate lawsuits: Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Affordable medicines: Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP -----WILL---- increase medicine pricing.
Environmental protections: Our government SHould be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. ETC ETC Manley Manle
I have long held my suspicions that the TPP does little for the ordinary Australian by and large but does lots for large corporations. In essence, it will give them monopoly rights over our medicines and it will ultimately cost us more. How is this good for the average Australian?
Another principal concern, is the right of large corporations to sue governments. This is sheer insanity and will ultimately feed into the profits of large companies like cigarette and tobacco enterprises.
I am just an ordinarily Australian and I do not want this kind of nonsense for my grandkids.
Kind regards,
Kevin Thomas
I wish to voice my concern over the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal. The deal, concocted behind closed doors and has not been subject to any public debate or scrutiny. Whilst ordinarily this would be the case with a trade deal, the TPP has a range of measures that would on the surface, appear to infringe upon the democratic process.
The Australia Government is answerable to the Australian citizenry and not to any other body. No form of lien or influence on the Australian Government should even be considered by any government in or as a consequence of any deal; this is beyond the authority of any government.
63 This is Australia NOT the United States. Australians want to be Australian NOT American. Hegemony and US cultural assimilation should not be encouraged at the expense of Australia's culture and Australia should consider carefully what ceding ANY concessions involving influence, control, privacy and the ability to protect Australia from rapacious, overseas corporate interests. Paul Finnert
The TPP will lock in many of the worst features of US policy regarding intellectual property on drugs.
The TPP will mandate extensions of patents terms beyond the 20 years required by the WTO.
The TPP will mandate the granting of more patents on drugs, than is required by the WTO, including cases where the inventions do not result in improved efficacy of a known product.
The TPP will require countries to have state enforcement of private patent rights, in cases involving patents of dubious relevance or validity.
The TPP will create much tougher standards for damages on patent infringement, and eliminate space for exceptions or independent statutory norms for damages.
The current TPP text replaces the current WTO standard for compulsory licensing of drugs, with a new more restrictive standard.
The TPP will regulate the decisions to reimburse new drugs, and give drug companies new rights to challenge decisions on reimbursements, when they are not favorable to the drug company.
All of the above can be challenged by drug company suits against governments, in an Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanism, which will be used to intimidate and fine countries that undermine drug company profits.
Therefor the Australian Parliament should reject the TPP. regards
Dr Matthew Ford
I am concerned at the secrecy surrounding the TPP. The Australian public are being kept in the dark and there is no public discussion of the implications of the signing of the agreement. Big business and the Government are cosying up at the expense of the individual's rights. If anything should be an election issue it should be this agreement with cases being put for and against the signing. The whole smells of bribery and corruption which in Australia we call lobbying. Politicians should get their snouts out of the trough, do some honest and transparent negotiating and hoestly represent Australian citizens. David Simmonite
64 The signing of the TPP deal is of great concern. There are a number of points that are clearly wrong and a step backwards, and should be scrutinized. To two key priorities in my view are:
1) several provisions could cause affordable medicines to become unaffordable for most citizens as biologic medicines will be under monopoly patents for longer and we will end up paying more for the medicines we rely on.
2) it will curtail the ability of our government to act in the public interest and enact environmental, health and workplace protection laws. We don't want big multinational corporations suing us because our laws (that protect US) hurt THEIR profits.
I urge you to look carefully at these points and change the wording of those clauses WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR COUNTRY IN MIND, or otherwise subject the TPP to an INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS. Carmen Brown
In a time when our government is persecuting asylum seekers in the name of border security and protecting our sovereignty, it is a disgrace that they are considering signing away so much of our sovereignty in the TPP.
The idea that this deal gives overseas corporations the power to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits is appalling. And it is unacceptable that overseas interests can impact laws concerning our freedoms such as those concerning internet privacy.
If you are Australian politicians who truly represent Australian interests and freedom then you will abandon this deal and work toward one that more truly reflects the needs and desires of the Australia people, not the interests of multi-national corporations. Warren Read Dear Parliament,
As a citizen of this country, I request that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement be rejected.
Some sort of line must be drawn between a desire for profit and a desire for what is morally right. With the TPP, I sincerely worry about the future of this country and it's people.
If it passes, there will be few restrictions on corporate power. They cannot be trusted to coincide with the interests of this country's people, and why should they? Our government is responsible for protecting us from those that would harm us, and the TPP will do much more harm than any good.
Ultimately, we must decide what is more important - people or corporations. Such things like shadow-courts should have no place in our society.
Australia is a great country, don't let them turn people into just a number, waiting to be exploited.
REJECT THE TPP.
Sincerely,
65 Nicodem Kussowski
I understand that you are taking submissions about the TPP.
My concerns are as follows:
The ability of foreign companies to sue our government in private corporate courts. This is particularly concerning about our plain packaging cigarette legislation.
Environmental protections can be undermined in a similar fashion if it affects the profits of huge corporations. This should be stopped.
Our pharmaceutical benefits scheme will be at risk by giving the big pharmaceutical manufacturers their monopoly rights. Their argument about expenditure on research does not hold water. The main research providing advances in medications occurs in government funded scientific institutes and universities - not in the companies. Their expenditure on advertising to medical practitioners far outstrips their research expenditure. Robin Gibson
the TPP will remove the sovereignty of the Australian people and their Government by exposing our Commonwealth to a flood of Corporate lawsuits when the interests of the shareholders of a Corporation are at odds with the interests of the Australian people.
Why should our representatives ratify an agreement that prioriitises the interests of large corporations, with interests in Australia, over the interests of the Australian people?
Surely, our representatives should be forced, or badgered, into putting the interests of the Australian people FIRST.
I call on this inquiry to recommend in the strongest posssible language that our Government REJECT and NOT RATIFY this evil, despotic TPP agreement. Matt Black
The clandestine terms of the TPP have been drawn up in a manner that is more fitting of a Fascist Dictatorship, than a Democracy. Why are you the elected government who's mandate is to work for the benefit of this country and it's people, choosing instead to assist corporations in becoming more powerful and controlling than yourselves. Why allow them to be able to sue you if you do not meet their profit levels, or keep wages at a proper level. You have No right to give corporations a bigger stranglehold over economies and people. What are you receiving in return? What palms have been greased? What utter lack of statesmanship you are showing. This government is doing everything it can to destroy the well being of vast numbers of Australians. We need a double disolution now. Nikki Treanor
66
The TPP has several basic faults:
It is a preferential agreement, and contrary to free trade principles. Other discriminatory agreements have been shown to have little benefit to Australia
Any direct benefits from the TPP, which have been shown in respectable modelling to be very small, are offset by Australia's inability to buy from the cheapest markets
The threat to the Australian cost and availability of medicines is real and substantial
This is a political effort by the US to benefit its exporter interests at the expense of other members of the TPP.
This is particularly evident in the investment dispute provisions which undermine Australia's sovereignty, as High Court Justice French has said, and which could be very costly to Australia
The TPP is a geopolitical instrument that works against Australia's strategic interests. It splits the region in two when our interest is to see the region act in a more cohesive manner. It excludes China, Indonesia, and India (and possibly Vietnam) all potential major markets for Australia. Stuart Harris
Please block the TPP and prevent it from:
- Increasing medicine pricing for Australians
- Decreasing Australians' privacy and freedoms by allowing ISP's to spy on their customers
- Allowing Corporations to sue our governments to challenge our protections and laws for our environment
- Suing Australians in private Corporate Courts eroding the laws that protect us.
Please protect ALL Australians against this far reaching, protection eroding, dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal. This deal tips the balance of favour away from Australians and over to big Corporate greed.
Parliamentarians we implore you to act now before it's too late.
Regards
Jane Davies
I am appalled at the level of secrecy around this so called treaty. All that is occurring is the hiding of relevant information from the people.
67 Corporations cannot be allowed to control governments more than they already do. If the TPP is ratified and passed into law it will be a dark day for not only the Australian people, but the peoples of all participant countries.
American corporations will, for all pretense and purpose, own every signatory nation and they will take every opportunity to sue said nations governments to get the profits they believe they deserve, to the detriment of the public.
Digital rights and copyrights will be likely further extended and erroded to prop up a dying business model, forcing Australians to be 'charged through the teeth' for movies, music and software where there is no material need other than profits.
The PBS will be attacked and eventually shut down to 'protect' the profits of American pharmaceutical conglomerates, forcing Australians with medical needs to be unable to pay exorbitant costs.
And blank cigarette packaging will be canned because American tobacco firms will want to make up for their lost profits in Australia due to the excellent work by our politicians.
All these things will eventually come to pass if the TPP is passed into law. You, as my elected parliament need to vote for what I want, not what your pockets are likely being lined with.
An exasperated member of the public, your constituency and responsibility,
Trent Simpson
The secretive nature of the TPP negotiations, and the determination of the government to go ahead with it makes me 'smell a rat.' What is really going on here?
All leaked information I have seen so far suggests this is being pushed by the USA to benefit corporations - at great cost to consumers, and most likely to our government as well, when it all boils down. It appears corporations will be able to sue the government if laws are passed that affect the profits of these corporations - e.g. laws regarding smoking, and laws regulating dangerous chemicals etc.
Why has all the discussion been so secretive? Shouldn't such deals that will affect the people be much more transparent? Why is our government determined to pass these secretive deals? Aside from the corporations, who is going to benefit?
These deals seem to be another step towards removing the rights of citizens - just like the coercive No Jab, No Pay legislation which effectively removes our right to informed consent to medical treatment.
Who is the government really serving, with laws and secretive deals such as these? Because is sure doesn't seem to be the Australian people. Sonja Hard
68 Dear Prime Minister and Senators,
The deceitfulness continues to grow. So pleased there are still people in the world with the courage to SPEAK and expose some of the deceit everywhere so prevalent. We were once such an honourable nation with Leaders whom we could trust.
Now we have Mr Robb telling people one thing and the pharmaceutical Corporation another......
Many of us are aware of the deceitfulness of the pharmaceutical Companies and the power they exert over governments, unfortunately including our own.
We want a truly open, transparent relationship in all your dealings with any company but especially the Pharm. Companies who have destroyed the health system in the United States and is rapidly working towards the same end in Australia. Money is the name of the game for them and they'll do whatever it takes to ensure they come out the winner even if it means preventing cures that don't include drug use being denied to the public.
How is it they we know this and you all seem ignorant of the fact, or worse are in agreement with them. Are you compromised in some way?
If so, resign and allow someone not part of the deceit to come in and be able to act with integrity and courage and restore real transparency and health to our Health System.
We want the TPP rejected definitively. It's disempowering us and giving our power to the corporations. Yours sincerely. Patricia Delaney
To the Parliamentary TPP Inquiry,
As a concerned citizen I urge the Parliament not to agree to the TPP Treaty.
Mr Robb has been duplicitous in cozying up to large US Pharmaceutical companies and powerful US corporations whilst being secretive about the details and impact of the treaty and misleading the Australian Public regarding the negative affects of this treaty for Australian trade and potential serious detrimental increase in health costs, particularly the cost of medicines.
This treaty is not in the best interests of Australia and its people. Please do not agree to being a signatory to this dangerous treaty.
Barry Hicks
This is a deal dreamed up by the multi nationals to monopolize world trade, and if you care to look behind the bullshit that they are spreading and see the real facts of their case you might consider doing the job that you are being paid by the public to do and protect us from such predatory practices.
Even the majority of Americans are against the deal.
69 You must be aware that there is a great deal more to the deal than expensive medicines so while you're occupied with that, other more important clauses will be ignored.
Wake up Andrew Robb and do your bloody job. Colin Cook
It seems the following will be the result if the Australian government agrees to signing the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement
Corporate lawsuits - sounds like only multinationals have more power than governments - wheres the democracy in that?
Pharmaceutical companies win over low socio-economic sick people needing medicine.
Without protections a safe and healthy living environment will be compromised by big irresponsible mining projects, big irresponsible agricultural companies, big irresponsible rich hunting jocks (a certain dentist comes to mind).
Workers rights are already compromised and the situation will marginalise those already on low wages with no chance to pay for better education.
The balance of power does not belong to the unelected rich barons of the world. How can democracy be signed away to a selfish capitalist system? Steve Harrison
I am gravely concerned about the implications for Australia of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The secrecy surrounding its negotiations, and the protections that will potentially be removed by the deal, are both cause for outright rejection of this agreement as bad policy.
Firstly, I am very concerned about the TPP's impact on Australia's health system. As a doctor, I strongly support our universal health care model and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Any agreement that allows profiteering by American (or other foreign) pharmaceutical companies at the expense of affordable medicines for Australians is bad policy.
Secondly, the provisions of the TPP that allow corporations to sue the Australian Government for passing laws that disadvantage them financially, even if those laws are in the best interests of the Australian people, are UTTER MADNESS. No responsible Government anywhere would think that such provisions are sensible - such laws would either discourage the formulation of responsible public policy, or cost the taxpayer a fortune in legal fees unnecessarily, or both. PLEASE do not be foolish enough to sign up for such an agreement, despite how enticing the wording of the agreement may be.
Third, our Australian environment is precious and unique. We must at all costs retain control over our sovereign powers to make laws that protect our environment - any clause in the TPP which allows corporations to sue the Government for passing laws which strengthen environmental protection, especially against harmful processes, should again be rejected outright.
70 Please please please do not allow Australia to sign up to an agreement which is driven purely by profit, but which will cause so many detrimental effects on our beautiful country. Think not of yourselves or the profits of your supporters - please think of future Australians and visitors to our country who will suffer from the unintended consequences of this vile piece of legislation.
Sincerely,
Dr Neil Glasson
We need access to affordable medicines, and we need to be able to make our own laws without worrying about laysuits from overseas corporations. We don't want to be bullied into fracking, or have local businesses forced into bankruptcy because of cheap imports. It's already happening with a flood of things bought through the internet. There isn't a single thing I can think of that would make the TPP a better deal for me, and most of the people I know. We're just opening the floodgates to imports and big overseas corporations, with a miniscule few Austrealian niche business being able to do business overseas. In future years we'll be able to point to this as a really bad mistake, but who wants to be proved right at the cost of our economy? Just don't sign away our rights and our future in the first place,
Keryn Emmerson
I cannot believe what lengths the Australian Government is going to, to sell out Australian interests to overseas countries.
We must keep control of all our assets, we cannot allow other countries to dictate what and where we sell our products to. We must be able to be independent and control our own destiny. We must be able to keep Australians in work before allowing less skilled foreign workers to take our jobs.
We must also be able to control our pharmaceutical requirements and not be dependent on foreign corporations.
If the Australian politicians do not start listening to us, the people, there will be a dramatic upheaval in our political system. Stephen Gear
I am concerned that if the Australian Government accepts the TPP deal, this will be detrimental for all Australian people. The Australian people will have less rights and less democracy.
The main reasons for my concerns are shown as follows:
1) The US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines, and this would mean that Australian citizens would have to pay a lot more for medicines, than they do now.
71 2) The multinational corporations would be able to sue the Australian Government in private corporate courts, over legal changes that protect the Australian people.
3) The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, for example fracking and polluting the groundwater.
4) Invasion of privacy on the internet, such as the internet provider can spy on people and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. Clare Howden
Hello
I am concerned about the TPP and feel it should be rejected. I want it stopped because of the harm this deal can cause to affordable medicines, with the cost of medicines becoming unaffordable. I am also concerned about how this deal could affect the environment, in light of the Quebec provincial government being sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land: this could happen in Australia. Additional concerns such as corporate lawsuits and losing internet privacy and freedom are also why I am proposing that the TPP be rejected. Tanya Cornish
To whom it may concern,
I have grave concerns that the politicians of Australia that should be looking after the best interests of the Australian people are not and are in fact looking after the rights of big business and corporations.
Any politician or political party that allows an agreement to be signed or be passed in our parliament that permits any corporation to sue the Australian government for governing in the best interest of its people should be shamed.
Remember why you entered politics and if you can't represent the best interest of the all the people then leave, preferably before you destroy our country
Regards
Craig Blakley
This widely promoted agreement is but a huge win for big business who will benefit from the signed document allowing them to decree which medicines will be free to us in Australia and which will become far more expensive than at present. I urge our government not to be bewitched by Mr. Robb's eloquence and slippery handling of the truth but to examine every sentence of this document and see just how much worse off all Australians will be but specifically those low income families
72 who will find that their necessary medicines will become much more expen-sive under the terms of the Agreement. Joan Biddle
Committee Secretary
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
Paliament House, Canberra I am concerned about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). Looking after Australians and Australia's interests is what an Australian Government does. I was under the impression that Andrew Robb was a member of the Australian Government. Should we buy shares in American Pharmaceutical companies instead of investing in Australia? This mentality of profit at all cost before peoples health is wrong and must be stopped now. We are not talking about material things here, we are talking about people who are possibly in dire health or life issues through no fault of their own. I'm sure that the people who are keen on proposing these Treaties would think again if they were faced with a member of their own family or someone they knew who required such medication, were put in a position of being unable to afford them, due to the decision of someone that they thought represented their interests on life and health matters, only to find that they had been sold out for profit first mentality, and to a foreign country as well. In this topic of hea lth, those who occupy decision making positions in Australia that can't or won't accommodate the interests of Australians and Australia's interest first, should stand aside for someone who can and will. Ken Silva
Australia has a pretty good medical system by world standards and the coalition for some unfathomable reason seems to want to Americanise the damn thing.
Please resist the urge to mess with the PBS it works just fine as it is now.
I am also dead set against any arrangement that may see our governments sued by multi-nationals by reason of our passing valid laws to protect Australian citizens.
The major problem is that the general public has little understanding of the salient clauses in the TPP and there certainly has not been sufficient disclosure or debate on the TPP as whole. The government may well be locking us into an agreement that is positively detrimental to our long term well being and prosperity.
As a result the Parliament should not proceed with this agreement. Ross McRae
I urge the Commonwealth Parliament to block the TPP for the following reasons:
1.Under the proposed TPP the ability of the Commonwealth Government to legislate in the interests of all Australians can be legally challenged by corporations should their private interests be adversely affected when those interests are contrary to those of the Australian population.
73 Australia's ability to legislate in the best interests of Australia's population, not those of any corporation be it private or quasi government within or external to Australia, must not be compromised. All corporations be they locally based or international must be subject to Australian law when dealing with Australia. Australian sovereignty and law making powers must remain supreme within Australia, and not subject to appeal before any other body.
2.The example of extended patent lives for prescription medicines is a specific instance where the interests of all Australian citizens will be adversely affected by patent durations which bare no relationship to reasonable protection of intellectual property.
3. The current Commonwealth Government has shown such a high degree of secrecy both in negotiating the proposed TPP and in making public what it is endevouring to commit the Australian public and other Australian corporations to under this TPP to raise very serious doubts about the integrity and competence of the negotiations by this Government supposedly on behalf of all Australian citizens and Australian corporate bodies. Graham Ellis
I'm very concerned that various areas of the TPP will cause Multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury when any legal changes may affect their expected profit. They have done this in other countries that have the TPP or very similar policies that give too much control to Multinational corporations. They win, the country becomes an added income & the people suffer.
I would believe the politians that agreed to these policies will suffer in the long run too. The governments loose control of the countries policies, tied legally to do whatever the multinational corporations choose for their benefits. Some of these treaties take away the rights, privacy & power of everybody in the country who signs the treaty.
This is a breach of the Government to the duty of the people. Why make the mistake that other countries have. They have suffered for it. We have a choice NOW not to participate, once signed it's too late to realise the mistake. It will be a MISTAKE regreted for a very long long long time. Judy Pearce
I am deeply concerned about about the apparent lack of transparency concerning the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Indeed, the apparent lack of information made available through mainstream media is in itself worrying, given the longevity and scope of this proposed multi-lateral deal.
If some of the few media reports are true, or even feasible, it is deeply disturbing that our Government is considering making concessions to multinationals; concessions which appear to be contrary to the best interests of the Australian public. Chief amongst these are:
* ability for multinational corporations to challenge, or even bypass, environment and quarantine laws, endangering the disease-free status of our local food sources, and threatening viability of farming and essential ground water supplies.
74 * likely increases to prices of existing medicines
* likely delay to the release of more moderately-priced generic equivalents of new medicines.
* ability for multinational corporations to seek remedy from Australian Governments, outside of established International courts of law and existing due process.
* potential for multinational corporations to compel local telecommunications providers to collect and pass usage metadata to jurisdictions beyond the coverage of Australian Privacy laws.
I urge the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties to allow the TPP to be independently analysed, by at least three suitably qualified external parties (to reduce the likelihood of any particular political bias).
Thank you for taking the time to review my submission.
Kind regards Kevin Burbidge
The TPP has so many parts to it that do not sound like they are in the interest of our workers, our health and current pharmaceutical standards, protection of our environment.
It seems we are handing over the keys to our county to large corporations to do what is in their own best interest in our country.
What is best for us and our farmers, our health and our environment is of no concern to these companies.
Why would any Government be keen to be part of something that ties their hands behind their backs when it comes to wanting to enforce regulations that are in the interest of Australians - they are deemed by corporations to affect their projected profit margins.
It is crazy to give large corporations so much power while we just stand back and have to take it!!
Well I say NO and in no way do I want my Government to put the interests go large corporations over the interests and welfare of everyday Australians.
This is not a democratic government this is bi business taking control and our government letting them in fact keen to do so.
Not an option on any level!!!!
Please say NO to the TPP!!!!!! Yvonna De Jong
Our Parliament, under Our Constitution, is elected and paid for out of the public purse. Now it would appear that our Sovereignty is available to Multi-National Stand-Over Men, posing as legitimate business Corporations should you, our Government, challenge their 'rights' to plunder our resources
75 and pollute our environment. These are the tactics of the Mafia. You have a sworn duty to protect Australia and it's Citizens and yet you are about to sign off on a partnership, you have not even read, because you are not allowed to. This is not a deal between equal partners, it is a fait accompli, delivered by the henchmen of the New World Order Puppeteers to enslave nations and steal their resources. If you choose to sign off on this, look down the road after the revolution occurs and remember what happened in Iceland after their Constitution was re-written, their Bankers gaoled and so were the Politicans who allowed it occur on their watch. Say NO to this abomination which th e THUGS are demanding which will give them control of our and your Country.
After the Financial coup in the USA, Christmas 1913 where the Reserve Bank Act was manoeuvred through Congress, President Woodrow Wilson stated, I have inadvertently handed control of my country over to a small group of powerful bankers. Don't put yourself in his position. Stand up! Tony Barr
My name is Janeen and I am an average parent that loves this country. I am a 4th generation Australian, my children are 5th.
My concern with our democratic process at the moment is; will my children be able to afford to live in this country if the TPP is ratified in the Senate.
There has been no transparency of this agreement to the people this will affect.
The projected GDP increase over 15 years is less than our usual increase as a sovereign nation with the capability to provide for ourselves.
How can it be of benefit to Australians if international corporations have the ability to sue our local, state and federal Governments for loss of potential future profits of their companies?
How can we afford to pay for medicine that has an extended patent on it so it is more expensive in the long run?
How does this agreement affect our rights as workers or will our jobs be outsourced to cheaper slave labour overseas?
Will this allow more GMO produce to be grown and then sold in our country? Will this affect out farmers and our health due to overuse of pesticides that are a 'probable carcinogen' according to the WHO?
I do not see an advantage for Australia and the hardworking people that live here and deserve a thorough independent inquiry into this shady 'trade' agreement as obviously there are questions with no answers and that is only on the little we know about the deal.
Please spare a thought to the rights of Australian people instead of the international corporation's coffers and strong arming.
An proud and very concerned Australian. J B
76
Treatment for this disease can be purchased legally from India for a little over A$2000, from USA it costs A$100,000 plus, the company which owns this patent has bought its executives a private jet each as a bonus it is so awash with funds.
Meanwhile, people such as myself who contracted the disease from blood transfusions from a public hospital in 1973 are threatened with liver cancer and liver failure while our government has procrastinated over the provision of the drugs on the PBS for over 5 years due to the cost.
This is just one example of where the provision of life saving medications is exploited to an absurd extent by rampant greed in the guise of altruistic benevolence.
Cheers Julie Beale
Dear Parlimentarians,
These are the reasons why I don't want the Trans Pacific Partnership deal to go ahead.
I do not wish to have Multinational corporations suing our Australian government in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us.
I also do not want to pay more for our medicines like the people in the US have to.
I am concerned that our government could be sued for passing laws the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking and water pollution. I want our environment, water and land protected for future generations in Australia.
I do not want internet service providers spying on me or reporting possible copyright infringements to enforcement agencies.
I hope that you will sit up and listen to the people of Australia and not ignore us by going ahead with this dangerous TPP deal. Elaine Bullock
Dear Sir,
Do the right thing by the good people of Australia and reject the TPP.
Our health system is so important and is 'lifes' need.
Just imagine yourself struggling in taking medicines that cost so much on a 'regular' basis, especially all your life.
Thank GOD I have never been in this situation and I am 57 years of age.
77 We are already facing issues and some serious ones in our country and we rely on our government to protect us in many ways.
We need to enjoy life not make it harder.
In the name of 'Good Health,
Basil Stellios
Negotiations have been done far too secretively. Many people around World not happy. Many Australians unaware of impact on the future. It is proven that tobacco company taking Australia to Court and this more likely to happen with TPP.
I am extremely concerned about healthcare costs and have major concerns regarding environmental impacts.
I don't have faith in our political leaders to do the best for Australia. Currently Australian politics appears corrupt. Agendas appear to assist corporations not Australia.
I am disgusted to see recent changes that severely penalise peaceful protesters and severely under penalise mining companies for breaches. I see this as our current government paving the way for the TPP so as to avoid future court action by overseas corporations . More pandering to big business and not listening to the Australian people and focusing on addressing the impacts of climate change. God please save Australia! Desnee McCosker
Mr Robb, if the Trans Pacific Deal is so fantastic and beneficial for us, why are you so very reluctant to tell us (the taxpayers, the the people who pay your wages & perks) how we will be better off, ALL DETAILS SHOULD BE RELEASED TO THE MEDIA, EVERY VOTER INTITLED TO KNO...... , ARE YOU WILLING TO SIGN AWAY A LOT OF OUR RIGHTS TO FOREIGN INVESTERS IN THE NAME OF FREE TRADE, WE AL LNEED AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO SCRUTINISE THIS AGREEMENT. Mr ROBB WE ARE NOT ALL SO STUPID THAT WE CANT SEE WHEN SOME ONE IS TREATING US WITH SCORN AND DISRESPECT.
A DISALLUTIONED VOTER Margaret Lindsay
The Australian parliaments (Commonwealth and State) should be the bodies that make the rules that we as Australians live under. By signing up to the TPP we would be handing over too much power to corporations to block government action in the areas of environmental protection and consumer and workplace protection.
I recognise that Australia eventually won the case allowing it to impose plain packaging on cigarettes but this took much time, expense and effort and there were no guarantees of success. I don't want
78 other Australian laws that are also clearly in the public interest to be subject to similar challenges by other multi-national corporations. Eddy Vicker
As the TTP has been designed by US corporations, and aware of the role and purpose of US corporations, and that the people of Australia have been kept in the dark about its contents, it is demonstrably anti-democratic.
The current Federal government has a track record of destroying education, health, science the economy, democracy and arts in this country, so it stands that it will prefer to support the secret TTP, ( that is being rejected by all fair minded people around the world), than support Australian citizens.
Australia is a sovereign country, please stop pandering to the world terrorist, The USA. David Cox
Australia is a small economic player compared to America and as such our ability to influence the outcomes of the TPP is very limited. The way the American corporate sector bullies its own people (the minimum wage an example & trying to reverse the basic Medicare cover for the poorest of the poor) indicates that they have no concern for their community; so imagine their attitude towards us. They are ruthless predictors. Why should we have to give up our right to make laws to benefit our community (eg labelling of cigarette packaging). Smoking costs our community millions of dollars per year. The PBS is a very good system that has benefitted the community; this could be challenged by big American pharmaceutical companies.
I find it disgusting that the political class in this country are NOT representing their constituents, they are a voice for business including multinationals who pay little or no tax. My son as an apprentice plumber on $16,000 per year paid more tax than Kerry Packer who boasted that he paid NO tax; these politicians have allowed this to happen to many years.
A Disgusted voter Pater Grove
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review
Please reject the TPP.
I do not want my tax to be used on corporate lawsuits when overseas companies want what is best for them - not for us as Australian taxpayers and the people who have to live in our environment.
Many people like me are on limited incomes and so I do not want the cost of medicines to increase.
If the TPP is so good for Australia, why have we not been told more about it? Where are the details of it and its possible impact on Australia and Australians? Where is the transparency and accountability that I expect of my government?
79 Again, please reject the TPP for the sake of Australia's and Australians' wellbeing.
Yours sincerely
Jennifer Barnes
I would like the TPP blocked by our Australian Parliament for the following reasons:
1. It will enable multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts, without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australians, but hurt the corporations profits.
2. Health sector groups are warning that several provisions of the TPP could easily increase the prices of medicines in Australia.
3. The deal made will lock in the ability of internet service providers to spy on their customers and report copyright infringements to appropriate agencies.
4. Our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections corporations must abide by, eg, fracking and water pollution. As an example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking to protect Canadian groundwater and land. Robyn Tweedie
I'm writing this email to request parliament to reject the TPP.
I believe we have very little to gain and a great deal to lose. I'm very concerned that this deal is not in the best interest of the Australian public, the Australian economy and the environment.
Former Minister Robb has signed the agreement without any outside analysis as to the merit, potential benefits or the risks of entering into such an agreement. An offer from the Productivity Commission to undertake such an analysis was turned down by Robb according to the SMH Robb's department turned down an offer from the Productivity Commission to do the job properly, observing that modelling such an agreement was very, very difficult to do (1).
If it's so difficult, it brings to question if Robb himself had a thorough understanding of the implications of such an agreement. Without such an analysis, we can only conclude that he is wilfully ignorant.
However, others have done Robb's work and concluded there's not much Australia has to gain from such an agreement. Research by the world bank shows that Australia is likely to have an increase in GDP of less than two percent by 2030 due to increased business resulting from the trade deal. Furthermore, Australia's exports will see one of the smallest increases of member countries by 2030, being only 5 percent (2).
Why sign such an agreement?
80 Why sign away our right to legislate in a manner that protects our citizens and our environment in favour of any foreign corporation protecting their profits? The lawsuit bought against the Australian government over plain packaging for cigarettes illustrates this point. We should be protected from costly lawsuits and legislation that fails to protect our wellbeing, our health and the protection of the environment.
I conclude by asking you again on these grounds that the TPP be rejected in parliament. This matter is of grave concern to me and it will inform my decision as to which party to vote for come election time. (1) http://www.smh.com.au/comment/close-but-no-transpacific-partnership-cigar-hillary- 20160301-gn7pjo.html#ixzz42OLsHRjx
Dear Elected Employee's,
The informed Australian public does not want the TPP or the negative impact this will bring this country and our future. There is no upside for Australia and you all know it. The US conglomerates, your personal investments and post-political career are the only benefits with the TPP.
In particular, the Pharma's being given such freedom to poison us and sell expensive drugs is a damned disgrace.
Remember who you work for and that this is election year. This country is bereft of any decent political leadership and been since Howard. There is no-one other than Turnbull worth voting for.
I demand that Australian Parliament and the Senate start working for Australia and not their twisted ideologies or New World Order bullshit. You are all a disgrace, but this is your chance to redeem yourselves and prove to the country that you are worthy of our trust. Glenn Latch
Dear Parliament
You must reject outright the TPP if you are going to perform your mandate, which is to act on behalf of the people of Australia.
The TPP clearly gives far greater rights to overseas corporations to the detriment of the Australian public.
Even the 'benefits' are very minor as highlighted in the Australian Financial review, however, the costs to the Australian public are massive, especially in terms of health.
Why would the Australian government want to give such great consideration to the profits of multinational corporations instead of considering its own citizens.
Is it necessary for the Australian public to decide to rise up against Parliament as occurred in Iceland, oust the government and completely reform government, banking and the protectionist (of corporations) organisations such as the TIA?
81 If the government no longer acts for and on behalf of its peoples, then what choice would possibly remain, but to reform the government?
The monopoly that the duplicitous Mr Andrew Robb has supported in the pharmaceutical industry is simply one fraction of numerous breaches of public interest the TPP will enforce.
Look at some examples that already exist without the TPP even in place:
Melatonin, arguably the safest sleeping tablet and used extensively by international pilots was able to be purchased from overseas by the Australian public for a fraction of the price that it now is that the TIA has given such exclusive rights to a pharmaceutical company in Australia to supply it.
The additional costs to the Medicare health system are also not trivial. The same medications can be purchased overseas and shipped to Australia at a fraction of the cost of just the Medicare Governement paid portion of the medicines. The TPP will exacerbate this already in existence imbalance and add many millions to the costs incurred by Medicare and many further millions to the costs incurred by our citizens.
Parliament, you must boycott the TPP if you are going to act for the citizens of Australia. If the TPP is ratified by you, then it is abundantly clear that you have no interest in the citizens of Australia but instead are clearly focussed on making International corporations already biased monopolies even more sure.
If you as a politician have not fully investigated the TPP then I urge you to do so by way of approaching the groups against it and in so doing at least receive the other side of the story. If you do not do this and tacitly or directly support the TPP then you are by no means worthy of your position.
Please do what is right for the Australian people, not Multinational Corporations!
Thankyou Linton Norrish
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP that there will be no change to the system, but is now assuring a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations that they will have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. This appears inconsistent. I and other Australians do not want to be paying high prices for longer to american or other overseas corporations.
The TPP concept that overseas companies can sue the Australian government if they find themselves disadvantaged is also worrying, as this could mean large sums of taxpayer provided dollars being squandered.
A World Bank report has also stated that the TPP will only boost Australia's economy just 0.7 per cent by the year 2030.
In view of the risks, is the TPP worthwhile? - Not to me, or I suspect to many other Australians.
Please reject the TPP.
82 Best regards Rosemary Knight
Dear Sir, dear Madam,
I am greatly concerned about several issues regarding the TPP. My latest concern is that the Australian special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system. I am surprised to hear that Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
When will all this lying stop???
Please help to reject the TPP. Thank you.
Kind Regards
Anna Winko-Brunet
As a general practitioner here in Australia I am particulrly concerned about the impact on signing the TPP on the affordabity and access to medications. THere is eery chance that new medications which are both lifesaving and life changing will remain inaccessible to the majority of Australians, with the exception of the extremely wealthy.
Signing the TPP will see this precious land of ours raped by those with only profit to themselves as their objective, or alternatively, ordinary Australians bearing the cost of 'compensation' payments to prevent the rape. Overseas corporations will become the Pimps which prostitute our land, and the government the weak minded authority which have handed the Pimps their power.
No amount of financial benefit to Australia and its citizens can justify this nation handing over its own sovereignty and sufficiency to corporate interests. Elaine Owen
Australians cannot afford to go down the American track of monopoly rights on medicines. The United States is far from a benchmark of what we want our health system to be, with poor people regularly frozen out of health access.
But this is not just about poor people's access to pharmaceuticals at a reasonable price- there's no reason why middle class or rich people should have to pay more for medicines either- and the goverment of Australia surely understands that a government which presides over a change that sees us pay more at the chemist will not be our government for very long. Surely self preservation appeals to our politicians- even when decency doesn't?
83 This is not the only aspect of the TPP I object to. I appreciate that the TPP will bring in lower prices for certain foods and materials, but my fear is that the cost to local farmers and producers through flooding the market with cheap goods, foods that don't meet our standards and underqualified workers on temporary visas (eg mechanics that don't pass our own skills tests) would prove more detrimental than the subsequent drop in prices would be beneficial.
In summary, there is no good reason why our existing price points for medication should be changed to appease pharmaceutical companies, or ram through a TPP that endangers many facets of Australian life. Even with the described benefits, I consider the cost of the TPP passing is too high to undertake. Joanne Morgan
As best I can understand from the very restricted information available, Mr Robb has been assuring American Big Pharma that their interests will be protected, meaning big profits, ridiculous patent protection and higher costs to Australian citizens who are used to a decent PBS. At the same time Minister Robb is making soothing noises - trust me, I'm the minister and you don't need the detail - to Australians.
At an absolute minimum, this agreement needs close scrutiny from the House and the Senate, especially the Senate, and, on the face of what little we know, needs to be blocked completely. Peter Cass
Dear Parliamentry members,
It angers me that representatives of the people are selling our freedom and rights of simple humanitarian liberties to big global corporates who continuesly sell their deals underhandedly to run their rackets of providing jobs. When the fact is they're looking out for their own and NOT the Australian community! Who's governing who? Are we governing ourselves or are the corporates doing it for us? I didn't vote for a board of members from pharmaceutical - fossil fuel - telecom, etc to run our country.
Where is the good ol Australian comarade of working together side-by-side to solve our countries problems. STOP ignoring the people, there wouldn't be a country without the hardworking Australians, leaders and small businesses that makes up most of it. Acknowledge that and let us work together!
We don't need their dirty TPP deal, it benefits us very little. Do what is right for the Australian people? Let's lead the world by example and stop being sheep of the US / Roman regime.
Regards,
True Blue Aussie Through & Through Anthony Dierickx
84 I would like to see the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement blocked because I believe it will -
1 Lead to a higher cost for pharmaceuticals.
2 Leave the Government open to lawsuits by multinational companies if there are changes to laws to protect our environment that impinge on the profits of these companies. These could include laws relating to insecticide use, fracking and water pollution.
Governments of other countries have already been sued under similar agreements and I believe this agreement may be of advantage to the multinationals but will harm the citizens of this country on whose behalf you are supposed to be acting. Julie Allen
My name is Eric Allan from Victoria. I believe that the TPP is NOT in the interests of Australia or Australians. I am strongly of the view that the TPP should NOT be ratified by Parliament. I believe that key issues that highlight some of the problems with the TPP include:
*Corporate lawsuits: Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but which they think will hurt their profits. By way of example, I understand that a corporation is currently suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Not an acceptable process!
*Affordable medicines: I understand that health sector groups are warning that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing, to the the benefit of corporations and to the detriment of patients.
*Environmental protections: I understand that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as those regulating fracking or protecting water from pollution. For example, I understand that the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for passing laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Not acceptable that the short term interests of Corprations can threaten the long term sustainability of an irreplaceable essential resource in such a way.
Please don't ratify this potentially disastrous deal as it stands. Eric Allan
It should be taken to a vote! Plain and simple! Something that will effect Australian lives and way of life should be voted by the people! And FULL transparency of the deal should be shown and advertised!! Debated in public by many different parties! Money has become more important than people's lives or way of life and that is truely sad! Maybe it's time we acted on or decided on things differently. Half the country may not have voted for the party in power, and I think they have a right to have some voice on a decision that will affect generations to come!! Matt Page
85 As a long time sufferer of bronchiectasis, not on a pension of any kind, I am horrified by the betrayal of Minister Robb to people like me. Big Pharma DOES NOT need the money! Their profits are already obscene but for him to tell us, the Australian people who pay his wages, one thing and to tell them another is a huge sell out. I am angry that he thinks so little of the Australian people that he would do this.
I regard the extension of patents to be nothing but a licence for big pharma to rip me off even more. I worked full time until I was 55 and paid my taxes , only to retire on an ill health benefit from my superannuation. I rely on generic medicines to get me through constant lung infections. I am not a drain on the public health system as I pay my way without government support.
This is a betrayal. Lyle Taylor
To whom it may concern;
I think the TPP should be rejected! What benefit is it to the average everyday Australian?
I want affordable medicines. I have an autoimmune disease which requires numerous medications. I cannot afford to pay more than I already do!
I want our environment protected and not have the concern of our government being sued by the US government if they so wish!
I want my freedom and privacy when using the Internet. I do not wish to be spied on!
And can our government afford corporate lawsuits? I don't think so!
If this TPP was such a wonderful deal then why aren't we hearing anything about it? It seems the government are keeping it quiet to try and slip it through unnoticed! I don't think it's going to be great for Australia.
Yours sincerely,
Donna Sulis
Dear committee,
Can you please check and double check that the TPP will not compromise our medical Benefits scheme?
Trade Minister Robb has told Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States.( TPP: Trade Minister Andrew Robb trumpets 'excellent' deal, The Australian,, 6 October 2015 vs Morning trade: Robb reassures on TPP biologics, Politico, 22 February 2016).
86 The MBS is a good scheme and makes effective medicines attainable for all Australians. Don't mess it up. If the TPP does not maintain the integrity of the medical benefits scheme it must be addressed before it is approved by the joint standing committee.
Sincerely,
Karin Aubrey
Call me cynical....but I have to assume something is not to my benefit when I'm told, particularly by a politician with a vested interest in completing the deal, Trust me, this is good for you....but you can't see the detail!
In particular, the idea of ceding our sovereign right to make our own laws to foreign, for profit, corporations is lunacy. There are numerous examples globally of these ISDS provisions being invoked by corporations already. Australia was fortunate to win the recent plain cigarette packaging dispute with British American Tobacco in the Hong Kong courts. Imagine what BAT will try on if backed by ISDS provisions in future.
Until this whole proposal is independently reviewed and costed I urge the Parliament not to ratify it. Ian Finck
World Bank analysis has shown that the TPP will bring little or no economic gain to Australia.
It will undermine the Australian people's ability to ensure justice in our own country, with corporations able to sue our government in secret courts over laws that protect us and our environment if they reduce a corporation's potential to profit. This is the very definition of putting money before people and is frankly obscene. This will definitely be used to advance harmful agendas, such as Philip Morris suing Australia over restrictions on smoking imposed in recognition of the damage smoking does -- smoking kills FIVE MILLION people each year worldwide. The TPP would make it more difficult to make such laws protecting people and environment, and would have a chilling effect on attempts to bring protective laws in.
It would allow big pharmaceutical corporations to keep the prices of life-saving medicines unaffordably high and restrict access to generic medicines.
It would allow monopolistic communications and entertainment corporations to damage our internet freedoms because of their desire for control and illusory profits that they think they should have and that they believe we don't deserve, while propping up backward-looking, anti-technology, business models and slow the rate of advancement.
As some of the text of the secret TPP has been leaked we have seen why the corporations who have contructed this awful contract have been so obsessive about keeping it away from the public eye. It is a truly awful document that advantages only the big corporations.
87 It would damage our legal protections and freedoms, our environment, our work relations, our economy, our communications, and our health.
Don't sign the TPP. Miriam English
This agreement is in the interests of the US NOT Australia. We are a proud and independent nation. We are creative and need the freedom to develop our own industries such a biologic medicines without threat of the US suing us or in any way interfering with the development of the Australian industry. When we have that flu pandemic that is killing huge numbers - who will get the vaccine supply first? The US. We need our independent supply, we need this industry. This is but one example of where allowing the US a monopoly in our country will put us at their mercy and I do not believe they will be merciful.
We can thrive without this agreement. There are more important markets in the world - this is their last desperate attempt to control the world economy. Let us not give them what will not be tour or the world's benefit.
Please do not sign this agreement. It is not in our best interests.
Thank you. Margaret Chirgwin
Please block the TPP.
One example: I do not believe the medications I need -- let alone the thousands of medications others need -- to live will be affordable under the TPP.
When I was in the USA, I stayed with people in their sixties,, who could not afford medications. The woman, aged 67, was battling cancer for the third time, yet having to work in Walmart just to be able to go to the doctor.
Couple unaffordable medications with unaffordable pathology, scans and other potentially life- saving procedures, and we'll have the same situation as the USA: people will go bankrupt because of medical bills.
Australia's health system has been the envy of most of the world since the introduction of Medibank/Medicare. Health care belongs to us, your constituents. You are accountable to us, not to Big Pharma. Aviva Sheb'a
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you for the opportunity to submit to the JSCOT inquiry into the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement.
88 I am concerned about the impact of this deal on affordable medicines, in particular biologic medicine patents being extended from five years to eight years through administrative and other measures by the Federal Government.
This would extend the monopoly held by major pharmaceutical companies over these medicines, which will increase their cost to the Government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and eventually the public at large.
I am also concerned greatly by the Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions. This gives multinational corporations special rights to sue Australia in non-governmental arbitration panels should our government legislate in the public interest. I urge you to look at the example of Canada and it's constant ISDS case defences that have occurred under the NAFTA trade deal, as an example of what can happen here under the TPP deal.
I urge you to recommend rejection of this deal.
Yours sincerely, Watafad Watafad
To the Australian Government.
Get all aspects of the TPP out in the open for proper scrutiny. Large corporations are very adept at manipulating governments into giving in to their wishes. Countries find out too late what the ramifications can be to what the Governments have agreed to.
I do not believe any politician has the knowledge or business acumen to know what they are exactly agreeing to in these types of dealings. If big corporations are pushing it, be careful.
Any type of monopoly on anything is bad for everyone (except the corporation , of course).Various governments have , over the years legislated, and rightly so, against such happenings. Especially for corporations outside the country.
If the TPP is so good, why is it being shrouded in secrecy??
Greg and Mary DEVLIN
Please stop the TPP. It is a toxic deal to all of us and the future generations.
The TPP being negotiated in secret without the opportunity for public viewing is deeply concerning.
TPP is like a wrecking ball to public health when access to generic medications is restricted.
How can third world countries stop the spread of ebola or malaria or HIV or TB if they cannot access affordable treatment. This will end up as a catastrophic epidemic and will surely spread to every continent.
Would we be able to afford the treatment if these pharmaceutical companies name the price?
89 I pray our politicians see sense. I pray that they will think twice about the insidious clauses in the TPP.
I pray that they put public health interest FIRST! Jocelyn Hofman
To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
I am making a submission to express my deep concerns about the Trans Pacific Partnership, and to urge parliamentarians to firmly reject this agreement. My concerns are as follows:
The ISDS provisions are an attack on the sovereignty of our nation, and the Parliament. It should NEVER be the case that when our country decides on legislation it is at risk of multinational corporations using private corporate courts to challenge our laws and protect their own interests. I also have concerns that the TPP will open opportunities for corporations to sue in relation to Australia exercising it's sovereign right to legislate to protect our already vulnerable environment.
It's very clear from such disputes already initiated against other nations under similar agreements that such provisions are very likely to be used to entangle Australia in lengthy, delaying and convoluted proceedings at very high cost to the taxpayer (in both legal costs and potential damages) It's wholly conceivable that there could be many of these disputes being prosecuted against Australia at any one time.
As an Australian citizen suffering from chronic disease requiring numerous medications over many years I am very concerned about the risk posed by provisions of the TPP to our system of affordable and accessible medicines. My relatives in the US regularly recount to me instances of very high cost of medicines in the dysfunctional, high cost US healthcare system, and in fact urge us to ensure that the system we have in place in Australia is preserved.
Finally, in this world of ever-diminishing internet privacy and freedom it is quite unacceptable that the TPP will provide the means by internet service providers can track users for possible copyright infringement and report to enforcement agencies. If copyright holders are concerned about their intellectual property they have many existing legal means other than this treaty by which to pursue and protect their commercial interests at their own cost.
I strongly urge members to act in the interests of Australia, your constituents and our future and reject the TPP. L E Farrant
from what i,ve been able to review on the TPP it,s a loss in many ways to the Australian public with overseas big business gaining as a result in more ways than one, US pharmaceutical stand to hold us at gunpoint with max profits the main aim basicly increasing the costs to the Australian public/taxpayers.The potential for corporate lawsuits over protection for the Australian public if it damages there potential profits. Enviromental laws set down to protect our enviroment as well as our worlwide footprint may be deemed harmfull to corporate profits and result in lawsuits,And the
90 loss of internet privacy and freedom, look out its BIG BROTHER this is not a joke its a dirty little back room deal thats being rammed down the throat of Australia. Raymond Smit
To the Honourable Mr Robb
As a concerned voter I request that you provide all available information on the TPP to the Australian public, and consult with us prior to signing such a monumental agreement. We don't want to be beholden to multinational companies overseas, and deserve to know all the effects and ramifications of the deal. We deserve to hear the whole truth on the deal.
Please publish all information and conduct some detailed unbiased analysis on this partnership. Simply pushing this through will change my voting preference away from the Liberal party.
Thanks
Dave Smith
I am concerned about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).
The TPP will have almost no economic benefits for Australia, because we already have free trade agreements with all but three of the Pacific Rim TPP countries. A World Bank study has estimated that it will result in a tiny 0.7% growth in the Australian economy after 15 years.
The TPP is not mainly about trade, but about restricting future governments from regulating in the public interest. The TPP allows the US to set the rules for the region. But what benefits US corporate interests is not necessarily in the interests of most Australians.
The Productivity Commission and the ACCC have said that the TPP gives foreign investors special rights to sue governments over domestic laws, and also strengthens monopoly rights on medicines and copyright at the expense of consumers.
The TPP allows foreign corporations to bypass domestic courts and sue governments over changes to domestic law in unfair international tribunals which have no independent judiciary, no precedents and no appeals. Cases against tobacco regulation can be excluded, but ‘safeguards’ for other health, environment, labour rights and public interest regulation are weak and will not prevent future cases.
The TPP locks in stronger monopoly rights for pharmaceutical companies which will lead to higher prices for medicines. Australia's law on costly biologic medicines will not change immediately. But there is a commitment to deliver up to 3 years of additional monopoly for biologic medicines, which could cost the PBS hundreds of millions of dollars a year for each year of delay in availability of cheaper medicines
Copyright experts argue that the TPP locks in copyright monopolies for global media and IT companies which could restrict future governments from responding to consumer rights and changing technologies.
91 The TPP contains only weak labour rights and environmental standards which are not enforceable, and will not protect the rights of increased numbers of temporary migrant workers.
The TPP removes labour market testing for temporary migrant workers. This will expose more of these workers to exploitation as seen in 7-Eleven stores and other industries without testing if local workers are available.
The TPP is not in the public interest, and I urge you not to support the implementing legislation Jill Mance
Australia does not or need american style medical or pharmacetical costings or an american monopoly screwing our lives over for the holy dollar. We have enough local cowboys and politicians trying to do us over BUT as Australians we have a modicum of control over their questionable activities. In reality this country does not need the TPP or Andrew Robb, let him live in the good ole USof A and survive under its profit at any cost regime and if he gets crook let him feel first hand and through his hip pocket at the codt of keeping his miserable hide alive Kerry Howe
To our parliamentary representatives for the citizens of this great country, I am greatly concerned with this very secretive agreement, called the TPP, with details being leaked that clearly only benefit the giant corporations operating around the world, hence the secrecy of every detail of the TPP. The disadvantages out-way the benefits for Australia, and at the very least, Australians have a right to know the truth of this agreement and its true effects on each and every-one of us, and as our elected representatives, I have an expectation of you all, when you way up the lack of benefit to almost all Australians before voting on this poor out-come of an agreement, negotiated by persons with limited commitment to Australians generally.
Thank-you for the opportunity that was never going to be given by vested interests.
Regards
John Kelberg
CINA MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH AUSTRALIAN AGE PENSIONERS, WHO HAVE NO CONTROL OVER OUR AGING AND HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE VERY DEPENDANT ON OUR AUSTRALIAN PBS SCHEME TO HELP US RECEIVE SAFE DEPENDABLE AND CHEAP PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO HELP US THROUGH LIFE IN OUR TWILIGHT YEARS.
WHILST MANY GREAT DRUGS COME FROM THE UNITED STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THESE OTHER COUNTRIES AND ESPECIALLY THE UNITED STATES HAVE MANY DANGEROUS DRUGS MADE BY PEOPLE WHO ARE GREEDY AND HAVE SCANT RESPECT FOR HIGH MANUFACTURING STANDARDS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ENFORCE HERE IN AUSTRALIA BEFORE THEY ARE RELEASED FOR GENERAL PUBLIC CONSUMPTION AND AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.
92 MR ROBB'S SNEAKY BACK DOOR POLITICS TO ENABLE DRUG CARTELS ALMOST CARTE BLANCH CONTROL TO TAKE OVER OPERATIONS HERE IN AUSTRALIA IN EXCHANGE FOR VERY QUESTIONABLE SO CALL TRADE OFF BENEFITS SMACKS OF POLITICS BARTERING AT ITS WORST SO PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF YOUR AUSTRALIAN CONSTITUENTS AS TOP PRIORITY PROTECTION FROM OVERSEAS PHARMACY AND DRUG MANUFACTURERS WHO WILL RIP OFF EVERY CENT THEY CAN AND HANG ANY SIDES AFFECTS AND HARM THEIR DRUGS CAN DO IN ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD!
PLEASE PREVENT THIS HAPPENING AND ENSURE NO DRUG LORDS GET HOLD OF LIFE SAVING DRUGS WE SO DESPERATELY NEED!
WE REMAIN YOURS MOST RESPECTFULLY AND SINCERELY,
RONALD MAY
I cannot imagine what benefit the tpp will have for the people of Australia.
The secrecy, the lack of consultation, the disregard for Australian people and the prioritizing of multi national corporations is despicable. And really not what a democracy is about.
We need our government accountable. Not Cowboys doing as they please for short term gain at the detriment of the rest of our country for generations to come.
I don't want to live in America. I want to live in Australia. A unique country that supports it's people.
Please review the ttp and think about our future generations. Rilka Oakle
Simply put, I have absolutely no trust in what we are told by politicians, Andrew Robb in particular. I believe he is deceiving the Australian public in regard to the TPP.
I am very concerned that the TPP offers the wrong protections to very rich pharmaceutical companies. Monopoly rights protected in this agreement mean that we wait longer and pay more for medicines after they have been developed. This is discimination against our own citizens, while already wealthy companies make bigger proffits. We are constantly told that this agreement is going to be good for all Australians. Certainly does not sound like it.
I am also alarmed at how this agreement allows foreign owned companies to sue Australian Governments if their profit margins are somehow deemed to be damaged by legislative changes. Of particular concern is the mining industry, where one day our govt will wake up and start protecting what is left of our natural resources. This is almost certain to impinge on the perceived profits of an industry which has a filthy reputation for environmental damage in it`s race to take advantage of our stupidity.
In summary I have grave doubts that the TPP will bring any benefits to ordinary decent Australians. Ross Ellis
93
The TPP will not be equal trade for all the countries involved. Local Agriculture production will still be subject to subsidies in the US and tariffs will be phased out over a number of years for Aussie produce. Is that equal, no.
The medicines we purchase from the US may be far more expensive, no one will say.
The environmental implications are scary.
There is an old saying that describes the TPP
All people are equal its just that some are more equal than others.
Australia will be a less equal participant of the TPP so please dont approve the legislation Phil Murray
I do not support the TPP Trade.Cost of medications is always a constant worry ,for we know that it can be costly.Not being able to afford life saving medication only means death.Is medication about saving people or Corporations wanting the rights for profit.? This trade off does not benefit the Australian people or the Government.It will make life so hard and for generations to follow.Can anyone explain the details of the TPP Trade to the people and what it means for the future?The Minister for Western Australia doesnt understand the TPP Trade Deal ,just like some of the politicians.This trade harms our country and the people of Australia. Another topic has to do with Personal Land,Mining and Fracking. I work hard all my life to live a simple life living off my land that i purchased years ago and fully own.To be told that trucks mining pumps for gas,oil,water,gold( whi chever reason) will be taking place on my property and don, t need my permission to do so under the TPP Trade Agreement, that i did not endorse or agree to.How is this meant to protect or benefit the people of Australia.Imagine your,e kitchen tap pouring out flames instead of water due to fracking and not to ignore the health wrisks and dangers due to this.This is called Tyranny.The ones that benefit are Corporations. If the requirements of the TPP Trade are not met or asserted,then by corporate law the Australian Government will be sued.What kind of deal is this?.How does this benefit Australia or the people?.Then wanting to rule Australian people under Corporate Law.What happend to the Commonwealth Law? To take ones Souverignty,Law,Property and rights is called Tyranny. Daena Simonds
This supposed great deal for Australians needs to be properly examined.
Parliament should reject this dangerous TPP.
If it is so wonderful... why all the secrecy?
Why all the behind closed doors discussions?
94 Why is Andrew Robb so keen to resign and get out of the firing line?
Why all the urgency?
Why are large Pharmaceutical companies so keen , while the Australian People are so nervous?
Why is Australia giving away our rights to properly consider the implications for our people?
Why is it so hard for ordinary Australian grandparents like myself to get answers to questions which will impact on my children and grandchildren?
There seems to be a very smelly rat about all this (just like SO many LNP policies and Trade Deals). Graeme Bucholtz
I urge you NOT to sign the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) as I believe parts of this deal will adversely effect Australians.
I am told this deal could:
• Allow foreign corporations to sue our government for decisions it makes that are in our public interest but hurt the big corporations’ bottom line.
In fact I hear that multinational corporations could sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australians, but hurts their profits. In one example I’ve heard about, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
I am totally against the inclusion of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses that will allow multinational corporations to sue sovereign governments if their profits are impacted by government policy. Australia does not need to put itself in a position of a flood of corporate lawsuits. I do not want Australia to give our power away to big multinational companies.
• I am told the government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. An example I have heard about is where the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. I am totally against clauses, which would undermine our environmental protections. They need to be strengthened to protect Australians.
• Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase the price of medicines and health products. I have heard that Australia's special trade envoy, Andrew Robb, has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system. But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the USA. So what does this double talk really mean? Sick Australians need to have access to affordable medicines.
95 I believe anyone who signs an agreement to allow the above to occur is a traitor to Australia. Heather Gibbons
Here are just two examples of why the TPP should be blocked by the Australian parliament:
*) Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
*) The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Ivan Richards
I am very concerned about a number of issues arising from the Trans Pacific Partnership including but not restricted to the following:-
*The possibility of multinational corporations suing Australia over legal protections for Australian citizens that may impact their (the multinationals) profits. Governments around the world have surrendered many powers by signing successive FTAs in the name of globalisation. Our autonomy as a nation is threatened by theTPP.
*Several provisions within the TPP put at risk our ability to provide our citizens with affordable medications.
*We could be sued for enacting legislation to strengthen our environmental laws. This concerns me particularly in relation to fracking but it could easily affect us in many other situations.
I urge Parliament to reject the TPP as it stands. Our national autonomy is too valuable to be traded away like this. Patrick Nolan
I am deeply concerned about the looming TPP which has not been transparently discussed in a democratic way but was crafted by corporations for their benefit alone. It endangers our culture and community by giving undue power to foreign corporations such a s pharmaceuticals who would have monopoly rights over essential medicines and drive the price up.
It will endanger our fragile environment giving corporations the rights to pollute and break our environmental regulations for profit. This could open corporate lawsuits which would undermine our democratic legal system and human rights.
96 I see little benefit from this disastrous treaty for the Australian people. Perhaps a few sugar farmers will benefit in the short term, but at what cost. I call on Parliament to have open and transparent debates on this treaty so the public is aware of what is at stake.
I call on politicians to examine their consciences and deepest understanding of what this country stands to lose and to vote no on this agreement.
Thank you for standing for freedom and democracy.
Sincerely, Laura Shore
I would like to see Parliament block the Trans Pacific Partnership to stop dangerous practices that will weaken the Australian people's sovereign rights to choose the values by which we live.
If one of those ideas is to have a healthier society by decreasing smoking related illnesses then I want our government to have the power to be able create laws that protects the population. I do not want to see that power weakened because we have signed a treaty that allows global companies to wreak havoc in the name of profit !
If another value is to have a protected environment then I do not want or expect a company from another sovereign state to be able to sue my government for having a different opinion.
I want a government that can act in the best interests of the people and not be 'captured' by what are the best interests for the plutocracy. I trust and hope you all have the courage to say no to the TPP. regards
Penny Josephson To whom it may concern,
As an Australian citizen, I urge you to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a binding pact that poses grave threats to jobs and wages, the environment, food safety and public health, not just in Australian, but across the Pacific Rim.
If adopted, the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal will lead this nation further down the path of being governed by a completely neoliberal system in which profiteering takes priority over the welfare and rights of people, and economic growth engenders environmental decline. We have seen this system of deregulation fail in the United States and in Europe. We have seen the visible had of corporate greed choke the life out of once vibrant communities, cities, and even countries. Why then would we opt to follow the same path? Why trade the welfare of Australians and of those who seek refuge here, along with the legacy of those who before us sacrificed themselves for this nation, when the grave costs of doing so has been made known to us?
Below are some of the likely effects of the TPP that I find particularly disturbing:
97 1) Risked increase to medicine pricing. Provisions of the TPP favour private patent holders, and may limit the development of affordable, generic, yet life saving medicines. Our own Trade Minister Andrew Robb has even recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over Australian biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. For many Australians already denied access to adequate medical treatments, the current protection period of eight years served as little more than a drawn out death sentence.
2) Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) : this provision of the TPP allows foreign corporations to sue governments for policy decisions they believe harm their investments.
This provision threatens to deprive nation-states and their citizens of autonomy of government over environmental protection, wages and workers' rights, and public health policies.
As an active citizen and voter, I urge you to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Kind regards,
Kelly Kelly Birch
The secrecy surrounding the negotiation of the TPP is disturbing.
No doubt there are some positive aspects but as an ordinary Australian I wouldn't know because the Govt has not seen fit to make the details of the deal public.
Rumours abound about monopoly patents on biological medicines which will impact medicines being affordable.
The possibility of legal action against our Govt for enacting environmental, health or workplace protections that are important to Australians is very worrying.
In my opinion the TPP should be rejected until the details are made available to everyone.
This is important because decisions are being made that will impact every Australian and we are entitled to know the details.
Thank you Jo Groth
I'm concerned that laws that protect Australia and its people could easily be overrode by various parts of the TPP.
I admit I'm not an expert nor do I believe any one person could be.
So when Health sector groups are concerned albeit only about the longer monopoly on patents then I also become concerned. several different groups have raised concerns that will affect their area of expertise.
98 So that makes me more concerned. No one should ever be able to over ride / undermine laws that Australians have to protect us.
Please lets reassess the areas that are causing concerns re our Sovereign rights as a Nation. Barbara Hirton
A corporation is suing the Egyptian government for simply raising the basic wage of its people. Another nuclear power company is suing the German government because it decided to phase out nuclear power after the Fukashima disaster. Canada passed laws stopping fracking in order to protect its land and water and is now being sued by a US company. Australia was sued in Hong Kong by Philip Morris for bringing in plain packaging laws in order to try and save Australian lives.
Signing the TPP will hand our sovereign rights to Big Business. It will take away the authority of all governments, now and in the future, to make decisions affecting the welfare of Australian citizens by handing those rights over to multi-national corporations. The TPP will be a gift to Big Pharma and will leave the government trying to explain to voters why it cannot afford to subsidise medicines because the PBS bill has blown out to monstrous proportions.
John Howard refused to sign a similar treaty when he was prime minister. He refused to allow a private corporate court, devoid of either judge or jury, to over-rule the highest court in this land. Australian courts should be good enough, is what I believe he said. He was right. They should be.
Parliament is there to protect the welfare of the Australian people, to act in their best interests. Handing over our sovereign rights as a nation to overseas business interests is clearly an abrogation of Parliament's Duty of Care to its citizens, and must not be allowed to happen. Lynette Chamnas
Dear Mr Robb,
I trust all is well.
I just wanted to inform you that right now you are writing your own political memory's death sentence and will long remembered, if this TPP deal passes, as an unpatriotic sell out and traitor to the Australia people.
You want to offer corporations more opportunity to control the flow of free information on the internet, give them the potential to sue or government, and jack up the price of medicine to a point where it will cost me nearly $100.00 for a medication which people require to breathe. I'll give you a guess at which one.
All while your party nonchalantly avoids enforcing adequate tax on corporations, making working class citizens prop up the country for your crimes.
Your misreading and arrogance at the political feelings of growing unrest in Australia, due to the corporate puppet government which follows the USA's every whim is testament to your traitorous
99 nature, and your cowardice to even hang around in parliament long enough to take the heat when the chickens come home to roost.
You sir, may be remembered as a traitor and should be jailed for treason if the TPP goes through.
You still have a chance to redeem your character. Reject the TPP now.
If not, I honestly hope that your demons do not haunt you until the end of time and your exit from parliament is not a humiliating one. Please understand the the humiliation and hardship you are attempting to be instrumental in inflicting on the Australian people and make the right choice.
We are Australia. We are not aspiring to be America. Surely you can see the people rising against the establishment there?
This is not free trade and your selling of it in this manner is criminal and unforgivable.
Show some honesty. Come out and address the concerns with facts, figures and hard evidence instead of dot points on a government website.
Or live forever with your crimes.
The world is at a turning point.
Don't make yourself infamous.
Instead be remembered as a true leader.
And end this sickening deal that benefits no one except for the 1%.
Warmest regards,
Rory Mouttet rory mouttet
I am extremely uncomfortable about the TPP and the powers which it seems will be taken away from we Australians and our government and laws and handed to multi-national and international corporations who will be allowed to set there own rules and conditions and over-ride ours. I write seems because I have not been able to study the TPP myself, nor has anybody who I trust - I'm thinking of legal experts in our universities, and law chambers, the politicians who supposedly represent me, and ordinary Australians like myself who care deeply about the changes for the worse that are becoming the norm.
I fear for the society my grandchildren are to inherit. The TPP appears to be introducing anti-social, toxic conditions for the conduct of transactions that will impact adversely on just about every aspect of our lives.
If that reads like ill-informed unfounded scared mongering then that's because I am scared, and ill- informed because there's no information about the details. Mike Shearer
100
Dear Sir/Madam, The current pharmaceutical prescribed medicines scheme seems to me to be working quite well. Prescription medicines are considerably cheaper to buy in Australia than in the USA.
If it ain't broke, why fix it. leave it as is.
I realise that R&D costs a lot of money, but the rewards to the big pharmaceutical companies are huge as the whole world is their potential market, and the drugs are mass produced by the millions, so economies of scale keeps production costs down.
I do not think it is of any benefit to the Australian people to extend monopoly rights enjoyed in the USA to Australia. It can only be detrimental to Australia.
The pharmaceutical companies will still ship their drugs to Australia as they want all the sales they can get, and the Australian public have the capacity to pay.
Consider the consumer market. USA with prox 350million people and Australia with say 23 million people. The USA market is 15 times bigger than the Australian market. There is no need for Australia to cow tow to the USA. The USA is well and truly big enough to stand alone without Australia granting them any concessions or monopoly rights.
Regards,
Ted Burbidge. Ted Burbidge
Areas that concern me from what little I have heard about the TPP are:
Ability for multinationals to sue Australian Government to get their own way on issues that support them not Australia and Australians
Affordable medicines for Australians as the health sector have major concerns about
Environmental Protection : this is a major concern to me at all levels and that our laws not be watered down in the interests of big corporations that need accountability to be kept honest. We have evidence of this with the BHP fiasco in South America and I am sure the people whose lives & livelihoods were destroyed will not see a penny of the compensation paid - I have lived in these countries and I know how the Governments work. The Australian environment is one of the most fragile in the world and our water is our most precious commodity.
Internet privacy and freedom - the civil liberties & control of the population are now being put severely at risk under the auspices of fear and protection. This has gone far enough and needs to be reined in.
If the TPP was an evenly balanced Treaty then there would be no need for secrecy about it - this alone makes me very concerned that the Government are signing a Treaty that the Australian people
101 do not know anything about. I thought this was a democracy and the Government were employed by the people of Australia to work in their best interests - this brings that understanding into question. Jo Lindo
Mr Robb told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.While reassuring the Australian community that with the TPP there would not be any change to affordable medicines.
Food safety - we need to control our own food - PLEASE!!!
We can also expect to be sued by multinational corporations in private corporate courts - without judges or jury if their profits are down. Like the corporation suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Or for environmental reasons like when a US energy company sued Canada for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
We would be locked into a internet service that spies on us our privacy gone and could be sued for downloading some things from internet.
This is not in the interest of the Australian public!!!! Carolen Fisher
I want to take this opportunity to express my grave concerns for the future of this country should Australia proceed to approve/ratify/become a party to the TPP. As I see it, this trade deal is in the interests of anyone but the everyday Australian, particularly when given the ISDS provisions and the potential consequences for the health, wealth, and environment of the Australian people. From reducing the affordability (and thereby access to) important medicines, to undermining our sovereignty and taking away our right to improve worker conditions and/or protect our environment free from the interference of Transnational corporations, the TPP can only deliver disastrous consequences to the vast majority of Australians. I urge you, please, to reject the TPP and protect current and future Australians from this despotic and anti-democratic trade partnership.
Sincerely,
Michael Amloh Michael Amloh
With the TPP, there appears to be little public knowledge about the real facts. Mr Robb has been lauded by his colleagues for signing Australia up but the general public is mistifide as to the impact such will have on their lives. It is all very well us being told we will be better off but the secrecy surrounding the whole process reeks of coverup. Pharmaceuticals are expensive enough now without possible higher prices don the track.
102 Environmental protections can cause large corporations to be affected financially thus law suits are inevitable.
With the budget and elections imminent is the government hoping the TPP will go under the radar? Ruth Cook
Early drafts of covering clause 7 of the Constitution Bill provided:
The Constitution established by this Act, and all laws made by the Parliament of the Commonwealth in pursuance of the powers conferred by the Constitution, and all treaties made by the Commonwealth, shall, according to their tenor, be binding on the courts, judges, and people of every state, and of every part of the Commonwealth, anything in the laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.15
It has been said that the reason for the removal of the phrase was to make it clear that there was no suggestion that the Act would confer power on Australia to enter into treaties in its own right.16 There was little recognition in the debate that the change had another important effect, of removing the direct application of treaties in Australian law. La Nauze, however, noted that the Colonial Office in England was prepared to insist that references to treaties made by the Commonwealth be deleted17 at least in part because it was thought to be inappropriate for treaties to be part of the law of the land in a system based on the Westminster model. in Australia we must reestablish the middle class the offshored jobs have to be brought home, monopolies broken up, regulation restored, and the central bank put under accountable control or abolished. This is why WE MUST NOT SIGN THE TPP Agreement.
Jobs offshoring enriched owners and managers of capital at the expense of the middle class. Well paid manufacturing and industrial workers lost their livelihoods as did university graduates trained for tradable professional service jobs such as software engineering and information technology. No comparable wages and salaries could be found in the economy where the remaining jobs consist of domestic service employment, such as retail clerks, hospital orderlies, waitresses and bartenders. The current income loss is compounded by the loss of medical benefits and private pensions that supplemented Social Security retirement. Thus, jobs offshoring reduced both current and future consumer income.
Australia's middle class manufacturing jobs can be brought home by changing the way corporations are taxed. Corporate income could be taxed on the basis of whether corporations add value to their product sold in Australian markets domestically or offshore. Domestic production would have a lower tax rate. Offshored production would be taxed at a higher rate. The tax rate could be set to cancel out the cost savings of producing offshore. The TPP is bad for Australia, we the people are the supreme authority IAW our Commonwealth Constitution and sovereign over the Parliament. We the majority dont want the TPP here and YOU our elected representatives MUST NOT SIGN AWAY OUR POLITICAL and JUDICIAL SOVEREIGNTY to Foreign Global Corporations, Tribunals or Courts. Brett Wilson
103 Dear inquiry
I am really concerned about the TPP, particularly in regard to the impact on affordable medicine in Australia. I work in primary health care, and I see dozens of people every day. They are not just the wealthy, they are middle class, working mums and dads and their kids, they are the elderly who are scraping to make ends meet on a pension, and they are the disadvantaged who work minimum wage jobs, and seek the minimum care they can to survive.
The TPP is NOT in the best interests of these people. The TPP is in the best interests of big corporations who will make money off this deal. Increases in prices of medication will hit some of these people in ways they simply cannot afford to deal with. This is not something that Australia as a country should countenance.
I am also deeply concerned by the possibility of the Australian government (and therefore the Australian people) being able to be sued by Multinational corporations for taking actions that protect our citizens in the face of their profits. This is not a reasonable or a responsible action for the Australian Government to take, and it is not in the best interests of the Australian people.
I would hope that the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties could see that the Australian people as a whole do not benefit from the TPP as it stands, and reject this deal.
Thank you for your consideration
Dr Rohan Macdougall (BSc Chiro, B Chiro) Rohan Macdougall
The TPP is NOT in our interests at all. It has been secretly negotiated ans there is no real benefit for Australian citizens.
Australia must not join this dodgy deal.
Medicines for all must be made as affordable as possible. The TPP apparently gives pharmaceutical companies special rights to charge more for essential medicines, and we pay for that under the proposed TPP.
Where is any real and genuine benefit by signing the TPP for Australia? No one has been able to shed any light on this question.
It must be stopped - or we must not be a part of it. Glenn Wilson
The Trans Pacific Partnership deal would shift power from the Federal Government to corporations and thus international monopolies with little concern for domestic needs and local concerns.
These monopolies would delegate the price, quality and availability of such items as pharmaceuticals, and if the Federal Government were to
104 Furthermore, the legality of the international quasi-court to reconcile disputes between corporations experiencing profit loss due to the Australian laws or standards is questionable.
It will also mean Australian tax payers money will be used to compensate a foreign company, rather than the public works it it so desperately required.
Thus a corporation could sue a the Government of its assets for exerting it's democratically elected power by using our laws; i.e. environmental laws , fair work agreements, Heath Act, against us.
Finally, I vote for a government and a prime minister. I have do not vote for corporations or CEO's. This is still Australia! Margaret Fosh
Despite talk of improving labour standards, like most trade agreements TPP would send work to where it can be done cheaper, resulting in a classic ‘race to the bottom’ and offshoring jobs.
Of particular worry is the corporate court system – the Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) that will lead to a massive increase in governments being sued by corporations. Campaigns on TPP means that it looks like the tobacco sector has been excluded from ISDS, but that's just a symbol. Corporations would be able to threaten governments across 40% of global economy now.
It's also about power and geopolitics between countries. The US is trying to curtail China's power and make sure that it’s the US that sets rules. TPP 'contains' China. Blanche Hepburn
At last, the Australian public gets to have some say about this free-trade agreement. I am totally appalled that something that I believe will have such a negative impact on our collective future has got this far, without public scrutiny, debate or input.
What does that say for democracy in our country? I follow this issue closely and it seems that has been the strategy in all the countries involved in this agreement. No public oversight. No public input. But plenty of corporate input. Do voters not matter any more?
By far my biggest objection is the ISDN facility which ignores our own judicial system and laws that have been constructed over very long periods of time in the public good. Corporations serve their shareholders. Period. (see BHP oil spill fiasco in Brazil for an example) Far-reaching decisions affecting our health, labour and environmental laws (for instance) can be enacted by remote panels of (un-elected) individuals whose first considerations may not be for the social and economic good of our country (insert here the name of ANY of the countries involved in the TPP, because it appears no public scrutiny possible in any of them!)
This TPP agreement seems heavily weighted towards serving the interests of very large global corporations to the detriment of ordinary citizens. For that reason, most of the sections of the TPP THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET ANY INFORMATION ON are flawed.
It is not too late to get some decent public scrutiny of the huge amount of material contained in the agreement. I hope Parliament will remember that they are ELECTED representatives of the people of
105 Australia and allow a proper period of public debate and scrutiny. For the sake of the democratic process.
Yours most sincerely
Lori Myles Lori Myles
Multinational can sue Australia with no judge or jury over legal change to protect us the Australian citizen, but effects their profit. Point in case in Egypt where they are being sued by a corporation for raising minimum wages. How on earth is this good for Australian citizens. Scandalous.
It's been warned by health sector groups that some provisions in the TPP could increase medicine prices. How on earth is good for Aistralian citizens, particularly those on low income or in some cases no income. Scandalous.
Our government could be sued for passing laws that further protect the environment. How on earth is this good for Australian citizens?
The TPP allows our internet supplier to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. And this is good for Austrlian citizens? Judi Rushforth
There is no way in which the TPP can truly benefit Australia. It will be more of a danger than anything else. It is actually a business trap that Asia want Australia to get caught in so they can use Australia however they want. Here are some of the serious problems it will cause :
1 It will make it a lot easier for foreigners to sue Australia for any business claims they make. Just like the Philip Morris tobacco company did.
2 It will reduce Australia's food safety standards which will not only make it easier for Asians to export their foods to Australia, it will also put Australians at a higher risk of having contaminated/poisoned foods. And it would also shamefully put many Australian farmers out of business.
3 It would blast the prices of pharmaceutical products up like a rocket making them a lot more expensive than they currently are and that would make life very difficult for some people, especially those who are on prescribed medications.
4 It's a serious threat to thousands of our jobs, our environmentally friendly technology, our internet freedom, our tariffs which secure some of our jobs, our rights, labour laws, our clean air and environment, and it would also threaten to make Australia into a third world country which would make life miserable for millions of Aussies be devastating and unforgivable.
5 And only a fool could easily be led into a business trap like this which is really nowhere near as beneficial as it's claimed to be for Australia. Asians are the only ones who'll benefit from it. And it would be absolutely ridiculous to allow foreigners to use Australia for their gain and our loss.
106 These are just some of the serious threats the TPP will have on Australia if it goes ahead. And we Aussies seriously do not want to have tolerate such life ruining miserable situations caused by the Government's wrong decision. And as you know, we're always better safe than sorry. Big businesses are not the only things that matter, medium and small ones do too. To help people get jobs. And once we Aussies get our jobs, we have the right to keep while ever we're innocent.Not give them away to foreigners due to their low paid workers. If we Aussies lose our jobs due to the greed and cheap labour of foreigners, it's 100% unfair and there's nothing that can justify it. Malcolm Allison
The TPP is a threat to affordable medicine. Stop the TPP for benefit of the wellbeing and protection of the Australian public.
The TPP empowers business to sue governments (even outside the Australian legal system I believe) for policies and decisions that impact business. Stop the TPP, as this is dangerous. Make sure that no legal powers are given away.
At the very least demand that all legal matters related to Australian nature, products sold in Australia and businesses operating in Australia be dealt with exclusively within the public Australian legal system.
Stop the TPP. It is a bad deal for the people. The Australian government represents the people. Now look out for our interests.
With respect and sincerity,
Carsten Nielsen Carsten Nielsen
Australian Parlaiment should block the TPP so:
* our environmental, health, labour and consumer safety standards are maintained and not undermined or exploited
* our banks, hedge funds and insurance companies are not deregulated
* the global food supply remains vast and varied so that family farmers are not pushed out of markets that could ultimately result in severe price fluctuations for consumers
* that patents are not imposed for longer periods leading to an extended restricted access to affordable, generic medications
Protect Australia, protect our government! Don't let big business dictate what we can and can't do. Just say no to the TPP. Megan Waterhouse
107 I am an Australian GP and I have several concerns about the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership. I am concerned that under this partnership multinational companies would be able to sue our Government over legal changes that are aimed at protecting us, but which may hurt the multinational's profits.
I am also concerned that medications would become more expensive. I already see some patients struggling to pay for their medical needs.
I am concerned that our government could be sued for strengthening environmental protection laws. We need our government to do as much as possible to protect our environment.
Finally, I am also concerned about the TPP threatening our internet privacy and freedom.
I urge you to reject the TPP deal. alexandra newfield
I'm writing to express my outrage about the entire process by which the Trans Pacific Partnership was negotiated, and of course key elements of the resulting deal.
We should organise our economy to better serve the greatest good. The process by which the TPP took shape demonstrated clearly that the TPP is intended instead to serve the concentration of short-term profits for the benefit of corporations and wealthy elites. For shame!
The risks to our communities and the environment we and our children's children depend on are enormous.
The TPP is a tangle of red tape that disempowers civil society and exposes our sovereign nation to legal risks. It gives transnational corporations the ability to sue Australia and other nations in what are essentially kangaroo courts, to overturn progressive laws that we design to safeguard our environment (and therefore our future) or to hard-won protections like minimum wages and quality standards.
If you support the TPP, you do not speak for me, nor for any in my community.
Please reject it.
Erik Erik van Keulen
I would like the freedom to have available medications of my own choice.
I have been very ill over the last few years and have recovered well now because of the flexibility of choice my doctors and I have had to use medications that suit my personal needs.
Being sensitive to many pharmaceuticals, It would have been deliterious to my recovery had I been required to have only certain medications.
The freedom to choose is critical to good health care.
108 PLEASE DO NOT enter into this TPP as it is the Phatmaceutical Companies that will benefit and the freedom to choose treatment that has been found
, to be beneficial, will be withdrawn.
One Size does not fit all when it comes to Public Health.
Allowing flexibility of care with doctors, is essential for them to fulfill their important role in the Community of providing good, flexible, responsive and responsible care.
After all, choice should be the focus of good health care.
PLEASE ABANDON THE TPP AND CHOOSE TO RETAIN the FREEDOM
TO CHOOSE. Margaret Tucker
I, like millions of other VOTERS all around the world, want this AMERICAN TAKEOVER TO STOP-RIGHT NOW. YOU have been privy to far more information than we, yet you are STILL being pushed, coerced, painted into a corner, cajoled, threatened and otherwise lead by your noses toward a decision which HAS NO TURNING BACK; has NO escape clauses. Whilst you will be gone from politics, the legacy YOU leave will live after you. PLEASE REMEMBER THIS: The EVIL that men do lives after them; the GOOD is oft interred with their bones. Decide what YOU wish to be remembered for; the folk in the village of Dachau said How could they possibly know it was happening...... until it was too late. Roy Edwards
Australia is a great country and I want to see it stay that way.
The TPP is not open to the public and will make us more like Americas system. When pharmaceutical companies can call the shots against the betterment of the country and against the government that should sound alarm bells.
I wonder why government is intent on damaging and even destroying its constituents freedom for health and business. Small business is the engine room we are told but what is being put into place takes away freedoms that are currently taken for granted.
Dangerous move for the year!! Barry Gullick
To whom it may Concern,
I am deeply concerned that you are about to ratify a trade deal that will undermine the rights of the Australian community and put big corporate profits before the public interest.
109 The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) - is the biggest trade deal in Australia’s history and yet we remain mostly ignorant of what it actually means for this great country.
We know from recent press releases of the TPP Intellectual Property (IP) Chapter, that you’re about to trade away access to affordable medications – a move that would affect every Australian.
We know from other sources that the TPP covers everything from giving America the right to put Australian Internet users under surveillance, to giving multinational companies the rights to sue governments using dangerous Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clauses. This agreement could place at risk human rights, public health, the environment, climate, Internet freedom, privacy, labor rights, food labeling and more.
Despite its wide-ranging impacts, the TPP has been negotiated in total secrecy. Few people, even within the negotiating countries' governments, have had access to the draft agreement and the public has been completely shut out. It’s unacceptable that large corporations have been able to see portions of the text, and lobby to effect changes, while the public at large is yet to have its say. It’s so obvious that we must block this Treaty. Block it. Stop it. Kill it off before it destroys our way of life. Paul Baker
I ask the Joint standing Committee on treaties to oppose ratifying the TPP as it currently is written.
My reasons for this are as follows:
1). there was no justification for the secrecy in the lead up to the signing of the TPP. The secrecy benefitted some vested interests - particularly those who did know what was being proposed - and inhibited other parts of society from being able to express any considered opinion on what was being proposed.
2). there is now ample evidence that similar free trade agreements have not provided any significant overall financial benefit to Australia, and there is no independent review available that demonstrates this one is any different. Why has the government deliberately chosen to avoid, or prevent, such an independent assessment?
3). I do not see any econmic benefit in allowing multinational corporations to sue the Australian government when it enacts legislation which is, or which might be, or which might be seen to be, detrimental to their profits. Minister Robb has been notably silent on this issue when questioned and without a major public interest test of why such a provision should be allowed, the provision in the treaty should be totally rejected.
4). I share the concerns of those raising issues about affordable medicines, copyright, environmental protection and internet privacy.
5). I accept that there may be some significant economic gains in certain sections of the economy. I do not accept that the TPP is the ONLY way these economic gains can be realised.
Tom Whelan Tom Whelan
110
Dear TPP Inquiry Parliamentarians,
Please do not allow the TPP to hijack our democratic privileges.
This TPP is an evil blight on those who have drafted it and it absolutely will lead to our citizens being enslaved by Multi-National behemoths, who have been shown to be utterly ruthless in the pursuit of profit.
These Global citizens pay now tax in countries like Australia and instead book losses year after year. They are not to be trusted, and the TPP puts our citizens in their hands... Our Government should be ashamed for dishing up this dreadful TPP nonsense to Australians.
Please do everything in your power to stop this TPP from proceeding.
Thank you
Robert Chautard Jensen
Cairns Australia
4870 Robert Chautard Jensen
Stop putting money and capitalism before health...why should my loved ones be affected in a way yours wont be....
Remember your there in these positions to act in the BEST INTEREST of the Australian Persons...you and your families would have the best private health coverage your tax payer funded positions could buy....when acting for and making decisions in our intetest and on behalf of us, ACT like you don't and base your decisions on how you would want your children protected!
I feel let down and have no Faith in any of you no matter how hard I try... having to even write to you about such serious topics demonstrates how putrid you ALL are...FOR ONCE START NOW AND DO THE RIGHT THING!!!! rachael mandile
I believe signing this agreement is not in the best interests of the Australian public. I have just returned from New Zealand where there were government advertisements in newspapers asking for public comment on the TPP. Why has the process in this country been shrouded in secrecy; we are asked to trust politicians instead of having all aspects of this agreement out in the public domain.
There are grave concerns about our government being able to be sued by corporations for passing laws that protect citizens but limit their profit. This is already happening in other countries. (Would plain packaging have been passed under this agreement?). we already know Big Pharma will have more power under a TPP agreement.
111 No one has articulated any advantages for the Australian people under this agreement; why would we contemplate signing.
As politicians you are elected by the people, for the people, not by multinational corporations to do their bidding. Shirley Ferguson
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am gravely concerned about the implications for Australia of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement. The secrecy surrounding its negotiations, and the protections that will potentially be removed by the deal, are both cause for outright rejection of this agreement as bad policy.
Firstly, I am very concerned about the TPP's impact on Australia's health system. As a doctor, I strongly support our Medicare system and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Any agreement that allows profiteering by American (or other foreign) pharmaceutical companies at the expense of affordable medicines for Australians is bad policy.
Secondly, the provisions of the TPP that allow corporations to sue the Australian Government for passing laws that disadvantage them financially, even if those laws are in the best interests of the Australian people, are ridiculous. No responsible Government anywhere would think that such provisions are sensible - such laws would either discourage the formulation of responsible public policy, or cost the taxpayer a fortune in legal fees unnecessarily, or both. PLEASE do not be foolish enough to sign up for such an agreement, despite how enticing the wording of the agreement may be.
Third, our Australian environment is precious and unique. We must at all costs retain control over our sovereign powers to make laws that protect our environment - any clause in the TPP which allows corporations to sue the Government for passing laws which strengthen environmental protection, especially against harmful processes, should again be rejected outright.
Please please please do not allow Australia to sign up to an agreement which is driven purely by profit, but which will cause so many detrimental effects on our beautiful country. Think not of yourselves or the profits of your supporters - please think of future Australians and visitors to our country who will suffer from the unintended consequences of this vile piece of legislation.
Sincerely,
Dr Belinda Glasson
FRACGP, MBBS, BMedSci, DCH
Belinda Allan
It seems to me that this deal is about as un-Australian as it could be. There is no fair go for the people of Australia, only the mostly (overseas) corporations. It gives them the ability to tie Australia
112 up in legal red tape for lawsuits where Australia takes actions which hurt their profits. This is a ridiculous situation to place yourself in. It's like not blaming the banks for the 2008 financial crisis.
Australia's health system is (still) the envy of many other countries despite the best efforts of bureaucrats and politicians, not to mention business vested interests, to destroy it. Agreeing to this patently ridiculous, secret and morally corrupt deal would be a disgrace and a huge backwards step for Australians and indeed any other country stupid enough to sign up for it.
I hope common sense will prevail and this thing gets knocked on the head as it richly deserves.
Yours sincerely,
William Bullock
An Australian. William Bullock
I am a businessman, and I trade freely wherever I wish. I do not need my government to sell out the sovereigny of my country for me to flourish. In fact I will flourish better if the economic ignorant keep their grubby little hands off the levers of trade all together.
The history of Australia is one of being sold out by our governments. STOP THIS STUPID AND SHORT SIGHTED DONALD TRUMPISM, THIS CALLING THE CREATION OF MONOPOLIES FOR BIG BUSINESS TO BE FREEDOM AND ECONOMICALLY SOUND. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE LIES PROMOTED BY ANY OF THE FREE TRADE PROMOTERS, AND I WILL ALWAYS VOTE AGAINST THOSE WHO TRY TO SELL US SHORT.
I have distrusted so-called free trade agreements ever since I heard of them, and all the evidence to date is that they are much worse than I ever feared.
Australian governemnts who sell out our national rights to big multi-national corporations are TRAITERS, and it is up to the community to ensure that any who sign on to these fascistic underminings of sovereignty are stopped from achieving their uneconomic, and purely ideological and personal financial benefits.
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
WHAT SOES IT MEAN? ROBB IS A PROFESSIONAL LIAR, JUST LIKE THE REST OF HIS GOVERNMENT, AND THOSE BEFORE WHO SIGNED SUCH AGREEMENTS.
STOP THE LIES AND KEEP AUSTRALIA INDEPENDENT. Richard Morrow
113
I am deeply concerned about the imminent TPP deal being hashed out behind closed doors. The policies involved in this deal WILL affect the lives of all Australians- particularly lower and middle income families, and compromise our values and way of life. In particular I am concerned about the influence of pharmaceutical corporations in changing the shape of Medicare, health insurance and the PBS. Any suggestion that Medicare will be unaffected by the TPP is a blatant and outrageous lie! Corporate ideology and capitalist priorities are increasingly affecting our way of life- the TPP will open the floodgates.
Corporations will be able to sue governments for policies that hinder their profits, and extend biologic patents for medicines.
Listen to the Australian community!!!!
This should be a discussion in the public domain where all Australians have the right to be engaged, and our opinions considered. There has been no quality public discussion on the details of the TPP, and many of the leaked reports suggest it will go against the values of our country.
Do not sign the TPP!
Yours sincerely,
Cresta Markovic Cresta Markovic
I have real concerns about how the proposed TPP will affect me.
The detail has been kept secret and needs to be made public before Australians are disadvantaged by this deal.
I do not want US corporations controlling my rights in Australia.
I definitely do not want US pharmaceutical companies having rights over the availability or cost of my medicines in Australia.
Dear Minister Robb and Parliamentarians,
I do not want the TPP to be agreed.
I do not want multi nationals using their power under the TPP to sue Australian companies for working under Australian law in Australia.
I do not want to see any overseas interests having any say about Australian environmental protection. It is Australia's responsibility to protect our environment without explanation to, or permission from, any foreign power. We MUST maintain ownership of our land, air and water - all of it - right here.
114 Parliament is supposedly the voice of the people. Parliament has been disconcertingly quiet about the real effect the TPP might have.
It is right that my quality of life is not degraded by a dishonourable, ill considered proposal that is short on detail and long on assurances.
Don't do it. Stop the TPP now and rethink what the detail will do if you don't care and this proposal goes through. It is NOT good for Australia and will have endless ramifications we barely understand.
Please reject the TPP, Please.
Jen Hadaway Jennifer Hadawa
We were promised that the American pharmaceutical companies wouldn't get the opportunity to make bigger profits at the expense of Australians. We have been told that the cost of drugs wouldn't be increased by giving the big pharmaceutical companies monopoly in the drug market. We want drugs to be able to be sold cheaper quicker not longer. Pharmaceutical companies make enormous profits now so the excuse that their research budgets are under threat if they don't get what they want is total rubbish. We do not need a worse pharmaceutical deal than we have now. Don't let the pharmaceutical companies blackmail Australia. Camilla Nicholson
I am concerned about TPP allowing overseas drug companies to charge us too much for drugs for too long.
You will also be signing away our right for the government of Australia to pass laws to protect us and our environment from greedy corporations who will do anything to increase profits and executive salaries. We want to stay Australian, not become pseudo Americans nor Britons. If you don't stop this, expect more lawsuits on cigarette plain packaging and see what happens if you put a tax on sugary drinks to try to reduce obesity!!
Yours sincerely Chris Harris 64 yo. Chris Harris
To whom it may concern:
I would like to express my deep concern about the proposed TTP, which Australia has signed recently.
It will have an enormous negative impact on the citizens of our country, with outcomes that they have no control over whatsoever.
We have voted for a government to protect its citizens, not to protect multi-national corporations.
My main issues are the following three:
115 1. A flood of corporate lawsuits: Through the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
2. Environmental protections: under the TTP the Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
3. Internet privacy and freedom: the TTP will give my inter net service provider the ability of your to spy on me and report possible copyright infringement to the police.
Yours sincerely,
Frank Van der Ros
PO Box 118
Lawnton 4501 Frank Van deros
I am just a normal bloke that keeps an eye on what our governments are doing .. and with regards to the TPP the only info has been government sponsored adds that try to push the minimal benefits for a few businesses and leaving out the fact that we have corporate bodies basically dictating terms to a government that is supposed to be looking after the other 99.9 % of the people in Australia . I really staggers me that a group of people that are supposed to have some understanding of these matters are so easily conned .... or do they want a cushy directorship when they retire ... who would give away the rights to access to and use of medical information to a business corporation ..... they only have ONE aim ... which is their own profit .... and this pattern is occurring in more than one area ... and if the argument states that the benefits flow on ...... absolute .B...... look around the world and you will see the opposite ....I assume ..you are astute enough to see thi s ... but if you wish I can give you many examples ...... cheers and look after Australia not the corporations ! Frank Muenchow
In my opinion Parliament should reject the Trans Pacific Partnership and subject it to an open enquiry as would be necessary in any situation that exposes and subjects all Australians to malicious intent by corporate entities or vested interests. We Australians should not be exposed to the whims of the few. Parliament in the public eye seems intent on changing the system whether it be for devious or political expedience and ideology.
I want my medicare system, my health system, my wellbeing, affordability, my medications, my tax system, my legal system to be true and genuinely given more consideration and not less.
Australian people are already subjected to extensive corporate welfare as it is.
I do not want Australians to be subject to the corporatisation of a legal system, our health system, our environmental systems, I do not want to be sued for loss of profit by greedy CEO's , corporations and secret courts.
116 If it's such a benefit to Australians why is it being secretly discussed and signed off by only a few who appear to me to be self interested, devious and deceitful? Do we not have honour and intestinal fortitude and best interests for Australians in our Parliament?
I want our environment protected. I do not want the wonders of the world obliterated for my Grandchildren or their Grandchildren.
I do not want to be spyed upon by anyone or any entity. I demand my privacy and better consideration, better debate, high quality debate in Parliament. I want fewer shady deals like the TPP and its derivatives in any form. Bring the TPP into the light, open to robust scrutiny. After all that is what our Parliament is there for. To represent the best interests of Australians, All Australians, and not just the vested self interests of a few.
I expect the focus by Parliament to be on secret shady deals and backroom midnight bretheren handshakes. I also request Parliamentarians who lie, manipulate for self interest or deceive be subject to legal processes and incarceration. If the TPP is so good then open it up for all to see. What is Parliament scared of I ask myself? Does the Parliament even have the power to demand more scrutiny from trade negotiators? Is the negotiation just and fair for Australians?
Will we have our great health system our much needed affordable medications, our Great Barrier Reef, our Tasmanian wilderness, affordable legal dispute resolution? Seems not if the TPP is ratified. How could the Australian trade representatives even entertain the secrecy if they were open and honest? Should I or others as citizens take legal action and sue the corporations or CEO's for our losses?
Please Parliament reject the TPP and its harmful derivatives.
Thanking you for your time
On behalf of my children, my Grandchildren, and their Grandchildren in their time of need.
Trevor Morrison Trevor Morrison
I believe the TPP is not in Australia's best interests.
I am concerned that multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
One recent example was a corporation that is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Our WHS standards will also be under threat if a corporations bottom dollar is adversely affected. This isn't right. Not when these working conditions and wages have been hard fought for in the past and won for future generations.
Several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing as many Australian health sector groups have warned. I do not want to see Australia head down the road of the US with their poor health system and exhorbitant prices of medication. Pharmaceutical corporations are not doing it tough and should not be allowed to make the cost of medications out of reach.
117 Australia has strong environmental protections that corporations must abide by but our country could be sued for passing stronger laws. Laws that protect the great Artesian Basin, our waterways, the GBR, our rich food growing bowls, our flora n fauna among a few, from such things as fracking, water pollution, mining under our drinking water catchment area etc.
Once the resources have been removed from the ground what will be left of this beautiful country? A great big, lifeless, red dustbowl? People visit Australia for its diverse flora and unique fauna but if it's all gone what will become of our tourism industry?
Stop the TPP. As I said above I believe it is not in the best interest of Australia or it's people and is in fact harmful. Susan Sint Nicolaas Sint Nicolaas
I object to the TPP in its current form, mainly because of the secrecy that seems to surround it. It seems to me that it must be disadvantageous or otherwise it would have been made available for more general commentary. What are you trying to hide from us? Why are you trying to rush it through?
I have deep concern about its potential to destroy our current access to pharmaceuticals.
Of great concern is the potential to expose our current laws - be they environmental protection matters or anti-smoking regulations or health regulations or other issues - to overseas litigation by large profit making corporations.
The TPP has been under negotiation for some time with the details only known to a select few. They should by now have gotten it into a shape that is suitable for a more detailed consideration by those of us who will be most affected. Let us now see it for what it is. I may have worthwhile aspects but the few extracts we have seen lead me to be most sceptical about its overall benefits. It seems not to represent a free trade movement but a trade regulation attempt that will restrict our national freedoms and that will bind us to things that will not be for the good of the general population of Australia.
One needs more time than has been allowed to have a good look at it.
Dr M E March Pauline March
Dear Federal Parliament,
The American Pharmaceutical Industry has long been trying to destroy our subsidized PBS. They will take any step they can to do so. They employ Executive staff to do so! The TPP is for the Pharmaceutical Industry in the US the perfect opportunity to achieve their aims. Mr. Robb has done all of us an injustice which he seems to care little about. Once again our way of life, the little benefits we working Australians have worked for are being eroded away. By 2030 will there be a country called Australia? Please Federal Parliament reject the TPP! There is nothing worthwhile in it for our
118 country! It will take away all our present export markets and will take away work for Australians. David Valentin
The Trans Pacific Partnership deal is not in the best interest of Australia and the Australian public.
As our representatives, you have a duty of care to ensure that Australian's are not disadvantaged by agreements and deals such as the Trans Pacific Partnership.
It seems ridiculous to me that Parliament would consider signing an agreement that could leave Australia vulnerable to corporate lawsuits, over company profits - definitely not something that helps the Australian budget. (A corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage? Really? Do we want that - can we afford that? I do not want this to happen in Australia)
It seems ridiculous to me that Parliament would consider signing an agreement that could leave Australians disadvantaged over the price of medicines - just so that big business can have bigger profits. (Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on? Really? Do we want that - can you justify hurting people already vulnerable and unwell? I do not want this to happen in Australia)
It seems ridiculous to me that Parliament would consider signing an agreement that could leave Australia vulnerable to be unable to safeguard our precious environment without fear of corporations suing. (The Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Really? Do we want that - can we afford that? We won't be able to look after our Australian environment - big business will be doing battle with us at every turn, how much is that going to cost Australians? I do not want this to happen in Australia)
Parliament's duty of care to the Australian public does not include handing over Australia's rights to big business. Perhaps each member of Parliament should be made legally and financially accountable for this and similar decisions - maybe then we would have better long term decisions made. This one is just wrong!
Please put Australia first and do not sign the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Thank you for your time.
Regards Sandy Symes
Dear Parliamentarians,
I call on you to reject the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership as proposed by Australia's trade envoy Andrew Robb.
119 This entire trade agreement has been shrouded in secrecy since its inception. I do not feel that due diligence has been carried out and I am angry that our politicians have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure that the details have been kept from any form of scrutiny, particularly by independent researchers skilled in analysis
This behaviour is almost treasonous in its contempt for the Australian taxpaying citizens.
Handing over further powers to multi national corporations is definitely not in the nations best interests. If we give up these controls to large corporations, who by definition, are created for the sole purpose of creating profit, how do we ever regain control.
I am an average wage earning person and many of my peers are angry that we are expected to carry even more financial burden when large companies flout our tax laws with immunity from contributing back to the communities that support them.
Please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership, at least until independent scrutiny is carried out for the taxpayers of Australia suzanne marchetti
I am a disability pensioner. I take 7 regular medication to combat multiple types of Arthritis and Anxiety disorder. I am totally reliant on our excellent PBS system to ensure that people like me can afford the medicines that keep us going.
It is vital that we keep this excellent system free from the interference of drug companies trying to maximise profits at the expense of the sick and poor. It is disgraceful conduct to profit from the sick and the most vulnerable people, the poor, the elderly and the disabled.
There are many other aspects of the vile TPP deal that alarm me greatly but the possible loss of the PBS to corporate greed would be devastating.
Please, stand up for the PBS, don't allow this despicable trade deal to undermine our democracy and hurt those who can least afford it.
No to suing the government for making laws that protect and inform their citizens.
No to internet interference.
No to Biologic medicines under long monopoly patents.
Thank you. LindyJane Kittel
While trade agreements with other countries can be mutually beneficial, I do NOT endorse the signing of the TPP agreement.
Firstly ALL the conditions of any agreement MUST be transparent and available for Australian people and businesses to review, robustly debate and alter if necessary BEFORE anything is signed - THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED. If we the people of Australia do not endorse this agreement then the
120 government which acts as a REPRESENTATIVE of the Australian people MUST not sign it. This is a democratic country - the TPP has not stood up to the democratic process thus far.
Secondly overseas corporations should NEVER be able to litigate against our government at any level, as they are essentially litigating the Australian people. We must AT ALL COSTS reject any clauses in the TPP and any international agreement that opens up this possibility. Corporations have a mandate of maximising profits - in many cases with total disregard to the human cost - and American companies have a history of being the worst offenders. Clothing companies and child labour, Exxon Valdez, BP, Chemical companies and their many accidents and falsehoods, Tobacco companies (who dont believe that smoking can cause cancer - seriously?!) and the list goes on. We do NOT want to sign any agreement EVER that may in the slightest way open up our country to litigation from companies such as these who will have scant regard for the people of Australia.
FInally, the TPP is trying to be a one size fits all solution for the 12 countries taking part, but its scope is too broad and far reaching for a one size fits all solution. Every country has its own needs, desires and agendas according to the culture and nature of its people. The TPP will be a blanket agreement with little regard for cultural and local values. The cynic suggests that it is really just a push by the USA to increase it presence and control within the Asia Pacific region which economically will be the global growth powerhouse into the distant future,much to the behest of China. And maybe thats part of what this is all about!
So NO to the TPP from an Australian citizen caring for the Australian people, environment and values.
P.Martin. Peter Martin
THE TPP AGREEMENT HAS NOT BEEN SUBJECTED TO OPEN AND INDEPENDENT SCRUTINY REQUIRED IN A TRULY DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY.
IN MY VIEW, AUSTRALIAN SOVEREIGNTY MUST BE PRESERVED IN ALL TRADE AGREEMENTS SIGNED BY AUSTRALIA.
IN PARTICULAR, NO ISDS ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE SIGNED WHICH ALLOW FOREIGN CORPORATIONS TO LEGALLY OVER-RIDE DECISIONS OF AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS MADE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF AUSTRALIA AND ITS CITIZENS.
I SUSPECT CORRUPTION HAS OCCURRED IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING AND SIGNING A TRADE AGREEMENT NOT IN AUSTRALIA'S BEST INTERESTS.
THE TPP SHOULD NOT BE RATIFIED IN ITS PRESENT FORM, BUT REVISED TO EXCLUDE PROVISIONS NOT IN AUSTRALIA'S BEST INTERESTS.
JOHN PIESSE JOHN PIESSE
121 Government is for the people, by the people. Not for Corporations, monopolies, and is absurd to allow corporate America sue us for doing what is right for our people. This is not about trade and anyone who believes this is delusional or has a vested interest to line their pocket now or in the future. This is about allowing corporations to sue us, behind closed doors, increase length of patents. Distribute an ever increasing pharmaceutical bill. All about protecting intellectual property, and nothing about trade. Why has it been behind closed doors? And why no independent analysis?
Take a look at the softwood lumber debacle in Canada. The WTO has found in favour of the Canadians time and time again but the Americans refuse to pay 2 billion$. Or the California company suing British Columbia for not supplying them water, under NAFTA. THIS IS A DISGRACE
Do not sign this deal!
Regards. Rod Hidlebaugh Rod Hidlebaugh
If we agree to the TPP, most Australians will lose a lot of their rights. I do not understand why our Government thinks that this is a good thing & is not telling the Australian Public the terms of the TPP. Why the secrecy?
I find it abhorrent that foreign corporations
: will be able to sue the Australian Government, and therefore the Australian people in private corporate courts if they are not allowed to damage our environment and/or lifestyle for their profit. When our environment has been irreparably damaged, we won't be able to eat money.
: will be able to sue if our work conditions don't suit them. We try not to have slave labour here.
: will be able to keep medicine prices very high, thus disadvantaging many Australians and indeed cause many to die from inability to pay.
The TPP has no redeeming features for Australians and should not go ahead. Carol Kindrachuk
As an Australian the TPP is rather concerning, the more we are learning about it, the more blatant of a corporate power grab it is.
Trade Minister Andrew Robb has sold Australia out to foreign corporations.
The TPP gives foreign corporations more power with secret tribunals to sue this country, expands corporations monopoly and extortion, weakens workers rights and environmental standards.
World Bank estimates show a laughable 0.7% economic growth increase after 15 years of TPP rule.
Will Andrew Robb get in trouble for this? Or is he going to be allowed to retire with his ill-gotten millions and traitors pension?
122 Australia deserves better than this. The TPP threatens our democracy, our lives, and you know, the entire nation.
Reject the TPP, don't be another Robb.
Thank you. Travis Edwards
The USA only ever signs treaties and deals that suit their interests. Investor States relations litigation hobbles future Governments from making decisions in the best interests of Australians. Even though things that we can think of at the moment have been covered, its the other stuff. Who would have ever thought that the tobacco companies would be suing Australia for loss of trade. At the time of the treaty no one fore saw that. Same as other Governments around the world being sued by corporations under similar provisions. They never had a crystal ball either.
Promising US Pharmaceutical Corporations the same monopoly rights as in the US -which has by far the highest pharmaceutical costs to consumers in the world!
The mere fact that our Government will not submit the full text to an independent body for evaluation makes one suspicious.
The US Congress may not sign because they do not feel that their negotiators got enough blood. That would be great if it all fell over because they would not sign it, however I would much rather our Parliament operated in the interests of future Australians and we canned it ourselves because it restricts of future Governments too much. Chris Ennor
Parliamentary representatives should take care. There is the very real possibility of retrospective legislation being enacted in the future by governments determined to claw back from your descendants, a compensation for benefit by inheritence or lifestyle and educational advantage derived from Parliamentary superannuation which may become deemed as incompetently or fraudulently obtained as determined by the value systems of those future times and eventual emergence of evidence. The reversals of the onus of proof and retrospectivity, which recent and current administrations have become so fond of in passing new law, may become the very templates by which your future generations will be subjected to sanctions for your actions now. robert hart
The TPP will allow US Pharmaceutical corporations to have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the USA.
This will increase the price of our medicines. Already the budget cannot cope with the medical expenses, and you want to make it worse!.
Biological medicines are the future. The Pharmaceutical companies are ripping us off. Patents for DNA sequences should be banned. How can you create a patent on something you don't own just
123 because you worked out how it worked. Give the Pharmaceutical companies a fare share of the cost of research, but don't tie Australia's hands behind our backs. As per usual the Government says one thing and means another.
Let Government start having some real say and prevent Australia from becoming a third world country.
Thank You
Denise Gassenheimer denise Gassenheimer
I have been concerned about the TPP from the time I first heard about it for the following reasons:
1.The treaty has been negotiated behind closed doors - the majority of Australians do not know what has been negotiated. As it has been negotiated in secret with little access except for the few it calls into question exactly what is being hidden from us.
2.The TPP under the ISDS provisions will allow corporations to sue Australian laws and behind closed doors.
3.It is very concerning that there is so much secrecy behind it and corporations would be given so much power.
4.The cost of medicines will increase if they are not placed on the PBS ,which corporations will lobby against.
5.Changes in environmental laws and protections can be challenged by overseas corporations - costing the taxpayer to defend such challenges and if they win weakening our laws and challenging our right to make laws in the Australian interest. virginia Milson
The TPP must be blocked, or if not put together in a way that protects its citizens in every way shape and form as this is Parliaments duty to the people who put you there to start off with.
We must keep OUR democracy. We dont want China and Russia, (who are being kept out of the TPP) here, we appreciate trading with China, as Im sure they do with us..
Medicine ends up here from fricken America already as it is, we get the leftover stock that they have taken off the shelves over there, do we really want more of this happening over here?
Youll all be medicated one day if yore not already.. and your children, and childrens children.. the TPP wont be so easy to get out of, and why would we sign ANYTHING BEFORE reading the fine print?..
Doy your job or youre all gone.
124 Yours sincerely,
Your Employer, a New Zealand Citizen,
Ella Clement
095560544
0212312315 Ella Clement
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to you with regards about my concerns about the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
I don't believe that multinational corporations should be allowed to sue Australia in private corporate courts, without judges or jury while trying to protect us, the Australian people.
I believe that affordable medicines is essential in our country. I also believe that it is our duty, you as the Government and I as part of the citizen of this beautiful country, to protect our environment. Corporations work for the dollar, there is no environmental or social justice.
Please do not allow the TPP to go ahead. There is still time to protect our country and us, the citizen.
Thank you for taking time to consider my concerns.
Yours faithfully.
Yvonne Suares Yvonne Suares
I'm not into conspiracy theories but the secrecy surrounding the TPP negotiations can't be justified now the terms have been settled. It's time to let the Australian public see just what Andrew Robb & the Australian Govt. are delivering here so we can have some open & democratic analysis & comment on the pro's & con's. If you can't do that now then I would be forced to conclude it is something of a conspiracy which ultimately leads to the suspicion that the deal contains some significant adverse consequences. Set my mind at rest with bare facts not patronising reassurances! John Evers
Why would a government elected by Australians to protect Australian interests sign such a deal which only protects the pharmaceutical companies of the United States? What sort of treason is this perpetrated by our own government? Australia has one of the best schemes in the world that protects ordinary people's health by making medicines affordable. To meddle with this means meddling with people's health.
125 The only reasons a government would do such a thing would be that they are so completely out of touch with ordinary life because they are paid so much money and have so many more privileges than ordinary workers, or that some of them are receiving bribes, or that they are in fact traitors to Australia and in the pay of the pharmaceutical companies.
Any of these reasons are unacceptable, unthinkable in a government of integrity. The Parliament has to protect Australia from this unfair, unacceptable deal. Please throw it out and protect Australians. Laurel Hunt
I object to aspects of the TPP.
My most important objection is to the right of companies to sue Australia for legitimate changes that Governments wants to bring about , but which negatively effect company profits.
The mind boggles that any government would consider such a clause.
This is a bad clause.
The costs and implications of implementing this clause have not been thought through.
Practically every law or regulation which a government implements has winners and losers.
All the community ( which includes business) has an opportunity to put their point of view regarding proposed government changes and once a decision is made all the community accepts the decision and adapts.
My second objection is that several provisions have the effect of increasing the cost of medicines. This is at a time when one of the objectives of all governments is to control health costs.
Thirdly , the World Bank has estimated that the increase in GDP for Australia is minor.
One wonders why we are rushing into this agreement without greater public information on the costs and implications.
Bill bill wallace
The secret way TPP was composed must have been because it was cause for concern to any sensible patriotic Australian. You should have taken this to the People and been open. It is an insult to democracy. Private corporations are being given the power to sue elected governments if they (the corporation) don't get what they want in the name of their $god, $profit regardless of environmental damage or suffering to people. What an unconscionable and foolish situation. If you are real Christians and respect democracy then stop this TPP, take your job seriously, and protect Australians. Jesus weeps. Thank you. Daniela Reverberi
126 To: my elected representatives,
I beg for you reject the ttans-pacific partnership.
From the few details that are publically available, this deal appears to sign away the rights of Australian citizens and diminish Australia's sovereignty.
Australia needs to be innovative and responsive to changing markets and opportunities. Being locked into agreements that reduce our options is not condusive to long term success.
As a nation, we should not be at the mercy of foreign companies for access to affordable medicines or lack of internet privacy and freedom. We should not be at risk of imternational legal action for making laws that protect or improve the lives of Australians, our health system or our environment.
The provisions of the TPP are not in my best interests, and I need to rely on you to ensure they are not forced on Australia.
You're sincerely,
Anthea Cuddihy Anthea Cuddih
Dear Sir/madam, please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal. This deal should be rejected as Australians have not had the opportunity to have the text independently reviewed. It also contains many dangerous inclusions, such as ISDS clauses, that undermine our democracy and put us at risk of litigation, especially in instances where we pass laws to protect our environment, or when we uphold our right to a fair workplace.
Evidence is now also apparent that our affordable medicines and pharmaceutical benefit scheme is at grave risk of becoming unaffordable and eroded. As our elected representatives, parliament must NOT ratify this deal until it is independently reviewed and Australians are satisfied that the deal is beneficial. regards
Chris Henrys Chris Henrys
By passing this ridiculous partnership you are selling out the future generations of Australia single handedly! Unfortunately for everyone that is NOT a multinational corporation (cough MALCOLM TURNBULL cough) they are going to be royally screwed, just as long as big corporations get what they want. Is this not a conflict of interest?! It sure sounds like one. When does it make sense that a private company can sue a Government?!?! I pay taxes... so indirectly I can be sued by big corporations? Is that fair? Oh wait.. thats right, you don't care because this Govt. will end up benefiting from it.
127 I am strongly opposed to this negotiation that seems to widdle away rights from hard working Australians. Absolute bullshit. Rob Monterosso
DEAR MEMBERS OF AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT
I ask you to reject the TPP deal for many reasons.
Firstly, any deal that has been kept secret has no place in Australia. We are a democracy!
Secondly, Australia is a separate country to the US and we want to keep it that way. The TPP robs Australia of is sovereignty and allows large Corporations more power in our country than our own Parliament.
This is wrong on so many counts!
Thirdly, Andrew Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Once again, do you represent Australian citizens or US corporations??
We want Australia to keep Medicare! Our parents fought for the country we now live in and we don't want to see it traded away by politicians that are bullied or are kowtowing to US interests and it's huge corporations. Vaughan Famularo
SUBMISSION TO THE JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON TREATIES TPP REVIEW
The Transpacific Free Trade Agreement (TPP) has reached negotiation end point and now waiting for the individual participating countries to ratify. However, while such free trade agreements make sense from a practical viewpoint, this only applies if the agreement is considered to be fair and transparent. We the voting public have no real knowledge of what is contained in the TPP.
To date I am unaware that any real analysis of the benefits that have or have not been realised by Australia from previous free trade agreements. A full analysis including social and economic cost benefit is the minimum that is acceptable. If there have been such benefits then we will be informed of them, if not we can learn how to approach future free trade agreements.
An important issue to review by the Standing committee is biological medicines, the extension in the duration of patents and the potential for an increase in the monopolisation of medicines in general.
It is of great concern to me that the TPP would be ratified by Australia without review, transparency and a test of fairness within rights of a sovereign nation to establish it's own laws over fundamental issues such as health. Such laws should not be undermined by organisations that operate outside
128 our political and economic constraints, such as has been occurring over Australia's right to legislate tobacco use.
Thank you for considering my submission
Gus Sharpe Lyneham ACT 2602 9 February 2016 Gus Sharpe
The TTP serves the interests of the big pharmaceutical companies profiteering in our country, to the exclusion of other more useful medicinal arrangements. Do not allow them to abuse the rights of access and independence that local contributors and clients have in Australia. Any arrangements with the TTP should be thoroughly scrutinised and by more than a few individuals. Shaking hands and saying Australia is open for business should not meant they have Carte Blanche. The Australian government can make or break this country by recklessly trusting unscrupulous business partnerships. Vigorous analysis and attention to details and questioning specifics raised by stakeholders is necessary if we are to maintain our national integrity in the face of this trading partnership. Carol Brock
Andrew Robb is telling us we have nothing to worry about with the cost of Pharmaceuticals under a TPP and said in Australia We are Not going to change the system The cost of medicines won,t change because of the TPP.
Andrew Robb more recently said in an interview in the US which I have read the transcript of that US Pharmaceutical Corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they currently enjoy in the United States.
HE CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.
I urge Parliament to reject this section of the TPP as history in the United States shows that allowing Pharmaceutical Companies monopoly patents for a longer time artificially inflates the pricing of medicines when compared to the current Australian patent system.
I am a Disability Pensioner and rely on nine different medicines daily and as not all are available on the PBS scheme I struggle with the costs of these medicines.
If you want my vote and that of people like me on costly medications at the forthcoming Election you will reject this section of the TPP Richard Hall
From what I have read and heard about the TPP, it appears to not be in our best interests to sign it. Who benefits? It looks like the main beneficiaries are big corporations and multinationals who are only interested in profits - certainly not in protecting the rights of citizens if these rights interfere with their money making activities.
129 Our government could be sued if multinational corporations consider that our laws inhibit their business activities as for example tobacco companies are doing over our plain packaging laws. This in spite of all the evidence which lead to the enactment of these laws in the first place. Once in place the powerful players in the TPP will be calling all the shots and we will have no redress or way of returning to the way things were before it was signed. Too dangerous to contemplate!! The ramifications are many: pharmaceuticals would increase in price, environmental, health and work laws would be at the mercy of corporations which are only interested in making money and are answerable to nobody.
I urge our politicians to reject the TPP for the wellbeing of our country. Pam Tippett
That is exactly what you are doing when you make deals that generally benefit just a few large conglomerates or other types of global business giants. Affordable medicines are a key issue not only for our aging population, but also for young families and singles, who struggle to make ends meet as part of an ever growing pool of a casualised labour force. The issue will only worsen over the next decade, given the volatile economic forecasts.
Additionally, you must protect the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, and workplace protection laws. Fancy a foreign company being able to sue our government over its policy formations undertaken for the 'betterment' of our own people. To me that's like neighbours suing me for planting trees in my own garden, claiming that said trees may draw water away from their trees.
The 'cloak and dagger' activities of internet service providers are a frightening prospect. Not from the point of view of me being caught out on possible infringements - I don't make any - but from the very real danger of my metadata and other private information falling into the wrong hands. As has been shown many times recently, hacking of accounts, medical records, etc., cannot be prevented. While the rights of the individual may not always be sacrosanct - a highly debatable philosophical discussion topic - they should hold firm in this case.
I believe that we are social beings and we have a responsibility to encourage a nurturing relationship between us all. The TPP causes conflict and disturbs any chance of equality between the ordinary citizens of Australia and the giants of business and industry who consider money to be the only power that has rights. Edie Collyer
I would like my representatives in Canberra to reject the TPP agreement as it has not been proven to be of benefit to Australia. I do not want to see my elected government being bullied by multinational corporations and forced into making rules that benefit corporations over the well being of Australia. If the agreement is good for Australia then why have we not being shown the whole agreement and allowed for it to be publicly debated?
I do not want any changes that will erode our health system including the PBS.
130 Please reject the TPP for the well being of Australia.
Regards,
Neil Bouchier
5 Georgia Ave
Grange 5022 Neil Bouchier
To whom it may concern,
I have been deeply concerned about the TPP deal for some time. This is a deal created by some of the worlds biggest and most powerful companies to ensure that those companies have all future potential road blocks removed for their potential growth. Obviously the health and welfare of people and the environment will be put on the line for the insatiable greed of these corporations.
I demand to know, what independent analysis has been done to determine the full extent of what this government will sell it's country out for.
My greatest concerns are for our environmental protection rights, our right to privacy on the internet, and the ability for corporations to sue anyone or anything that may impinge on their profits.
I applaud the Australian Government for facing up to the tobacco lobby and passing laws to put anti smoking images on cigarette packets. Signing the TPP could reverse all of this good work and allow the tobacco companies to sue the government for damaging profits. That I fear is just the tip of the iceberg as the Australian peoples liberties are removed in favour of corporate greed and unsustainable growth.
In hope for our future,
Craig Walton Craig Walton
I ask that parliament block the T. P. P. As it's very clear that just one fact is the cost that life saving drugs are going to be lifted and held by big pharmaceutical companies. Webb has told us, the Australian public that it won't affect us but behind D closed doors he has made promises to the contrary to pharmaceutical companies looking g to increase profits and sustain price longevity. We have had enough. We do not want or need the T. P. P. The majority of us don't want it and we are relying on you to do as we ask. Please block the UN Australian partnership. The partnership that takes without giving anything back.
Yours sincerely
Charlie ward. Flinders Ranges
131 S. A. 5495 Charlie Ward
The Trans Pacific Partnership sacrifices too much of Australia's sovereignty for spurious economic and political gains. It has been pushed through to this point via undemocratic techniques, and if passed by parliament would cement such undemocratic ideals into our future.
It is corporate hubris in the extreme. Imagine corporations having an effective veto over our legislature with the power to take our laws to offshore tribunals. It is unthinkable even if those hearings were not held behind closed doors and its judges were appointed by Australians, which they are not.
The TPP is a Trojan Horse to make Australia subservient to American corporate interests and American standards and regulations. Any parliamentary body that fails to block it will have sold us out in the most frightening fashion.
Please block the TPP. Craig Forsythe
Scrutinise the TPP and protect the Australian public's interest.
Keep medicines affordable. We place enough pressures on families without outside pressures adding to our woes.
How are we going to protect Australian interests over the rights of multinational corporations. We govern our country, we make decisions for Australian families. Will a corporation be dictating the minimum wage in Australia the way they are in Eygpt? Be sure!
We need to lead the world on many levels but especially protecting our diverse environment. Australia is the envy of the world let's keep it that way.
And finally our government needs to strenuously protect my freedoms and privacy. I do not wish to rely on a foreign government to protect me. If this was my wish I would take steps to change where I live!
Protect the interests of my family, my community, my country and me? Public office is a privilege please make a stand now.
Margaret Marriott
0402871341 Margaret Marriott
Dear all Politicians,
132 You all might think you have a life (and age) of entitlement (although Joe Hockey said that age was over, but I guess he wasn't talking about politicians, anyway, that's for another meeting), It doesn't entitle you all to sell-out your country and citizens to corporations. The deal on the table is larger than anything ever done, and it's not a time to blow your whistle so you can say, 'I got it through!'
It's time to talk to your electorates and inform them of the details, so you can be open and honest and Have a conscience.
Have a look around the world and see how it already effects other countries to have these similar deals with large corporations.
Corporations wouldn't agree to anything unless it benefited them and they could simply make more money, so surely you all should notice this as one reason to want to protect your citizens from being taken advantage of.
Think of the future and your family and friends and ordinary tax payers, especially your older relations that would be at the mercy of the Pharmaceutical companies and their products.
Even look into your own governments balance sheet and find out how you could afford to defend multiple million and even billion dollar lawsuits filed against you, for protecting citizens or regulating industries.
Do you not know, that had the TPP been in place, the government could never raise taxes on cigarettes or RTD alcohol? And you can forget about the plain packaged cigarettes... doing that under the TPP would have brought about a roughly $2 000 000 000 compensation claim from the tobacco companies! Wake up and find the truth about the deal, and Get up and speak your mind about the right and best thing to do.
Surely you can figure out what that is.
Regards
Dylan Gell Dylan Gell
The PBS has served Australia well since Robert Menzies introduced it in the 1950s. International economic analysis indicates that Australia will derive almost no benefit from the TPP. Our own investment and securities commission says that we would get more benefit from simply lowering tariffs and making no preferential trade deals with any other countries. The ISDS provisions are terrifyingly dangerous to Australia's sovereignty; no corporation should ever have the right to sue a government for the legislation it introduces for the good of its citizens. It is absolutely simplistic and foolhardy to believe that any attempts at safeguards can cover all possible developments in the future; we cannot ever predict the future accurately enough.
Why are we going to risk our own country's future for the benefit of a conglomerate of greedy ultra- capitalist corporations, chiefly in the USA? Geoff Mander
133 Please consider this very carefully as the future of the Australian people depend on your due diligence. It is not that often that such an important piece of legislation is put up that could have dire consequences for the Australian people if it is not thoroughly investigated, and every contingency thought out.
Because if there is any doubt about what could eventuate, such as creating a monopoly for pharmaceutical corporations for biological medicines, which will impact severely on tax payer subsidised medicines that are needed for the elderly and the needy, then it is essential that this legislation is voted down.
We have been told by both sides of Government many times Competition is essential to keep costs down not Monopoly's.
This by itself is reason enough to vote it down.
So I ask, Will this create a monopoly?
Any doubt at all please vote this down, Australia is depending on you.
Thank you Kevin Joll
Your government is looking after big business and corporations over the Australian public. You have discovered how to circumnavigate our justice system and constitution, to sell Australia off to the highest bidder, to hide mismanagement and poor decision making. Stop paying homage to rich people and look at your behaviour, as you sell our grandchildren out. The aboriginal nation ran this country for at least 40,000 years, they destroyed nothing, white Australia has been here 230 years or so, and we considered them uncivilized. What will you do when you have gone too far, and the real suffering starts. Stop selling Australia to China, make overseas corporations pay their share of the taxes. Stop digging up prize farmland for mines and fracking. Have some pride in being Australian, don't do this terrible thing to the rest of us. Kerrie Stratford
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review.
As an ordinary Australian, I am very concerned that in entering into the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal, we are putting at risk the interests of the ordinary Australian people and the benefits that all ordinary Australians enjoy today. We are giving the large Multinational Corporations the right to dictate to us in ways that will undermine our social services, health and environment and quality of life when it affects their own profits.
For example, one of the issues that concerns me and my family is the future increase the prices of drugs: once american pharmaceutical corporations can prolong their monopoly patents, we continue to pay more for those medicines we rely on to keep us well and healthy.
134 I urge you to consider the welfare of Australians before all else when making the decision for or against this deal. As far as we, the people are concerned, this is a deal which the trade minister has signed with absolutely no transparency and no communication at all with the general public. So we rely on you to do what is best for the Australian people. Rhoda Godiwala
Reasons why I am strongly opposed to the Trans Pacific Partnership deal:-
* Our government could be sued by corporations for passing laws which would protect our environment by halting the polluting or destructive activities of the corporation.
* Many health sector groups are warning that provisions of the TPP could increase essential medicine pricing, despite Mr Robb's attempts to assure us otherwise.
* The TPP deal locks in the ability of my internet service provider to spy on my useage The T.P.P therefore supports and enables corporate greed to flourish to the detriment of the health now and in the future of our water ways, soil, air, human and many living populations of plant, animal, microbes etc.
The TPP gives away Australia's rights to protect it's own citizens and grants powers and rights to foreign multi-nationals.
Foreign companies can take legal action against Australia for perceived loss of profits and can maintain their monopoly hold on patents for longer than the current arrrangements, leading to increased medical costs for everyone needing treatment.
This is a bad deal for Australia and it's citizens. Take a look at the loss of sovereignty suffered by the UK in the EEC, the costs to the country and the laws enacted in Europe that the UK was powerless to stop, regardless of the negative outcome to their economy or citizens, this is the sort of situation the TPP will lead to; our country and economy being run from overseas, primarily the USA, and purely for their profit.
It has taken years to try to remedy the inequity in Europe but the UK is about to vote on getting out of the EEC; we must prevent ourselves getting into the same trap by putting a stop to the implementation of the TPP now. John Paul
Dear members of the joint standing committee.
One of the main things that sets Australia apart from the USA is the our sense of social justice.
This means keeping medicines and health care affordable for all, laws to protect individuals rights over commercial interests. We do not want to see a situation where Corporations can influence changes to these things or bring court actions against our social justice laws and regulations.
135 Another thing that makes Australia a good place to live in is our environmental protection laws to stop corporations polluting to increase their profits. We the people of Australia though our elected representative, need to continue to decide what can be mined or any other aspect of corporations' impact on our environment may be allowed.
We also value our right not to be constantly spied upon and remind you that you are elected to represent our interests, not some foreign government, or corporations, who do not, and should not, have any voting rights.
Please ensure you reject the TPP in its current form to preserve our rights.
Thank you
Graeme Graeme Edwards
I wish to strongly protest the TTP deals for the following reasons:
1. It frightens me that American pharmaceutical corporations will be afforded dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the U.S. which will threaten our access to affordable health care by trapping life saving medicines under monopoly patents for longer and boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry at the expense of Australian public health. I thoroughly reject the American health care model.
2. I object strongly to the way in which this TTP has been negotiated in secret, remaining dangerously under scrutinised because any independent analysis has been denied.
3. It is a betrayal of the Australian people that through this TPP's ISDS provisions multinational corporations can sue us in private corporate courts without judges or juries over legal changes that protect the Australian people but hurt their corporate profits, draining tax revenue in legal battles to protect our right to legislate in our own interests.
4. Through these same provisions the Australian people can be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections that corporations must abide by such as fracking which pollutes our limited and precious water supplies.
5. The pathetic smokescreen of prospective jobs growth is a hypothetical pittance and is linked with the loss of working conditions for underpaid foreign workers.
This TPP deal sells out the well being of the Australian tax payer for the benefit of multinational corporate profits.
Please reject this grossly unfair TPP.
Annette Smith.
38 Bruce Street, Ryde. NSW. 2112. Guy Pollock
136 Andrew Robb must be kidding when he says that we're not going to change the system. Look what has happened with giving big American Chemical Corporations the power to sue or threaten to sue individual Australians going about their lawful business in the rural sector. This is just disgraceful, no overseas company should have that power.
If this TPP should go ahead, Multinationals will be able to sue Australia in private courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that are meant to protect the Australian public. YOU AND ME!
And, to be able to interfere with Environmental protections because it threatens their 'bottom line'. In fact, they will be able to sue about anything that they feel will interfere with their profits.
This thing the TPP has to be stopped, if you want a country to be called Australia, not NEW AMERICA!!
Yours in disgust,
Ralph Darlington. Ralph Darlington
To: The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP Review.
Dear Sirs,
It has been shown in the past that huge multinational corporations have the will & ability to sue governments who have signed away the rights of the voters they have been elected to represent once these trade agreements are signed.
As a concerned Australian, I am requesting that all of our parliamentary representatives protect the ability of our government to enact environmental, health (especially in the area of affordable medicines) and workplace protection laws.
Unfortunately, our current government has been very reticent in allowing proper scrutiny of this particular TPP and I have concerns that this could be to our country's detriment.
I therefore ask that due diligence be applied and full disclosure and subsequent debate be applied before rushing to sign an agreement that could have very serious consequences for our country & its citizens.
Thanking you,
Anita Cillessen (Mrs.) Ferry Cillessen
The TPP will call the end to affordable medicines for Australian's. If we accept international patent rulings and allow trans-national corporations to sue our government if they feel that their potential to profit will be hindered by government regulation, we are surrendering to corporate oligarchy. This will ultimately bode poorly for the rich, who will no longer have a class to profit from.
137 Finally, the TPP's plans for internet privacy are merely pandering to a self-serving corporate agenda that failed with CISPA and its variants.
I expect my government to support the interests of the people and not corporations. Let's start looking at following other models of trade management that support the people(look to northern Europe) instead of this sold-out US corporate scam. Scott Donald
Dear TPP inquiry members,
The impact of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be at significant cost to Australian's ability to legislate for themselves into the future.
My main concern is the loss of Australian's ability to make their own laws to reflect our society's values (See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4-mlGRPmkU&feature=youtu.be&t=86) . I don't want our laws to be subject to review in corporate tribunals which sit above Australian courts and are designed for use by corporations against governments.
People smarter than me have described the TPP as 'It seems that the TPP, TTIP and TiSA are not about the sort of free trade that would free local businesses to sell abroad. They are about freeing international corporations from the government regulation necessary to protect the economy, the people, and the environment. They are about preserving privatized monopolies and preventing competition from the public sector. And they are about moving litigation offshore into private arbitrary tribunals – the sort of tribunal that might have lost Alice her head, if she had not awakened from her bizarre dream.
An impact on the TPP is shown by an example for the State of Western Australia on legislation such as the 'Bell Group Companies (Finalisation of Matters and Distribution of Proceeds) Bill 2015) http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/parliament/bills.nsf/BillProgressPopup?openForm&ParentUNID= 98C335B0054E256C48257E3C0030F5F4
I understand that this law uses powers which are allowed under the the Corporations Act 2001 Section 5F, which is of itself based under section 51 of the Constitution and allow the people of WA to finally receive the results of litigation funded by the State of Western Australian institutions.
The ISDS provisions would enable multinational corporations the ability to challenge such laws. This is not something that I believe the Australian Constitution allows the Commonwealth to have power to enter into.
This is just one practical implication of the TPP. I'm sure there are others.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Mowe
Shenton Park, Western Australia
Australian Citizen Jeremy Mowe
138
Dear Parliament of Australia,
I urge you to reject the TPP because ordinary Australian voters will be worse off paying exorbitant amounts of money for essential medications.
One of my patients has a serious autoimmune condition, which left untreated will result in chronic pain, disability, a shortened working life, and longer years spent disabled and in pain. Because the gold standard medication for this condition is still under a prolonged patent, and is expensive, it is very tightly restricted by severe PBS restrictions, which, because of his particular condition, relatively young age and otherwise extremely healthy lifestyle he probably can't access via the PBS.
If the TPP is signed, he would need to pay over $1800.00 per month for this medication privately, so about 1 million in today's dollars, not tax deductible and not fully covered by private health insurance over his working life. So he won't be able to buy many goods and services, so he won't be paying as much GST, so the Australian Government will miss out on at least $100,000.00 GST, and less in Super tax , so another $150,000.00 lost there. He may not be able to afford any more than the most basic house to buy, or may only rent. he has also been advised not to father any children, due to the teratogenic nature of some of his treatment. (No new potential taxpayers paying GST)
Think again about the ripples when you drop a stone in the pond. Bill Meyers
Aside from the healthcare implications of allowing US pharmaceutical corporations to extend monopoly rights over medicines - because *there's* a healthcare system we most emphatically do not want to be emulating - I'm gobsmacked that the TPP would allow multinational corporations to sue Australia (i.e. we the taxpayers) over laws and decisions that protect us from their excesses (whether environmental, health or industrial relations).
Under what circumstances does a deal like that benefit Australia? How can a government continue to operate and make decisions in the best interests of the Australian people when there is now the very real possibility of getting sued by multinational corporations for making these decisions?
Additionally, why is a deal with such tremendous potential impact on every facet of Australian society being considered with next to no public consultation or open debate?
No good can come of this. Reject the TPP. regards
D. Tanner dave tanner
139 Please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deals. I believe they are dangerous and will seriously impact on our economy and lifestyle in a negative way. Under the TPP multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
There are provisions within the TPP that could significantly increase the prices of our medicines.
Under the TPP our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. This happened in Quebec recently when a provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
In addition, the deal locks in the ability of our internet service providers to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
This is a serious breach of our democratic freedoms and should not be encouraged by the government we elected to support our rights. Ruth Gledhill
I am aware of the deals the Government namely Andrew Robb has agreed to in this Trade agreement, I am disgusted the you feel it is the right of other countries to make policy on what we Australians can and cannot do in our own country, they can sue us! that is a horrible thing to subject us to.
Another nail in the coffin for Medicare if you sell us out to the pharmaceutical companies, which I am sure is Liberal National policy, you mess up Medicare and you give up your political aspirations, Health care in Australia is a shinning example to other countries like the USA who's big pharma companies do not like our system of health cover for all, even tiny countries like Cuba have a much better system than the USA.
I am a Baby Boomer like all my siblings and my Husband is a war baby, we love this country but cannot see anything good for Australia coming out of this Trade Agreement, it was designed in secret WHY? and cannot be scrutinized by independent sources WHY?
What else are you selling us out of in this deal that only seems to benefit the USA and Big Corporations Pauline dUNN
If the free trade agreement means that the Australian people can be challenged by stake holder companies to take down laws that impeded their profit making potential it dismantles all of our social justice ideals. Our main worth then will be that of a dollar amount. Big pharma have proven that they cannot be trusted to put health before profit as have gribusiness where patents on scientific advances restrict free choice and sometimes safety. I was once proud to live in a country where research and development of ideas was publicly lauded and funded, and in the spirit of advancement of the greater good, was also publicly published. I know that this government is all about financial short term profit. This is toxic to long term strategic planning for the physical and
140 emotional health of our community as long as the poor and vulnerable do not count as profitable units for consideration in policy making. We are all only one health event or one financial catastrophe away from be ing this vulnerable and therefore unprofitable person. Business's have no place in public policy decision making do not give them the power. Bottomley Potts
To Whom It May Concern,
There are many concerns around the possible implementation of the TTP such as higher medicine prices, weakened worker rights, threats to environment protection laws, the list goes on and all of these concerns have a major impact on our country's future. My main concern is the power you would be handing over to Transnational Coorperations (TNC's). TNC's have one goal and one goal alone, profit. If that profit is at the expense of our environment, so be it. If that profit is at the expense of our health, so be it. If that profit is at the expense of Australian citizens, so be it. They will show no mercy and will exploit every drop of power you give to them with this agreement to further their own gain.
I urge you to block the TPP agreement for the sake of Australia and its future. Please don't give the power this agreement holds to those who would abuse it.
Kind regards Melissa Bowes
The Australian Government should protect Australians from overseas monopolies, which would increase the costs for medicines at their will. This will not benefit Australians, requiring medications if the price increases to satisfy the company's greed for greater profit.
What is the number of companies expected to benefit from this?.
What benefits will the Australian people receive, except increased cost,
What will Australian Government receive, any financial gain?
Corporations should not have the right to litigate against Australia because our laws or protection barriers don't benefit them. What Tax will those corporations pay to contribute to Australia's revenue, I'll guarantee no revenue will be received. Australians will be much worse off, more forethought is required before making any commitment to proposals of this kind. Jessie Moag
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
141 This mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
I and my Daughter have cut down on our food to pay for all the medication we are on now from our Doctors, as I am sure lots of other Pensioners are doing the same.
This TPP is not good for the people or Australia.
I urge Parliament members to reject this dangerous
Trans Pacific Partnership deal for the well being of Australia and its People. Carol McMahon
As an aged pensioner with chronic ill health I have to take many medications both prescriptions and over the counter varieties. There is no way I could afford paying anymore than what I am doing now. If this TPP alters this it will be dire for me and thousands like me. As far as any corporation having the right to sue our country for things that have nothing to do with them it is criminal if this agreement goes through. I certainly will be spreading the word what is going on especially as there is an election coming up Janice Griffiths
To whom it may concern,
I am concerned for myself, the Australian public and our future.
The TPP represents a collaboration that makes Australia and Australians vulnerable to influence by foreign corporations, one that I cannot stand for.
I cannot believe that the Australian Government could be so willing to trade away our sovereignty so easily. We are welcoming the 'Americanisation' of our culture in too many ways, we are Austrians, not from the United States. We cannot sign the TPP and hope to be respected at an International level.
I urge you, block the TPP and do not succumb to trying to please multinational corporations or pushy foreign governments. We are proud and we are strong. Prove it by blocking the TPP then demanding compensation for all of the hours spent in considering it that could have been spent doing something constructive instead.
Sincerely,
Joseph P. Millman Joe Millman
142 The TPP must be blocked by our Government in order to protect the rights of innocent citizens and our fragile environment, over those of multinational corporations, the pharmaceutical industry and other corporate interests.
I am deeply concerned about the affects that the TPP if approved in Australia would have on our society. As a single mother I am scared by the further lack of affordability likely in medicines.
It is concerning that corporations outside of Australia will be able to flood us with lawsuits for protections we hold in law that would hurt their profits, and this would be lawful!
Terrifying is the possibility that our Government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections that directly affect multinational corporations - such as fracking and water pollution.
Finally our Internet privacy and freedom will be severely compromised, without our acceptance of this deal. Beth Colegate
I am disturbed that this very important and powerful agreement has been negotiated without important aspects of it being shared and able to be examined by the Australian public.
Why?
As a few details emerge, alarming aspects of it are being revealed.
Medicines under monopoly patents for longer, meaning that those who need them, and/or the Australian taxpayer will pay more.
Corporations able to sue the Australian Government (= taxpayer) for laws made to protect our environment. There are alarming precedents in other countries, e.g. Quebec, Canada.
When I saw the mellifluous Government TV ad showing a streetful of actors playing small traders, growers etc. praising the benefits of the TPP ... but still no detail of what was in it, I found it insultingly paternalistic: it felt like: We know what's good for you, you don't need to ask what's in it, just take it; it will be good for you.
No, sorry, I'm not taking it. Please hold progress on passing the TPP in Parliament until its entire content has been made available for scrutiny by everyone. David Kefford
The TPP outsources jobs to the poorest countries where wages are so low that other countries can't compete and therefore go out of business. It also nullifies national sovereignty by allowing corporations to successfully sue national governments that institute protective laws for their industries and people. We are having the same fight right here, in the U.S.A., and are being sued by Trans-Canada for $15B. for rejecting their pipeline. And the U.S.A. is suing India for it's solar power initiative to place homegrown industries and workers 1st. Who wins in all this mess? The lawyers, that's who. As I've written to my legislators and President, the TPP is wrong, immoral, corrupt, and
143 devastating to all countries involved. The only winners are the multi-national corporations and their lawyers. Stand against the TPP for the sake of your people, if you care at all. richard smith
The TPP was drafted in absolute secrecy by oligarchs.
It is the antithesis of the democratic process; it was drawn up by commercial organisations totally in their own interest.
Any politician voting for this will be guilty of defeating the democratic process and will be exposed as a disgrace to their electorate.
I understand that a large document dump is soon to occur showing the illegal behind the scenes machinations involved in the drafting of the TPP. One of the negotiators has already been forced to resign for corrupt practises.
The TPP must not be approved; any free trade agreement must be drawn up with full public participation, reasoned discussion and NO haste.
As an inventor I have been a victim of the drafters of the TPP; we are known to be at risk of suicide and this is largely a result of the behaviour of oligarchs who are known to have a 'war on inventors'.
Yes, I can provide examples.
Rest in hell any pol who votes for the TPP.
Stuart Saunders
Intellectual Property Rightful Owners Action Group
Stuart Saunders
I urge the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP Review to ensure that there is no diminution in the rights of Australian citizens in regard to the following:
1. Multinational corporations should not receive the right to sue Australia in private corporate courts over legal changes designed to protect Australian citizens.
2.No provisions in the treaty should lead to the possibility of increased costs for medicines.
3.Overseas corporations should not be given powers to in any way oppose environmental protection laws.
4.In the interests of internet privacy and freedom, no changes which allow internet providers to spy on internet users or report possible copyright infringements should be included. michael griffiths
144 Dear sir or madam,
I am deeply concerned about the TPP agreement that we are entering. So much of the negotiations have been shrouded in secrecy. When this occurs then there is much to hide. Why have we not been kept properly informed.
There are aspects of our regulations that support the good of our community, rather than put private enterprise first. We are devaluing community support in favour of enabling private profit for overseas firms. Our medicines will cost more, and those least able to afford to pay will be in worse health. This will mean that the taxpayer will pay more in the long run by having to pick up the bill for hospital admissions that could have been avoided if pharmaceuticals had been reasonably priced.
Please ensure that the TPP does not pass through parliament in its current form. It should be heavily modified, or not signed at all.
Regards,
John Bragg John Bragg
What gives Mr Andrew Robb the right to sell Australia Down the DRAIN?!?!?
Why is the General Public - you and me - not being told all the details of the TPP?!?!
There is much too much secrecy behind this legislation, there MUST be money - and lots of it - changing hands here.
I contacted my local M.P., Warren Truss, by phone, and was fobbed off with all sorts of illogical and long-winded explanations, about why this is necessary, none of which made sense or was logical!!! I was left with a bad taste in my mouth - as though I was an idiot!!!!! (Which I am NOT).
We, the population of Australia have got to STOP this legislation from becoming law, by whatever means we have at our disposal!!!!! June Poole
I would like to voice my opinion about the TPP. I believe this is one of the worst contracts that the Australian Government could ever enter into as it holds no value for the Australian people.
If anything this partnership is a one sided contract that if it ever gets in will lock the Australian Government into a dictatorship by big business overseas.
It will see a monopoly on the pharmaceutical corporations that hold no empathy with its customers, and will ensure profits are expanded year on year and if they are not happy with the result will have the grounds to take the Australian Government to court over it.
This partnership should be subjected to an inquiry as to see how this will impact the Australian people and this should be done by an independent body with the findings made public.
145 The reason the findings should be made public is because this partnership has been very shady in its entirety and as it is a long standing agreement it should be made public so the Australian people are being represented in an appropriate manner and not being left in the dark about what will happen as a result of signing.
Signing this agreement is contrary to looking after people who live in Australia and should be avoided for the well being of all who reside here. Heather Goodman
As a fixed income retiree not entitled to a government pension and with two chronic health threatening conditions I would feel the costs and blow outs even mote than I do now.
My daughter has a mental and physical condition and requires on going blood transfusions and medicines, these are currently subsidised .
I am worried at the future costs to me and my family.
As Australians we pay too much for our drugs now. the subsidised costs at least keep the costs of our medicines bearable.
The American drug makers will overcharge wherever they can and currently Australians pay 10 times the cost before these changes are adopted .
I have relatives and family that live and work in the USA and there reports back to me of costs of medicines and lack of cover under their health services are chilling.
In Los Angeles my sister would go over to the border into Mexico and by the same drugs by the boot load full. Same drugs but much cheaper prices.
As elected Australian politicians your interests must be to the people of Australia first.
I am disgusted with the liberal govt for giving up our countries sovereignty and selling out our interests.
Guns ot butter?
We have a financial crisis I am told and have to expect lower health services and increased medical costs, yet we are buying the JSF that cannot participate on one dog fights, cannot fly and has an eight million line software program tht still have to be resolved and currently to resolvesoft ware shut downs.
We are buying 14 subs from god knows where and when.
We have 4 Cfollins class subs and as I recall we could only one at a time out to sea at any given time. perhaps we coulduse 457 visa holders to fill the gap.
146 In the past we had the choice ot buy the best 60 clapped out tanks, 2nd hand sea hawk heliucopterstha full of rust they had to be scrapped .
Anyway look aftr Australians first and don't sign up for selling our country and it's citizens off. Henry Berryt
It appears the majority of Australians are being left in the dark about the negative implications of the signing of the tans pacific partnership deal with respect to the more worrying aspects of the agreement I.e. With respect to costs of pharmaceuticals; ability of other countries' enterprises to take legal action against Australia in the event of legislation which affects the profits of overseas companies (e.g. this would have the effect of limiting Australia's ability to strengthen environmental laws) ; issues of internet privacy in Australia.
I would urge the group scrutinising this agreement to reject those parts which make Australians more vulnerable than they already are. Rosalie Broadfoot
Dear sir madam,
I harbour very real fears for our socially empowered Australia regarding the proposed TTP and the power it will give multinationals over our sovereign legal rights.
I am concerned that pharmaceutical companies will use this greater access to our legal and marketing systems to reduce our access to cheap medicines through abuse of international patent law.
I would not abide any reduction of our countries ability to protect its unique environment against international corporate interest.
And finally my right to operate privately on line within the laws constructed by Australia's judicial system and the elected members of of my country.
In summary the major benefit of the TTP is not for the average citizen of this country, it is a free market construct proposed by a fascist government looking after its corporate friends vested interests. Vote NO ! Rohan Kilb
It is a disgrace that this deal is being shrouded in secrecy and that the proper scrutiny is not in place. Giving in to the big pharmas will not lead to cheaper pharmaceuticals and in fact will keep some medicines dearer for longer . Signing away our sovereignty by allowing multinationals to challenge in courts any of our laws that may have a detrimental effect on their profits is unforgiveable and plain stupid. Does this mean a deal like plain packaging for cigarettes would no longer be possible- putting many more lives at risk. This will be another election issue. Roll on the election so we can make our displeasure with this policy- plus many others-clear.
147 Policy balance has been lost. The economists with their flawed and plain biased modelling have taken over . Australia will pay for these disastrous lapses in governance. Jan KENT
To whom it may concern,
I am writing this to announce my disgust in the Australian government with their handling of many an issue, but in particular the attempted ratification of the Trans Pacific Partnership. The total lack of regard for the majority of the population your actions highlight is an absolute abuse of power as well as complete lack of concern for the country itself. Promoting the interests of big businesses over the general wellfare of your constituents is not only a breach of the faith we put in you but also an indication of how immoral politics has become. And for that, I hope your God forgives you because true blue Aussies wont.
Do the right thing, stop the TPP. jerry johnson
Mr Robb, please do not get into bed with the US pharmaceutical corporations it will hurt all of us including you and your family. If they offer you money they will be able to blackmail you and your family for the rest of your life. It is not worth it. Please do not bring SHAME to this beautiful country by getting into bed with the US. Lie and you will be found out in the end, as you have been found out telling us one thing and telling the US another. Not much of a man in my eyes for crawling to a country that has harmed all other countries they have been involved with.
If you have any decency please use it to benefit those that need protecting the most.
Sincerely,
Donald. don wallman
Hello Joint Standing Committee on Treaties!
I am writing to say that the TPP appears to be a very bad idea for Australia, opening our government up to suits from foreign investors which would be settled in arbitration rather than a court of law.
Despite the recent special and narrow exclusion of tobacco companies, nearly all corporations will remain able to bring suit against Australian government bodies. There are many examples of this taking place under similar agreements around the world, for example the Vattenfall suit cited in http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/nov/10/tpps-clauses-that-let-australia-be-sued-are- weapons-of-legal-destruction-says-lawyer which forced the German government to remove pollution restrictions on a coal-fired power plant.
Second, committing Australia to arbitration is a huge mistake. Arbitration clauses in consumer agreements are coming under increased scrutiny, for example in the recent New York Times articles here//www.nytimes.com/2015/11/01/business/dealbook/arbitration-everywhere-stacking-the- deck-of-justice.html?_r=0 . Why would the government of a country sign itself up for this same kind
148 of abuse? Why would we want to disempower our own legal system from protecting the Australian people?
The TPP represents a major step towards the submission of the Australian state to the will of international corporations. Some may think this is an inevitable development in the rough and tumble business world of the global economy. I on the other hand believe there is value in our state and this would be a terrible thing for us and our children. I urge you to reject the corrosive influence of money in politics, stand up for what is important for the future of the people of Australia, and reject this treaty.
Jim Severino Jim Severino
To whom it may concern,
I know that this will be read by someone with little to no interest in protecting anyone else's interests but their own but I would like to think that perhaps which ever drudge does read it, will consider acting on it.
The TPP is a monumentally poor trade deal. Creating a legal gallows upon which trillionaire corporations can hang the Australian national interest is beyond criminal. The simple fact that this deal benefits corporations and ONLY corporations should be a red light to however decided this thing was worth writing.
Please. Leave our economic sovereignty intact and walk away from this horror story. Tim Bateson
The TPP must be blocked in Parliament because this is not good in any way for our Country. It is very obvious that it is extremely detrimental to us, and our way of living. It is being forced through Parliament without the voting public having any say in the matter.The reason it was given to you Andrew Robb, to deal with, is because you are retiring, and will not be held to account when the worst of this so called 'partnership' comes into effect. We want our medicines, and all the other threatened essentials protected by Parliament, not thrown open to the whims of foreign companies These companies can sue our government if we infringe on their so called rights. Well, what about our rights? Surely they are paramount.. Val Hooper
As evident from The Australian, (6 October 2015), and Politico, (22 February 2016) Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has misled the Australian public as he tells us one thing and American pharmaceutical corporations another. Mr Robb's spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States.
This could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health. In which case, the very strong
149 foundation of healthcare which keeps our society and economy functional could be shaken to it's very core. Let's not go down the same path as the healthcare of USA. Let's keep Australia strong.
The TPP, will affect Australia in a multitude of unknown ways. Something so far reaching should be reviewed independently and made transparent to the Australian public. We vote so we have a say in out country. We have a right to know what our representatives are signing our country up for. Leslie Perez
To, those decision makers that are leaving Australians in a position of manipulation of costs for medications, it is my will that you do not allow big business to have a monopoly on the supply of medicines and our health.
I see that Australia has already paid a large price tag to big business, who have sued our government for loss of income, over the changes to the cigarette industry. Government have been quiet about that! It is our taxes and hard earned money that will be used for other companies to sue our government.
I reject this proposal. It is my will that government govern
With reason with anything that affects the people.
And this definately will. Otherwise, the people will rise up and refuse to vote for them. Your committee is in a position to stop this rort between government and big business. Please be true patriots.
Thank you.
Wanda Mallett Wanda Mallett
Dear Mr Robb,
I object to your two-faced stand with regard to the TPP. You have told the Australian people that the current Pharmaceutical Benefits System under which Australians can afford medicines will not change and then you tell a US publication that US pharmaceutical firms will have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines in Australia that they do in the US.
Australia guarantees 5 years of monopoly rights. US drug firms get 8 years of monopoly rights in the US. So who will be paying for the extra 3 years under other measures? Whatever obfuscations the Turnbull government engages in, the end result will be that Australian taxpayers will have to pay extra.
I object also to the Investor State Dispute Settlements system under which corporations can sue governments in private courts with judges and lawyers chosen from a panel pre-selected by
150 corporations themselves, over legal issues that protect worker safety, public health and the environment but which impinge on corporate profits.
I object also to the TPP's effects on Internet privacy and freedom, and on intellectual property issues.
Yours sincerely,
Jennifer Hor. Jennifer Hor
An average Australian, I wish to voice my opposition to Australia joining this TPP agreement. It is biased towards multinationals and undermines our national sovereignty, not to mention not taking into account climate change challenges.
Bridget Smits
!!!!!! Can We the people assume that Andrew Robb on retirement from the Federal Parliament, or anyone else involved in TPP 'negotiations', will not do any private consulting or work for any organisation who stands to benefit from this so-called partnership? This includes board memberships or 'donations' to the Liberal Party. Voting Australians are sick to the back teeth with this sort of unconscionable activity and suspect that they only hear about the tip of the iceberg !!!!!!!! Bridget Smits
Dear members of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties,
I wish to submit my following concerns about the Trans Pacific Partnership deal, to the current TPP review.
I am strongly of the opinion that as a democratic country, we require our parliament to be able to pass laws necessary for the well-being of our peoples and our land, including its natural species, that reflect the will of the people. It needs to be able to pass such laws free from the threat of litigation by foreign corporations should any legislation affect their profitability.
The concept of multinational corporations suing our government if changes to legislation affect their profits, totally undermines our democracy, democratic freedoms and sovereignty. That members of an Australian government should even contemplate such legislation indicates a complete betrayal of their interest in the well-being of Australians, to multinationals. They are failing completely in the requirements of the job which they were elected to undertake.
By introducing the possibility that the Australian taxpayer may not be able to afford costs associated with litigation that results from changed legislation, sections of the TPP are aiming to ensure that certain legislation, once passed, becomes difficult to change. It is designed to ensure the maintenance of profit and certainty to business at the expense of the potential well-being of the community at large. This is an untenable proposition at the best of times and the increasing climatic,
151 environmental and social change we are now experiencing, only go to make an untenable proposition even more outrageous.
Life has always been uncertain and this is a fundamental condition within which business, like the rest of us, must operate. Parliament cannot legislate for certainty and stability. Trying to do so is not only unrealistic but is likely only to lead to gross inequity and/or to social and environmental disasters in the future. Legislation ratifying this particular agreement would also undermine our national sovereignty and democratic freedoms.
I strongly urge all parliamentarians to reject the TPP as it currently stands. To do otherwise is to betray the interests of the people who elected you to serve them. Or is this the fundamental problem - that many MP's now serve not the Australian people but those whose financial backing helps put them in power?
Yours sincerely, Rosemary Hook
What are you trying to do to our country??????
Will we get affordable medicines or will the big pharmaceutical corporations reap the benefits and the Australian public miss out?
Our Government could be sued if you pass the law that strengthens the environmental protections that corporations must abide by.
Here in Northern NSW we the locals have had to act to stop coal seam gas from polluting our waterways etc. and ruining our farm land. If these laws are enacted any coal seam gas company would be able to sue to be able to do what they want and where.
Its the same for any other corporations, they can sue. Fay Ditton
The TPP deal MUST NOT be signed off on by the Australian Parliament, because there has been minimal public disclosure on what the deal contains. Even members of Australia's Senate have complained they don't know what it contains.
The American public cannot find out what is in it either. This is a very dodgy deal that will ONLY benefit Multi-National Corporations, and any Australian politician who votes for it should be tried for TREASON, as the deal is apparently Non Renounceable when it has been approved by Parliament.
This is TOTALLY unacceptable.
Australia must renounce this TPP, until at least there has been FULL DISCLOSURE of what the Treaty contains...,..... Brian Meynell
152 The government of any democratic country should represent the interests of that countries population and not company shareholders .
We are told that the TPP will free up trade and so help our economies but we are not being told by our governments about the very possible dangers of companies suing us if we choose to take actions that impinge on corporate profits . We all ready have patent and copyright laws to protect investors and it is not in the interest of the general public , who our governments are elected to represent , to have those laws extended
There are already situations around the world where corporations are suing governments for implementing the wishes of their constituents and this treaty , if passed , will pave the way for more . noel CRAWFORD-FERGUSON
Why would any national government genuinely acting in the best interests of its people not be prepared to discuss in an open and transparent way the details of a trade agreement with other governments enabling its people to know what to expect and to prepare them for what will come?
Yet our Government has not been prepared to do this. Discussion with the nation has not taken place. Instead, the Government has acted in a clandestine manner but for what reason? The Government has not treated us as adults and has lost our respect and confidence.
Until there is a full accounting of what the Government negotiators sought and what was obtained and its implications for Australians by appropriate and independent experts, Parliamentarians must do what the Government will not by exercising their responsibility to ensure the TTP is in Australia's best interests.
Otherwise, Parliament must reject the TTP deal. Laurie Westcott
Australians are net importers of pharmaceuticals, intellectual property, etc.
Any trade deal that increases costs and adds restrictions for these items will cost Australians more.
Further to the point, past trade deals have proven to not deliver benefits and have actually reduced trade eg. Aus-USA FTA reduced trade that would otherwise have happened by restricting it to Aus- USA.
The TPP is a complete debacle. If it's so positive for everyone, why negotiate in secret where large corporations have access at the table but ordinary citizens do not?
If the TPP is so positive, why not give it to the Productivity Commission to review? There is plenty of time to do so, and saying that it's already been reviewed is a complete copout. Only vested interests and rent seekers have reviewed it to ensure their own benefit.
What are the supposed benefits of the TPP? If you are so confident that the TPP will deliver benefits, nail your colours to the mast and name these benefits with clearly quantifiable measurements.
153 Leaders in the private sector publicise goals and attach measurements to said goals. Progress is reported often - usually monthly/quarterly - and if the plan isn't delivering it is changed or scrapped altogether.
Instead the TPP will lock us into a net-negative arrangement for Australians with no measuring system for whether it's actually delivering on it's promise or not and no end-clause. If you were to do this in any private sector job you would be fired. You are given a much more important task in governing, yet you want to rush this through? At best this is naive folly, at worst it is malevolent economic destruction. Martyn Winsen
To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties review-
As an Australian citizen, concerned about -
1. Australia's right to pass any law protect the environment in which we live and
2. Australia's access to biologic medicines free from extended patents to give our citizens affordable care
I am a member and volunteer of our local Landcare group which works hard to improve not only our local natural and pristine environment but also agricultural practices which will improve our local farmers' productivity and the long term impact on their bottom line as well as the environment. I am conscious of increasingly challenging changes to our landscape and the difficulties in dealing with these.
I ask the Committee to reject the elements in the TPP, which jeopardize Australia's sovereign right to pass laws to protect the environment in which we live.
The cost of health care is continually rising and is becoming increasingly out of the reach of poor, chronically ill citizens. Provisions in the TPP which could lead to rises in the cost of medicines in order to protect the profits resulting from patent monopolies should be rejected. The care of Australian citizens comes before the profit in a compassionate society. Adele Thomas
The Australian Paliament in Canberra must block the TPP for innumerable reasons. I shall list my paramount concerns;-
1. My daily medication which keeps me alive may rise in costs.
2. The protection and soveriegnty we have over our environment particularly in regard to coal and gas mining
3. My personal privacy in regard to my internet activities.
154 $ This is a huge and over-arching concern for me, the secrecy in which this whole negotiation had been conducted, the secrecy in which Investor State Disputes will be resolved resulting in the leaching of our power as individual citizens.
I strongly and adamantly oppose the TPP for the above reasons all of which also enhance the the power and control of corporations globally . Jill Keogh
I don't trust our federal government to act in the best interests of the Australian public. Our trade minister and negotiators simply do not have the backbone to stand up to large US corporations trying to gain further extended monopolies to lift their own profits. We are constantly reminded of how the so called health industry in the US impoverishes people or simply excludes treatment for vast numbers of its population due to the extravagant cost of drugs and medical treatment.
Anything the US is pushing is undoubtedly in the interests of the US and no one else. Please stop this TPP from being passed in the senate. regards
Rob Parkhouse Rob Parkhouse
My message to all Australian Politicians is simple and clear.
The TPP concept was created by BIG BUSINESS in the USA, it is designed to take advantage of countries such as ours, it has been stated that there is very little, if any, advantage to Australia, especially in regard to Pharmaceuticals. The USA is our ally and a great nation but this is in my humble opinion a very, very poor deal for Australia.
This deal has not been FULLY explained to the Australian people and this should be done openly and clearly
Please seriously consider whether the involvement of our country in this deal is good for our country into the future. Martin Ryan
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But GetUp has recently pointed out that Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
The Australian PBS, despite some faults, is recognised as one of the best systems in the world, both for patients and for funders (mainly the Federal Government). The transnational pharmaceutical
155 companies do well out of it too. But they want not just profits but super-profits here like they achieve elsewhere, and they clearly see the TPP as a vehicle for challenging the ability of the Australian Government to negotiate prices on behalf of the Australian people.
Trade treaties which allow foreign companies to sue our government in these private forums not subject to due process are a threat to our democracy, and should not be ratified until these provisions are removed Leonard Smith
I am writing out of deep concern for the TPP which is currently under consideration. A deal that has been kept secret, lied about and had any attempt at being scrutinised squashed. A deal that politicians are so keen to keep quiet can only spell bad news for the country, especially when our own trade envoy has been caught lying to the population about the protections that keep us safe and healthy.
Any trade deal that opens up opportunities for the government to be sued for trying to look out for the best interests of its own country should be turned down, and it is deeply alarming that this is not happening. Instead of the deal being rejected outright, it appears that the deal is still being allowed to have a solid chance at being agreed to.
It cannot be understated how damaging this could be, and there do not seem to be any discernible benefits that the TPP give is. Why are we even considering agreeing to a deal that asks us to give up so much, when it gives us nothing in return?
Signed,
Mic Daniel Scott
The TPP, much feted by the Coalition as a huge boon to business, must be held up to public scrutiny. An independent cost-benefit analysis must be undertaken and the results published so that we, the public, can make up our own minds.
We have heard that corporations are being given unusual powers under this agreement to challenge the sovereignty of governments like Australia in the event that our environmental or economic policies get in the way of their bottom line.
We have already heard of individual greedy corporations in America demanding huge profits for life- saving medicines. It is very likely that our Pharmaceutical Benefits protections would be thrown out the window if and when this TPP was signed.
To my mind there is very little substantial benefit for Australia in signing this deal and there are many substantial and possibly irreversible costs. Brian Boylan Boylan
156 If TPP goes ahead there will be a flood of corporate lawsuits: Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
Affordable medicines to ordinary people is imperative to our way of life as Australians. Health sector groups warn us that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
I am a big supporter of our environment why allow big corporations to dictate our governments laws. Any changes could lead to being sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Internet privacy and freedom is important to Australians: The deal locks in the ability of our internet service provider to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
I am asking the Australian Government to reject the TPP and for once do the right thing for future Australians Loretta Steers
I don't want a 'partnership' that allows corporations to sue my country's government because the government and/or its people have made a law that threatens the profits of a corporation, like the corporation that is suing the Egyptian government because they raised the minimum wage.
Nor will I agree to a 'partnership' that increases the price of medicine.
Nor is a 'partnership' that allows corporations to sue my government for passing laws that strengthen environmental protection in any way a 'partnership' in which I want any part. The US energy company that sued the Quebec provincial government for making laws preventing fracking is an example of the danger of this 'partnership'.
This 'partnership' also allows my ISP to spy on me and report any possible infringement to enforcement agencies. This is an infringement on my internet privacy and freedom.
The Trans Pacific Partnership is not good for Australia or Australians. Please reject it. James Fitzgerald
Please consider what you are charged with- the rights and needs of the people whom you should be serving, not the desires of Big Business. There are many issues which need close scrutiny in any deal with Multinational companies; the supply of affordable medicines being one of many vitally important issues. Monopolies of any sort can lead to many millions of citizens finding themselves voiceless- we know it happens in economically poor countries and even in wealthy America where moral poverty is so evident.
Why should corporations be allowed to hold countries to ransom? It has happened overseas in shocking examples of the power and intimidatory tactics of people who make money not sense,
157 whose interests are private not public and who believe they can buy their way into more profit making concerns and out of taking responsibility for their actions. It should not, must not, be allowed, let alone encouraged, as Mr Robb is busily doing at present, in Australia. I do not want to live in a country which looks to business for leadership and is ever-so-grateful for the favours its leaders might bestow. Australians deserve much better than a group of politicians of any ilk deciding on a sell-out to the likes of people such as Trump, who feel that a businessman leading a country is a smart, next move. A surreal situation that defies logic and beggars belief.
It is time for obvious, careful governing, not the point-scoring politics which we have suffered for too long now, and which apparently result in selling off the country at bargain prices to CEOs. Let's learn from the glaring and mostly irreversible mistakes of other countries and exclude the interference of money-makers in governance in Australia. The TPP is an ethical, moral and philosophical disaster which can and must be avoided. Please represent me and other Australians in your decision making rather than financial interests which absolutely do not care at all about us. Do not make us just another sacrifice to the Corporation gods. Denise Kenir
I am deeply concerned that the proposed TPP will damage our Australian sovereign and democratic rights to run our country the way we best see fit.
Giving corporations the power to sue for lost revenue because they may be affected by a country's democratic choices seems ludicrous.
Most governments around the globe are currently suffering from lost revenue, partially because there has been a spiralling competitive battle to lower corporate taxes. This has led to a subsequent raising of taxes on individuals to maintain the necessary tax pool.
The TPP can impact my fellow Australians in their wishes to have an affordable pharmaceutical benefits scheme, to choose to value water security over a mining companies want to frack mine for oil and gas or to value individuals privacy higher than a foreign company's copyright protection needs.
This is a fundamental attack on democracy by handing power to corporations, and it has me deeply concerned. Mark Smith
I am writing to object to the signing away of our sovereign rights of our country to build and monitor our society, to ensure we are able to offer welfare and assistance to those less fortunate. I am sick of politicians playing up to the multinational corporations who have no interest in the stability and fabric of the countries they pilfer for their own greed. I insist on the maintain the protection of having our courts and our judges to protect the good of our society.
Multinationals corporations should not be able to sue our government for governing our favour, that is what our government is here to do.
158 We must maintain access to affordable medicines for our citizens, pricing should remain our countries business no one elses.
We must maintain our environmental protections, we do not want to replicate the situation the fracking industry has had on small communities in the United States and Canada, we must protect our countries resources for all of our citizens.
I also object to any deal that allows a multination service provider spying on my internet usage. Privacy is not negotiable, we as law abiding citizens deserve the protection of our government in fighting to protect our privacy.
This Trade Deal is not worth sacrificing our governments ability to govern our country free of the threat of complicated and protracted legal persecution.
Nothing no matter how sweet you think the deal is, it is worth it in my eyes and I will vote against any party that considers it. Karon McDonell
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. the only one who benefits from signing the TPP is big business not Australians not working people not even the government just big American businesses profits. if this is signed they will be able to sue our government if they don't get there way! please for the sake of the Australian people and our way of life do not approve the TPP Phillip Foster
Sir,
I am concerned about the TPP. While it has been conducted in secret meetings I am unable to judge whether it is a fair proposition or not. Our politicians assure us they are acting in our best interests but, with recent happenings of numerous politicians, I am not reassured by this. I, like many Australians, do not trust our current politicians to be truly honest.
There are indications that the Australian Public will, in fact, be worse off, in particular with pharmaceutical goods. Once again I do not know if this is a fact or not.
If the TPP is in our best interests why are the details kept secret. This worries me.
159 Until the Australian Public can be truly reassured, with facts, that the final agreement is good for Australia then I believe it should be delayed.
Yours Faithfully,
David Tarran David Tarran
It is most apparent that corporations have too much leverage in our government decision making.
Australia, as a country, as a land, is at risk. My children's future is at risk because profit is being put before due process and what is right.
Who in Australia's government will do the right thing and stand up for our country? And who will be remembered as the bastards that betrayed us...
There is zero reason for business to have to over-ride peoples rights and lives. Business CAN succeed and be responsible and act with integrity! And it is the role of governments to make that happen.
Stand up for Australia!
Stand up for what is right!
Call out the bastards that are threatening our country, and if you're one of them, wake up!
I call on the Parliamentary Inquiry into the TPP to protect Australia's interests. To protect the Australian people. From the unjust and immoral corporate cash grab sweeping the world.
Do the right thing.
Very sincerely, Don Moss Don Moss
I wish the parliament to block the TPP since it will allow the establishment of Interstate Dispute Resolution procedures that take the sovereignty from Australia by removing disputes from Australian courts and laws. In particular this will be likely to effect the price of medicines in Australia, particularly the developing area of biologic medicines.
The matter that the only evaluation of this proposed treaty is from projecting from previous free trade agreements that have been shown to at best deliver only insignificant benefits while allowing international corporations seek to override the sovereignty of the Australian Parliament on matters of health care through cost of pharmaceuticals and matters of control of the environment.
These features of the agreement or treaty are unnecessary impediments to Australian democracy and reduce the citizens democratic rights.
Therefore I am opposed to the Commonwealth Parliament ratifying this agreement.
160 Cec Thompson Cec Thompson
The TPP represents the most outrageous and undemocratic process for a trade treaty that has ever been presented to the Australian parliament. The lack of transparency is appalling. Unless there is full disclosure over a rational period of time, say 6 months, to enable full analysis and public debate, followed by proper review by both houses of parliament, this treaty should be rejected outright. Already, with such limited disclosure, there are many issues that would justifiably cause significant public concern regarding many of the provisions, not least of which are the ISDS provisions and the strong perception from credible independent agencies that the benefits for Australia are minimal at best.
Any government, of any political persuasion, that is prepared to sell the basic rights of their people in exchange for vague ideological issues and fundamental greed, should be thrown out and never returned to the government benches. The TPP should be subjected to rigorous analysis and full transparency before it is seriously considered for approval. The TPP must not be ratified without these fundamental processes being in place. And ideally it should also be subjected to an election by the people prior to limiting the rights of Australians. Peter Gibson
I do not agrre with the TPP deal. I do not agree with the idea that non Australian companies (whoes resonsiblity is to its shareholders to make profit) should be able to sue the Australian government over issues of health. For example Plain packaging laws for smoking products. I believe most Australians agree with the benefits of this law and understand the reasoning for it. It is illogical to create a law that most Australians want to protect their health and then allow non Australian companies that will loose profit from degrading Australians health to then be able to sue the Australian government, for which Australians will have to pay with their Tax money.
Chadd Chadd Scott
This is just another example of how the current government is selling out on Australians. As we grow older we are being weened onto more and more pharmaceuticals to keep our quality of life.It will happen to everyone. Putting more money money into the pockets of big drug companies is taking out money out of ours. Sure drugs may improve our quality of life (notwithstanding the side effects that need more drugs to control) but the drug companies are making more money for the sake of making more money. Our government is there to protect us, not to make deals behind our backs which are not in our best interests. David Hipsle
Trade deals like this benefit only the USA which is never bound by the rules. Australia has had no benefit from the free trade deal with the USA.
161 The following example is a typical result of trade agreements where the USA is involved:
INDIA HAS BEEN TOLD that it cannot go ahead as planned with its ambitious plan for a huge expansion of its renewable energy sector, because it seeks to provide work for Indian people. The case against India was brought by the United States.
The ruling, by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), says India’s National Solar Mission - which would create local jobs, while bringing electricity to millions of people - must be changed because it includes a domestic content clause requiring part of the solar cells to be produced nationally.
If you think the USA is not going to stop Australia from doing anything that benefits us that they could benefit from, then think again. World free trade has destroyed the economies of nearly all emerging economies to the benefit of the USA that still subsidises their farmers while placing sanctions of other countries for doing the same. Wake up to the reality and look after decent Australians, not the one percent who own the planet. Peter Taylor
There are many issues regarding the TPP.
The ones I am most concerned about are.
The lack of transparency all the way through, with deals being done behind closed doors with the big corporations.
1. I abhor the idea of companies being able to sue us because we are trying to protect ourselves from harm.
2. I want freedom for the internet. Spying on people may catch some criminals but I doubt if that is the agenda. It is about control!
3. Medicines will cost us more for longer if the patents are extended. Our health as a nation is decreasing as it is and the government will not be able to keep up if they do not stand up to the multi nationals. Or are we like in the USA totally in their pockets. I hope not.
4. We have to have environmental laws that we can stick to and not be violated by outside companies. It is already happening in Australia, please take more care for our children's future.
Thankyou
Marg Thornell Marg Thornell
I have many concerns about the TPP. I am always suspicious when deals are negotiated in secret. If this is good for Australia as we have been told then why is it that the TPP is not open to public scrutiny and independent review?
I regard the ISDD provisions as a sell out to multinational corporations who will always put their profit ahead of our wellbeing. Why would we knowingly allow this?
162 Water is a very precious commodity. Clean, unpolluted water should be available to all Australians. We must ensure that this scarce resource in our very dry land has maximum environmental protections. Here on the north coast of NSW we have waged many campaigns to protect the environment from fracking and other potential sources of pollution. I have a real concern for the aquifers that are so vital to inland Australia.
The Parliamentary Enquiry may be our last chance to save the people of Australia from the disastrous TPP. We are depending on you. PLEASE DO NOT LET US DOWN. L Johnson
When are Australia's and Australians' interests going to be protected and prioritised?
Why do our valuable assets keep getting sold off?
Why do other nation's have tariffs etc to preserve and protect their needs for now and in the future?
And why are we always the one's to cow-tow?
Why do we have to be dictated to by corporate America, and others?
We WERE the lucky country - but sadly over time Australia has been, and probably will continue to be, raped and pillaged.
(Don't waste 100s of thousands of dollars of OUR money on a referendum about 'the same sex marriage issue'...ask ALL Australian's what is REALLY important to them. ie And surely our food and water security should be a priority. China etc are looking after their population, hopefully not at our expense? Maybe our Government should take a leaf out of their books?)
Shame, shame, shame. Time to look after those who vote you in and pay your salaries. Time to stop kissing International a... patricia lockwood
I wish to draw to the Australian Parliament's inquiry into the TPP the fact that the former Trade Minister has misled the Australian people by stating one thing to them and then making a contradictory statement to the American Pharmaceutical corporations.
He told the Australian community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
However, he told the US corporations that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
I request that you investigate this contradiction and report back to the Australian people what the real situation is.
163 The TPP is a travesty of democracy, shrouded in secrecy and of benefit only to large multinational corporations most of which are from the USA/
Kevin Farrell Kevin Farrell
The TPP needs to be blocked. It serves only Corporations. I have read the NAFTA's 20 Legacy and Fate of the Trans-Pacific Partnership by Global Watch and without a doubt the TPP is not serving the people but using the people to extract as much as possible just to make profits for the Offshore Investors.
This Government should be serving the people who elected them to govern, we did not elected Investors wanting to serve for profits.
The destruction of the TPP has left a wave of destruction whether by Fracking, mining coal, polluting the environment, destroying precious water, or by exploiting peoples health in pursuit of big Pharmaceutical profits through medicines.
This is all wrong, and it has to be stopped. People in the US are waking up, does this Government really want to go down the same path. ELIZABETH JOHNSTON
With the news that different information is being provided to different stakeholders regarding the TPP, it is essential that no decision be made until after all of the information is FULLY available. My greatest concerns are in the areas of environmental protection and pharmaceuticals. I'm also quite concerned at the idea that foreign corporations could take legal action against our government! I do not doubt that there are good things in the TPP for Australia and Australians (sometimes I'm not sure those are the same thing - but they should be). However, it appears that there are some pretty nasty things too. Until the documents are FULLY available, we can't know. And surely, our parliament cannot endorse any agreement until it is FULLY available. Scott Heron
Dear Enquiry
One of the most important components of our egalitarian Australian society is our affordable, universal healthcare... a critical part of this system is affordable medicines.
Just as the quality of your education should not be influenced by the balance of you bank account, neither should your access to the best medicines be dictated by your ability to pay. That path puts us on a very slippery slope indeed.
Trade deals should only be written from the perspective of what's best for the citizens. It is for corporations to exist within the framework of our democratic society, rather than for our society to conform to the requirements of corporations.
164 I urge you to reject the TPP.
Quite apart from the potential affect on pharmaceuticals, it is diabolical to countenance the prospect of national laws for the protection of citizens and the environment can be challenged on the basis of their affects on business.
Please support environmental protections and affordable medicines, and prevent our country from becoming the litigious twin of the US.
Respectfully, reject the TPP.
Yours faithfully
Mark Kleinschmidt Mark Kleinschmidt
As a 77 year old veteran who enjoys the benefits of both Veterans Affairs and PBS, I am very grateful for the support given in recognition of my military service. I have never been unemployed or received other welfare payments. I am fearful of the costs to future generations of the alleged benefits of free trade. My granddad told me there is no such thing as a free lunch and his words ring in my ears as we negotiate the free trade agreement with that great capitalist country USA. The costs might be the loss of PBS. The costs might be companies suing our Government over policies intended to benefit and protect us, and my grand children and great grand children, but affecting the profits of the companies concerned. Is our loss of sovereignty worth companies getting free reign in our society? Ian Muldoon
The TPP is selling out the rights of every day Aussies in favour of corporate control. In my opinion, anyone who signs this oh so dodgy deal is committing an act of TREACHERY against his/her country. I am appalled that it is even under consideration, and to me, that fact alone indicates just how corrupt and self-serving far too many of our politicians have become. The TPP is against the interests of the vast majority of Australians; just who exactly are you really working for???
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system. But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. It also means that we cannot trust what our politicians are telling us!!!
This is just one example of the erosion of our democratic rights that will happen under the TPP. We don't want a country or a world where corporations are in charge, and profit is the driving force behind all decisions and superceding all other considerations; this planet and so many of its inhabitants (human and otherwise) are in the very poor state that they're in right now because of that exact same ideology.
165 Please; do the right thing by your country and your people, and reject this dodgy deal right now. Connect with your conscience, and ask yourself what kind of planet you want YOUR grand-children to inherit. We're all relying on you to do the right thing by every single one of us; please do so. Sue Ganz
The TPP needs to be blocked because it is wrong on so many levels the people of Australia have to put up with you politicians who don't really care about anyone but yourselves. If you go ahead with this you are opening us up for massive losses when other countries sue(and they will America for example sue anyone and anything at the drop of a hat). we deserve our privacy and freedoms and affordable medicines which by the way are still very expensive for some people. I'm guessing though that you will do what you want to do anyway because once you get in and until your voted out you don't listen to what the people (YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR ) say anyway, you all just do what you want and when voted out have a nice big supper and package to enjoy for the rest of your lives . l say its about time you started doing what you were voted in to do WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. AND THE TPP IS NOT ONE OF THOSE THINGS. margaret knox
Do not sign the TPP! I can't believe that I even need to write this. I mean why would a government with its people's best interest at heart ever hand over so much power to private entities at the expense of the common good? Why would we ever want companies to be able to sue us for lost profits if they don't like our social policy? Why would we place the profits of pharmaceutical companies above the health of our people? Seriously, I'm not joking, why would we do that? And you wonder why people have lost faith in the political process. ideas this stupid should never even make it to the table let alone become this close to actually happening. Please grow a pair, stand up to your multinational puppet masters and do the simple task that you were elected for and look after the common good. Reece Flowers
I am disgusted at how the Australian Government is putting the needs of big companies BEFORE those of the Australian people.
You, the elected members of parliament are not looking beyond your own office walls and your own pockets at how these TPP deals are going to hurt the Australian people, our culture and way of life.
Worst of all the detrimental impact it will have on our own financial future.
This is yet another scheme for the rich to become richer and the middle class people will be burdened even more by being heavily taxed asses that keep the economy going.
YOU the members of parliament are lining your pockets with greedy entitlements and outrageous retirement schemes whilst we the hard working people of Australia will be struggling to retire on our taxed superannuation , with the possibility of not even getting a pension, unlike you parliamentarians.
166 Shame on you! You might think you are doing Australians good but you are crushing the soul out of us.
WE HAVE NO FAITH in those currently in parliament - YOU DO NOT represent the populi in its entirety. Vel McNamara
To whom it may concern
I am deeply concerned about the trans-pacific partnership deal that the government appears to be in such a hurry to sign.
Partly because there is news emerging that aspects of the deal will disadvantage Australian consumers for many years to come (possibly for generations) due to monopoly patents being granted to foreign pharmaceutical firms; partly because of the reports that corporations will be able to sue a government (our government) for governing and legislating in the best interests of its people (we Australians).
Mainly, though, because the deal has been negotiated in secret. Behind the backs of Australians. Without our scrutiny. And is now being signed without our knowing the full ramifications of the agreement.
This agreement should be thrown out. It should be publicly dissected and the true effects disclosed to the nation. Dominic Dalgliesh
The TPP will be bad for Australian jobs and consumers. It will negatively effect the sick who will have to pay more for medicines and the poor by driving up prices overall. All this while sending huge profits overseas to multinational companies. The only reason I can see that our government would agree to this scam is because they will personally profit from it. There will be a backlash people. It's time you started working for the Australian people and not your corporate masters. Time to stop thinking of yourselves and do what you were elected to do and look after the Australian people , all of them , not just the wealthy. Andrew Hillman
The TPP has been negotiated in private and without public submissions. Our nations sovereignty is being given away for nothing, we as a people will loose out in the long run to huge corporations who only think of their share holders and bottom line.
How can this trade deal advance the health and wealth of the nation, if we have to compromise our independence for a companies product ? Many products are good but some corporations sell products that have been proven to cause harm to the user, the cigarette industry, which the nation has to foot the medical bill. Katherine Cairns
167
Hi there
There are several aspects of the proposed TPP that are of serious concern to Australia.
Multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australians, but hurts their profits.
Who thinks this is a good idea?
The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking, deforestation or water pollution.
Who thinks this is a good idea?
There's other stuff about medication costs and internet privacy that is also on the nose.
Please look at the long term impact NOT the short term self interest.
Many Thanks
Jason Kimberley jason kimberle
By my understanding the TPP does not have enough safeguards over medications available in Australia. As it stands we appear to be paying more than other countries as manufacturers game our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. With recent reports of Mr Robb assuring US pharmaceutical corporations they would have the same monopoly rights, of great concern. It appears that many countries are very wary of the TPP, with Canada a stand-out, we should not sign at this stage. The idea that corporations could sue if our laws are against their interests is just an outrageous notion and should not be countenanced. Peter Surwald
I'm concerned about affordable medicines: I recently discovered a shocking comparison when I visited a friend in California. It relates to women's business.
I use a drug called estradiol (as hemihydrate) which is a modified release vaginal pessary. Research has shown that this reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections in older women; it also strengthens and lubricates the vaginal walls. This means I live in physical comfort, rather than pain.
One box contains 16 doses which last a month.
Cost of Vagifem in Australia: $24.00
Cost of Vagifem in California: $300.00
168 Why? I don't know for sure, but I imagine it has everything to do with the power of large pharmaceutical companies.
Fortunately, my USA friend has good private insurance which covers many of her prescription needs; however, two doctors had to make submissions to her insurers before they would subsidise this necessary drug.
Is this where we're headed in Australia? If so, we can expect the health care gap between the have and the have-nots to widen. Jennifer Walton-Smith
I am extremely concerned about the TPP and honestly can't understand why an agreement that allows foreign corporations to sue us for protecting our our own environment from their visible and undeniable reckless abuse for short term profit is being agreed to on our behalf. In many cases the damage we are are trying to protect our environment from is long term and irreversable ... ( in the case of fracking and the toxins used going into the ground water)
To me this is extremely irrational and irresponsible .... and to be honest utterly insane ....
Please reject this monstrous agreement while you can ... no amount of financial incentives can possibly be enough if we can't sustain a healthy environment for ourselves let alone future generations thank you ... I am relying on you to do the right thing for the land and peoples of Australia Judith Ewer
Please block the TPP as it will see our government sued for protecting the environment, protecting the affordable medicines e we have now.
Can't you guys 'see' that the TPP stands for dollars before humanity and ecology? Have a look around you.
Egypt is being sued by corporations for increasing the minimum wage.
South American countries are being sued for protecting their drinking water from fracking!
And you guys want to sell out our country to multinational corporations too?
Your children and children's children will suffer the consequences of your actions as they too are human and live in this country.
]
Think beyond money..please...we beseech you. Hiranya(Red bloc please) Anderson
169 Multinational corporations could use private corporate courts without judges of jury to sue Australia when they perceive a threat to their profits.
Health sector groups show that several provisions of the TPP could increase price of medicine.
Implementing Australian laws that further protects our environment against activities such as fracking and water pollution could lead to corporations suing because they feel the laws are too harsh.
Internet privacy and freedom are also in jeopardy of being used to force an Internet Service Provider to spy on us and report report possible copyright infringements to enforcement agencies.
In summary, if as claimed by the current government it is a win - win deal why has it been keen to hide the facts and only divulge the small number of good points?
Thanks for reading this. Graham Da
next to zero benefit.
Australia would receive a cumulative bump-up in GDP of just 0.7% by 2030, or 0.07% extra growth annually if we assume that the agreement comes into place by 2020.
IP laws
I am worried that the TPP will impose IP restrictions beyond existing international treaties, and this may tilt the balance in favour of IP rights holders to the detriment of competition and consumers.
The IP laws would do little to help the community to the extent that the return to IP holders awarded by more stringent IP laws outweighed the benefits to the broader economy, the provision would also impose a net cost on both partners, lowering trading and growth potential across the bloc
We could get sued for billions for making some change to mining law or fracking law or God knows what else. We could literally have damages of more than a billion, but we don’t actually know. And we won’t know until any [law] suit gets started, and then we won’t know for another five years while it works through the process ISDS - who in their right mind would give a corporation the right to sue a government for making / changing rules to benefit the people they govern?
Despite what has been said publicly and even in a response to me from my local member, Kevin Hogan, when I expressed concerns about the TTP, it is blindingly evident that if the TTP gets the go- ahead these things, amongst others, WILL happen:-
Multinational corporations WILL be able to sue Australia in private courts over legal changes that protect us, but adversly affect their profits.
Several different provisions of the TTP will result in increased medicine prices.
170 The government could be sued for for laws that protect the environment, to the detriment of company (particularly multi-nationals) profits.
... and many, many others.
Regards,
Norm Eather Norm Eather
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, TPP Review
I am absolutely disgusted that a democratic government would even consider such a biased and unfair trade deal. Essentially the TPP gives evil multinational corporations the green light to trash Australia's hard won freedoms.
Many of these corporations have shown that they have absolutely NO ethics and will cynically destroy, pollute and misinform for the sake of a few bucks. The examples I could cite are so many that I will just name a couple. James Hardie and asbestos, shame. Exxon Valdiz, shame, BP and the Gulf of Mexico, shame.
If you are unaware of these and the many other disasters perpetuated by profit hungry corporations then shame on you too!
To allow the TPP will be to allow these immoral corps to sue Australia for introducing new laws which may attempt to curb corporate excesses, and sue us they will!
Already the Egyptian Government is being sued for daring to raise the minimum wage! The Quebec provincial government sued for daring to ban the toxic practice of fracking.
The TPP essentially is an open door for Big Business to pollute our air, water and soil whilst making large profits for their privileged shareholders. I for one do NOT want that to happen.
Medicine prices will go up if we sign this dodgy proposal as Big Pharma gets a free ride and further monopoly protection over its products. Just look at what has happened to the generic medicine industry in India.
The TPP will lock in provisions that will force Australia to keep paying multinationals even if we decide legally that their practices are immoral, polluting or corrupt. Do we want an agreement like that? I think not!
The TPP also locks in the obligation on ISP's to report on their customers to vested interests and agencies. This is an invasion of the privacy of the Australian people, it serves the interests of big business but hurts the little guy like me.
I could go on for many pages as to why the TPP is a very BAD idea. It must be rejected for the sake of Environment, for the sake of Freedom and for the sake of Equality. What we need is laws that enforce a fair and ethical business model, not the TPP which just entrenches the stranglehold that the multinationals have on our environment, our political parties, our privacy and our economy.
171 Please, I beseech you, REJECT the TPP!
I look forward to a reply at your earliest convenience. yours respectfully,
Nicholas Summers Nick Summers
Affordable medicines provides one of the few protections available for Australians to ensure that access to health is available to all not just the wealthy. Giving away Australia's control over the pharmaceuticals available to Australians is a counterproductive step and will result in unaffordable drugs. The co-payment system we have has already made it difficult for many people to access the drugs they need, giving multinational pharmaceutical companies any greater leverage in the negotiations over the price of drugs will harm all Australians.
Do not accept the extension of monopoly patents on biologic medicines as proposed in the TPP. Pharmaceutical companies do not invest to the extent claimed in the development of new drugs. Spending less on marketing would ensure that they could pocket greater profits which is their greatest concern. Louella McCarth
Australians still haven't heard what the true costs of the Trans Pacific Partnership will mean to our health and wealth.
I am particularly concerned about the implications of a statement attributed to Australia's TPP dealer Andrew Robb that US pharmaceutical businesses would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they enjoy in the US.
This may very well translate into longer monopoly patents and higher costs to Australian consumers.
Australians are tired of being kept in the dark on this, and other hidden details of the TPP. We do not want unpalatable corporate deals foisted on the Australian public.
Parliament should scrap the TPP Phil Seccombe
We currently live in a country where we have a good health system. It's not perfect, but no system is.
Introducing the TPP and changing medical pricing is not going to help the people who need medical help the most. The sick. The people who are on disability pensions due to no fault of their own. People who have incurable diseases should not be forced to pay more for corporations to make more profit.
172 In addition we already have our Government capturing metadata. Even though our current PM posted ways to get around this, we shouldn't be capturing this data. If the leader of this country thinks that we can get around their own laws, then I don't see why we should be providing extra power to companies to record individuals details whilst they are online. Scott Marshall
Living in a free democratic society, I and my family expect to live by the country's legal system. So it is a total anathema to hear and read that this proposed set of rules underpinning the TPP, based primarily on US legal and corporate requirements, is being forced unwillingly on us here.
Yes, there COULD be some good parts to this proposal - just they weren't agreed on by the American trade representative in all the SECRET meetings.
So what does this mean to us here. We have to abide with US requirements with no comeback or recourse to our own legal system or court processes. We effectively become a prisoner to an overseas entity in the name of trade.
Why should we not enjoy the ongoing medical and pharmaceutical benefits as a nation, and not solely for the benefit of a multi billion, multi national whose sole aim is GREED and EXCLUSIVITY - one only has to look at the filthy tobacco industry trying to sue our government for loss of profits due to plain packaging - a massive waste of time and energy for our government.
Our environmental safeguards will be ripped away in favour of PROFIT - safeguards on wages diminished, all because we can't use our laws and our courts to protect ourselves. The corporations will be benefactor, judge and jury at locations outside of our jurisdiction.
THIS IS ECONOMIC SUICIDE FOR AUSTRALIA AND ITS PEOPLE AND AN ECONOMIC LOTTERY WIN FOR THE GREED OF BIG BUSINESS.
So help keep affordable medicines and protect the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws, so we aren't ALL adversely affected by this BAD TREATY - ACT IN OUR INTERESTS and NOT those who are totally unaligned with our way of life. Clive Riseam
Dear Parliamentary Inquiry,
The TPP is the journey to corporate enslavement at a time when the thinking compassionate world is de-corporatising.
The thinking and institutions that have created the difficulties we face in a time of rapid change and global warming will not permit us to respond favourably and successfully to the many multi-stranded challenges ahead.
The TPP for reasons and paths already too well known to repeat here will fast track Australia into paralysing and destabilising legal conflicts with no effective remedy owing to the lack of institutional legal/judicial scrutiny and accountability that is the hallmark of the TPP and like political
173 arrangements. The TPP is not an agreement - it is a political economic arrangement favouring corporate social and ecological irresponsibility, and thereby abuse of our sovereignty and citizenship with enduring and severe health, social, economic and ecological impacts.
My father was a Rat of Tobruk. The TTP makes a mockery of his and his mate's sacrifice for democracy and freedom from fascist tyranny.
Kind regards
Kevin Shaw Kevin Shaw
The TPP negotiations which our government officials have entertained have been surrounded by secrecy and half truths. The TPP would have devastating consequences on our freedoms and the ability to self govern. The TPP would offer the chance for external corporations to exert pressure on our government to act out of the best interests of regular Australians who vote for them and additional excuses to ignore campaign promises and the greater good.
The TPP would reduce our capacity to create and enforce our own laws. Consumer protections which this nation enjoys and which are lacking in major partner states (the USA for example). Likewise our laws governing worker rights, awards, entitlements and even our minimum wage could come under threat. Our laws regarding Intellectual Property and fair use can be easily attacked, and the metadata our government has collected for our safety can be just as easily used against us once requested at the threat of lawsuits to our government.
Our livestock, dairy and manufacturing industry will be exposed to competition on a global scale, with less capacity to self regulate and make decisions on things such as live export. As much as tariffs may hurt our producers regarding international trade, they also protect us locally from overseas interests with more valuable currencies and less overheads due to lower individual freedoms (minimum wage, healthcare, mandatory superannuation, etc.).
The safety of our environment is also massively threatened, reducing the capacity of the Australian government and our organisations to regulate to protect the natural environment. Be it increased shipping through the barrier reef or the capacity to reject mining proposals based on environmental impact. This is one area our government needs the power to exert control without the threat of lawsuits from global concerns.
The financial burdens this would bring to our national budget could also be devastating as the Medicare system would have to cope with the increased power of overseas pharmaceutical companies. The availability of affordable medicines are fundamental to our way of life, the fact Andrew Robb is already offering these freedoms to Big Pharma is a massive warning bell to all Australians.
The TPP is one big step away from what makes Australia the great nation it is today. It should be rejected outright, and not negotiated secretly. Trevor Munn
174 Good morning,
It is appalling in this day and age that such a deal, that is the TPP, is being attempted to be passed through australian law without the proper scrutiny that such a large and impacting agreement with have on the population and businesses of Australia. If this deal is actually beneficial to the everyday Australian, then open it up to scrutiny so that this can be seen. Hiding it only raises the concern that this is in fact destructive to the everyday Joe Bloggs and beneficial only to big business. Please do not pass this deal without a comprehensive and independent review of all the agreements that it sets in stone.
Regards
Mathew Beasley Mathew Beasle
Dear Sir / Madam the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP) shouldn't be actioned, it should be shelved immediately
I am deeply concerned by the negative effects of TPP including life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health.
Environmental protections: Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on citizens and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Please withdraw the TPP plan and ensure it isn't passed. With thanks
Andrew Marks Andrew Marks
We as individual Australians are losing our say in our lives, our voice is not being heard except at polling prior to an Election when Candidates make Idle promises in order to get elected!Our country is more and more being handed over to countries such as China & Japan NOT Leased just Blatantly handed to them on a plate!! No wonder more & more Australians are becoming disallusioned!! I am sooo glad that I grew up in the 50's, life was simple, stress free & we respected our leaders & generally each other. Who empowers these Politicians to just sell off our Industries s7uch as Dairying & Beef to the Chinese market?? It's about time that we Australians were given the right to vote on such Transactions!! I always make my vote count and I certainly will make my voice heard at the next Federal Election & publicly at the Polling Booth ! Ann Larsen
175 As a concerned, voting Australian, I ask that you reject the TPP. This deal only serves to make money for the multinational corporations involved in it, such as the US pharmaceutical corporations, at the expense of the Australian public.
Why would we place ourselves in the position of being able to be sued over matters that protect the Australian public but could cause a drop in these corporations massive profits? An example of this greed & madness is happening now with the Egyptian government due to them just raising the minimum wage for their people!
Australians need & expect affordable medications, the ability to protect our own environments in our own country & the knowledge that our privacy & freedoms with the internet aren't being compromised by corporations that exert too much power over our government.
Show the strength of character that is expected of an Australian parliament & reject this flawed money /power grabbing TPP. yours sincerely Robyn Walsh
I understand that the TPP in it's current form allows international entities to sue for any changes to laws which are detrimental to their profits.
If this is the case I believe that the TPP should be blocked until such time as it is amended to make clear that any and all international entities which choose to operate in Australia do so with the same rights and protections as domestic companies and have no recourse whatsoever to changes in laws enacted by Sovereign right of our Government.
I also understand that despite denials from the Government some provisions of the TPP are likely to increase the cost of certain medications by allowing pharmaceutical companies monopoly patents which they do not currently enjoy.
Whilst I personally feel that such changes to the status quo should not be allowed, they certainly should not be ushered in through the back door.under a veil of secrecy.
Regards
Colin McArdle Colin McArdle
Please say no to the TPP. We do not want to sell our country to big corporation.
Why are we putting economics - large corporations ahead of our environment, our rights to have affordable medicine and our freedom of speech? Why do large often unethical corporations have more power than our own government?
We must at least have this reviewed by independent bodies and have open & transparent discussions so that we are all aware of the consequences of this agreement.
176 We want to protect our beautiful country and way of life so we can share it with many others.
Thank you very much for your consideration & I hope you will do what is right for Australia.
Jane Jane Meckiff
To Whom It May Concern,
I urge you to seriously consider the implications for all Australians, including yourselves, if the TPP is signed and foreign corporations are given the provisions to sue our own government over decisions made in your Parliament.
There have already been several cases of tobacco companies suing government over attempts to regulate packaging, the Californian government faced a $500 million lawsuit from Monsanto after banning GM foods and the Egyptians are being sued over raising minimum wage.
As someone who grew up in a rural area and understands the importance of uncontaminated groundwater, the environmental impact of essentially giving up the power to do anything for our environment (the reason for nearly our entire tourism industry) unless it doesnt affect someone elses profits is ridiculous. Queensland is already seeing the negative effects of fracking and now you wont be able to do anything about it, no matter what new evidence you may find on the dangers. This will be the same for any new potentially unsafe technologies/methods that are decided to be used.
This will also occur once medicine gets ridiculously expensive as Minister Robb seems to determined to lie to our faces and promise to protect medical patent monopoly from occuring and then turns around and promises to give those very provisions to American companies.
If you sign this deal and then try to make medicine affordable again, you will be sued; if you look in a medical journal in Australia you will find all the pictures come from America, because they are unable to find such catasrophic examples of cases in our country - does that give you any confidence in following an American model of medicine legislation??
These are just some of my concerns over what has been some very suspiciously drafted legislation that appears to fly in the face of everything this country has ever stood for.
You will not be remembered as a Parliament that helped this country if you sign this deal.
Yours Sincerely,
Silas Hanning Silas Hanning
I have never been in favour of the TPP since it was first mooted many years ago and when our then National Party member sent out a questionaire re our concerns I gave an answer that he would not
177 have liked! It seems that only now Politicians are starting to admit their probable folly in following this line. I can only hope they listen to the people for once and stop this crap.
As we all know Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely!
The power of the Yanks will always favour them to the detriment of all others. It can never work and we will be the ultimate losers every time. Peter Barnes
This Treaty should never have seen the light of day. It is proof that the people we vote for do not run the country. They are a puppet government of multi-national corporations. The government has NO interest in the health and welfare of the Australian people or our environment or even our future. This and any issue concerning millions of Australian lives should go to a referendum. Before you commit our young lives to any war, the politicians who vote yes should be prepared to send their own families first in a frontline position. This is a total sellout of our country and must NOT pass the senate. If the government halted cross media ownership, EVERY Australian would be aware of the consequences of the TPP. Dave Barrett
A lot of discussion has been made from various sources over the last two years with regards to the TTP particularly to the effect that a country can be sued by a multinational if is make law which will affect the multinational bottom line.
Another discussion is the effect that it will have on the pricing on of pharmaceuticals.
The government has been very silent on those discussions except from praises on the general out come.
And the immediate question that comes in my mind: Has the party in power has been bough again with a big donation?
A very good example of that is that instead of establishing a Royal Commission to examine the Bank’s Financial division whereby thousands of investor have lost millions from their original investment, thanks to unscrupulous advice from the banks financial advisers, the Abbot Government tried even to go further by attempting to water down any restrictions imposed by the Gillard Government.
The answer to the big why was in my opinion the $1,100.000 donation by the Commonwealth bank to The Liberal Party. You cannot bite the hand that feeds you.
Do we have the same situation now? I urge the Senate’s Committee to examine the donations register now and after the agreement’ s signing.
It is unfortunate for the ordinary people to think that way about their politicians. Politicians will do everything to be reelected it happen in the past and will happen in the. Christie Andrew
178
To The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties:
Championing trade deals and Government policy that strengthen the economic elite and large Corporation's rule over our 'democracy' is eroding our way of life and can hardly be called democratic in the true sense of the world.
What sort of future will passing the TPP pave the way for: ultimately everyone will bear the impact of global climate change, overpopulated mega-cities and the growing numbers of poor and disenfranchised.
Backing the introduction of the TPP is just one example of how our incumbent Government is paving the way for a very unpleasant future for all:
• Allowing corporate lawsuits to proceed without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
• Placing importance of profits over Environmental protections
• Erosion of Internet privacy and freedom - for the benefit of the profits of large corporations.
Please draw on you sense of what is ethical, fair and democratic and reject this deal.
Yours Sincerely
Karen Renkema-Lang Karen Renkema-Lang
It would be detrimental to all Austraians, the Government debt and the health of everyone in Australia, to give US pharmaceuticals corporations the same monopoly over biologic medicines they have in the US. Note the profiteering that has occurred recently with some pharmaceutical corporations acquiring expired medicine patents and increasing the prices by 100's of percentage to the detriment of US citizens health.
The corporations are alreadypricing their products at levels far exceeding the costs of devlopment and acceptable profit levels to satisfy share holders.into the same category as international fuel companies like BP, Shell and Exon- basically monopoly corporations communicating the price levels they want to achieve excess profits.
Don't agree to Pharmaceutical companies having additional opportunites tofleece Australia. Deniy them monolpoy in Australian. Ken Hillier
The entire treaty was negotiated in secret, and the government has since refused to subject the TPP to any independent analysis.
179 This could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health.
Affordable medicine and fast-tracking life-saving drugs is the right of all Australians and should always be a prime concern of government.
Politicians need to recognize our fear of corporate law suits, environmental protections and internet privacy and freedom.
This TPP deal should not go further until we the taxpaying voters see the results of an independent analysis. John Hubbard
To the Federal Parliament.
We have been shown all the good aspects of the TPP but slowly the negatives are emerging.
1. Minister Robb has been informing his US colleagues that they will retain their rights over biological medicines. The result - Australians will pay more for medicines over a longer period.
2. Some of the partners in the TPP will enjoy huge advantages when purchasing our land. FIRB consent will not even be required for amounts of slightly over $1bn. So much for the highly publicised reduced levels of some $15m for farm land needing FIRB approval! One rule for some and a different rule for others!! In any case Australians DO NOT want foreigners buying ANY of our land.
3. Dutch author Karel van Wolferen has clearly stated what many of us have feared. He wrote in the Japan Times - The TPP is only superficially about Trade abd is really about corporate power, allowing corporations to engage in conduct unchecked by national rules of the participating countries. This means we have lost sovereignty!!
Do not agree to the TPP. We can sell our product to the world on quality and the clean, green image. We do not need to put our neck in the noose.
Ken Grundy
Naracoorte SA Ken Grund
Too many of the various obligations Australia would be drawn into under the Trans Pacific Partnership have been agreed in secret. This is not a straightforward treaty, like a Human Rights Treaty or Chemical Weapons ban. This treaty contains arrangements which will impact on many aspects of our future everyday lives [from medicines we can afford to the quality of air we breathe]. The TPPs rules will impact significantly on future Australian governments' very ability to govern this country! And our present government wants us to let it sign this agreement without our knowing what it obligates us to.
180 It is standard practice, and good common sense has been passed on by parents to their children for ages, NOT to sign off on anything you do not understand. Don't commit yourself to something you do not understand.
The Australian people have not had the chance to understand the obligations which they will be committed to under the TPP, because the details are secret. Before this treaty can be signed on our behalf, we demand the opportunity to know what it involves.
There should be full disclosure of all aspect of the proposed arrangements. There must be ample time for responses from people with appropriate expertise, not just economists, and from various sides of politics. Then when people have had time to understand the TPP, given the significance of the treaty obligations, there should be a REFERENDUM on whether we agree to commit future generations to the binding arrangements outlined under this treaty.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this submission.
Philip Armit
Phil Armit
As a registered health professional I am well aware that several provisions of the TPP could result in an increase in the pricing of medicines.
Maintaining affordable medicines for Australians must be a key priority of the Australian Government.
It is critical that the Australian government not support the TPP because such action will effectively result in the preservation and protection of the interests and profits of the multinational pharmaceutical companies over the needs and rights of ordinary citizens and in particular patients.
Further, given that the impacts of the TPP extend beyond medicines, protecting the ability of our Australian government to determine priorities and enact environmental, health and workplace protection laws must be preserved and not compromised by this TPP
Yours sincerely
Dr Liz Gill Liz Gill
From what little that I've heard, I have grave concerns about the TPP. Where there's smoke, there's bound to be fire.
My concerns have been exacerbated by the smokescreen emanating from Canberra spin doctors which has been characterized by the usual political double-speak, half truths, and downright lies.
181 My first concern is that the TPP may subvert our Constitution by giving foreign entities the right to sue our future governments for damages if they pass laws which detrimentally affect their profits. Any treat which has this effect should be open to public scrutiny.
My other concerns are:
1: That health costs both to the government, and to the sick will rise because of the price gouging with which the international pharmaceutical companies hold the sick to ransom.
2: That the TPP will have an even greater detrimental effect on local small businesses. Even now, our costs are so great thanks to the ineptitude of previous governments, and the avaricious greed which permeates our society, that we are living well beyond our means. I personally know of a couple of small family businesses which have had to close because they couldn't compete with the flood of cheap and nasty imports coming from asia. And there have been so many others.
I believe that the TPP is just the tip of an iceberg which will do even greater harm to our economy and our way of life. Peter Dodwell
My primary concerns over this secretive deal are that it has not had sufficient public scrutiny.
Those parts that have surfaced have given rise to grave concerns over the future of affordable medicines, environmental protection and a raft of other issues.
If Big Business is going to be able to dictate to Governments what they can and cannot do to protect the environment, privacy and health of their citizens, then this alleged Treaty is not going to help the general population of this country at all.
The possibility of the Government being able to be sued for trying to protect the country should be reason enough on its own to reject the TPP. kevin Murph
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
I am convinced that the TPP will be detrimental to the Australian people because of the following problems:
1) Intellectual property. Why is Prime Minister Turnbull telling Australians that the TPP will have no impact on the Pharmaceutical Benefits scheme [1] and then Mr Andrew Robb telling US pharmaceutical companies The Trans-Pacific Partnership will provide at least eight years of market protection for a new class of medicine known as biologics, and potentially as long as 12 to 17 years in Australia’s case, a senior Aussie official told Pro Trade’s Doug Palmer over the weekend. [2]. The this would indicate to me that this agreement is for large corporation not the Australian people. I would suggest that the committee should reject this agreement on this basis.
2) Investor State Dispute Settlement clauses. I find it surprising that our democraticly elected government is able to remove our countries ability to write its own laws for its own people. There
182 are many situations in which the TPP will restrict if not prevent the Australian government from writing laws that would lessen a multinational corporations profits. The ongoing case with Philip Morris's ISDS action is I think just the tip of the iceberg. I think on this basis alone the TPP should be rejected.
3) Do agreements like the TPP increase net trade which is there stated purpose. The ANU Crawford School of Public Policy in their Paper The economic impact of the Australia – United States free trade agreement [3] states in there conclusion that These results add to the evidence about whether or not preferential trade agreements increase net trade — with the body of evidence currently suggesting that they do not and if anything lead to a contraction. I think the committee should recommend doing more research on this before Australia commits to another one of these agreements.
Your Sincerly
Peter Shevchenko
[1] http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/medicines-wont-be-more-expensive- under-transpacific-partnership-malcolm-turnbull-20151006-gk250m.html#ixzz41DLx9xjI
[2] https://www.politicopro.com/trade/story/2016/02/australia-tries-to-reassure-us-drug- companies-on-tpp-096103
[3] https://crawford.anu.edu.au/pdf/ajrc/wpapers/2015/201501.pdf Peter Shevchenko
As a person getting on in years and becoming ever more reliant on medicines to get me through the day I want to raise my concerns about the adverse impacts of the TPP on Affordable medicines.
I am aware that various Australian Health sector groups have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring us that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP that we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This means that biologic medicines under monopoly patents will have longer patent periods than currently exist under Australian law, which must mean that we will pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Peter Donley Peter Donle
I am shocked, and disappointed to read that Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has not been honest with us!?
183 Is it true that he has told American Pharmaceutical Corporations that they would enjoy the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines here as they do in the United States? It appears he is not telling the truth either to us or them.
I strongly urge Parliament to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal on this matter.
I must also express my concern about labour rulings which would adversely affect Australian workers.
And I believe the TPP also gives giant multi-national monopolies the right to sue Australia in secret courts overseas as a means to bypass our rules and regulations, including those affecting the environment.
How can any of these actually be in Australia's best interests long term? The ordinary population will suffer the effects long after those who brought them into being, have gone.
Reject the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal and put Australia first. Linda Nicholas
I simply do not believe you, Minister Robb, when you espouse the benefits to Australians, off the TPP trade deal. The ONLY beneficiaries will be already extremely powerful, often morally bankrupt, global corporations who put their own mega profits before the well being of anybody.
How dare you sign away the future health and well being of all Australians for your moment of glory? Get Real Minister Robb.
Do you really want oligarchs suing the Australian government when their profits may be curtailed by healthy initiatives legislated in this country?
Do you really want Australians dying because they cannot afford extortionate prices for medicines and procedures because some overseas company had patented our genetic and medical future?
Get real Minister Robb and ditch this toxic free trade deal, the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Stand up for us, ordinary Australians instead of kowtowing to powerful, wealthy business interests! PLEASE! Marianne DREDGE
To Malcom Turnbull PM,
As an average Australian with many daily responsibilities I rely on the government of the day to scrutinise, understand and make an educated and parochial judgement when entering into agreements with multi national companies and other countries.
As a casual observer of the process surrounding the TPP agreement I can not support what we/ the public have so far been allowed to know.
184 It would appear the even sections of the USA government and population, the largest market in the world has grave concerns about this agreement and it may not be approved there.
This one of the policies I would be very happy to see the cross benchvote down
Regards
Rob Scott Rob Scott
I am writing to say that I oppose the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and I believe the parliament should reject the deal. The whole thing has been negotiated in secret and has not undergone any independent scrutiny, though the World Bank says the benefits to Australia will be incredibly small (0.7%) (http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/transpacific-partnership-will-barely- benefit-australia-says-world-bank-report-20160111-gm3g9w.html)
This deal gives up our sovereignty to foreign corporations. It means they can sue us for laws that are seen to damage their profits, even if those laws protect our health or the environment. This is the opposite of good governance.
Trade Minister Andrew Robb told Australians that we're not going to change the system. He then turned around and told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. Clearly he is not representing the interests of Australians. The TPP is weighted to give benefits to corporations and not us.
Australians did not vote for this.
We must say no to this disastrous deal. Karen Jackson
Already in 2004 strong evidence existed for collusion between the Australian Government and the American Pharma lobby.
The Government deliberately misrepresented the fact that the PBS was up for discussion in the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) talks, while capitulating to the demads of the US. (APH Senate 2004b: 103).
Also, 6 Howard Govt staff members received jobs with US Pharma companies.
After evidence Howard met with Pharma companies shown in the 4-corners expose in 2004, all but 2 PBAC members were dismissed or resigned inprotest.
Such corruption is the tip of the iceberg as the TPP is much more powerful and far less democratic.
Stop TPP please.
Grant Hennessy gRANT hENNESSY
185
Mr Robb, you are supposed to represent the Australian people so why are you supporting the pharmaceutical companies at our expense? We all know that pharmaceutical companies are there to make excessive profits and that the welfare of users is of no concern to them. Surely the welfare of the Australian public should be your first concern.
You are employed by the Australian public and as such we are entitled to expect you to look after our best interests, not those of US pharmaceutical corporations.
All aspects of the TPP are of mind-blowing concern - giving multinational corporations the power to sue over legal changes that protect us but hurt their profits, taking away our rights to environmental protection in our own country, taking away our rights to internet freedom and privacy.
Please remember that you are an Australian citizen and reject totally the TPP Brian and Margaret Barker
Well, I feel that such an agreement may not be in the best interests of the majority and that is troublesome. I see it to be in the best interests of corporations and large businesses but what about the rest of the people that work hard to provide for their families and to live their lives? And I even question whether this agreement is in the best interests of all the countries that will be involved, or is it in the best interests of powerful countries like the U.S. primarily? There are many questions and certainly much has to be considered.
I'm saying that any agreement in economics should always take into account the negative impacts it may have on those who are already compromised economically in a society. That's all I'm saying. Thank you. Sara Bostic
I am very worried about the provisions in this treaty that enable global corporations to sue Australian governments over any action that threatens their profits. This is, essentially, handing over democratic rights to the self interest of organisations with no responsibility to us. Medicines on the PBS are at risk, which is dangerous to all Australians, as reasonably priced medicine is one of the pillars of our health system - this has been indicated by Andrew Robb telling a U.S. publication that their pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they have in the U.S.
The fact that these treaties are negotiated in secret and that governments are reluctant to be open about what they contain is very suspicious and worries me a great deal. lois frederick
186 The Australian government has been sued by overseas multinational companies over matters that affect their profits but are in our best National interests. The planned TPP will exacerbate the risk of lawsuits by large corporations, over a range of protections that we definitely need.
I have always been very concerned about this matter which alone is so serious that I believe that parliament should not pass the agreement.
'Freeing up' trade is on the face if it a desirable thing but in other ways, particularly in this deal, it can cost us dearly in the form of higher medicine costs, less environmental care, and less privacy and freedom for families on the internet..
Terry Kain. Terry Kain
On 22nd February, Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb told big Pharmaceutical Companies in the US, that they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States.
This does not match what Minister Robb has been telling the Australian public, that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
Further Health Sector groups' warnings of increases in the prices of medicine, as a direct result of the terms of the TPP, have been ignored by Minister Robb and other Australian Government negotiators.
It also concerns me that, through the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations, including big Pharmaceutical Companies, can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
These are not my only concerns.
In the area of Environmental Protections, I was concerned to learn that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Australia needs Environmental Protection from the actions of all individuals and corporations.
In the area of Internet Privacy, I understand that the TPP deal locks in the ability of my internet service provider to spy on me and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
While I do not support copyright infringement, I am not supportive of this response to these offenses.
Lastly, the full content of the TPP has not been revealed to the Australian people.
I understand the nature of Commercial in Confidence, however these issues affect the whole Australian community.
Once put in place the TPP will not be able to be cancelled.
187 I urge the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review to reject the TPP, as it stands and insist on a Treaty that is more equitable for all members of the Australian community. RJohn Carter
Parliament must block the TPP. If this trade deal is finalised corporations will be able to sue the government for infringing on their profits, which essentially means corporations will govern our government. The TPP will also mean an increase in medicine prices which will set Australians back financially. The TPP also enables companies to infringe on our internet freedom and privacy which is one of my main concerns as a citizen who wishes to maintain my right to free speech. Finally if the TPP is passed governments won't be able to increase environmental protection laws for fear of infringing on company profits and being sued. Maxwell Skipper
It will have no benefit for the future generations of my country. I have no children, so I personally have no future, however I have nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. I want them to grow up in a country free of disease and disgust. If we allow this to happen, it will allow substandard products to be imported, which by law we have to accept. Substandard food and meats in particular. These foods may be infested with fruit fly, rabies and/or other diseases, such as last year's outbreak of Hep A. Think about it. Also it will flood this country with Herbal Medicines made from the testis and horns etc of endangered species. Stop this atrocity NOW. Put Australia first. ps: I VOTE Jannette van den Berg
Dear Sir,
Please reject the TPP.
I feel very strongly about our environment and that our Government should not run the risk of being sued by private corporations of any country, for passing laws that protect and strengthen our environmental protection.
Also Australia seems to be leaving itself open to being sued by Multinational corporations without judges or jury, over legal changes that the govement made to protect us, but hurt the big corporations bottom line.
Our wellbeing and the health of this wonderful country as a whole is more important than any short term monetary gains from overseas influences.
Please listen to the people.
Kind regards
Rozanne Groves rozanne groves
188
This controversial trade agreement is just one of a myriad of decisions taken on behalf of Australians without our full knowledge or consent, and usually detrimental to our future security. There seems to be an inability in Canberra to distinguish between foreign investment and ownership and the population watches in dismay while our birthrights are sold to the highest bidder. SA Water was sold to a foreign company which has given us the highest water rates in the country and practically no maintenance on the aging infrastructure. Of course we were told privatisation would be to our benefit, just as the TTP is now being spruked as a good move. If politicians want to regain credibility with the electorate, stop doing bad deals in our name. Heather Lauterbach
Please block this agreement. Its not well explained, poorly scrutinised and the public are not fully aware of the ramifications. At least allow the press to review and provide comment on it so the public can get objective opinion on it.
The provisions we do know are frightening - the ISDS provisions we've already seen can cost millions and will allow overseas interests to threaten Australian Government's ability to make its own laws. The environmental and many other aspects should by themselves be enough to kill the deal - agreements to protect our environment n our country may be challenged by overseas interest if their own commercial gain is threatened.
PLEASE do not this agreement to pass and destroy he country for generations to come!!
Bill Revill
Bill Revill
Dear Sir,
Please reject the Trans Pacific Parnership deal.
Our environment is precious and fragile and our Government should not run the risk of being sued by private corporations of any country, for passing laws that protect and strengthen our environmental protection.
I also understand that Australia seems to be leaving itself open to being sued by Multinational corporations without judges or jury, over legal changes that the govement made to protect us, but hurt the big corporations profits.
Our wellbeing and the health of Australia as a whole is far more important than any 'partnership' agreements with other countries for short term monetary gains leading to overseas influences on our country and its citizens.
Please listen to the people.
189 Regards
Michael Groves michael groves
Dear sir
I am very concerned and dismayed that a Government elected by the people for the people does in this instance not appear to be of the people.
Elected governments must always search for the best outcome for the people, not the corporations. If the best interests of the corporations and the people should coincide, then the choice is easy.
Where the best interests of the people is put in jeopardy, then the decision is more difficult, but must fall in favour of the people.
The overall benefits to the people and their health NOW must be paramount in any decision. To place profits of Pharmaceutical companies ahead of the welfare of the people is bad decision making at best, and completely wrong bias at worst.
I sincerely hope you will push for a decision that is in the best interests of the people whose health you represent now and not for the profit takers.
SIncerely, Tom.
Thomas Adams Tom Adams
To Whom it May Concern,
I am a GP working in rural and remote Indigenous Health Services. A vital component of Closing the Gap is access to affordable medications. This also applies to the financially strapped non-indigenous rural population.
I am therefore vehemently opposed to any trade deals which impact adversely on accessibility and affordability of medication for my patients.
Specifically I ask the Australian Government to stand up in support of the PBS and oppose any aspect of the TPP which would allow US pharmaceutical companies to use their patents in such a way as to render medication less affordable to Australians.
Failure to protect our access to affordable medications is failure to provide an adequate (and previously world class) health care system. One look at the appalling inequities in the US health care system should be enough for this Government to oppose the TPP!
Thankyou for taking the time to really think about what you want for the future of health care in this country.
190 Dr Fiona McCormick
B.Med, FRACGP Fiona McCormick
Every Australian should not trust the TPP deal - it is dangerous in so many ways and should be REJECTED!!! This is all about control, profits and underhanded ways of manipulating world economies so that the only benefits go to the multinationals, transnationals and the biggest corporations in the world - giving them more financial control and power. This does NOTHING to protect the average worker, let alone help those in the poorest nations. All it will do is extend the ever increasing gap between the elite and the rest of us. Your words mean NOTHING when you sign away on a deal that will only have a negative impact on this countries citizens. Dee Raffert
To the Australian Parliament:
It is important that the Parliament thoroughly investigates this agreement and act in the interests of its citizens, not anyone or anything else.
I have concerns that this pact has been put together in secret and only now is the Australian Government allowing its own Parliament to examine its contents (and under what time frame?).
The important and unexplained matters to the general public are:
1. Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private courts without judges or juries over legal changes that protect us, for example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian Government for raising the minimum wage.
2. Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase pricing for medicines.
3. Our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. (And look what is happening here!)
4. The deal locks in the ability of our internet service providers to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
In short, please ensure every detail has been checked before Parliament approves this document, which apparently can't be cancelled at any time, now or in the future. Heather Ingram
I am greatly concerned that the TPP as it stands can inhibit our environmental policies or sue our government if policies change & the US corporations identify these policies are impacting on their profits.
191 The signing of the TPP could also lead to corportate lawsuits for Australia
My next concern about the TPP is how it will affect the affordability of our medicines. Drug Companies profits will rule over a nation's health benefits.
The whole process of the TPP needs to be discussed more openly and be clearly explained the impacts on Australians if the treaty comes into effect
Profits NEVER befor PEOPLE & THEIR ENVIRONMENT Marianne White
I am very concerned about the ramifications for Australia if the Trans Pacific Partnership deal is signed by our government. I urge you to reject the TPP deal.
I am deeply concerned that contained within the TPP are provisions that may have a serious impact on the price of medicines. The TPP has the potential to tie the hands of an Australian government attempting to act in the public interest. Multinational pharmaceutical companies could sue our government over legislative changes that protect Australians but hurts the companies’ profits. I was diagnosed with an incurable cancer 12 years ago and am well aware of the impact that an increase in medicines would have on someone in my position. Even with the support of Medicare and private health Insurance I was on the bones of my bum financially. It is very expensive being sick and worrying about how to pay the next bill just compounded the stress at a time when I was desperately trying to keep stress to a minimum.
I am seeing this play out again now for my daughter who has just been diagnosed with debilitating Fibromyalgia. As a result of her condition she can no longer work, she therefore has no income and has had to move back home with me. Any money she had left has had to go towards her many medications and other medical costs. Any rise in price in these would have a serious impact on her ability to make ends meet. She is fortunate in that she has a parent who can help her out. Many others in our community are not as lucky and can easily fall through the cracks. Further increase in the price of medicines will have a very real effect on many vulnerable Australians.
Another impact of the TPP that I am very worried about is the threat of companies having the ability to sue the government over environmental protection laws that help to protect the Australian environment but which a company deems are not in their commercial interest. By signing the deal we could be giving away our right to protect our own country from multinational corporations.
Why is Andrew Robb so willing to hand over so much power to large multinational corporations?
Australia cannot afford to risk becoming part of the TPP deal - Please reject it. Betsy Bush
Australians need to have access to affordable medicines for all of our people, rich or poor. We are paying quite a lot already. The poorer members of our communities are already struggling to access medicines. Under TPP many more would just have to go without. This would be such a backward step for our country.
192 Overseas companies should not be able to sue our government because they do not attain their bottom line.
I do not understand how it is in our best interest (Australia's best interest) to give the proposed rights to foreign corporations to the detriment of every individual in Australia. Marija Fredric
Robb has lied - as most of us who understand the way of these Free Trade Agreements already expected - but the secretiveness and the way in which the citizens of Australia have been otherwise kept in the dark about the specifics is clearly criminal in intent and conclusion. Block and delete this trade agreement totally. Tell the US and Big Pharma where to go. If Mr Robb wants to surrender his own wealth to the US corporations - tell him to go ahead! But he has NO RIGHT to authorise the rest of us to do so. Any TPP must be clear and transparent and agreed to by the people as a referendum! And charge Mr Robb with treason! Jim KABLE
Due to genetics which obviously have been set for 45 years, I am now aware that I am in a h risks groups for bowel cancer, because my mother, and my fathers mother both dies of this disease, and melanoma, as my father and I have both had melonomas removed. It is a strong reality of my life that I am likely to need advanced drug treatment at some time.
If I wanted to fund biomedical compues absence profits then I would move to America. I don,t, as I am a proud Australian, proud of the health care system we have made here.
Don,t screw around with my drugs and the great Australian health care system we are currently still proud of.
Peter Lee Peter Lee
My family and community's future wellbeing is put at extraordinary risk if this TPP Deal goes ahead!!
We are giving away control of those things that matter in our country:
*our ability to make our own decisions in the best interests of our people in key areas that impact on future quality of life, both directly and indirectly,
*protection from large pharmaceutical and chemical company-greed that has the potential to ruin our health and health care system including the right of all Australians to affordable health care and safe food supplies,
*protection from exploitation by companies intent on using dangerous practices such as fracking to extract resources at the expense of ordinary, everyday Australian communities
193 *our ability to make our own laws that govern our way of life eg. industrial, environmental and financial without the constant threat of huge costly legal challenges from indifferent private companies focussed on profit only
*respect for the right to privacy of law-abiding citizens.
Is this government really believing it has the right to activate the life desecrating strategies in Aldous
Huxley's classic 1984? This is what this TPP Deal is sounding like to me!
STOP THE MADNESS OF THE TPP DEAL
... before it's too late!!!
Judy Murray Judy Murra
I would be very worried if the Australian Parliament ratifies this agreement.
It is not in the interests of the Australian people to waver their rights to hold companies to responsible and humane treatment of our citizens.
Pharmaceutical companies already hold governments and patients to ransom with astronomical charges. The activation of this partnership would remove any chance of holding them to responsible actions.
Australia has strong consumer protection laws and these could be whittled away by companies claiming they had been denied their assumed profits if they engaged in fair trade with consumers.
I feel the worst consequence of this agreement is the ability of companies to obtain directives from non democratic tribunals somewhere in the world to force our governments to waive desperately needed environmental protections, particularly in regard to global warming.
With Respect
David C McCathie
Tewantin QLD David McCathie
The more I read about the TPP, the secrecy surrounding it, the involvement of corporations pushing for their vested interests to be prioritised, the fears that we are signing away our environmental protections, the signing away of our sovereign rights with corporations being able to challenge our laws in secret tribunals, the more alarmed I am that our government has lost its way.
It is well documented we are paying more for pharmaceuticals than most other countries, including New Zealand, yet we have never been told why this is so. Was this another secret deal?
194 I am yet to read anything positive about this Trans Pacific Partnership Deal and if anything has to be done in secret, with no input from our citizens, then I have to assume something is awry.
I ask that this TPP Agreement be rejected because there is too much unknown, and of what is known, experts have raised major concerns about not only the lack of benefits to Australia, but that it is more likely to disadvantage us.
Yours sincerely,
Clare McKay Clare McKa
hi, whats so good about multinationals being able to sue a government because the government has a system where there is no judge or jury over legal disputes that always favour multinationals and protect profits. overpaid public servants who are only interested in getting a promotion, having a over generous superannuation scheme, and having far to many holidays have worked with the minister to try to get this ttp passed. they have little or no respect for themselves and the Australian community, they should hang there heads in shame . multinationals want to make exhorbitant profits and pay little or no tax, they do not have a social conscience and executives are overpaid. medicines are supposed to be to the benefit of the community but increasingly the greedy multinationals want to make obscene profits, and the minister has said were not going to change the system , but then tells the usa companies they are able to have the same rights over medicines that they enjoy in usa. that's a contradiction and impossible , anybody with half a brain knows you cant please 2 masters, so the minister has told untruths.
I feel the politicians and others working on this proposal have let themselves down and have broken oaths when they said would work for the benefit of Australians and not just a select few. disgraceful, lying and incompetent glory seeking muppets. brendan omahone
I am very concerned that the TPP could be passed. It has been developed in such secrecy it's hard to be sure just what we're signing up to.
My concerns are the control it will give to multinational companies to affect how the government protects its citizens.
As I understand it companies will have the right to sue Australia over legal changes that would protect the community but hurt their profits. This would also apply to environmental protections that impacted a company's business.
The threat to affordable medecines by extending company patent rights are of particular concern.
195 There is not sufficient benefit in this TPP to justify the the loss of rights and threats to our health and environment.
I urge you to reject the TPP outright.. Robyne Stace
I studied macro economics whilst working for government and was privy to writing policy at a state and federal level. So I feel maybe, just maybe you might listen to what I have to say.
To give the right to big corporations, some of which have larger incomes than the Australian Federal Budget, to take our government to court would be a travesty beyond redemption.
It was proven in the 70's that smaller companies are able to adapt and create solutions far quicker than big companies which become hamstrung by regulations and internal rules and policies. We need to look after micro to small business if we are to see Australia get back on it's feet and leave the bigger companies to die their natural deaths.
We need to look after growth at the base of our economy rather than protect those at the top.
We have allowed corporations to buy off and bully our politicians for too long.
Please please return to a Fair Australia for all and learn to stand once again a proud nation of creative and industrious businesses.
Yours faithfully
Joy Engelman
Winner of the National Innovation Awards in 2000 for Cabonne Country joy engelman
If I were to ignore my natural tendancies and put on an ultra right wing hat for a moment, I could understand some of the provisions of the TPP. For example if I were the owner of a big pharmaceutical company I would be very glad to see the monopoly on biological medicines delivered to my feet; after all, the Australian people should be a resource that I can exploit; right?
The restrictions to environmental protections makes sense to me because we all know that the right wing don't care one hoot (pun intended) for the environment, just another resource to exploit.
But one element of the TPP that still doesn't make any sense to me, (wearing a left wing or right wing hat, or any colour in between), is the provision where by a foreign corporation can sue the Australian government (that means all of us) for the decisions that the Australian government makes. No sense at all. Unless you are a foreign company of course. But why would Australia accept this provision? Why? Can someone please tell me?
John Bellingham John Bellingham
196
There has been no real public disclosure about the TPP. Instead, we've been asked to take a politician's word that it's a great deal for Australia. It is never a great idea for a country to give away its sovereign rights. Giving Big Pharma monopoly rights over life saving medicines is like giving them a blank cheque. Once that happens Australians will struggle to afford the medicines they need and we will see the same tragic situation Americans face when they can't afford life saving medicines.
When Tony Abbott attempted to start Americanising our health care system Australians left him in no doubt that we wanted to keep the health care system we have. And yet, here we have that same political party trying to rush through a deal which will profoundly change our system, and not for the better. A democracy is supposed to be a Government of the people, by the people, for the people, not for the agenda of the party currently in power. I urge you not to let this deal go through. It would be a disaster for this country. Maureen Moran
Members of Parliament are elected to serve and represent the people in their electorates. To make decisions on their behalf that would pass the test of the greatest good for the public, when assessed by any fair minded member of the public.
We, the public, see that more and more decisions are being made to favour the profit making of big business at the expense of the average person.
So more and more money flows out of both public and private sources to big business
The TPP is just another example of this and should be stopped. There are already many pharmaceutical products sold in Australia for amounts that are unfair and unjustifiable.
Stop the TPP now, do your job and represent the people of Australia. Vivien Leek
As a older Australian who has paid my taxation over my working life, I fear the Liberal National Party's TPP negotiations are putting Australia's public interest in jeopardy. Why would our government negotiate an agreement that absolutely favours the US pharmaceutical corporations' interests and the interests of transnational and global corporations ? I can only believe it is to secure favourable treatment for some sectors of Australian industry dependent on exports. It is not in the interests of any Australian person to have to pay more money for a longer time to transnational and global US pharmaceutical giants. It is a gross distortion of the Australian economy for certain sectors to gain export deals at the expensive of the wider Australian community through deals that were brokered in secret. It is also a gross insult to the Australian Government and people for these transnational and global giant corporations to be able to take legal action against our nation to prote ct their own profit base. Why on earth would the Australian people want to sign on to such an outrageous legal arrangement? Your review of the TPP is our only hope to prevent long term, serious costs to Australians for quality of life goods and services. These are not luxuries, these are
197 basic necessities and the poor and the low to middle income people of this nation will feel the real negative impact of this TPP. I urge you to reject this unfair and disadvantageous deal. Christine Brunt
I find it completely unacceptable that a corporation could sue the Australian government for legislation that hurts their potential profits.
The Australian government needs to govern for its people and protect its people and as such legislation should be aimed at achieving this. Good policy for the Australian people should not be subject to potential law suits by corporations who may suffer financial losses due to this legislation.
We also need to ensure that medicines remain affordable. We do not want an American style health system where the rich get good care and the poor don't.
Further I believe in our right to privacy and do not appreciate the ISPs will be required to monitor my internet usage. Boris Ivanov
Please block the TPP.
With what Big Tobacco is doing do us in Hong Kong, how can you think the TPP is a good idea?
Multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. Apart from the example I mentioned above, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Another example is when the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Please, stop this before it is too late!
Do you really want this beautiful country to be just like America? Why would we ruin what makes Australia great??
We don't need multinational corporations ruling the world!!
Why are you lying to your own people? Do you want us to become more selfish and greedy like these corporations. Its disgraceful.
We have enough poverty and homelessness and sickness here already why make it worse. We should be fixing what great benefits we have here not making it more like other countries.
Our country is one of the most beautiful in the world by signing this TPP we are potentially giving away our legacy our country so that our children and children's children will not be able to experience what a diverse country we have. vicki bruce
198
This treaty which supposedly promotes free trade does no such thing - it promotes corporate rights over our citizen's rights and we get no seeable advantage for the loss of our rights and the country's sovereignty.
Foreign companies can sue our government.
Pharmaceutical prices likely to rise
Hollywood's copyrights to be enforced against our citizens.
This deal was signed and negotiated in secret precisely because of the massive backlash and uproar that would / did occur when it became public.
I know the US government is bought and paid for by corporate America who is clearly forcing the agenda but I thought the Australian Government might have more integrity and a sense of duty to its people. Alastair Ferguson
I'm greatly concerned about the TPP.
This puts a lot of rights into the hands of massive corporations, and takes power away from future Australian governments to make decisions affecting Australians.
For example, more overseas workers can be brought in cheaply rather than paying Australian workers a living wage.
Big corporations can sue the Australian government should it, for example try to ban GMO seeds.
Pharmaceuticals can be sold at exorbitant rates and there will be nothing we can do about it once the TPP is signed.
I am appalled the Australian government is considering this agreement. It smacks of corruption and greed and disempower ing our own government to autonomous governing.
This will be regretted deeply should the TPP go ahead.
Please do not allow this to happen! Bria Ryder
I'm concerned about the dangerous precedent where multinational corporations can sue the government where the government might decide to for example, prevent the sale of a medicine, or stop an environmental practice such as fracking coal seam gas. In addition the length of patents on some things will be increased - how can we be sure this will not create a monopoly on drugs that raise or artificially keep prices high for much longer than currently?
199 I urge the inquiry to carefully consider the agreement and whether it really represents the best interest of all Australians, or whether the majority of benefit may be for international companies. Rob Raulings
If Australia signs into this treaty it will spend the next 50 years trying to get out of it. It is corporate assault on our sovereigncy. The politicians and political parties who commit us to this are signing their own political suicide - once the people of Australia realize what you have done the outcry will be deafening. I want a proper and open discussion and consideration of the TPP before committing to it OR NO TPP at all.
The public should understand what is being done to the country BEFORE any short thinking politician commits our country to any such agreement. Kene Hammond
This deal is just plain wrong, and shows how very out of touch the LNP is with the real world, and how little they care about the voting public.
It does show, however, what a massive bunch of corporate butt-kissers they are - selling out their own country to curry favour with big business. It's disgusting. Why should people, who are already struggling to make ends meet, thanks to the GST (another LAME LNP invention), have to go without access to affordable, life-saving medicine? Why should our precious natural environment come under threat because of this? And what gives anybody the right to spy on what people are doing on the internet? Why should American corporations be allowed to sue Australia for any reason?
Get rid of this obscene deal, once and for all. It's an election year after all - can you really afford to lose yet more voters? Tess Dobinson
I have read a bit about this and I amgetting more disturbed the more I find out. I thought that the TPP would be good for Australia.
Is it good is the medicines that could greatly help people with illness, are kept at higher prices simply to fleece the pocket of international companies?
The deal would lock in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. How Big Brother is this?
What kind of country are we seriously trying to develop with these draconians changes that show how the big money get what they want and protect what they can at the cost of the average Australian citizen?
How can we be acting in the spirit of what this country is about is we allow?
200 Be selfish do things in the name of the Australian interest, be above the power of big business and grow a future to benefit our childrens children and beyond. Carl Sinapius
To whom it may concern
I do not want the TPP to be allowed to go ahead here in Australia. We should not sign. I am afraid of the costs Australians will be bear if we were sued by foreign companies. I cannot believe this would be even considered, its absurd when there will be no judges or jury. We would be completely in the dark while changes are made that hurt us but protect foreign company's profits. DO NOT DO IT!
I am concerned that the TPP will cause the cost of medicine to go up. This is a concern many of us face, we just recently were talking about this at the pub. We all know how dodgy the system is in America and are very concerned the same issue would be occurring here.
Fracking is already ruining large sections of our productive agricultural land. I am concerned that the TPP will open the way for companies to sue us for not allowing them to frack on our land. Its already happened in Canada, with a US company suiing them for not allowing them to frack. The people of Australia should be deciding what happens to our land, not some foreign corporation.
Don't let it happen. Please. Michael Theiler
Dear Mr Robb,
We have a world class leading edge healthcare system in Australia.
Why would you sell your own people out to foreign corporations?
It is time to come clean on the terms of the TPP and the secret dealings you have conducted on behalf of the people you claim to represent.
Our health care system and the health of our people are not for sale and especially not under the terms of the TPP.
I am writing to ask you to withdraw from the TPP immediately.
I you go ahead with signing the TPP you and your party will lose my vote this coming election.
Regards,
R. Dean Ramana Dean
While I, as an ordinary citizen, do not have any access to the actual wording of the proposed TPP I am deeply concerned about the reported possibility that it contains:
201 Provisions which allow overseas vested interests to sue our governments for damages, above and without any reference to our own legal system, should our government's action impact adversely, for whatever reason, on the profitability of that overseas vested interest. It is intolerable that we might allow these interests to pursue their financial gains at the expense of the health or welfare of the Australian people
Provisions which could provide Big Pharma with greater vested interests than they already have in controlling the rights to the products which they sell in our market. I fully understand the need for Big Pharma's profitability, but I also understand the need of government to govern the country to provide us, its citizens, with affordable medical benefits at prices which are fair to both manufacturer and consumer.
I ask that, on consideration of this issue, you please ensure that Australia's sovereignty and interests are not compromised in these ways by the introduction of the TPP.
Chris Young CA Christopher Young
The TPP, the cover of which actually has a logo saying made in the USA, is nothing more than a power grab by US multinational corporations.
The Govt will not subject it to independent analysis, with Andrew Robb saying that this would constitute looking in a rear-vision mirror. What utter contempt for Australian citizens. It borders on the Treasonous.
I want the TPP to not be ratified by Parliament on the grounds that it will disadvantage Australian citizens by creating higher drug prices, ISDS proceedings against Australia by corporations, place pressure on Australian governments to allow overseas workers in, and remove the ability of Australian governments to protect the environment from harm done to it by corporations.
The TPP is yet another example of the undermining of democracy in Australia; the will of citizens is confined to no more than being allowed to vote for one or other Party of corporate shills once every three years. Graham Ringer
I think most Australians are unaware of the influence the major pharmaceutical companies - Big Pharma - have in the United States.
I know that they have successfully stopped the import of cheaper drugs from Canada. I know that their bought-and-paid for politicians on both sides have robbed their own countrymen blind by not allowing Medicare to negotiate a discounted bulk price for drugs.
We want none of this in Australia but it's a sad fact that we can't trust our politicians to protect us from these greedy corporate leeches.
There should be no TPP until any and all loopholes are closed. Stephen Birdsall
202
I am concerned that the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership deal will threaten the sovereignty of Australia to make laws to govern and protect itself for the benefit and in the interests of the Australian community.
The issues of concern for me are:
- Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australia, but hurt their profits. We would would be giving away our fundamental right to protect ourselves against excessive corporate greed.
- Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP will likely increase medicine pricing. This could threaten the lives of many Australians who require medicine.
- Australia could be sued by Multinational corporations for laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. We would compromise our ability to protect our environment and the community as a whole.
- The TPP deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on Australians and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
I ask that the Australian Parliament reject the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership. Roger Rajaratnam
As a single woman who worked for private enterprise for over 45 years; who did not get equal pay; who did get access to superannuation only when Paul Keating introduced compulsory super I have little confidence in any government guaranteeing anything.
To me, as I approach my 80 th year affordable medicine is most important as I would like to live out my life as comfortable as the medics can provide.
It seems that Mr Robb has no care for his fellow countrymen and is enthusiastic to provide the giant pharmaceutical companies increased returns while we, the Australian public, pay more for our essential medication.
No thank you Nancy Walker
Attention: Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review.
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
However, Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
203 This means biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Also, Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Further, our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
The deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Please reject the dangerous TPP deal.
Regards,
Sally Pound Peter Pound
It is integral that the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) be rejected by the Australian government.
The TPP stands to damage the livelihood and democratic freedom enjoyed by the Australian people.
The TPP will allow multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australians, but hurt corporate profits. As an example, a corporation is already suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. This is unacceptable.
The TPP threatens to raise the costs of medicines for regular Australians.
The Australian government stands to be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Fracking is an issue that I and many thousands of other Australians feel very strongly about. It is incredibly harmful to the environment and will do long-lasting damage that may take thousands of years to be recovered from.
The TPP also enables internet service providers to spy on Australians' internet usage and report findings to third parties. This is an invasion of personal privacy and is intolerable.
The Australian government would do well to thoroughly investigate the full implications of the TPP (that means having all parliamentarians READ the document and understand it) and have it reported impartially to the Australian public (rather than have the public kept in the dark about it). The TPP
204 was formulated behind closed doors but stands to negatively impact Australia and other nations in fundamental ways that dis-empower citizens. Please, reject the TPP.
Regards,
Joel Pearson
Roseville, Sydney Joel Pearson
The TPP is a disturbing agreement, reducing Australia's sovereign right to independently decide what is best for the country. The ability for third party corporate entities to challenge decisions made by the government, just because said decisions could potentially damage their bottom lines is ridiculous.
The government needs to govern for the Australian people, not corporate (international) profits - the TPP will prevent this happening (also, we can see the mess that the American economic, health and legal systems are in - do we really want to go down that path?)
Regards,
Alison Waller
MBA, B Env Sc, Grad Dip IS Alison Waller
I recently read the summary from the World Bank in regards to the TPP. It stated very clearly that the benefits of the TPP for Australia were negligible at best but did open Australia to some risk.
Why are we proceeding with this Agreement? There are few economic benefits and many risks including but not limited to:
- being exposed to corporate lawsuits
- environmental protections
- cost of pharmaceuticals.
These concerns may be small in number but are big enough that the full Agreement needs to be reviewed with a fine toothed comb.
As we theoretically live in a democracy, the people need to understand the risks involved in this Agreement. Miree Le Ro
205 There is nothing wrong in making trade agreements with other countries or groups of countries. However, if a government agrees to grant foreign or multinational companies powers, which undermine the rights of its people this government is negligent.
We don't know the details of the TPP but it certainly will encourage privatisation and once a Multinational has bought up say Medicare they can do what they want subjecting Australians to a health care situation like in the US.
There is no need for a TPP unless there is an vested interest as there is from big corporations, who are the major co-authors of the TPP.
Please use your right to oppose the TPP or at least the ISDS provisions. Manfred Klose
The Australian health system is one that is the envy of the world. Our system allows for ALL AUSTRALIANS to be cared for and treated for all health problems equally through our public health system.
An adjunct to this exceptional health system is the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which allows ALL AUSTRALIANS access to affordable medicines to assist maintain their health, should they need them, but not bankrupting them to the point where it becomes a choice between eating, or having a roof over their heads, or taking medicine to keep them healthy yet unable to eat or sleep safely.
The agreement Mr Robb made for Australia as a country to participate in the Trans Pacific Partnership will put this (and many other) accepted parts of Australian life at risk. He has said that there would be NO CHANGE to the current system we have for pharmaceuticals / biologics, yet it has become apparent that he has told US pharma something completely different.
I do not want the current Australian system to be changed in any way to accommodate this LIE of an agreement Mr Robb agreed to without advising the Australian public about the particulars. Mr Robb appreciates that he has lied to Australian voters and will not contest his job at the next election.
DO NOT ALLOW THE TPP TO BE RATIFIED AND STOP THE 'AMERICANISATION' OF AUSTRALIA. IT'S BECOME FAR TO 'AMERICANISED' ALREADY. nick marshall
I submit that this deal should not be agreed to.
As a community worker, I can attest to growing unease amongst people at the prospect of an increase in medicines due to the nature of a TTP agreement that cedes exclusive pricing rights and protocols to global pharmaceutical companies.
There are also varying degrees of disquiet at the loss of legal protections that currently benefit our community and environmental well being. The public and its elected representatives will find themselves mutually answerable and responsible not to each other, but global corporations based overseas.
206 I understand the agreement also undercuts the ability of the citizen's right to protect an already undermined online privacy.
The secretive nature with which the agreement has been negotiated is of deep concern.
Please do not recommend a Bill enabling its passage. Dennis Ryle
I have just found that in signing the Trans-Pacifc Partnership deal, Mr Robb misled us all. He reassured Australians that the present system concerning affordable medicines was not going to change.
However, he has recently told an American publication that United States pharmaceutical manufacturers will continue to hold the very same monopoly rights over medicines that they have in the United States.
Both statements cannot be true. The statement to the Americans assures than that they continue to hold their monopoly patents, resulting in Australians paying more for medicines we need.
I suspect that this also means that multinational pharmacy corporations can sue us if the law which protects us impairs their profits.
Please reject the TPP because of its potentially dangerous effects on Australian citizens. Jack & Shona Thomson
Dear Committee Secretary
It concerns me that Australia's arrangements in the TPP now under consideration Australia's scheme for providing affordable medicine to those all those who need it may be at risk, because it removes the Government's ability to negotiate the best possible prices, instead enabling Big Pharma to gouge higher profits from biologic medicines that would have gone out of patent.
Patent protection already provides these companies with extraordinary levels of profits, even allowing for the high costs of researching and testing new medicines.
Australia's ability to negotiate the lowest prices for necessary medicines should be improved not undermined to ensure the sustainability of our system - one that provides health care at a fraction of the cost of that in the US, together with much better outcomes in terms of population mortality and morbidity.
To protect this important aspect of Australian health care, and act in the national interest the TPP should be unequivocally rejected.
Yours faithfully
(Dr) Robyn Seth-Purdie Robyn Seth-Purdie
207
While free trade is on the whole a good thing one has to be suspicious when trade 'deals' are done behind closed doors - or in fact not closed doors - but behind doors where large corporations are present and the public (the people most affected) are kept in the dark until the last minute.
The TPP, like many other 'deals', appears to be less about free trade and more about enhancing the power of large corporations, especially large multinational corporations. It is simply unacceptable in a democratic world that these corporations should be able to sue governments for implementing the wishes of their people through legislation protecting the environment, health and education and working conditions. Any provisions in the TPP that allow for this should be taken out (perhaps they should be outlawed in the constitution). If this means the deal has to be scrapped, then so be it. If there are disputes they should only be resolved at a government-to-government basis in the context of each countries legislated environment.
We must protect the ability of out Governments (State and Federal) to legislate in our interests - not those of overseas corporations. This should mean that in fact the TPP (or any other trade deal) has to be interpreted in the context of our laws. Robert Fletcher
If we have a Trans Pacific Partnership, then we may find it difficult to impose a tariff on countries that do not have a carbon price.
Doing so would be a cornerstone of making a level playing field if we have a price on carbon in Australia.
If we do not have a carbon price in Australia then we are criminally contributing to the demise of most of our grandchildren if not our children.
I do not think that most politicians in Australia realise how serious the global warming problem is for which carbon dioxide is a contributor.
Fossil fuels should be taxed at the point of mining. That would be (1) simpler and more effective than taxing atmospheric carbon pollution and (2) easier to engineer an international level playing field by means of tariffs for imports from non-compliant countries and subsidies for exports to non- compliant countries. George Carrard
I ask the Government to block the TPP as it will be detrimental to the financial and other interest of average Australians.
There now appears to be evidence that foreign pharmaceutical companies could benefit over Australian companies causing medicines to be more expensive for Australian consumers.
208 In addition it is both unfair and foolish to expose Australia to the possibility of being sued by foreign corporations for measures which are for the benefit of Australians or for the protection of our environment.
I ask you to reject this deal as it could prove to be prejudicial to the interests of average Australians.
Yours faithfully
Jocelyn Morris. Jocelyn Morris
An US style monopoly on medicines would cause great harm to our country, increasing prices and restricting access to the wealthier sectors of our community. Greater social inequality is a recipe for conflict and polarisation and would fundamentally change the character of our society and life style. We must think of the future of our children and grandchildren and their right to enjoy a peaceful and just environment and a fair and accessible health system.
The TPP must not be used to confer privileges to overseas commercial interest which take precedence over the rights of Australian citizens.
Sincerely,
Leonor Gouldthorpe Leonor Gouldthorpe
The TPP is the most shocking of possibilities, the potential for our country to be held to ransom by others over the very things that we regard as important, our internet and viewing privacy invaded, and, once again, our environment given a low priority.
Don't you get it? What is THE most important thing for you and your family to have? Is it clean air? Clean water? Clean soil to grow food? Why would you risk all this by giving control of our natural resources over to profit making businesses? For this, in the greater scheme of things, is what you are risking—the ability to say, No, that is pollution we do not want in this country.
I just don't understand why you want to abuse your family, your children and your neighbours— me/us/each other—so completely. I thought this new prime minister would see sense! Not so.
The TPP is just wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Wake up. Support this appalling piece of legislation and you will lose the voters of tomorrow. They are young, culturally savvy, very aware of what 'healthy' means and they know what this country's priorities should be. Jenny Gardner
Hi,
Please reject the TPP, as Mr Robb has clearly indicated in a US publication that monopoly rights are going to be granted to US pharmaceutical corporations.
209 How is this in the tax payers' best interests? We need affordable medicines and competition is the only way this can happen.
We also don't need foreign companies suing Australia for changes our government makes to our laws in our own best interests. Investor State Dispute mechanisms don't provide any transparency or allow nation states to act in the best interests of their citizens - we're not here to fund foreign corporate plundering of our rights and economy.
On top of all this, the spruiked economic benefits seem to have been nullified by an independent report - the World Bank report indicated that the TPP would provide virtually zero economy benefit to Australia. Why are we signing on for this?
Thanks for reading! Rob Cas
These TPPs should not be signed until they have been thoroughly examined by parliament so that we (who put you there) can be assured that foreign countries cannot overrule any changes that we might make in our laws to improve the welfare of Australians, or cannot force changes to our present health systems if those systems restrict the profits of their pharmaceutical companies.
NO trade deal should allow foreign companies to force their standards on our environmental practices, health practices, labour practices or internet activities. Most trade deals benefit the more powerful nations at the expense of the less powerful-- is this why the conditions being kept secret? John Nelson
I wish to express my concern over the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement, and ask that until a full public enquiry is held on the proposal, Parliament refuses to ratify this Agreement.
I understand from the little information which has been made public that provisions include matters which are fundamentally skewed against our citizens and soveignity. I refer in particular to the provision which gives a court the capacity to hear cases against our government (and by extension our country) from corporations seeking to protect current or future profits against the interests of the Australian community.
I am also grossly offended by the provision which allows for the undue protection of intellectual property against the health of the community. I believe the lack of transparency and secrecy which surrounds the details of the TPP can only be addressed by deferral of any commitment until the community has full possession of the facts from an open, thorough public enquiry. Until then I implore Parliament not to yield to the interests of big profits and big business over the interests of the Australian people. David Blore
to whom it may concern,
210 I am calling on the Australian Parliament to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement offered by the US.
Firstly, there is no point signing a free trade agreement unless it offers some benefit to Australian producers.
Past, FTA's have failed to deliver for agricultural producers according to Mike Mc Govern in The Conversation 17 Sept 2015.
According to DFAT's own analysis, FTA's over promise and under deliver benefits to Australia (TAI Free Trade agreements - Costs & Benefits Nov 2015).
With no benefit too Australia, why take on the risk? Even without Investor State Dispute Settlements (ISDS's) it's a no win. With ISDS's it risks Australia's Sovereign right to make laws to protect the environment, public education, tax receipts and medicare.
Currently, our laws allow shorter patent times on medicines than the US. This means cheaper drugs for patients. Currently some large US corporations pay no tax in Australia, claiming profits overseas. Currently, our environmental laws fail to protect our food bowl as well as sensitive ecological areas. Should the Australian Goveernment try to change the laws to improve protections for Australians, the tax payer will be slugged with a bill for lost profits.
The TPP, in essence, hands control of the Australian policy to foreign businesses. It hands over our right of self-government. It must be rejected outright.
Regards Robert Shield
TPP is an arrangement by big capitalists to rip off ordinary people - so what's new? It's the scope of this rip-off that is a breathtaking novelty.
We'll start with biologic medicines. Start visiting your great aunt Jeanie; she might have a few leaves of special clover that will ease your arthritic pain, and could be useful for constipation and diarrhoea, toothache and hangover, because as sure as hell you're not going to be able to afford anything over the counter!
And MANY MORE DISASTERS OF THIS ILK if this Travesty Purporting Progress (TPP) continues!
To becontinued in our next ...... Dindy Vaughan
I am reaching an age where my health will no doubt become a greater issue. My retirement plans include confidence in our public health system, the PBS and proper funding for these.
The TPP is flawed on so many levels. Spruiked by a retiring politician eager to feather his next nest. Secrecy tantamount to corruption (or expediency at best). Outcomes that potentially diminish or could sacrifice the benefits and value of our current systems for no net gain.
211 Individual elements of trade are not interchangeable. It is not acceptable to trade off selling more commodities if it means more expensive medicines or a more litigious society that favours multinationals, especially when those very multinationals don't even return greater profits through increased taxation. Why this bias towards foreign business? Why this naive, dangerous, incorrect bias? Why no independent modelling, no bias towards the people of Australia? Government by the people for the people - no mention of big pharma, coal, etc.
It is outrageous and unconscionable to proceed without a full investigation, proper evaluation and public discussion of the facts. If it doesn't stack up, it needs to be pushed over.
Peter A Brown Peter Brown
The people of Australia have ben denied access to critical information about the TPP with the excuse that these negotiations had to be kept top secret. But everything that has seeped out about it has given us cause to dread the introduction of such an agreement and its impacts on our lives and personal finances and also on the sovereignty of Australia's state and federal governments.
If the US pharma industry retains the same rights over medicines that it has in the States, Australians will be obliged to pay more for their prescription medications in the future. Also if a foreign company sees its interests place at risk by new state legislation, for example, it will be able to sue that government for potentially billions of dollars of damages. There are risks too to employment with the introduction of foreign workers on lower rates than are permitted here.
All this with little forecast economic benefits to Australia according to studies done by maket experts.
For these reasons I ask you, our representatives to please reject the TPP. We do not need more unregulated foreign competition in our markets than we have already.
Thank-you. Elaine Valton
Mr. Robb
You and your corporate masters are heading in the wrong direction! Our future will demand the end of corporate monopoly, not an extension of it.
You betray your countrymen and future generations of Australians, including your own family by letting this agreement, which is part of a wider agenda of totalitarian corporate governance, in through the front door of our parliament!
Does our government have so little power that it cannot in any way stand against a future of fascist control of our lives and resources?
212 Please don't try to shrug this off as conspiracy theory when we already see this system standing over much of the world. It is a legacy of destruction that you will not, as part of this government, be able to take any pride or comfort in! Hilary Jo
Dear Sir/Madam
I am concerned that the TPP will lead to a monopoly by big pharma on medicine pricing and lead to increased prices, affecting millions of Australian families.
How can we trust our politicians when Mr Robb has been CAUGHT saying one thing to us, the Australian public, and quite another to big pharma? It brings into question the very integrity of how the TPP has been negotiated by our politicians supposedly on our behalf.
Probably the most concerning thing to me is that corporations under the TPP will be able to SUE government for passing policy/laws that protect the rights of people (i.e. minimum wages), our health or environment. In what way can this EVER be seen as an improvement?
Whichever way you look at the TPP when you consider these factors it is NOT going to benefit the average Australian in any way.
I am strongly opposed to the TPP and will NOT vote for any political party that supports it. regards
Jane Howard Jane Howard
Mr Robb is telling Americans that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines in Australia as those they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on?
I thought the aim of our health services was to maximise quality and reign in spending wherever possible.
As with many aspects of the TPP, this seems like an opportunity to play into the hands of profit rather than maintain control of pus affairs in Australia as far as possible. Jan Sisme
There has clearly not been enough time for proper scrutiny of this Trans Pacific partnership deal.
This is highlighted by Our trade envoy, Andrew Robb, who has been reassuring Australian citizens that it won't affect affordable medicines. However he has also stated on the public record that US
213 pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
Since in the US these monopoly rights are given for a substantially longer period than in Australia then it must mean that the TPP deal will substantially increase the cost of our medicines.
How many other areas will be impacted to the disadvantage of Australians?
This deal must be rejected at least until such time as proper scrutiny on behalf of our public interest by independent bodies has been undertaken. Judith Cullit
The US probably isn't going to ratify the TPP anyway, but, even if they do we should reject it. It gives multinational corporations much too much legal power, the ability to sue Australia because they don't like our laws which protect us and spoil their profits. Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has even admitted to US Pharmaceutical Corporations that they would have the same monopoly rights as they have in America and this would make our medicines more expensive. Maybe most important of all, laws passed in Australia to protect the environment could no longer be enforced as Energy Companies could sue to have them ineffective. The TPP is a terrible idea, REJECT IT! Phoebe Thornle
From what I can find out, the TPP is fraught with danger for Australian citizens. US pharmaceutical corporations would retain monopoly rights over biologic medicines as they do in the United States. This means higher prices for Australians, despite government claims that this would not happen.
In addition, it looks as if private corporations will be able to sue Australia for anything which could potentially put their profits at risk - even if, in doing so, they are undermining our health.
I am totally against this deal, which seems to practically invite abuse of our citizens and denial of their health needs by large, powerful corporations.
Please do not accept this deal. Sharon Terr
Dear Sir/Madam
I am most concerned for the implications of the TPP on Australian life and the economy. Despite all assurances to the contrary from a government urging acceptance of this agreement, it is not in our interest.
Some of these concerns are:
1. Loss of state sovereignty: Australia would become beholden to the corporate monopolies who would be able to sue us if they deem their profits affected by measures we would wish to implement. We already have the example of Phillip Morris suing Australia over legislation on plain cigarette packaging. The TPP would make this much worse.
214 2. Environmental protection: the TPP would disarm many prudent environmental measures which even this current conservative government introduced. We cannot make protection of our environment and health subject to the greed and bottom line of international corporations who care only about their profit and have no moral or ethical standards. For example, oil and gas fracking companies would be able to prevent the introduction like a carbon tax because it would affect their bottom line, despite the world having recently agreed at COP 21 in Paris that this becomes ever more necessary and urgent.
3. Labour rights: we have already seen how globalisation has eroded basic human rights and labour rights with outsourcing of industry to states where there is less scrutiny, often effectively condoning conditions no different to slavery. The TPP enables a continued assault on basic rights which have been won over decades.
4. It has just come to light that Minister Andrew Robb, while continuing to assure Australians that the necessary protections have been negotiated for protection of reasonable pricing of pharmaceuticals and allowing less expensive generics, for example, he has just told a US publication that US pharmaceutical companies would enjoy similar monopoly rights over medicines as they enjoy in the US.
5. Even though our government continues to urge us to trust them, the secrecy surrounding the TPP continues to ring loud alarms. What bits of information that has leaked out fails to satisfy our concerns. On the contrary.
The TPP remains a monolithic global monster threatening our sovereignty, our human rights and our environment. Please do not agree to it.
Regards. Louis de Villiers
Dear Minister and Committee,
The demonstrated history of such agreements is that the tax paying citizens of a nation rarely benefit to the extent the larger partner to the proceedings, it's corporations and stockholders do.
History will judge you poorly should you allow this mis-matched agreement to proceed through ratification.
Established legal and environmental protections, to name but two, will be at risk.
I suspect you are, generally, of an age where non-stop surveillance is little of an issue. Will your grandchildren be able to look in a mirror and say the same?
Just as future generations will, with regard to climate change, look back at this era and say, they knew, the science told them what is coming. They chose to look away. And, the least evolved of them, actively fought mitigation.
Should you care one whit about history's view of you, you will act for the future, not this grubby, money driven present.
215 There will be a history recorded.
You will feature.
Choose carefully.
Sincerely,
Jim Jim Dodd
This 'partnership' must ensure we are protected against the profit gouging that some big pharma companies indulge in. A long patent life mean high cost for consumers. Example 'Nexium' anti reflux drug yielded some $8billion before its monopoly expired. Even after expiry this drug still sells and profits continue.
No country should be able to be sued for an changes in legislation undertaken by our government in the cause of policy or rule changes designed for the good of our country and economy. It is our sovereign right to legislate for the good of the people without being sued.
If multinationals are worried about 'sovereign risk' they should seek insurance from private risk insurers. John Monaghan
Please stop the TPP! The TPP puts big corporate profits and interests before the financial, health and democratic interests of the Australian public. The agreement will bind the people of this country to a partnership that they may not agree to if they had the facts. The facts have not been disclosed to the public, nor given over to political scrutiny.
Many Australians are already at the mercy of big corporations, with profits being taken from our country, and no or limited tax being paid. This is at the expense, personally and financial or ordinary citizens.
It is the People's Democracy. It is not the right of our elected officials to give our Democracy away. It is not the right of corporations to undermine our Democracy.
It is our country. It is not the right of our elected officials to give our country away.
It is our health. It is not the right of our elected officials to compromise our health.
Please do something to stop this raping of our Democracy by politicians and corporations both in Australia and abroad.
Please. Jo Gilbert
216 This is a dangerous agreement that appears to put the Australian public's rights and well being solely in the hands of American corporations.
This deal has been negotiated in secret, the contents and ramifications have not been explained to the Australian public and now we see the government is trying to fast-track this legislation with absolutely no public discussion.
Something that is as important as this agreement MUST be explained fully and truthfully to the people who will suffer as a result of this agreement.
If this agreement is so benign then why aren't we being told how it will affect us and our future generations
Why is it so important that the legislation be rushed through without transparency. It has taken so many years to get to this point so surely a few more months won't make a difference.
We, the people of Australia, have a right to know the full details of this horrific agreement and to be given a say in the implementation or not of this legislation
Sincerely,
Peter Peter Hunter
Dear Minister Robb
You have been reassuring the Australian people that there would not be any change to the system we have regarding affordable medicines. However it has now been revealed that you actually told a US publication that the pharmaceutical corporations in the US would have the same monopoly rights over biologics as they enjoy in the US!!!!
The result of this is that multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
AND our government (that's right - the one in which you're a Minister) could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Come clean, Mr Robb and reveal what you have actually signed in the TPP and tell us all.
Josephine Young Josephine Young
It has been proven over and over again that the TPP goes against everything that Australian stands for and it has made it the envy of the world. The government has been caught again and again lying of the implication of the TPP. In the most resent case Mr Robb was caught admitting that the US pharmaceutical companies will have a monopoly rights over biologic medicines. They have been
217 caught in regards to the internet and our freedoms by making every internet provide a spy for them. They have been caught in regards to environment protection lies and teh ability of corporations to sue and effectively run the country. There are plenty of examples around the world for example in Egypt which they dared to raise the minimum wage and in Canada for trying to protect their groundwater and land.
If you do don't care about the country, if you do not care about my family, if you don't care about every other Australian, DON'T YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR KIDS AND YOUR FAMILY?
Do the decent and right thing and stop it now before it is too late and your kids will thank you later but I will thank you immediately Anastasios Tsapilis
Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is the envy of the world. Don't compromise this important scheme to placate US Big Pharma.
And I am appalled at the idea that foreign corporations are insisting on their rights ahead of the rights of Australian citizens when it comes to environmental protections that could impinge upon the way they prefer to do business. One just has to mention the word Bhopal to get an idea of how such an attitude manifests.
Don't give away the rights of Australian Citizens to protest against things they believe harmful or unethical in terms of the conduct of business in this country. This is a dangerous road to go down. Anne Crawford
I want the TPP blocked because it has not been negotiated openly and informatively with any of the signatory countries or their full elected parliamentary representatives. The public are not fully informed and therefore cannot make an informed decision.
The ramifiications of this agreement are currently too obscure and open ended to allow it to proceed.
We owe to our future generations, and our own, the foresight and strength to prevent any incursions or detrimental activities that impact our water and food security or access to affordable health products. We also owe it to ourselves to protect our civil liberties.
I totally disagree with any corporate entities being able to sue the Governments of the various signatories, under jurisdictions foreign to them, for loss of 'deemed profits' for whatever reason. Julie Brad
Apparently Andrew Robb has been telling us that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP, we are not changing the system and yet he has told a US publication that US Pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the
218 US. This means monopoly patents for longer which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on! How is that not a change and doesn't this prove that we are being lied to by our leaders?
I have never been happy about this fact; Foreign corporations can sue the Australian government over legal changes which protect the Australian people but hurt their profits! Who in their right mind decided this was a good idea?
Now it seems our government can be sued for passing laws that strengthen our environmental protections that corporations must abide by. Example- Quebec provincial government sued by a US energy company because the Canadian laws stopped Fracking to protect the groundwater and land! I am against Fracking!
Seriously this is the worst TPP around and it is very different to our other trade agreements with various countries.
What is our government thinking? Marjorie Bellingham
To whom it may concern
I am writing to request that Parliament rejects outright the Trans Pacific Partnership deal on the following grounds:
- Multinational companies should not have any rights over Australian rights and certainly should not have the capacity to sue Australians in private, corporate courts without judges or jury.
- There should be no increase in the price of medicines that are presently affordable to those who need them the most.
- Environmental protections have been hard won and should not be eroded at any cost. Corporations must abide by Australian laws.
- Our privacy and freedoms should be enshrined and not eroded under claims of copyright protections. Profit margins over privacy are a breach of rights in a civil society that too have been hard won.
Do the right thing. Australia is not up for grabs.
With respect,
Andrew Garton Andrew Garton
The TPP is a secret deal that has been negotiated away from the public gaze because it has much to hide. Australia's food safety standards, local labor laws, affordability of medications, internet privacy and most importantly environmental protections will be compromised under the very one-sided terms of the so called free trade agreement TPP.
219 This agreement allows multinational corporations to sue our government when their profits are impacted by laws that are in the interests of Australians. It is preposterous that the agreement has no period and will in effect be in place for all time.
It is inconceivable that any responsible government would sign away national rights in this way. There is no benefit for Australia in this. Quite the opposite.
This must not be allowed to happen.
Angela Rossen Angela Rossen
The TPP incorporates severe weaknesses that will affect ordinary people and benefit large corporations. I refer in particular to the question of affordable medicines and the need for Australia to be able to decide its own pathways for protecting the environment and its own citizens. The TPP risks allowing US companies to sue the Australian government over its rightful legal decisions, and this should never be allowed to happen. On the contrary, for example the US are the ones who should be changing monopoly rights over biologic medicines, not Australia.
Please reject the TPP and insist on transparency to the Australian public.
Best wishes
Jenny Barnett Jenny Barnett
To Parliaments TPP enquiry,
It is my understanding that Mr. Robb told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corps. would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US. What a disaster for Australia.
I therefore feel that the TPP should be rejected for the following reasons because it is not in the interests of the average Australian:-
1. Australian health sector groups are not happy with this deal because medicines could increase in price here.
2. Our government could be sued by the big multinationals if our government passes environmental laws to safeguard our water from fracking and water pollution. Example-a province in Canada was sued by a US energy company.
I cannot understand why our ministers are subservient to the US lobby groups who end up with the trump cards.
Yours sincerely
Steve Cooper Stephen Cooper
220
The TPP is the worst trade deal ever proposed in the history of modern times. I have spoken to experts in the field and so far not one can understand why we are even signing this horrible deal.
The deal is contrary to using local produce and material; it has been shown that similar trade agreements such as NAFTA, north EU and so on have benefited only the super rich. There has been poisoning of water in some countries because of mining companies digging without any controls from local government. There has been many stories of people becoming unemployed in masses. There also has bee drugs whose prices have been bumped up after the deal was signed.
DO make decisions for the people or BIG corporations. Are you obliged to these party supporters? Is this why you are doing this deal? Please explain. Lalitha Chelliah
Dear Inquiry Members
Over the past few month my wife and I have become increasingly concerned with what the TPP will do to our great Country. Below are a few notes on some of our concerns.
For Australia there appear to be few real benefits but will increase the costs we bear including allowing Big Business to over-ride the legitimate concerns we have as a nation about health, environment, legislation and freedom of expression.
Multi-national corporations WILL sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. Such as Tobacco packaging laws, which we are at the moment promised won't happen, but the provision is in the TPP for that to be changed.
Several Health Sector commentators have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. such as keeping Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Our governments, Local, State and Federal, could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
So we implore you as our elected representatives to represent us not the interests of multi-national business and block this unsafe and largely un-beneficial TPP. Graham Rollings
Australia does not need the TTP, we are one of the few countries able to be self sufficient, we don't need to compromise anything. America is not the country we should be following, crap health system expensive drugs, no gun laws etc. the government needs to stop selling us out. No wonder the green vote gets larger with each election labour and liberal are all about quick gains and out only for themselves and other well off cohorts.
221 Our government is backwards they should look at countries like Norway and holland for examples to follow not shonky losers like USA and China.
Get smarter think long term don't keep selling us short. Kaspa Elston
I am very concerned about the TPP and the way the treaty has been negotiated in secret, with no independent analysis allowed.
I am particularly concerned that foreign pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they enjoy in the US. With these medicines under monoploy patents for longer, we the Australian public, will pay more for our medicines with consequences for the health of many on lower incomes.
I am also concerned that through the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. Our government could also be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
The TPP is a deal that sells out our interests to multinational corporations and I urge you to reject the this treaty. Sandy Amber
Dear parliamentary Tea party (TPP I meant)
I've lost track of the number of emails I've sent to politicians about the flaws in the proposed TPP, (and you guys know what they are), so it is very disheartening to hear that Mr Robb is telling pharmaceutical companies that they will get what they want. Who gives Mr Robb the right to decide these things for us and without any chance for we, Joe Public to view the details. This is real 1984 stuff, but 36 years on!
Anyway, whatever this government wants to ram down our throats, the more likely it is that they will lose at the next election. We, Jo Public, will not remain silent, so prepare for a rough next election guys.
If Joe loses this argument, God forbid, it could well be that the Americans will save us from our crappy politicians and they, the Americans, will pull out and scupper the whole deal.
Yours in anger
Mark Corbet Mark Corbet
I am terribly concerned about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).
222 The TPP will have almost no economic benefits for Australia, because we already have free trade agreements with all but three of the Pacific Rim TPP countries. A World Bank study has estimated that it will result in a tiny 0.7% growth in the Australian economy after 15 years.
The TPP is not mainly about trade, but about restricting future governments from regulating in the public interest. The TPP allows the US to set the rules for the region. But what benefits US corporate interests is not in the interests of 95% of Australians.
The Productivity Commission and the ACCC have said that the TPP gives foreign investors special rights to sue governments over domestic laws, and also strengthens monopoly rights on medicines and copyright at the expense of consumers.
The TPP allows foreign corporations to bypass domestic courts and sue governments over changes to domestic law in unfair international tribunals which have no independent judiciary, no precedents and no appeals. Cases against tobacco regulation can be excluded, but ‘safeguards’ for other health, environment, labour rights and public interest regulation are weak and will not prevent future cases.
The TPP locks in stronger monopoly rights for pharmaceutical companies which will lead to higher prices for medicines. Australia's law on costly biologic medicines will not change immediately. But there is a commitment to deliver up to 3 years of additional monopoly for biologic medicines, which could cost the PBS hundreds of millions of dollars a year for each year of delay in availability of cheaper medicines
Copyright experts argue that the TPP locks in copyright monopolies for global media and IT companies which could restrict future governments from responding to consumer rights and changing technologies.
The SPS chapter clearly suggests a continuation if not acceleration of the ongoing erosion of laws in the public interest by corporate lobby groups eventually negating any protections afforded by any earlier agreements. (Over time, barely perceptible to the misinformed public) This is insidious behaviour by design.
The TPP contains only weak labour rights and environmental standards which are not enforceable, and will not protect the rights of increased numbers of temporary migrant workers.
The TPP removes labour market testing for temporary migrant workers. This will expose more of these workers to exploitation as seen in 7-Eleven stores and other industries without testing if local workers are available.
The TPP is not in the public interest, and I urge you to reject any and all implementing legislation.
Signed
Master C Miller c/o Tewantin post office,
Tewantin, Qld, 4565 Harry Miller
223
I do not agree that Australia should allow corporations (whose first and only duty is to the shareholders) to dictate social policy to the Australian government and its citizens.
So if Australia institutes laws that are to the benefit of their citizens, even if it impacts on the profits of corporations , they should not be able to sue.
This includes ensuring that Australians are able to afford their medicines.
This includes making sure that Australians can live in an environment that is healthy; where the water, air and earth are not polluted by multinational corporations who are chasing the dollar.
This includes not increasing the costs that the ISP providers will incur by spying on Australian citizens and reporting to multinational corporations.
So do not sign the TPP agreement - I do not want to be in a second rate American colony. If I wanted to live like an American I would move to America Jane Critti
If the TPP is such a great deal, why is there such secrecy and objections to having it analysed by Australian citizens.
Secret deals always means there is something to hide - it doesnt pass the smell test!.
I totally reject that this government is so willing to sign away our sovereignty over trade issues that totally favour the major multinational companies and allow them to sue us (Australia).
These companies are not Australian and only care about their profits regardless of the welfare and interests of the countries they operate in . Isnt this, after all, the 'raison d'etre' for the TPP in the first place.
This is a worldwide problem for all countries as they will progressively lose their independence and ability to live under their own laws.
POLITICIANS! - Stand up for Australia, dont sell us down the river!!
An angry voter. Barry Malone
This TPP is how corporations are taking over from governments by holding them to agreements that take profit over human rights. Monopolies are never good and the Australian taxpayer is already stretched to the limit without giving overseas corporations the go ahead to extort even more from the country.
It is certainly not a fair agreement if corporations can sue a country's government to ensure it's profits are the first and foremost consideration.
224 There is too much secrecy around this agreement for it to be allowed to go ahead. If it really was a good thing the pundits would be spruiking it from the rooftops and the mere fact that they are not is damning in itself.
Please do not allow this agreement to be signed. Australia will lose out much more than any perceived gain.
Judi Hurle Judi Hurle
Dear Committee Members,
I'm a 76 year old retired Sydney CBD executive with 29 years with the Bank of New South Wales/Westpac and considerable commercial and international trade experience.
I've kept abreast of what this partnership proposes and am appalled that any Australian Government could slip so low in its discharge of its responsibility to the citizens who elected it that it would hook the nation into such a subservient relationship with overseas entities and without transparency as to what is involved and the oversight/appeal process apparent from many reports.
Please strongly reccomend this partnership not be entered into without full transparency and reference to a fully representative Senate Committee charged with examining all aspects and implications thereof.
Thankyou
Sincerely. Maurice Jones
I have been following the discussion on the TPP for some time and believe very strongly that Australia has been sold down the drain with this trade treaty. I do not believe there has been adequate availability for the public to understand and comment on it. I particularly strongly object to the provisions of the Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions which I believe place decisions of government at risk of overturning by unelected officials at the behest of international companies which operate beyond national boundaries. Finally I believe Andrew Robb has betrayed the people of Australia in his desire to see this agreement accepted. Richard Creswick
To the Houses of Parliament.
Members I would like you to read the agreement of the T.P.P. and ask yourself .Does it really mean a good deal for Australia.
We the public have not been allowed to see all the different clauses and if we are unable to understand it then how are you.
225 I went to a meeting four years ago and it was explained to me that Biologic Medicines under the patents for longer ,which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
As a person who is dependant on medication I see no reason why I should pay more.
As an Australian who has been in the work force for over 50 years and still working feel I am not being looked after by politicians who have not even worked that long.
So I am saying do not sign up to the T.P.P. in the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties T.P.P. review.
Mr T R Innis Timothy Innis
Dear Inquiry, I am concerned that the secrecy surrounding the TPP will have a range of negative impacts on Australians and our government's capacity to make laws to protect us. This is definately in relation to the plain packaging legislation to reduce smoking & it's harm on individuals but which does affect company profits. The aspect of the agreement allowing US pharmaceutical companies to have the same monopoly rights as they do in the US, and for longer will cost Australia & individuals dearly. These companies make massive profits & to increase these profits on the back of any member of the community is immoral & difficult to understand that Australia would agree to.
It's time that our government stood up for us & not multinationals who shift their business base so that they can avoid tax & be able to sue Australia. please review with individual Australian's welfare at heart. regards
Sue McKinnon Sue McKinnon
I understand that Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
I believe this is a retrograde clause in the TPP . I am very concerned that the negotiations regarding the TPP are not transparent and the details not available to me and the Australian public , we are in the dark as to the ramifications of the TPP agreement
The TPP should be rejected until it can be put to the Australian public for scrutiny.
Thomas W Newman OAM
Tom Newman
Does Australia need to take such a one-sided stand on the conflict between USA and China? A clear objective of the TPP is to consolidate a bloc of nations to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific
226 region. This makes sense for America in defending its position as the dominant nation. It does not make equal sense for Australia, with our heavy dependence on China for our economic activities.
This is just one of many reasons why Australia should not ratify the treaty. Any potential advantages are outweighed by the potential danger of large corporations taking advantage of provisions of the treaty to Australia's detriment. John Sved
Australia's trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This means Biologic medicines will be under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
The problem with all Liberal Governments is that they support the multinational groups profiting at Aussie citizens' expense.
Don't let this happen. If it does than thousands of genuinely ill patients will no longer be able to afford absorbent developmental prices levied on pharmaceuticals they produce. These groups care ONLY about the mighty Dollar... not patients. Glenn King
To Whom It May Concern which, in this case, should be every parliamentarian who cares about the health of the Australian voting public,
I am one person. I share the experience of hundreds, if not thousands, of Australians who rely on affordable health care and medicines. I have an incurable health condition much like the hundreds, if not thousands, of other Australians who do as well. We all do not have the same health condition but we have a huge thing in common. This is living somewhere that doesn't keep medicines for the wealthy. I am far from wealthy. My condition doesn't allow me to work for long hours. My condition could change at any time, causing me to not be able to work at all. I, like the hundreds and thousands of Australians who also have health conditions, feel comfortable that my medication is affordable whether I am employed or not. If this changes, if I am no longer able to afford the medicine that keeps my condition controlled, I do not know what will happen. I realise that the changes the TPP will have to the affordability of medication probably won't have an affect on any parliamentari an in the short term but what about if your financial circumstances change? What about if you or anyone close to you becomes reliant on medication for a life altering health condition? Will you regret the choice you made? Or do you feel invincible? Sonia Marcon
We elect you as our representatives to SERVE our interests and govern us in the best interests of the country and its citizens. Remember that! Is the TPP in our best interest or is it only serving the
227 interests of the Multinationals? I think it is the latter and you have been conned by them and had the proverbial wool pulled over your eyes. For once listen to your Constituents and reject the TPP. We do want it and we do not want to have to pay exorbitant prices for our Medical Treatments. All you will do with the TPP is increase the costs that Medicare suffers and then you will tell us its unsustainable and we will have to suffer cost cutting somewhere else to keep Medicare going. All you will be doing is boosting the Multinational Profits especially the Big American Pharmacutical Companies with Taxpayer Dollars. How is this in our best Interest? Noel Cook
This is a dangerous partnership because it gives too much power to big pharmaceutical companies which will charge whatever they choose and we will have no redress. In fact, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but that hurts their profits.
The TPP could increase medicine pricing and our government will have no control over the pricing.
The deal locks in the ability of our internet service providers to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
This is simply not acceptable and must not proceed.
Yours sincerely Felicity Crombach
I am a Type 2 Diabetes sufferer and I am dependent upon regular medication to keep my blood glucose levels under control. I am extremely concerned that the provisions of the Trans Pacific Partnership could increase the costs of my medications.
Also I am concerned about global warming and environmental protections and that our Government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections. Big corporations have shown consistently by avoiding to pay their fair share of corporate tax, that they are not decent corporate citizens and will exploit the TPP to our community's detriment.
Please - I implore the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal. Chris Fredericks
Dear Sirs,
As a physician of over thirty years, researcher for 25 years and an Australian all of my life; I am dismayed and angry, but unfortunately not surprised, that the Australian government is even considering selling out the future health of the citizens of this country.
228 There are NO benefits to this country (nor the world) to allowing multinational drug companies more profits at the cost of death, disease and suffering. Let me assure you that the drug companies are in no danger of ceasing to make huge profits under the status quo.
Why then do we need to change current arrangements as outlined in the TPP?
The outcome of this document is higher costs to the Australian taxpayer, less access to drugs for the Australian citizen, more obscene profits to the multinational drug companies and loss of the sovereign rites of this country.
Why are we even considering this?
There is NO upside. Only more drug company corruption
Yours Sincerely
Dr Bruce Mitchell Bruce Mitchell
From what I have been able to find out about the TPP it seems weighted in favour of multinational corporations and the ordinary Australian citizen seems to be excluded from the discussion and will pay the price if this goes ahead.
Health sector representatives are warning that we may have to pay increased rates for medicine under provisions in the TPP and that would be a huge burden on individuals and the nation, possibly resulting in increased ill health of our population, because some cannot afford to buy the medicines. We do not want this.
There are other issues regarding our government ( us the taxpayer ) being sued if strengthened environmental protection laws impact on corporations . Where is the justice for our citizens in that provision ?
I do not want this TPP to go ahead. Please reject this deal. The corporations lobbyists will be flat out bombarding you with reasons why you should accept the deal, but, the citizens have hardly got a voice in this. I don't like what it has in it and neither does anyone I talk to. Marianne Dalton
Hello there
I'm married to a beautiful man with a chronic disease even though he is comparatively young - We need to spend a lot of money each month for his medications and we like a lot of other people in Australia need to know the truth about the TPP's monopoly rights over medicines here in Australia.
Thankfully my husband is able to work - although it's minimum wage and his position is part time and casual, but we already find it difficult to make ends meet without the prospect of the increased cost of meds. He has to have these meds, and by taking them, exercising and working he can remain a useful contributor to society, In fact like the other unsung heroes that keep things ticking over he is
229 working in a small to medium sized business to make sure people in hospitals and under the aged care facilities get their food each week.
Andrew Robb says on one hand that with affordable medicines we're not going to change the system - but we have just heard that Andrew Robb is in print telling US Big Medicine that they would enjoy the same monopolistic rights here in Australia which would mean price increases.
We need to know! It's stressful enough living with a chronic illness - and having the probability of US companies controlling how much we are asked to spend on medication would definitely affect how we would vote in the upcoming election that is currently being talked about.
There are other things in the TPP that worry us - but the medication costs is the top of the lists because it has a daily impact on our lives.
Yours sincerely Frayne Dyke-Walker
We have been lied to, which is not surprising with our Government thinking of big business instead of the people they are supposed to be looking after. We were told we're not going to change the system and yet Us pharmaceutical corporations were told recently they would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. This is not looking after the people, it's looking out for big business.
I myself have had experiences with biological medicines where my GP, (because I was allergic to other similar type medicines), had to ring up for permission to issue me with prescriptions which then cost me more than triple what the medications I couldn't take would have cost. Thankfully, this year, 2016, the monopoly has ceased on what I take, and my medication has become affordable because others can now make exactly the same medication at a cheaper price. Paying such a high price for so long was difficult to say the least.
If the TPP allows Mr Robb to give the US even longer monopoly on patents, the people he and the Government are supposed to be looking out for will now be spending unnecessary high prices for longer and going without to do so. Some will find they cannot afford to continue using their medication, especially pensioners and lower wage earners with the changes expected in 2017. How is this fair? How is this looking after the people? It's not. It's looking after big business.
There are other nasties in the deal too. The TPP is one of the worst agreements this Government has ever signed. It does not look after the people at all. They only care about themselves and looking after big business.
Please start doing the job you were voted in to do, ie looking after the people who voted, and those who didn't, for you. The people should not be ignored, they have a voice and should be listened to. Patricia Tonkin
230 Please stop the TPP. The TPP would move the power for medicines access, internet privacy, environmental protection and people's rights from their democratic rights to international, non- Australian companies.
The ramifications of the TPP are far-reaching, long-term and are in breach of the democratic rights and expectations of Australians.
The lack of publicly-available information, that negotiations have been conducted in secret and that answers have not been provided to many questions, show that it is very obvious that the TPP is not in the interests of Australian society.
Either have a full and honest public discussion on the TPP, with ramifications for all Australians, or stop this deal. Robyn Webb
we need to ensure big monopolies are avoided and there is room for competition in the market place, especially for Australian SMEs. Giving more opportunities to large corporations will help them to eradicate competition. We need to ensure there are opportunities for Australian business, but without introducing large amounts of risk from foreign competitors who aren't going to employ Australians and contribute to tax revenue.
We, the people of this country need to be sure our representatives aren't putting us in harms way by exposing our quality of life to unnecessary risk.
Make sure this agreement is in EVERYONES best interest, not just business. James Cutfield
Parliament must reject the TPP if it is serious about safeguarding our interests. Here are some major justifications.
1. Investor-state dispute settlements (ISDS) are NOT a trivial threat. Multinational corporations can and will sue Australia for attempting to make legislative changes which hurt their profits. Given the current political situation, it is clear that whether or not they succeed in court, their attempts are likely to make our legislators think twice about even trying to introduce such legislation.
2. Climate change is a dire threat - the most dire threat to the world today. ISDS will hinder progress on carbon emission reductions and environmental protections (fracking and water pollution, for instance). Given our current government's reticence to make serious progress toward these goals, this is a particularly serious issue.
3. Medicines are likely to be made less affordable by intellectual property rules which permit pharmaceutical companies to retain monopolies on brand name drugs for longer periods. It would be much harder for generic companies to produce cheaper drugs which are vital to people's health. America's obscenely high drug prices will be 'exported' to us and other countries.
4. Income inequality will rise as income is redistributed from labour to capital in all participating countries. We will lose jobs not only to this redistribution but also to the export of jobs to countries
231 where labour is cheaper. This problem will be worsened by currency manipulation in certain countries. http://www.epi.org/publication/trans-pacific-partnership-currency-manipulation-trade-and-jobs/
5. Our internet privacy rights and freedoms are threatened by the ability given to internet service providers to spy on users and report 'possible copyright infringements' to enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the definitions of 'personal' information are inadequate, allowing companies to define their own self-serving standards in considerations of privacy. Net neutrality provisions are also weak, raising the risk that internet service providers will manipulate the availability of data on a consumer or content provider basis.
6. Consumer protections are limited to the proscription of 'fraudulent' and 'deceptive' conduct, leaving a great deal of wiggle room for corporations in litigation.
Given that hundreds of corporate lobbyists were involved in the negotiation of the TPP while the public was left out, there is little doubt as to the reasons for the inclusion of all these glaring faults in the agreement. Shame on our government for attempting to sell the public this corporate erosion of so many of our essential protections. Nigel Lim
As a Professor of Medicine, with 30 years experience working in a public hospital and interacting with pharma, I am acutely aware of the substantial price differences for pharmaceuticals in Australia vs. the United States.
Biologicals are some of the most outrageously -priced drugs in the USA; to import the higher US prices and longer patent protections into Australia would inevitably restrict access to these drugs to those who can afford ( a very small minority), put enormous upward pressure on private health insurance premiums, and/or delay access for all because the government can no longer afford them for anyone.
Australia has something resembling universal health care. The US does not. Under no circumstances should Australia import US healthcare - the health (and political) consequences will be obvious.
Yours sincerely,
Andrew Carr
Professor of Medicine, UNSW. Andrew Carr
I am writing to express my dismay in the Governments lack of thought for the average Australian whilst negotiating the TPP.
I understand that free trade deals can be a beneficial thing for a country but I fail to see how the TPP is going to be a overall positive for the Australian people. I can certainly see that it will be good for big business but not for the general public which is what the Government is meant to represent.
232 The ability for multinationals to sue the Australian government over decisions that are in the people interests is ludicrous in the extreme and many of those same Multinationals are not even not even contributing to Australia economy which makes this more incomprehensible. Quite frankly this one item is enough to scrap the TPP, But if you then take into account that there is the serious concern that medicines will go up in price when we are trying to get the budget under control and medicare is a big part of that, The constraints it puts on the internet which will just push people to use encryption for everything and environmental conce3rns as well I just do not see that it adds up.
I will be voting for the party at the next election that opposes the TPP or will scrap it if it is brought in. Note: I am a small business owner and usually a Liberal voter. Anthony Littlewood-Johnson
Dear members of Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review
I am submitting this brief document for your consideration.
Information has been sparse on the exact detail of the TPP. This in itself is a concern. However, it is clear from the research undertaken by health sector groups and legal experts (all of which will be readily available to you and therefore not included in this submission) that this treaty threatens the affordability of medicines and the ability of our government to act in the public interest by enacting environmental, health and workplace protection laws.
These concerns need to be addressed.
I therefore urge you to reject the TPP.
Yours sincerely
Jane Henderson J Henderson
I urge the Parliament to reject the TPP because of the totally inappropriate legal constraints it imposes on Australia as a sovereign democracy.
Australia must be free to pass its own laws in the best interests of its own citizens.
I'm writing from a human rights point of view. The LNP says they are concerned that if Australia carries out its obligations under various international human rights treaties, that will undermine Australia's sovereignty. However there is a lot more likelihood of that happening with the TPP, with the possibility of legislation being implemented that limits Australians' rights rather than safeguarding them.
The question has been raised whether Australia's gun laws will be compatible with the TPP. Just imagine if US gun manufacturers could sue Australia to force the relaxation of its gun laws! It is not beyond the bounds of possibility!
233 The problem is that the TPP enforcement mechanism is totally inappropriate for agreements between sovereign countries that have proper legal systems. The enforcement mechanism should not be agreed to because it results in corporations that are only interested in profit contractually being able to put their own financial interests before the needs of a stable Australian society and to circumvent Australian legislation and Australian courts.
From drug pricing to guns to work health and safety, the TPP has the potential to overturn all the social measures that Australia has worked so hard to implement over the years.
As the Chief Justice of the High Court, Robert French, has said: Arbitral tribunals set up under ISDS provisions are not courts, nor are they required to act like courts, yet their decisions may include awards which significantly impact on national economies and on regulatory systems within nation states.
Do not pass the TPP! Tamsin Clarke
To the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
Please help the people of Australia by considering the broader benefits and dangers this agreement poses to our society as a whole when making your recommendations. If, as has been reported elsewhere, this form of agreement will reduce the affordability of medical treatments, undermine the sovereignty of our courts, facilitate harmful environmental practices and weaken our privacy it should be rejected until such elements are removed.
Please consider this treaty very carefully. The government has participated in the drafting of this treaty in a secretive manner. This means that your involvement is all that stands between the Australian people and unethical corporate behaviour. Corporations act solely in their own interests unless made to do otherwise. Foreign corporations lack even the empathy of shared citizenship. Many of us remember Bhopal. We hope you do too. Russell Dunn
Have we not learned anything from following the path USA has on handing health issues to the private sector and particularly the way they pander to the Pharmaceutical Industries whose greed shows no bounds.
Please do not put us in the same position that other countries have suffered from the USA Pharmaceutical Industry being able to dictate what other countries' Governments are allowed to do with their own economy when it affects the profits of the Drug Companies. This is what is in store for Australia if our government passes the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership in its current form.
Please do not do this to our country. Kath Hilder
Dear Joint Standing Committee Members
234 The proposed signing of the TTP agreement raises a number of serious concerns, such as the extra- judicial treatment of investor disputes in special courts. This could seriously undermine Australian sovereignty.
Another concern are IP agreements that allow big pharma to exercise a monopoly over life-saving medication, which often was developed with tax payer support through universities or in collaboration with them. This will allow pharma corporations to extort ever higher prices for medicines. This hurts Australian tax and medicare levy payers and, if this kind of rule gains traction, will have devastating effects on people in developing countries.
Say no to TPP (in its present form, at least)!
Many Australians are aware of what is at stake, and will stand behind you if you do.
Regards
Prof Thomas Reuter Thomas Reuter
Minister Robb, we pay your salary and benefits. You are here to support us, not to let overseas mega-corporations suck us dry. You are not here to trade away our benefits.
Instead I want you to stand up for us. You may change things but only for improvements, not sellouts. Do not sell us out. Keep government strong.
Notice what is happening in other countries, where health regulations, safety laws and environmental laws are ignored. You may think that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, that under the TPP, Australian companies can do similar injustices to others, but that's terrible thinking. It will come back to bite you; unfortunately it will bite us before it gets you.
Martha Hills, Burwood VIC Martha Hills
I urge the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review to recommend that Parliament reject the TPP.
There are too many risks for Australia's autonomy and its citizens' rights inherent in this document not to mention the fact that there seems to be little or no benefit to the Australian people.
The Australian government could be sued for passing laws which protect Australian citizens and the environment but damage corporate profits!!
Medicine pricing could increase, environmental protections could be watered down and corporations could sue Australia for changes to law which protect citizens and damage multinational profits.
Further our already diminishing privacy and freedom would be reduced by allowing internet service providers to report on our activities.
235 Again I urge the Parliament of Australia to reject this treaty, the TPP. John Paterson
The US economy and its government's stranglehold from big corporations is not a good model for the Australia to be following.
I believe we will be flooded by corporate lawsuits - like Australia is already facing from big tobacco via Hong Kong for plain packaging - a law which has been brilliant in reducing the number of people smoking and in turn reducing the number of people who will get lung and other cancers and diseases from smoking. I believe people who already struggle to pay for their medicines, will be put under further pressure with the TPP because of increases in prices. The TPP does not have our country's best interests at heart when it comes to the environment - and we do not need further battles to fight when climate change is already showing its teeth. Finally, our internet privacy and freedom of use is paramount in a world that is on the verge of the Internet of Things. Saying yes to spying and restrictions, is saying yes to limiting Australian business and personal rights.
Please reject the TPP and do what is best for all Australians. Anna Horan
I am retired but my career has been in resource economics. I read reasonably widely and so much of what I read these days questions the value of trade agreements. The TPP seems to be particularly suspect.
1.Trade agreements tend to focus trade between the states involved to the exclusion of other states, which is not necessarily best for global competition and expanding trade with non-members.
2. The TPP appears to provide protection to corporations where that is not necessarily in the Australian community's best interests.
3. Participating states may be exposed to legal action in international courts for implementing environmental or health measures where those measures would be in their individual national interest.
Under the TPP, Australia may be locking itself in to higher costs for medical supplies and pharmaceuticals than would otherwise occur. In light of escalating health costs in this country that would be very unwise.
Australia should also maintain its independence to implement environmental and health measures that are in our longer-term interest.
Regards
Geoff Rohan Geoff Rohan
236 On the one hand Andrew Robb has been telling us that the system for affordable medicines is not going to change. But now he is telling the USA giant pharmaceutical companies that under the TPP they will be able to exploit the same monopoly profits that they enjoy in the US. In other words they will be able to rely on their patents for longer. And that means more expensive medicines and less competition. I don't mind a fair period for recoup of R&D expenses, but even longer allows exploitation of the people. Please don't let it happen.
Thank you. david David Myer
As an Australian citizen I urge Mr. Robb and the Government to reject the TPP deal, to protect the health of all Australians. We need to continue to have affordable access to life saving medicines and to medicines which give us quality of life as has been our right thanks to previous governments who cared about the Australian people. We do not want the American style of expensive and unaffordable medicines for the sake of profit for huge pharmaceutical corporations. We have a wonderful and compassionate way of life here in Australia which must not be destroyed by a few ambitious politicians. American people are envious of our access to affordable and necessary medicines. You must be transparent in your intentions toward environmental health also, to protect our country from overseas corporations. The Australian people have the right to demand these protections to our way of life. Laureen Boulton
I am of the view that the TPP mirrors many previous fee trade agreements by providing great opportunities in other countries but not ours. Our industries close while overseas protected industries export into our markets. Our pharmaceutical program will be undermined and our health costs and budget position will be damaged. I am disappointed that this agreement could be countenanced given the way it clearly favours US and big pharma and Agri interests. It is not to the general benefit of Australia. I am very concerned about sovereign dispute mechanisms and think them very unjust and pro-corporation. Please do not pass this terrible agreement. peter usher
Trade Envoy Andrew Robb,
It is my understanding that you, as a federal Gov't minister have a responsibility to put the will of the people ahead of the interests of big business and corporate profit.
How can it be, how is it justifiable that the likes of Monsanto can take our government to court if the government creates circumstances adverse to the goals of Monsanto ?
I believe the TPP is an excellent idea if it is for our national benefit but definitely not if it provides for corp[orate punitive action against us.
As it is, the proposal stinks to high heaven. Warren Brown
237
I view with great concern the apparent double speak when we are told that the TPP will not affect prices in Australia, but at the same time, Andrew Robb is telling US pharmaceutical companies that they will now enjoy monopoly rights over medicines as they do in the US.
As we all know, pharmaceuticals in the US are way more expensive than they are in Australia. One only has to look at the volume of spam about cheap meds to see how badly US citizens are off, compared to Australians on the PBS here.
Please do not give in to the vested interests in the US. Looking after Australian interests has been a long-running point of contention in Australia, so why are we pandering to US interests? Tell the TPP No Thanks! John Hurst
As ailing elderly parents caring for a middle-aged autistic son, we are alarmed at the prospect that the TPP deal could increase medicine prices, given that Andrew Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
As environmentalists, we are also concerned that the Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution, under the TPP deal.
We urge the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review to recommend rejecting the TPP. Arthur Cantrill
Dear Minister
As a member of the Public service, your here to serve the publics best interest, not big business. You represent us the Australian people and the TTP is not in our best interest, selling off our rights, freedom and choices does not benefit us no matter how big business polish this poison apple, it is still just a piece of rotten fruit. Toss it in the compost pile like so much of the political bull, they are trying to slip by us. Australia is watching and I can't wait for the election. Hopefully if we turn over the compost pile, we might be able grow something fresh green and fertile.
Yours Sincerely
Karen Fletcher Simon Fletcher
238 Ever since I first heard about the TPP, I have been concerned about the secrecy surrounding this so- called free trade agreement. History shows that free trade agreements generally favour more powerful countries, and smaller nations, like Australia, do not achieve what was promised.
The Australian public has a right to know exactly what agreements are being signed on our behalf and the future ramifications of these agreements. We are, after all, supposed to live in a democracy. The prospect of law suits by powerful overseas corporations determined to protect their own interests, with a defence mounted at taxpayer expense, is not in the peoples' best interest or the best interests of a government with a budget in deficit.
Allowing the economic interest of an overseas corporation, or government, to almost certainly over- ride the social, health and very important environmental considerations of the Australian people is completely unacceptable.
Please do not sign on to the TPP.
A VERY CONCERNED AUSTRALIAN,
Joan Dillon Joan Dillon
I am deeply concerned about the TPP. Negotiations have been shrouded in secrecy. I have to wonder why the Government will not allow open scrutiny.
Contrary to what we have been told, the price of our pharmaceuticals will be seriously affected. Mr Robb has indicated this in a US publication.
If we sign up to the TPP we will face the possibility of legal action from overseas corporations who are affected by actions we take to protect our environment.
The TPP is incredibly dangerous. The risks involved far outweigh any benefits Australia would receive. I cannot believe a government that cares about the people it represents would agree to it. They must, surely, be benefitting from it in some way. margaret clough
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
Commonwealth Parliament of Australia
SUBJECT: Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Review
Dear Committee Members
I oppose the TPP deal as it currently stands because of the threat to our democracy and our sovereignty. I can't understand why we are prepared to trade our rights away and why we would trade with corporations wanting to trample our way of life for the sake of a making money.
239 As it stands, provisions in the TTP allows multinational corporations to sue us in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but which they judge impact their profits. We could also be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. We could also be spied on by our internet service provider.
I don't support this notion of trade dealing and urge the government to recognise what is at risk and stop the TTP until we have something that is fair on both sides.
Australia wants to trade with the world but not on terms that allow our rights to be trampled.
Make it a fair trade deal that protects the rights of all Australians.
Yours sincerely
Dale Dumpleton (Mrs)
Dale Dumpleton
The TPP takes away the rights of Australians and Australian elected bodies to protect the rights, environment and health of our people.
In a democratic country it is unacceptable that corporations can, in law, override the rights and concerns of a people and their government, and limit their ability to make decisions affecting their own well-being.
The TPP is a victory for the greed and profit of transnational corporations at the expense of our fundamental democratic rights. The fact that it has been negotiated in such secrecy only serves to underline this fact.
On behalf of all Australians who are committed to a fair go I ask you to reject the TPP. Samantha Grosser
Dear Senators,
The few things that our despicable government has manged to avoid hiding on the Trans Pacific Trade Agreement all show that the agreement is of no value to Australians, but of enormous value to Multi-National Corporations.
How anyone with the interests of Australia in mind could agree to items such as allowing companies to sue the Government (ie us, the tax payers) for passing legislation in the interests of our health, education, culture community etc. when such legislation may impact on the proposed profits of the Corporation is beyond rational analysis.
Why do we allow money manipulators to rake of vast profits through immoral use of medical patents and to extend them artificially such that the patent never effectively expires.
240 No doubt some of our lawyers will support this Agreement as they will see a vast expenditure of legalise associated with suing the Government. Again, we the tax payer will suffer. Regards,
The TTP should be blocked for these reasons:
1. The offensively rich are becoming richer exponentially, the middle class is disappearing and the poor are going grow in frightening numbers and to become even more desperate. It is obvious to me many aspects of this 'trade deal' are mechanisms by which greed within certain people and corporations exploits us all.
2. If the special trade envoy has told US pharmaceutical corporations they would enjoy the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines in Australia as they do in the United States whilst informing the people here that 'nothing is going to change in our PBS system' then we have all been made to look weak and stupid. He should be recalled, replaced and a royal commission to investigate all the 'behind closed doors' meetings to expose the corruption that would have taken place within them.
3. I do not believe people within parliament have the power or the integrity to fight what I see within corporate power but please prove me wrong; that is no reason but a challenge to the lack of leadership that dominates our political spectrum. Dan McCaffre
I am really concerned about big pharma having a monopoly over medicines, and other corporations being able to sue our government if it impacts on their business.
It seems like you are more concerned about American companies doing business here, than the health of your Australian citizens and the environment.
Shame on you Mr Robb. Stand up to them.
Act in the interest of Australians, not American corporations.
I can't believe they can sue the government in private corporate courts without judges or jury! Why the special rules for them? What if we want to stop fracking to protect groundwater resources.
The fact that TPP could increase medicine pricing is ridiculous. Mike Bavistock
Dear Australian Parliament,
I always thought that our politicians were supposed to represent the interests of Australian citizens. How confusing therefore is your desire to sign a trade agreement that protects the rights of corporations above the rights and welfare of Australian citizens.
241 How dare Mr Robb reassure the US pharmaceutical corporations that they will have the same blackmail style monopolies over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the USA. A country that happily allows families to bankrupt themselves trying to save the lives of loved ones.
And what is to be gained by the Australian people? A possible raise in GDP of 0.7%? What a frightening joke.
Of equal concern in the ISDS provisions. You really want to sign a treaty that enables corporation to sue our government if any decision is made that affects possible profits? What right do foreign companies have to made profits at the expense of our collective welfare?
You should all be ashamed of yourselves. What happened, did we fight a war and lose? Why are foreign companies being given so much power over us? Why are you not protecting your citizens?
Are we to assume that our parliament has been bought?
I am very fearful of the future.
Yours sincerely,
Carolyn Ridsdale Carolyn Ridsdale
I am very concerned about the TPP, and have been for some time. As a politically-aware voter, I take great interest in what our government commits to on our behalf. I strongly object to the way the TPP was negotiated in secret. I further object to the full text of the TPP still being kept away from scrutiny.
From what I have been able to discover, the TPP will subvert the ability of Australia's democracy to pass legislation that affects us. For example legislation to protect our unique and valuable environment for the benefit of our farmers (and all of us). I am very concerned about multinational corporates suing the Australian people in a kangaroo court.
As someone employed in the high-tech sector, I am also very concerned about the provisions in the TPP about copyright. I am convinced that this will hand over far too much power to US content monopolists. Just because powerful lobbyists have perverted the proper functioning of intellectual property protections does not mean that we should follow along.
The partnership aspect of the TPP is not a partnership. It is akin to the arrangement between a stand-over man and his prey... it is one-sided and should not be countenanced.
Please uphold your sworn duty as elected officials to do the right thing: stop the TPP, and never again allow this sort of un-democratic process to go on.
If you side with foreign corporate interests at the expense of the Australian people (by supporting the TPP) then you are a traitor that is not fit to hold office, you are trashing the legacy of my grandfathers and all those who have fought for this country, and you will be held to account by the voters and generations to come. Glenn Tweedie
242
Gday,
I am writing to express my deep concern over the TPP, and the ability of overseas corporate interests to sue the Australian government and people should there profits or market share be affected by current and future laws.This is preposterous!
Why has Mr Robb (whom is conveniently bowing out of the political limelight) been so secretive about the TPP?
The TPP has awarded corporate profit over constituents and community concerns -DISGRACEFUL!
With the environment under increasing pressures due to habitat loss and fragmentation the TPP allows corporations to sue if tighter environmental controls are placed on any projects which may affect profitability. Richard Kinkead
There are many issues in relation to Australia's involvement with this ill-fated treaty but for me the most significant one relates to the continuance of Affordable medicines for the Australian people. it is very evident from many sources in the Health sector groups several provisions of the TPP will most likely increase medicine pricing.
There are however other issues that we need to be concerned about prime among them relate to our current and future protection for our environment. we know that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution as this has happened already. The Quebec provincial government was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. This must not be allowed to happen in Australia.
For me the corporate lawsuit process enshrined in this Treaty is there only for the protection of corporations when surely the Treaty must primarily about the betterment of the people of Australia. The legal process is not an open just process therefore cannot be a legal process for Australia. Under this Treaty Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury therefore not constitutional or within the realm or control of the Australian people. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
This treaty is not in the best interests of the people of Australia both for the present and for the future and I ask you to please protect the people of Australia. John Regan
Dear Members of the TPP Inquiry
As a senior government executive I first became aware in the late 1990s of the original negotiations for what is now the TPP. At the time I was bemused by the obvious desires of bureaucrats to keep
243 the negotiations secret. Now that some details, but very few, have become public, I am not bemused but outraged.
I truly believe that there is nothing but grief in this for Australia. No economic gain (the Productivity Commission agrees), no cultural gain, no health gains. Why are we engaged in a process so decidedly negative for Australia and each of us as citizens?
There will be a flood of corporate lawsuits, multinational corporations suing governments, private citizens, NGOs and companies in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. What if my criticism of a multinational affects their profits? I could be sued: no matter how soundly based my criticism might be, my inability to refuse the lawsuit could bankrupt me.
Even our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Our internet privacy and freedom will be traded away, allowing us to be spied upon and reported to infringement enforcement agencies overseas.
This is the final step to making our Government subservient in all respects to the multinational corporations.
This TPP is a nightmare. Please do not approve it.
Dr Howard Dengate Howard Dengate
Having lived in the USA for eleven years and seen the costs and problems of the American medical and pharmacy systems, I am convinced that we must resist all moves towards the American system. Please fight to return the Australian health system to the form originally implemented by the Whitlam government. Medical insurance must be universal, meaning risk is shared over the entire community. Privatised medical insurance and pharmaceutical benefits attempt to select low risk individuals, which automatically leads to inequity. Good health might be in part a life style choice, but there also is a huge element of luck, over which an individual has no control. Denis O'Brien
Dear Andrew Robb,
While the Australian public were given all the wonderful benefits coming to this country when you people sign the TTP, there was absolutely no indication of what Australia has traded to give us those wonderful benefits.Benefits don't come without trade offs.
What the public needs to kinow is
1. Is it impossible for corporations to sue our government, or anyone who has our interests at heart, for threats to their profits, even when these legally protect Australian citizens or companies?
244 2. Is it impossible for corporations to sue our government to prevent them improving the protections legally passed for our environment, especially those passed for the protection of our water, precious places and agricultural land?
3. Is it impossible for corporations and other governments to sue our government for their protection of workers' rights, including using Australian workers first before importing workers from other countries?
Hopefully the answer to all these questions is Yes, it is impossible
Mr. Robb,It has been discovered that you recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. Why? Who are you lying to, the Australian people (who hold our pharmaceutical delivery system dear and believe it to be the best in the world) or to the Pharmaceutical industries in the United States?
If it were not for Australian groups who are looking after the interests of Australia and Australians, we would have no idea what is being made legally binding against our interests.
What reasons do our state and federal governments have for selling the people and places they were elected to protect to corporations and businesses who only have their own interests at heart? Is this part of the moral decay that we are seeing in banks, mining companies, religions and schools, where anything is ok as long as you don't get caught.
The Australian people need to have these secret negotiations made public so we have some power over the sort of government we will be electing this year - hopefully one that is open, transparent, and is not selling us down the river to the detriment of current and future generations.
Yours sincerely,
Stephanie Robertson Stephanie Robertson
The TPP has been negotiated in secret, and is set to be debated with many of the facts as to its content and benefits untested, unproven and in dispute.
The Australian people, on whose behalf this is said to be done, have had no part in it. Foreign companies (multinationals) have had access to Australia's political leaders that ordinary citizens are denied.
Before a Parliamentary debate settles this, it should be opened up to public scrutiny and debate. Put the facts on the table, explain why it is in our best interests to trade off our national interest for a mess of potage.
Set up a formal process for public input and allow adequate time for the process to take place.
245 And at the end of it, LISTEN to what the public have said. If it is worth the time and money to run a plebiscite on equality in marriage, it is certainly worth doing so when our national autonomy is at stake. Vin Victor
In light of Mr Robb's assurances to the US that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States I submit that the Parliaments TPP inquiry should recommend against the TPP for the detrimental effect that it will have only Australians ability to access fair priced medicines. We have already seen how pharmaceutical companies manipulate patent laws by making minor changes to their products to prevent them being produced as generic brands. We do not need to give them any further means of over charging for their products.
The TPP is Mr Robb's plan to get our agricultural products into other countries without concern for the cost to Australian industries and consumers. David Freeston
Dear Mr Robb,
I have emailed another senator previously on the TPP and received a generic and shallow response. I appreciate your job is difficult and you surely cannot reply to everyone personally, so I don't expect a personalised response this time either, however what I do expect is politicians remember their roles in society. I pay my taxes so that the wages of people like yourself can be paid so that my interests are represented.
Australia is more and more feeling that politicians no longer represent the interests of the people that pay their salary, they represent big corporate interests. If this was not the case then the TPP would not have been negotiated in secret, it would be publicly discussed, debated, reviewed and costed.
My friends, family and myself are all concerned about our internet privacy, the rising cost of medications and most importantly of all the ability for global corporations to sue Australia in the event that our government introduces legislation that curbes company profits. I will not be satisfied with a simple dismissal of these concerns given examples I have already seen both involving Ausralia and other countries in similar deals. 1. Egypt being sued for raising the minimum wage and 2. Australia being sued by Philip Morris for introducing plain packaged cigarettes.
Australia is it's own sovereign country. I will not accept a flimsy, empty politician promise that attempts to rest my concerns at ease with an important statement similar to we will not embrace any deal that puts Australian sovereignty at risk WITHOUT any actual concrete ways to do this. From the perspective of a layman citizen the TPP does in fact put our sovereignty at risk. I want to see expert independent public debate on this issue so the TPP is fully understood especially by those who are voting on it, afterwhich it is either scrapped all together or changed where appropriate.
246 How does it benefit Australia? All I hear are negatives. If there are no benefits, let's just leave things as they are. Chris White
The fact that Mr Robb lied unashamedly does not surprise me.
However to agree to any semblence of a US healt system (when they are trying to deliver affordable care) disgusts me. those in our community eg the low paid the unemployed and pensioners, existing on minimum incomes are struggling as it is, some pensioners going without essential medication, inorder to make ends meet.
The TPP has got nothing to recommend it to the workers of this country, and that is why the Government has taken steps to keep the terms secret.
This will also lead to a by passing of our Court system, a cornerstone of our democracy, whereby multinationals can sue our Gov. and individuals when their profits are thretened. As was the case with the tobacco industry sueing from a base in HongKong.
Envirolmental concerns wold be subordinated to the interests of the same multinationals, they are not to be trusted and must be saved form themselves, n order tosave the planet.
THEY MUST BE STOPPED THE ONLY INTERESTS THEY PROTECT ARE THEIR OWN. the oligarcy ruling the world is freightening. hazel Moore
I am a mature aged and under-employed worker with a chronic condition requiring prescription medication everyday for the rest of my life.
I worry about the impact of the TPP on future costs of my required medications and those that I will likely need in time to come as I age.
If there is even any hint of a possible increase in medical costs and even of any other negative impacts as a result of signing on this 'deal' then it should be rejected.
Please consider the millions of people dependent on affordable medicines and health costs.
Remember that these people are also voters.
V Hoisington
Hamilton Hill,
WA. victor hoisington
247 Australians need to continue to be able to access affordable medicines.
Andrew Robb has been less than honest with his reassurances to the Australian community.
As a sovereign country, why would we want to open ourselves up by allowing multinationals corporations to sue our country?
We need to be able to legislate to protect our citizens, not offer up a procedure which allows non- representative multinationals to use our court system to overturn the legislation providing that security.
The first responsibility of government is to look after its citizens. The first responsibility includes protecting its citizens from hurt by multinationals.
Reject the TPP so that the Government can continue to protect Australians.
Sincerely Peter Brown
Sir/Madam,
I write you to express my opinion as to why the TPP is not a fair or equitable treaty for Australia.
Firstly the treaty was negotiated in secret, there is no transparency in this agreement and the Australian public had no influence in the shaping of the treaty. On the other hand the treaty negotiations were heavily influenced by corporate voices that carried a large degree of lobbying against any real the benefit for the Australian economy, health, wealth or well being for the majority of it's citizens.
The fact that multinational corporations may be able to sue the Australian Government in private courts without judges or jury, can only influence the law makers to benefit corporations against the interests of the country. It is ludicrous that a government would negotiate away it's ability to make good over reaching law.
Locking up medicines in long monopoly patents will further widen the ability of ordinary Australians to get proper affordable health care.
Environmental protection will be easily eroded through the TPP as corporation after corporation sue for greater profitability and access.
Fundamentally in my opinion the TPP is not good for Australia and should not be endorsed. Tony Ennis
I am an ordinary voter, but it is unacceptable to me that our sovereignty should be handed over to offshore interests with much interest in profit taking and no interest in the social cohesion or health of our community.
248 We have already seen what even our onshore national corporations with do when unscrutinised (Wheat Board, CommInsure, Comm Banks trader etc) so why do we assume the US pharma will have any interest in the viability of the Australian health system?
Additionally it is completely unacceptable that the Australian government should be prevented from taking ANY action in the interest of the community because that may impact the profit of a corporation.
I am not comforted by the secrecy with which this proposed 'deal' has been developed and the failure to allow due scrutiny by our elected parliament does not augur well for democracy.
The proposed trade benefits by no means outweigh these risks.
I expect better. kairen harris
The Government has negotiated the TPP in secret and has deprived the Australian public of any real information ( just slogans) or details on how it works or what real benefits or risks are involved.
No minister will be interviewed to explain why it is being pushed through before the public has time to digest or question any ramifications of the TPP and settle the fears of our community.
This is deceptive at least and complete betrayal at worst and appears to be a plan to hand our rights, our freedoms and our future independence away, effectively destroying the wellbeing of our once great nation.
Our Gov't was elected to protect Australians interests, we pay their salaries but they choose to work and do the bidding of greedy non-taxpaying foreign owned corporations and are so afraid of a public backlash it is all done in secret, this is extremely shameful and insulting.
Democracy in Australia is now a farce, our politicians worse than useless as they have no interest in doing their jobs and believe lying and deception is OK.... IT IS NOT, it is bull.
The TPP must be rejected as it provides no clear benefits for Australia, and the risks to control our future wellbeing terrifying, why would an intelligent Gov't do this? John Cooper
These trade deals have only one purpose. That is to bring the wages standard of all countries involved to the lowest common denominator. E.g. If the United States can produce an object at a lower price than Australia because of a Lower minimum wage then the company in Australia will not be able to sell its object and therefore go out of business or force workers through government to take a real cut in wages. There are great advantages to having free trade but not at the expense of dragging back countries that have worked hard to provide their people with a decent living wage.
It also allows for dangerous practices such as the stupid pharamacetical rules that exisit in the USA to be transported to this country.
249 It is important that this agreement be stopped and I urge you to vote against a reduction in the living standards of this country.
Graham Irvine
Concerned voter Graham Irvine
To Whom it may concern,
For the life of me, why is Australia agreeing to a trade deal that may reduce our rights and make things better/easier/more profitable for foreign companies? As an MS sufferer I don't wish to see medicines made out of reach or just plain astronomically high. I understand that pharmacological companies need to recover their costs but they aren't philanthropic about this - otherwise malaria would have been eradicated decades ago.
As for us being sued for changing laws to protect OUR OWN environment - where is the sense of that? Aren't you supposed to be representing the PEOPLE of Australia for the best deal, not just large overseas corporations only interested in their profits?
And what about paying a FAIR share of tax? Seeing how overseas corporations treat us about their (fair) tax liabilities is surely a sign that they treat us a cash-cows. They are plainly not concerned about us.
PLEASE, do the just and right thing for Australia. Greg Powell
I am wondering why special Trade envoy Andrew Robb has assured Australian voters that medicines will remain affordable under the TPP, when he told a US publication recently that US corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US.
This does not mean the same thing, and we cannot have it both ways.
I believe that there is a lot more of this in the TPP and it needs to be thoroughly scrutinized by the Senate or an independent body who can see just what it means for Australians before it is rushed into law. We have not been told enough of the content and it has been hidden from public scrutiny all along.
I am most concerned that in the TPP multinational corporations can sue the Australian government if any of our legal changes hurt their profits. This would be laughable if it wasn't a fact in the TPP.
I am also concerned that our environmental protections could be lost because these same multinationals could sue the Australian government for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking and water pollution. As water is of the utmost importance in our country, this area is of paramount concern for everyone.
There are concerns about internet privacy and freedom being lost because of the TPP.
250 All up I cannot understand why it has been agreed to by our government when the people who engineered the TPP know exactly what Australia will be losing by accepting the TPP as it stands. Veronica Stephenson
Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US Pharmaceutical corporations have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US. That means that biologic medicines will be under monopoly patents for longer, and that means we pay more for medicines. This is in direct contrast when he spent the last few months reassuring the community that we're not going to change the system.
Multinational corporations can sue our Government for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections such as tracking or water pollution.
This deal also locks in the ability of our internet provider to spy on us and report possible copy right infringement to enforcement agencies.
Please reject this unfair trade deal. Thea McCarth
Although the TPP has been negotiated in secrecy, sufficient information is now available to the Australian public to ring alarm bells. It is inconceivable that the Australian Government, elected to represent the Australian people, should push through a deal that will impact negatively and disadvantage this country. This is a level of sell-out and irresponsibility that beggars belief.
More expensive pharmaceuticals, the sovereign and economic risks of large multinationals disagreeing with Australian laws, the lack of environmental protections or climate change mitigation, internet spying on Australian citizens.
Do these deals add up to the sort of country our politicians want to impose on us? Where outsiders call the shots and where the government privileges foreign company profit over democracy?
This is a deeply disturbing departure from government accountability and its responsibility to its citizens. I urge you—for all Australians—to find against its adoption. Jenny Herbert
I am totally against the TPP because it seems to me that the government has been trying very hard to keep us in the dark about certain parts of the agreement. Things that are not good for Australia and it's citizens.
Many organisations and professionals have been warning us for a long time that our government could be open to law suits from large corporations in America if they put into place any laws that restrict them from certain activities, e.g.protecting our environment.
251 Now it seems we have given large pharmaceutical corporations in America the go ahead to charge us more for medications, whilst telling us this would never happen.
The effect will be that we have no power to protect our environment and we will have more sick people who cannot afford to pay higher costs for their medications.
Sicker country, sicker citizens! We should not have to sacrifice these for this TPP. Maureen Neenan
To whom it may concern. My name is Elizabeth Eviston and I wish to express my concern over a number of points within the TPP deal.1 I do not agree with allowing corporations to dictate to us about our own environmental policies, just because it may harm their unethical methods of raking in huge profits by way of destruction of the environment and delicate eco-systems of which they are totally ignorant. 2 I do agree with huge pharmaceutical company's holding monopoly patents for longer thereby keeping the price of crucial medicines or any medicines for that matter, high.3 I do not agree that Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts over legal changes that protect us, just for their unscrupulous way of making big profits. Lastly I do not agree that internet service providers can spy on the public and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. This planet is already at the mercy of unethical and immoral decisions made every day by Trans corporations. As an Australian citizen I do not want to give them more power over our lives and our environment. Thank you. Regards Elizabeth Eviston. Liz Eviston
I feel strongly that Australia should not sign the TPP. It is a trade agreement that even official bodies warn has little benefit to Australia, and in fact could cause great inequity. It is a trade deal that serves the interest of a small section of the population against the interests of democracy and sovereign governments. The ISDS clause is one such example, even cautioned against by the Productivity Commission.
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Regards
Evelyn Doyle Evelyn Doyle
Hi there,
252 Please consider this to be a submission into the TPP review.
I am concerned that the TPP gives a lot of benefits to corporations, particularly overseas corporations, without much benefit for Australian citizens in return.
ISDS provisions: Why should the Australian government and legal system be subordinate to private corporate courts? Veolia is presently suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Why would we want to allow this to happen in Australia? If the Australian government decides to, say, limit water pollution to protect its citizens, why should some company that is profiting from polluting our water be allowed to sue us? This is stupid.
As for patents on biologic medicines, this is a new technology. Society has not yet decided whether patenting human genes is right and proper. There is still a lot of debate in the US about its patent system and some of its more obvious failings. It is far too early to sign up to whatever system the US decide on.
Ultimately, the question comes down to: what's in it for us? I have not seen enough discussion of the pro and cons of this treaty. We should not rush into this deal.
Sincerely,
Andrew Andrew McIver
Multinational corporations with more power than Australian courts? Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect everyday citizens, but hurts company profits. How on earth are these ISDS provisions in my,or every Australian citizens, best interest?
My family, friends & I want world leading environmental protections. With the TPP the Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Australians are being hoodwinked by this crooked deal. The Coalition & Andrew Robb are selling Australia to the highest corporate bidder and taking away every Australian citizens rights. This trade deal is unfair & is not in Australia's best interest. Please stop the TPP before it is too late. Jo Cummins
Please recognize that I am against Australia signing the TPP agreement. Apart from the overall secrecy which I find curious in the 21st century, I am specifically opposed to specific areas which we do know something about.
For example multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. Again,
253 The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Then there is internet privacy where the deal provides for an internet service provider to spy on its customers and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Finally and most worryingly US pharmaceutical companies will have the same monopoly rights over medicines as they have have in the US!!!
I therefore urge the Committee to advise Parliament that the TPP treaty should be rejected.
Albert Morris
Electorate of Fisher
Sippy Downs
Queensland Bert Morris
We need our representatives to reject the TPP on pharmaceutical grounds at the very least. The Australian people's access to affordable medication must be protected.
Retiring Trade Minister Andrew Robb told us that such access would be protected but reportedly told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the US. This could mean that medicines remain under monopoly patents longer, a bad deal for Australians. Health groups are warning that several provisions of the TPP could lead to costlier medicines, putting these out of the reach of some and making acquiring them unduly burdensome to others. This could lead to poor quality of life, even death in some cases, as well as the risky purchasing of cheap and often suspect medications online.
Under the TPP multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but hurt their profits, e.g. a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimal wage.
Our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental precautions that corporations are required to comply with, as with the Quebec government's being sued for laws stopping fracking that would compromise groundwater and land. With the reality of Climate Change already reducing quality of life for many, increasing the amounts governments must pay for reparation/compensation in the aftermath of drought, fire, flood etc., this would seem to defy common sense.
This deal enables internet service providers to spy on users and report to enforcement agencies, endangering personal freedom.
What other potential infringements to our rights and well-being are contained in this secretive deal?
Some reports say that the benefits to our bottom line would be minimal. So why are we trading away so much for so little?
254 Our government is elected to serve the interests of the people who elected its members, therefore any deal that does not serve our interests, indeed appears to undermine them, should be rejected outright. Helen Moll
I am writing to express my deep concerns about the Trans Pacific Partnership and in particular, the Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions which would threaten Australians' ability to access important and life changing medicines.
I am a patient with juvenile onset rheumatoid arthritis, which began when I was aged 16 and was diagnosed at age 25. I suffered decades of partial control of my symptoms with various medicines, causing chronic pain and fatigue, which impaired my ability to care for my two young daughters, interfered with relationships and limited my work capacity. About 9 years ago, at age 50 I was commenced on a biologic anti-rheumatoid agent and without any doubt it has changed my life. I feel almost normal despite the joints damaged from decades of partially controlled inflammation because I no longer live with daily pain and fatigue.
As a physician myself, I know well that more patients might be able to access such life changing medicines earlier if they were not so expensive and look forward to the time when patents expire so this might be the case. My younger years would have been very different if these drugs had been around at that time.
More broadly, I believe that the TPP is going to make us worse off in many areas and that the negotiations have been too secretive. If more Australians were aware of the implications of the agreement I believe they would oppose its ratification. Transparency is essential when proposals are put forward that could make such substantial changes and threaten our ability to make our own laws for example in relation to cigarette packaging or environmental safeguards.
I urge you to consider what we stand to lose and reject the TPP. Sally Warmington
I am not in favour of this TPP, or any of these so-called 'free' trade agreements, which give rights to companies that can potentially compromise the standards of fairness, access and decency that we want in Australia. 'Free' too often means 'free from the restrictions of looking after people or the land'. And that what i think the TPP will do to Australia. Look at the mess that the US economy is in after letting so-called 'free' trade agreements disenfranchise large sections of the working class, causing high levels of local unemployment and putting profits for big companies over living standards for human beings. I'm not anti-trade in general, but I believe it has to serve the sort of society we want, and therefore needs reasonable restrictions and limits. 'Free trade' is not a good thing, EXCEPT for companies who do not want to limit their ways to make money. Regina Walsh
Unless we maintain our own dignity and culture, we are at risk at losing our sovereignty. The proposed TPP with America could lead to an American style health system which discriminates
255 against our most vulnerable citizens, especially our children and the elderly, those who rely on the government to protect and assist them to maintain a reasonable lifestyle.
Big Pharma is keen to bully its way into our country, to change those laws that safeguard the lives of our disadvantaged and vulnerable.
The current government seems to have shifted it focus from the concern for its citizenry to the promise of greater profits, which is an illusion.
The American focus has always been, as their political representatives have clearly stated time and again, for the benefit of their own people, read 'lobbyists', ie. the pharmaceutical companies, the armaments industry and the mining companies. History has shown that where America has gained a foothold and access to markets, they have not contributed to any improvement in that country.
I do not understand why we are kowtowing yet again to American interests to the detriment of our own citizenry. We deserve a government that will put our interests first - the TPP fails well short of this mark.
Please do not betray us and ratify this TPP .
Roma Muzzatti Roma Muzzatti
I ask that this parliament block the TPP from becoming law in this country. I reject a trade agreement that has been done in secret and only includes multi-nationals/corporations and not a wide range of interest groups that are going to be affected by this agreement.
I'm also very disappointed that such an important trade agreement that will affect so many sections of the Australian community has not been reviewed by the Productivity Commission or similar. This makes me feel that the government is not serious about the benefits that this agreement is suppose to bring.
I'm also very upset that our trade minister, Mr Robb, has told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US. This is not what he told the Australian public. How many other untruths are there in this agreement.
The Australian public expect our Australian parliament to represent us and to pass laws that the public sees as being in our best interests. We do not want the TPP to trade away our government's right to pass these laws and to be challenged in an undemocratic offshore court.
Please reject this TPP. regards
Warren Warren Whitle
256 I am extremely concerned about aspects of the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
1.The deal has been negotiated in secret and signed despite widespread concern over its contents. Even now there has been no independent analysis of the deal, a requirement the government has often trumpeted as necessary before any major project is undertaken. Commission an independent analysis of the deal and release it for public discussion. Voters have a right to know.
2.We have been reassured there will be no change to the affordability of medicines. However some health sector groups have warned that there are several provisions in the TPP which are likely to increase the price we pay for medicines. Other countries' experience supports this concern. Remove this part of the deal.
3.Environmental protection and indeed our whole democracy is weakened by provisions allowing corporations to sue governments for passing laws which would affect their profits. This is exacerbated by conducting these hearings outside current legal frameworks. I can see no common sense in a country agreeing to such an egregious condition. There are plenty of negative examples of the results of countries signing agreements with the inclusion of this condition. Our country is not here to serve corporations needs, they exist here to serve the needs of the population. Remove this part of the deal.
4.I am also concerned about the effects on privacy and freedom of the internet. Remove this part of the deal.
Sincerely,
Peter Lyall Peter Lyall
As a taxpayer I don't want to pay corporations for lost potential profits if their products a deemed to destroy public health and the environment.
I don't belong to a chemist corporation so bigger profits for their monopolies means great prohibitive cost for me. No thanks.
Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. And he told Aus taxpayers the system would not be changed. So if that's correct, there must be a lie somewhere? Question is, to whom?
Majority of Australian's don't want the TPP when they understand what is is. So you shouldn'y be secret and should represent the majority wishes, not those of a few rich people in your inner circle. Yes?
Cheers,
Anon
257 I do not want the parliament to sign the TPP.
Despite Andrew Robb's protestations that there is nothing nasty in the TPP I have had bad feelings about the agreement from the start. When politicians refuse to disclose the contents of prospective legislation then one immediately assumes there is something in it that they do not wish the public to know about, whether there is or no.
Now I hear from GetUp that it will be possible for multinational corporations to sue Australia in private courts without judges or jury if their profits are to be affected.
I do not want this to happen.
Furthermore it seems that medicines could increase in price due to the TPP. While I am a healthy seventy one year old with no health problems, bar blood pressure, I know many both younger and older, who are not and who require much more pharmacy medicine than I.
I do not want the price of medicines to increase as a result of the signing of a trade agreement.
I am passionate about the environment and try to do my bit where ever possible whether it be through lifestyle choices, donations or time support for worthy environment causes.
I certainly do not wish to see my efforts degraded or even negated by the signing of a trade agreement!
I wish to retain internet privacy and freedom here in Australia and I do not want any TPP to make this less possible than it is now. From what I hear about the TPP it is beyond my understanding why a
There are many reasons to be extremely concerned about the TPP deal. Over arching all of these is the power that would be handed to multi-national corporations that would over-ride the power of people who rely on elected members of parliament to represent us. There is overwhelming community opposition to the TPP and I am aghast at the disregard for geniune concern from the community. I am worried about what steps like this would lead to and how my children's future would be affected. I have heard nothing from the Minister to allay any concerns and remain cynical about any 'spin' he may try to add to this debate.
I strongly request that the TPP be rejected by Parliament. Leeanne Willows
Members of Parliament,
I implore you to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership.
Australia must be able to protect its natural environment without threats from multi-national companies which could take our governments to court for actions they deem detrimental to their
258 business. Australia's environmental laws must prevail in Australia and they need to be strengthened to ensure a healthy future for Australians.
It is vital that biologic medicines remain affordable for Australians. I strongly object to them remaining under monopoly patents for many years.
Wages and work safety regulations in Australia must be decided fairly by our existing rules. They must not be manipulated by large international corporations seeking to maximise their profits at the expense of Australian workers.
Please put Australian people and our environment first. Nancy Pallin
I strongly feel that the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal – negotiated without scrutiny and with no independent assessment – will weaken Australia's sovereign rights and public interest in favour of commercial interests.
Just the fact that it opens our governments to be sued for passing environment protection laws that companies must follow confronts the core of Australia's democracy. Our elected governments should never have to put the interests of companies ahead of the interests of Australian citizens and our environment. Otherwise, what would be the point of electing them?
The TPP deal is not in Australia's best interests. The price Australia would pay to stay in the deal would immediately undermine our sovereignty, our environment and our national dignity.
If you believe that you are in parliament as representatives of your electorates why on earth would you seek to disempower their rights?
You must note the implications, risks and costs of this deal and recommend to reject it.
Thank you,
Ahmet Bektas Ahmet Bektas
The Trans-Pacific Partnership leaves the Australian Government (funded by the Australian people) open to being sued by international corporations. Why agree to that ?
U.S. pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over drugs here as they do in the U.S. How does this benefit Australians ?
The T.P.P. could restrict environmental legislation for fear of being sued by foreign companies. It's already happened in Canada.
It is vitally important that Australia can make sensible legislation for our benefit regardless of how a foreign corporation might be affected.
The T.P.P. also would further erode the online privacy of law abiding citizens.
259 For the vast majority of Australians, the T.P.P. gives nothing and takes away plenty.
In the interests of the Australian public, please do not support the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Brenton Calcutt
By pandering to the giant multinational drug companies in US you will destroy the right of every Australian to quality health care.
For decades they have been trying to destroy our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme under the free trade banner BUT Mr Howard saw through that scam so why can't you.
I am a six generation Australian which makes my grandchildren the eight generation of proud Australians. Please protect their rights to the quality of care and treatment that I have received.
Make Australia proud of our right to think for ourselves instead of being whipped by multinational companies that give us nothing and rip the wealth out of our country.
Remember this is the COMMONWEALTH of Australia.
Anne Barrett Anne Barrett
I am greatly concerned about firstly the lack of transparency by failing to make available the core issues of the TPP for informed public debate and appropriate scrutiny by relevant government bodies in Australia prior to accepting the TPP for enabling legislation. I expect my elected representatives to be able to debate the merrits and disadvantages of all such proposals throughout the process - not just as a yes or no tick at the end of a 'secret' deliberation.
I am specifically concerned about the potential impact on the Australian public interest by opening chanels for legal compensation for corporate losses claimed against government action taken in the public interest, such as environmental protection measures and health standards.
I am more generally concerned about all such moves that effectively shift regulatory influence away from an elected government towards corporate interest, be it Australian or global.
To my elected officals I ask, please do not allow this TPP agreement to be signed without full and open debate in the Australian parliment. If such full and open debate is in some way disallowed by the provisions of the TPP, then it should be rejected completely.
Sincerely
Ian Wentworth
Ringwood East, 3135 Ian Wentworth
260 The TPP should be scrapped, that is Australia's involvement.
Australians stand to lose out from this agreement. We cannot consider corporations as Australian citizens and only corporations stand to win from this agreement. It is not a fair trade deal, if it was, all Australians would have been consulted and informed beforehand of its contents. The deal was made in secret to the benefit of certain large corporations and for that reason it is toxic deal.
Parliament needs to reject this deal, but we fear that out politicians have been paid bribes by foreign corporations and their lobbyists.These are the same vested interests who have killed off Australian manufacturing, and sold off our rights and out land and country to foreign businessmen; because our government and industry is infiltrated by foreigners, foreign governments and foreign corporations have the advantage whenever business negotiations are made so that Australia and Australians get a losing break. TPP is such a dud deal, even the Americans don't want it, for they too know it is only the corporate CEOs who will be laughing all the way to the bank if it is signed into law.
David Morris in 'Free Trade The great Destroyer' says Free Trade in the final analysis is less an economic strategy than a moral doctrine. Although it pretends to be value free it is fundamentaly value driven. It assumes that the highest good is to shop. It assumes that mobility and change are synonymous with progress. The transport of capital, materials goods and people takes precedence over the autonomy, the sovereignty, and indeed the culture of the local communities. Rather than promoting and sustaining the social relationships that create a vibrant community, the free trade theology relies on a narrow definition of efficiency to guide our conduct.
Please read David Morris's chapter in 'The Case Against the Global Economy and for a Turn toward the local' edited by Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith and forget about signing the TPP. We must challenge the emptiness of free trade and promote a new idea: economics as if community matters. Richard Morris
If the following are true as we the public are lead to believe, then the Government as we the public's representatives should reject the TPP.
I am deeply concerned over claims that multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judge or jury over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
Health sector groups are warning that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. Australian medical costs are already escalating at an alarming rate and anything that could raise costs of medicines should be looked at very carefully and denied.
Also, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting Canadian groundwater and land. It then stands to reason that our Government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protection that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution here in Australia. Therefore the TPP should be rejected for Australia's environmental protection to ensure we leave a healthy land and water supply for the future generations of Australians. Lynette Matsen
261
Australia must hold to its own cultural values not those of other countries or big business. As public representatives of the Australian public it seems obvious that the Australian Government must be acquainted with what the TPP stands to do to infect the social structure of our country. Why would a government permit legislation that allows corporate lawsuits where multinational corporations can sue Australia [our government] in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect citizens, but hurt their profits.
Why would a government negotiate for the TPP when Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase the cost of medicine for vulnerable people.
Even more troubling for the long term survival of life on Earth is that the TPP undermines Australian environmental protections. What could possess our government to negotiate an agreement that allows them to be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations should abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
And then there is internet privacy and freedom. The TPP locks in the ability of ISPs to spy on citizens and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. The TPP is beneficial only to big business - it should NOT be passed into law by the Australian Government in the name of Australians. Gillian Chaplin
Sovereign states exist by virtue of their populace voting in a government to represent their interests in relations with other sovereign states.
We, the people, have never voted for nor have the right to vote for the actions of multinational corporations.
Multinational corporations have evolved out of the financial structure of capitalism. This does not give them the right to override the sovereignty of countries. Corporations are required to do business in countries according to the laws of those countries. They are required to pay taxes and abide by the labor laws and other relevant government regulations legislated by those countries.
It therefore follows that multinational corporations have no international moral or intrinsic rights to override the sovereignty of nations.
Individuals make up sovereign countries and we, as individuals, do not want nor have we voted for any multinational corporation interfering in our country's systems of health, personal privacy, environment and government administration. Melissa Feldtman
I am writing to you today regarding a statement That Mr Robb has made in a US publication stating that; US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. So what does this mean? Mr Robb has spent the last few
262 months reassuring the community that, when it comes to affordable medicines and the TTP, we're not going to change the system. Does it in fact mean That biologic medicines will be under monopoly patents for longer and therefore we will pay more for the medicines we rely on.
The ability of our Government to protect affordable medicines, authorize environmental health and workplace protection laws are key priorities.
We do not want or need other countries telling our country what we can or can't do. And being sued when we don't do it .
Please reject the TTP Lin Goupillot-Lindstrom
Hello,
I'm writing to ask you to please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
From the start the treaty has been worrying due to the secrecy of the negotiations and government's refusal to subject the TPP to independent analysis, but now that details have been made publicly available I'm concerned about some points.
I'm worried about the potential Americanization of our healthcare system, specifically US pharma companies having patent rights/longer monopolies over some medicines which makes them more expensive. Trade Minister Andrew Robb seems to have backflipped on this point.
I'm worried about the ISDS provisions which will open Australia up to lawsuits from multinational corporations in corporate courts.
I'm worried about the freedom granted to ISPs to monitor customers' internet use, and the resulting loss of privacy.
Please represent the best interests of the Australian people and reject the TPP. I don't think the increased trade opportunities with asia-pacific countries is enough of an incentive to make up for the many flaws which hurt Australia and many other countries involved.
Sincerely,
Nathan Campbell Nathan Campbell
The proposed Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is NOT in Australia's interest. Australia must not be party to a deal that:
* enables multinational corporations to sue our Government in private courts because Government policy that is in our interest affects their profit.
* increases the cost of any or all medicines on the PBS.
263 * enables corporations to sue our government for passing laws that stregthen our enviromental protections.
* forces our internet providerts to spy on us and report us to US agencies and US corporations for possible copyright infringement.
* provides minuscule (if any) economic upside for Australia.
The TPP is not in Australia's interest. As an Australian voter I do not want Australia to be a party to this bad deal. Catherine Rother
Please do not sign the TPP until amendments have been made to sections allowing pharmaceutical corporations to have monopolies over medicine.
Australians want competition and choice in pharmaceuticals not high prices and monopolies.
I have heard that:
Through the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Multinational corporations have way to much power and influence already. Don't allow them to be able to sue Australia.
Reject the TPP. Susan Henderson
We, the public, were assured by your government, Mr Robb in particular, that the Trans Pacific Partnership would not include any changes to our pharmaceutical system and that the US industry would have no monopoly rights here. Now it appears Mr Robb is assuring the US industry that they have the same rights here as in America.
What is the truth?? It cannot be both.
We must protect Australia from Multinational corporations which could sue Australia over Australian decisions which affect their own profits.
Please be honest, and in Australia's national interest protect us from the danger of US multinationals imposing their own interests on Australia. If this means rejecting the TPP then do it.
Pamela Harrison Pamela Harrison
I am an Australian in the US temporarily. The last thing we want to do is emulate this broken, unfair system. Currently the TPP will give US pharma companies the same monopoly rights over biologic
264 medicines as they exploit in the US. This means Australians will pay more for medicines they rely on. Healthcare groups in Australia warn it will increase prices.
There will be a flurry of corporate lawsuits against efforts that protect Australians and that Australians hold dear, like plain packaging laws, groundwater protections, or the minimum wage. This would be horrific, and unacceptable. That is indeed what governments are for. Why would we give away our rights to govern!
This also affects internet freedom and privacy, which is becoming more and more a hot-button issue for digital Australians who don't want their ISPs spying on them.
We've got ourselves a horrible deal. Horrible deals should be rejected.
Thank you for your consideration,
Tom Tom Pryor
The current government has made much of protecting Australia's sovereignty. However, there has been a blatant disregard for our sovereignty when negotiating so called free trade deals. Our government is quite willing to trade away the rights of Australia. It is happy to compromise affordable medicines, the environment and Internet privacy and freedom. In addition multinationals will be able to bring lawsuits if anything effects their profits. This is already happening across the world and should be a warning. Our country is here for our citizens. It is not just a place for multinationals to reap profits - and rape and pillage in order to do so!
It is time that the Australian government put Australia and its citizens ahead of corporate greed. Stop the TTP now! Lyn Farrand
ISDS provisions in the TPP mean that foreign corporations have the power to sue the Australian Government if it takes action that might negatively affect their investments, even if those actions are taken to benefit the Australian people. Minister Andrew Robb tells us that he's carved out all the areas where this might be a problem - but how can he know? He can't see into the future. In this rapidly changing world he cannot know what industries and industrial issues will emerge.
If Mr Robb has promised foreign pharmaceutical companies monopoly patents the same as in the U.S., how can we protect the low cost of medicines we currently enjoy under the PBS? What if we decide to strengthen our environmental protection, to the detriment of a foreign-owned mining company?
Meanwhile, there is little evidence that previous free trade agreements have led to increased trade between Australia and other nations, or that they have significantly benefited the Australian economy.
265 The Howard Government, and the Rudd-Gillard Government both refused to sign the TPP while ISDS provisions were included. Now suddenly Andrew Robb is telling us the ISDS provisions are not a problem.
With much to lose and almost nothing to gain, why take the risk? Nicholas Parsons
With the TTP in its current form will enable multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. Furthermore, health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. With respect to the environment, our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Hermann Romuss
Dear Joint Standing Committee members
I write to urge you to abandon the TPP deal in the interests of the Australian community.
The public interest cannot be protected under this deal and the sovereign risk is too great with the inclusion of the dispute resolution mechanism known as investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). This leaves Australia open to weighty corporate legal challenges and in the process hand yet more power to transnational corporations seemingly only interested in profits at the expense of both the Australian people and the national government.
The TPP deal leaves the national government unable to legislate in the public interest in areas such as health, especially medicines under the PBS and monopoly rights over biologic medicines and the environment.
Health sector groups have warned that several of the TPP provisions likely will increase pricing of mediclnes.
Australians are rightly proud of having a system that provides affordable medicines and it should be protected not squandered away behind a veil of secrecy.
While it does not follow that if some corporation sues it will win but the threat and fear of this type of legal action does deter governments acting in the public interest.
Others have noted with concern that environmental protections now and in the future will be weakened such as water pollution and fracking as corporations sue to reverse, dilute or have dropped protections that they otherwise must abide by
I will watch carefully the outcome of your deliberations and hope you will act in the best interests of the people and of the national government by rejecting the TPP deal.
Yours sincerely
266 Lorraine Wheeler lorraine wheeler
This TPP deal enters dangerous waters, it is of no benefit to Australians, quite the opposite, it leaves Australia vulnerable to the laws of the big corporations, who can dictate what we can and can't do in our own coun try, and has a special court to judge you on your decision and big fin es if you disobey, no jury no judge, the TPP means the end of democracy as we know it,is selling our coun try to the big corporations. It is extremely suspect when the deal has been kept secret. No wonder Robb has resigned, it will be no extra trade for Australia or America as top economists have predicted. Also most of America do not want it, and it is yet to be ratified the republicans have said no way will they pass it, what does that tell you! rose forsythe forsythe
Australia's fair system for access two pharmacy medicines has to be retained. Don't hand us over to any corporate organisation.
I believe the TTP has not been fairly and openly discussed with the Australian public and we have the right to know how our systems are to be signed away. This will result in unfair financial burdens on everyone.
I urge all members of the review to fully and comprehensively reject the TTP and all our politicians should respect such a decision and not sign up the TTP.
It is not good for Australia and Australians. Thank you for your time and attention to my concerns,
Regarding the above I am of the opinion that this agreement should be at least subjected to a productivity commission inquiry . If not the following clauses should be rejected -the Investor State Dispute Settlement provision as this will result in a loss of state sovereignty, this has been adequately demonstrated by the many previous decisions of the tribunal, --- The granting the pharmaceutical corporations the same monopoly rights for biologic medicines as they enjoy in the united states will result in much higher prices for our PBS and of course the Australian people --- also the clauses on intellectual property rights are certainly far to onerous. kevin Brown
I call on you to reject the TPP as I feel it is detrimental to Australians and to Australia. The only ones who are likely to benefit are multinationals.
As a company can sue a government if it doesn't make it's profit the TPP could lead to a flood of corporate law suits dealing with wages of employees or environmental laws that are perceived to reduce their profit margin.
It all also put the price of medicines at risk.
267 I am amazed that you are even considering the TPP which will give Corporations more rights at our detriment
Yours sincerely
Ruth Frommer Ruth Frommer
I am truly concerned that linking our pharmaceuticals with the TPP will result in many Australians being left unable to afford the medicines that they need to live a comfortable and or safe life.
This is not good enough, I have had my doubts over the TPP but have felt that maybe Government 'knew best' I now believe that we should really do a double take on this, so many Australians, especially those of us in the later stages of life, are already doing it tough as there were no 1st home buyers grants, no exemption from stamp duty, for women like myself no 'super' until I had almost reached the end of my working life. annie warner
I am now 70 years old, and finally, after making no demands on the Health system for most of my life, I need life preserving drugs. But I don't have an elastic wallet to suit the ever-growing appetite of the US pharmaceuticals industry, so I need affordable medicine.
The TPP agreement was conducted in secret. It excluded people like me from the negotiations. I have little or no trust in Andrew Robb. He is probably selling us out, like the rest of the government he represents. This is an anti-democratic, pro-corporate agreement, which I will actively oppose at the polling booth. Make it clear that the agreement is fair and in our interests. Tell us that medicines will not go up in price - and mean it. Willy bach
Dear Ministers;
The Trans Pacific Partnership is a dangerous deal that will sell out the Australian people for the benefit of international (particularly US) corporations. This is evidenced by special trade envoy Andrew Robb's recent hypocrisy on the topic. On the one hand, he has told the Australian community that the TPP would not result in increased costs to affordable medicines, while at the same time he has been telling the US media that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same rights over biologic medicines in Australia that they have in the US. This is detestable!
There have been other instances overseas where US corporations have sued or are trying to sue state or national governments for lost profits. One multinational is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage for their nationals. In Quebec, the state government was sued by a US energy company for passing environmental laws against fracking. Phillip Morris also sued the Australian government since the latter had introduced compulsory plain packaging on cigarettes. In each case, the greed of these corporations has blinded the plaintiffs to the insanity and heartlessness of their actions. They have put the love of money before human health and life. This
268 kind of behaviour - and the secretive attempts to get the TPP ratified - is almost a kind of environmental terrorism, where humans and the environment are expendable, all in the name of profits.
International trade is all very well but it must not come at the expense of human rights or environmental destruction. Please fight for a more equitable treaty, one where the rights of both individuals and sovereign states are respected, and not sacrificed on the altar of short-sighted, short- term economic gain.
To ratify this horrendous treaty would cause problems for people all over the planet, for generations to come. You must therefore give a resounding No! to ratification of the TPP. Vincent Zaniewski
I'm upset that affordable medicines won't be with in reach to my family and community if the TPP is not blocked by the government. Medicine is not a luxury item and the sector can't afford to have freedom to create and set pricing especially when there is no direct competition for certain medicines, leaving the manufacturer a full monopoly on the market. It will force people with no other choice to pay the inflated prices, and sickness is not something that a cooperation should benefit from. The thought of this should be disgusting to you. It's a basic human right to have access to some of these medicines. Jolie Boyd
Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Andrew Robb you and your Government are blatant Liars in the first degree. We know what you are up to and will do everything to bring you down. Joy Brotton
To the TPP Parliament's inquiry
On reading up on the Trans Pacific Partnership deal, I must express my concern about our Government being so eager to sign this agreement.
These days more and more multi- nationals seem to have ever more influence on Governments , ours included.
269 We must not end up, us citizens, having to defend our right to have affordable medicines, protect our environment and Internet privacy. And most certainly do not water down the workers right to a fair wage and save working conditions.
I urge those in the Government who think this is a good partnership deal to reconsider what we let ourselves in for. It's always the public that has to suffer the consequences of bad policies made by our Governments and pay the price, financially as well as in the well being of all its citizens.
Please do not sign the TPP.
Yours sincerely, William Weerts
I ask that Parliament reject the current Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
• Any trade agreement must protect every Australian's access to affordable pharmaceutical medicines and products. The wording of the TPP current agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement
• Any trade agreement must incorporate protections of Australia's environment. The wording of the current TPP agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement.
• Any trade agreement must incorporate protections of every Australian's internet privacy and freedom. The wording of the current TPP agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement
• Any trade agreement must incorporate protections of Australia's interests. We cannot allow our national and business interests to be impacted inappropriately by lawsuits from US Corporations. The wording of the current TPP agreement does not protect our interests. So please reject the agreement. meg savige
Please reject this dangerous deal!
There are too many dangerous possibilities opened up if this deal goes ahead. As ever, money and profits will take precedence over justice and fairness.
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Mr Robb told us that our pharmaceutical prices would not be affected BUT he told a Us publication that that they would have the same rights as they do there....which means we pay more for medicine we rely on.
270 Environmental protection laws could be weakened at this crucial time when they need to be strengthened . In Quebec , the provincial government was sued by a US company for laws stopping fracking!
Internet privacy and freedom will be threatened as the deal allows one's ISP to sry on you and report to the law.
Show some guts and stand up for Australians . Reject this Multinational scam! Barbara Dunn
I am calling on Parliament to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal in its current form for the following reasons
Andrew Robb has assured Australians that the government is not going to change the system in regards to affordable medicines. But he recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they enjoy in the US. That means these medicines would remain under monopoly patents for longer resulting in Australians paying more for them.
Additionally, the TPP's ISDS provisions allow multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts, without judge or jury, over legal changes that protect us but hurt their profits.
And the Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections that corporations must abide by, eg fracking or water pollution.
If the TPP is so beneficial for Australia, why hasn't the government allowed the public to read it? What else are they keeping from us?
Any deal that puts the interests of multinational corporations above the interests of Australian citizens is not good for Australia.
Please do not pass this deal without watertight protection for Australian rights and interests.
Yours sincerely
Susan Aird Sue aird
It has been claimed that:
Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
But he has said to the Australian public: we're not going to change the system.
These statements can't both be true!
271 So unless the Liberal - Country Party will guarantee to top up Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, so that members of the Australian Public do not have to pay extra directly or through taxes because of extended duration of monopoly patents, this clause must be rejected!
Thank you. Neil McGrath
I ask that Parliament reject the current Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
• Any trade agreement must protect every Australian's access to Affordable pharmaceutical medicines and products. The wording of the TPP current agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement
• Any trade agreement must incorporate protections of Australia's environment. The wording of the current TPP agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement.
• Any trade agreement must incorporate protections of every Australian's internet privacy and freedom. The wording of the current TPP agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement
• Any trade agreement must incorporate protections of Australia's interests. We cannot allow our national and business interests to be impacted inappropriately by lawsuits from US Corporations. The wording of the current TPP agreement does not do this. So please reject the agreement. Patricia Marini
I have heard very concerning reports regarding conflicting comments made by Trade Minister Andrew Robb regarding the Trans Pacific Partnership.
While he has been telling the voting public in Australia that the we have nothing to fear as the TPP won't change our medical system, he has also been recorded in a US publication as saying that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This will create a future of medical refugees within our own community. Many Australians already struggle with the rising cost of health care as Medicare is slowly dismantled. To allow the US pharmaceutical industry to run roughshod over our system would be devastating! This will put further strain on our hospital system as Australians are denied access to preventative drug treatments and present in acute stages of illness in emergency wards around the country.
If this deal is so great for Australia, why is there so much secrecy surrounding it! adam kell
I am writing to express my objection to Australia engaging the Trans Pacific Partnership due to the following:
272 1. There has been no discussion or discourse with the public about this arrangement nor have the details of this been disclosed
2. All discussions have been made with one person, Mr Robb, who does not speak for the Australian public and in no way was appointed broker of any deal involving the Australian public and overseas multinationals
3. The limited amount of information that has been gleaned about the TPP and Mr Robb shows that he is being duplicitous insofar as having told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US while reassuring the Australian public that 'when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP, we're not going to change the system'.
4. This partnership has been met with widespread disapproval by other fair-minded governments like Canada because of the propensity by large corporations toward litigation. When corporations associated with the TPP take issue with what they deem as interference, instead of negotiation, this has been met with costly litigation and counter bankrolling expenses associated with this.
5. As per the above, the TPP has shown to not be upholding of basic environmental standards and so would be hard-pressed to be upholding of Australian labour standards and other hard-won bastions that we consider as staples of the Australian way-of-life. These are not negotiable and certainly not by a government that is withholding information about the TPP while Mr Robb opines in our collective absence.
This federal government is completely out of touch with the Australian public if it believes that signing away our rights on a deal that benefits big business and diminishes standards for the rest of us, is acting in our best interests. Marian McIntosh
Dear TPP Inquiry,
The TPP represents the interests of major corporations (largely US) and is not expected not provide any significant economic benefit to Australia. Given the significant concessions that have been recently offered to the US pharmaceutical industry, the changes to IP freedom and most importantly the Investor State Dispute Settlement, it seems that most Australians will be worse off by their Govts decision to push ahead with the deal.
I strongly see the Investor State Dispute Settlement process as a loss of sovereignty. Australian authorities have a right to determine good policy without fear of being sued by foreign corporations.
The TPP is being billed by the current US Administration as levelling the playing field for American businesses. That alone should ring massive alarm bells as American businesses already dominate the global economy. According the Bloomberg the revenue of the top 6 US companies is equal to the 2015 annual GDP of Australia. The field is already tilted in their favour!
Yes there are some benefits in the TPP to Australian farmers but there are other trade deals that can be negotiated.
273 Australians do not want the TPP. Tim Connoll
I appeal to you to reject the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal because of the following.
I understand that Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we will be no worse off under the TPP.
But I have been informed that Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights in Australia over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This will mean that biologic medicines will be under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. Ian Thomson
I'm worried that the government is doing secret deals with foreign businesses to increase the costs of our medicines. I believe the foreign pharmaceutical companies are trying to extend the length of their exclusive production patents on life saving medicine. The current length of time is suitable and does not need to be extended.
People who can not afford the medicine will miss out and the government will have to pay the pharmaceutical companies lots of money via the PBS if these times are extended. This is not in the national interest.
Also companies can sue the Australia Government if they make laws against products. The Australian Government should be free to make laws without fear or favour. This TPP has lots of secrets from public and it makes me worried that there are more issues that can not be scrutinised by our media for fairness.
Cheers
Tim Tim Brown
Free trade, or selling out the national rights of our sovereign state?
Do not ratify this very dirty deal to give Corporations the right to sue our government and dictate to us how we decide to run our own country.
Philip Morris using Hong Kong jurisdiction to sue our Government over Plain Packaging for cigarettes which may affect their profits is but one example. We are a free and sovereign nation not a fiefdom of foreign corporations. Do not sell out to a few vested interests from overseas at the expense of national interests.
274 Keep our local conditions for our health care local; not selling us out over foreign patents for our medicine and emerging biomedical research. Keep our medicine affordable for Australians, not like America, where your income buys privileged access to expensive drugs.
Also at risk is our current Environmental protections; to look after land and water to avoid degradation, to gain profits before land care and environmental protections. Corporations should not threaten and jeopardise our protection laws.
Privacy issues are also at risk as it would allow ISP's to spy on our downloads and then be forced to pass on information to overseas copyright holders and enforcement agencies, in order to sue individuals.
Overseas food safety standards could also put at risk our health and safety standards where variations are in place; we are not the European Market where sovereign decisions of individual nations are regularly overturned to meet corporate profit margins.
Australian labour laws and protection for workers could also be threatened by increased access to our market and conditions hard won over a century of access to workplace Arbitration Commissions decisions put at risk, if we give in to foreign demands and threats of Corporations suing the Australian government to enforce their will on our workers.
Finally even in America, Senators are opposing the deal because it is not free and it is not about trade but about extending the reach of foreign corporations over areas of national concern. It could cost us our Internet freedom, Labour rights, Affordable medicine, Safe food standards and clean Air and Water.
Do not allow this dirty Corporate deal pushed by lobbyist's to contaminate your clear vision and straight thinking for Australia's future sovereignty.
Thank you. Jolyon Clarke
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties,
I am extremely concerned that the TPP will give multinational corporations the power to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect everyday Australians, but hurts their profits. An example of this can be found in Egypt where a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Giving multinational corporations this type of power is flat-out ridiculous and is clearly not in the best interests of the community.
It is very worrying that Mr Andrew Robb, Australia''s special trade envoy, appears to be telling two stories when it comes to the TPP. One story to appease the Australian public, and one story in the best interests of US pharmaceutical corporations. Affordable medicines and protecting the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, and workplace protection laws are key priorities to everyday Australians.
For the good of everyday hard working tax paying Australians I urge you to please reject the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
275 Sincerely, Zachary Watt
There never was sufficient open discussion and information provided for the general public and for the whole of the parliament on many elements of the TPP. It was presented to Australians as a fait accompli and terms and provisions were never widely aired and discussed.
We are fearful about at least two major parts of the agreement. There does not appear to be sufficient guarantee that Australians will not be subject to increased prices for our pharmaceuticals and there will be poor oversight of the purity and quality of the medicines.
Also, it appears that foreign mining companies could sue our government for passing laws to protect such vital items as our good farming land and our fresh water.
We also stand to lose control over such a thing as fair wages, which is a vital, long held component that guarantees workers in Australia, no matter what their background are all paid a decent wage.
We are alarmed at seeing the Egyptian government is currently being sued by a foreign corporation for raising the minimum wage. Australians should decide what corporations will pay our workers and should not be subject to foreign lawsuits.
These outcomes of the TPP were never widely aired with the parliament or the community!
We risk foreign companies being able to sue us for preventing fracking on valuable farmland, This is intolerable!!!
Please, we beseech you, as our parliament, to reject this hasty and dangerous TPP.
Malcolm and Carolyn Rice Carolyn Rice
I don't want my country to feel less a home than it is now. I want to feel confident that the government we as Australians elect is there to protect our rights and listen to our concerns. If the government of Australia can be sued by a corporation from outside of the country how can we have any faith in democracy and that our vote counts? We can't vote corporations in out out. Of course affordable medicines should stay that way and it'd be the ultimate insult to Australians as citizens to see our health system diminished for ordinary people by decisions made overseas by people we have never heard of let alone voted for.
My sister in-law died from cancer at the age of 41 six weeks ago and she and my brother spent thousands of dollars on medicines and treatment in the last year of her life. They had to crowd source funds from friends and supporters to survive financially at this time. Although we have affordable health care in Australia when things aren't going too badly it is when disaster strikes that it becomes unaffordable. This is because the drugs and treatment is more specialised and accessed much more frequently. If I am not mistaken these are the areas where the most profits are to be made and it's people going through what is the worst time of their lives who are impacted. I don't want someone from an already rich corporation squeezing another cent out of people already going
276 through great hardship and stress. So I don't want to lose an inch in the control we have as a nation over our own health system. We should never let anyone profit from our fellow Australians at their lowes t ebb.
I want our government to protect our sovereignty as a nation not only in times of war but at all times. Paul Christopher
This proposed T.P.P. Agreement would enslave all Australian businesses and consumers to untold corporate bullies.
Corporations would estimate profits from a business venture, and if the Government of the country in which the venture was to operate opposed it as being detrimental to the county and its citizens, the corporation would be able to' sue' the government for lost profits and the government would be absolutely powerless to do anything about it.
This treaty means that corporations would be in control of the government, the country and its people. thus the country would be serving corporate greed accompanied with poor regulatory standards for the environment.
Absolutely NO way can we accept it Jasmine Law
Members of the Joint Standing Committee On Treaties,
I am advocating that the TPP should be rejected. While it has been suggested that the TPP is for the benefit of all Australians, it is very clear that the Australian public is very much in the dark as to what the TPP offers and has never had the opportunity to discuss its objectives and merits. If the TPP is accepted, the Australian public will in effect be signing a blank cheque.
What little information is available, or has been exposed, about the TPP is concerning. In particular the TPP could expose Australia to corporate litigation that is seeking to undermine Australian law and the protection or benefit of the Australian public. Also the TPP could lead to more costly medicines, and work against the world regarded PBS. And further the TPP could impact the privacy and freedom that the Australian public has and expects while utilising the Internet.
At present I feel very nervous and concerned about the implementation of the TPP, and would ask that it be rejected until such time that it has been better explained, debated, understood and amended.
Thank you for the opportunity to express my concerns. David Davidson
I very strongly believe that Australia is a better place already than it would be under the TPP. We lead the world in protecting our citizens from the global death epidemic of the tobacco companies
277 but are already spending fifty million dollars defending our right to do this. We need to be able to protect against the global corporations that push the global epidemic of obesity through junk foods. The ability to protect our productive land and water from the devastation that comes with fracking and other environmentally dangerous mining practices. Trade throughout history has always failed the test of morality versus profit. Our country should always be able to be above the the immorality and corrupt practices of other countries and multinational corporations. I strongly urge the Australian Parliament to not sign away any of our rights to do things our way without being sued for doing so. I also believe in our right to privacy from foreign companies being involved in our he alth care. Malcolm Rickarb
Affordable healthcare, environmental protections and our privacy if not actually rights are certainly things that affect all of us. They should continue to take up a large part of the social contract between governments and the electorate. The strong expectation being that we can identify and obtain direct recourse to a responsible party.
Our government essentially risks privatising and outsourcing parts of that responsibility by abrogating their duty of care to legal provisions contained within the TPP agreement. The TPP is focused on business and profits and has been pushed through without our agreement when most of us think that healthcare, the environment and our privacy should not be for sale.
I ask that a halt be called to this process until such time when direct approval is sought and obtained from the electorate. Mike Burke
Former PM Tony Abbott claimed he was protecting Australia's sovereignty when he stopped the boats and made such a fuss and noise about that, that most Australians overlooked the fact that the country's independence and sovereignty were being handed to the world's corporations to do as they pleased - people just like you and I were being denied access to a free and democratic country and while the front door was slammed shut in their faces and desperate and needy people denied access, the back door was being held wide-open to corporations allowing them waltz in and do as they please and hold the country to ransom if it did anything that disrupted and challenged their access to profits. Robert McLean
I am really concerned about the TPP and its impact on Australian's access to affordable pharmaceuticals. It is very concerning that people such as myself with chronic health conditions will be adversely impacted if this deal goes through. it is not in the best interests of Australians. Affordable medicines and protecting the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws are key priorities which are not reflected in the TPP proposal. I am requesting you as our elected representatives object to this as it will dramatically increase the costs of medicines. I am very concerned that Australia will go down the US pathway where health and medical costs become out of reach for ordinary citizens. A Federal election is imminent and failure to
278 address these concerns will be reflected at the ballot box. A further concern of mine relates to environmental protections as under the proposed TPP Australian governments could be sued for passing laws tha t strengthen the environmental protections that companies must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. Do we really wish to hand over to another country the right to overturn our laws and interfere with our legislative practices? Please consider these issues very seriously. Karen MacFarlane
As a 76 year old pensioner with several chronic illnesses I am seriously concerned about Mr Robb's pending deal with the US. On the one hand he has assured the community that the current system will not be changed whilst telling a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they have in the US! I am alarmed at the fact that we will have to pay more for our medicines. We are taking enormous risks to pander to US pharmaceutical profits
Other concerns include corporate lawsuits without judges or jury, being sued over environmental protection such as water protection or fracking and Internet privacy and freedom.
I can only add my voice to many others I am sure who feel we are sold down the river to US pharmaceutical companies. We deserve better than this.
Jill Dempster Anthea Dempster
Oh, please, Mr Robb, stop telling the Australian public we will not be affected.
Do not rely on the vague minds that don't understand it, to ensure they will vote the way you want.
Be honest. You are paid handsomely to protect Australian people with honesty. You should act accordingly. You should explain to public how it works...not just sit there saying, It won't hurt.
GetUp/Sum of Us etc. will eventually pull you all into line. It may well take years and years, but those of your ilk will be laughed at (without mirth, I might add).
You will go down in history as one of the complacent, Party abiding, ineffective members of the Australian parliament that has left our descendants having to fight hard to right your wrongs. University students in 2100 will shake their heads and say, How on earth did the voting public let them get away with it?
Yvonne Tully Yvonne Tull
As a medical practitioner, I have, for many years been seriously concerned about the excessive prices of pharmaceuticals in Australia, due to the influence of 'Big pharma' US industry. The TPP is almost certainly going to entrench this more deeply. Robb and the Liberal Party crow about the
279 achievement of a trade agreement - it's what in the agreement that counts! I don't think there is much evidence that much-touted previous agreements have done us much good. some benefits for the agriculturalists, yes, but far greater losses for other groups in the community, and a loss of control of our essential rights under the legal system.. Rodney Syme
The TPP is just ANOTHER instance of this foul Liberal Government pandering to big business and their ultra-rich mates - at the expense of ordinary Australans who would be horrified if they knew the REAL RAMIFICATIONS for them once this gets through. This TPP agreement is bad news for the people who are just ordinary PAYE workers, and people on welfare, people like pensioners who have worked their whole life and dutifully paid their taxes, only to be cheated when they can least afford to be. But manna from Heaven for people like Silvertongued Malcolm and his mates. This pharmaceutical aspect of the TPP is just one small section that will adversely affect those who can least afford it - the sick and the elderly. This whole deal stinks and should be properly examined, and not by these dishonest people with a MORE THAN VESTED INTEREST. This whole deal sucks! Anne Heal
It is disgusting that Andrew Robb and the Libs/Nats are negotiating deals that contravene the sovereignty of the Australian people.
Australian laws, Australia's economics, our democracy, health future are all being compromised.
Interesting that he has resigned before the extent of the agreement is even publicized or revealed to the public and legislators.
The TPP will go down in history, I already know, as one of the greatest injustices to Australians - and a monumental example of how politicians and their vested interests ruin countries and abuse the power the people have given them to govern in their best interests.
Our medical system is fundamentally broken, with under 5% of our MBS system based on evidence. No-one to my knowledge has even CARED to investigate how little of the PBS is evidence based.
The cost of health in Australia is already prohibitive with the government showing culpable ignorance and a reluctance to act.
Be careful what you introduce: the ramifications are beyond the electoral cycle.
Australia is in a proper mess, and you are adding to the problems, and refusing to act on the real problems.
The fact that it affects health shows culpable denial of human rights, ignorance of evidence-based medicine, and pandering to vested interests.
It's a disgrace. Elizabeth Shannon
280
Please block the unhelpful and dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
It is of particular concern that US pharmaceutical corporations would have monopoly rights over biologic medicines to such a great extent that they would be the same as in the US. cooporations would be able to sue Australia if we try to protect ourselves legally.
Our own government would be hampered by overseas companies against providing needed protection for our own environment.
Please carefully study what is known about the actual benefits of previous trade agreements to understand how small or even negative is the benefit.
It is not rational to sign an agreement which has dubious value and would hamper a future responsible government from taking action on important issues such as antibiotic resistance, and many environmental problems. Hazel Green
I
Am writing to urge parliament to give the utmost scrutiny to the TPP BILL and having been made aware of the inherent dangers of approving it, to reject it utterly in the interests of the oriole of Australia whom you represent.
The biggest dangers are with regard to the following:
. Access to affordable nedicibe
. Corporate lawsuits against our government about anything that hurts THEIR profits
. Their lack of concern about our environmental protection
. Invasion of our internet privacy
Approval of this bill will have far reaching detrimental effects to all Australians, which may be costly and irreversible.
We are trusting our parliament to act in our best interests. Please don't let us down.
Thanking you
Betty Loos Betty Loos
I am very concerned that the TPP will ultimately favour the interests of foreign corporations over Australians with disregard for our rights as democratic citizens. The ISDS mechanism will allow large
281 corporations to sue our government over changes to law in Australia that affect their profits. These cases are heard in secret tribunals that have no independent judges.
The TPP gives big pharmaceutical companies stronger monopoly rights, which will push up the prices of crucial, and potentially life-saving medicines.
The TPP will bring a meagre 0.7% of economic growth after 15 years in Australia, as estimated by the World Bank.
The TPP contains weak labour rights and environmental standards that are not enforceable.
In short, the TPP's not in Australia's public interest and threatens our democracy. Graham Iversen
An under-handed deal is what it is. Affordable medications are essential to the bulk of the Australian population; this is self evident and under this deal, so far as I can see, we could see the cost of medicine sky-rocketing. Moreover, as a nation we may, in future, face floods of corporate lawsuits if multinational drug companies and other organisations, believe that their profits are under threat. Can we taxpayers afford that??
Secondly, our environmental protection laws are already weak; the likelihood of being threatened with lawsuits by multinational corporations who wish to degrade and rape our landscape (thinking here of our agricultural & marine sectors), is made even more likely by this deal.
Lastly, all Australians should be wary of a deal that enforces their internet service provider to report on individuals. This is surely a transgression of our democratic rights.
I hope that the parliamentary enquiry will take into consideration the concerns of the Australian public over a deal which is likely to be exponentially beneficial to multinational corporations, while simultaneously eroding the rights and benefits enjoyed by Australians. Robin Haines
Please think carefully before approving the TPP agreement.
That corporations are able to sue Governments because the government is looking after the environment and its people is absolutely beyond the pale!
That the big pharmaceutical companies are able to prolong the period before the medicines can become generic is absolutely abhorrent when patients are ill and need expensive medicines.
It is said the agreement will take years to make any difference to our government financially and when it does it will be approx. 0.07%. Why bother with it? Our benefits are almost at the bottom of the ladder anyway! Kenneth Shineton
282 I am very concerned that the Australian Parliament are planning to adopt the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership (TTP) deal.
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. This will mean that such medicines will remain under monopoly patents for longer, and we will pay more for the medicines we rely on. This is clearly a broken promise and will result in Australian patients paying more for essential medicines. We have been misled once again by this deceitful coalition government.
Please reject the dangerous TTP
Paul and Ann Hunt
Hope Valley, SA Paul Hunt
Medicines need to be affordable to all. We cannot be like the American system where people on low income or pensioners cannot afford medication for diagnosed illnesses.
As a government representing the interests of the Australian people, people who voted for you at the last election, your first priority should be what is the best and most cost effective medication and healthcare for the many Australians who rely on affordable medicines
Please think carefully about taking any steps that will jeopardize the system we now have in place to bring medicines to ALL the people of Australia who need them Raine Edwards
I disagree with the TTP first of all because of it's lack of transparency, if it's so great why aren't we told what it is. How can any government sign away the sovereinty of their country to corporate business, it is bad enough that they don't pay tax, but to be enabled to do what ever they choose in our land and to be able to sue the government if the government doesn't agree is lunacy.
It appears that once this deal is signed there will be no going back and that Corporations will be the only beneficiaries, in fact it will be much worse the general public.
I feel so strongly about this.
Sincerely
Elizabeth Young elizabeth young
283 Australia is one of the few countries in the world that has abolished tariff protections and I cannot understand why we then need to have free trade agreements with countries that still have protections on their industries, particularly their primary industries.
It is not creating a level playing field for Australia and the benefits that come our way will be very few. Meanwhile we risk our bio security, our food security, we leave our country open to law suits from overseas owned corporations, we risk our PBS scheme and our environmental safeguards. All without any independent scrutiny and in a deal done in secrecy.
I rely on a biologic drug to control my severe arthritis, with this drug I have been able to continue in full time employment until my retirement and still am able to make a significant contribution to running our farm. If this agreement puts our PBS at risk, I will no longer be a productive member of our society.
Our governments have forgotten who they represent and whose interests they serve, the TPP is just one example, but phoney agreements have been negotiated with China, Japan etc whereby our farmers are still locked out of their markets. China continues to export illegal and substandard products, such as products containing asbestos, electrical cabling that fails our regulations, inferior building products, whilst Japan continues to protect their farmers with huge subsidies.
Please put this agreement where it belongs, in the rubbish bin! Christine Barber
It is unconscionable that the Federal Govt would even consider signing the TPP when such secrecy has surrounded it's contents. Whatever happened to governing for the best interests of the Australian people ??
The answer to that question appears quite obvious. We are toadies of the US. They command and we obey !!
How dare the Aust Govt think of allowing a flood of corporate lawsuits over legal changes that protect us but hurt their PROFITS.
How dare the TPP proponents expect us to ruin our Health system to to please other countries.
How dare they expect smaller economies to limit their environmental protections to suit their countries greed for the last drop of profit no matter what the cost to those countries.
It is beyond belief that any Govt would believe that what little we know is likely to make the TPP palatable to Australia. We would become nothing but slaves to the wealthy 5% and be even more ineffectual in world affairs than we are at present. We have a great chance to make sure that our concerns are heard, because our Govt is already already going backwards when it comes to moral courage. NB We don't want the Americans flying bombers into Darwin. rosemary clarke
284
I am very concerned about the implications of the TPP for the sovereignty of Australia. We should be able to make our own laws for the protection of our citizens without being sued by corporations trying to protect their profits at the expense of Australians and our environment.
One area I'm particularly concerned about is the cost of medications. Under the TPP our medicines could become even less affordable as there is a possibility that monopoly patents could be extended even further. This would hurt sick Australians like myself in order to improve the profits of multi- national pharmaceutical companies.
A government that fails to protect its country and citizens against the ravages of corporations should not expect to be re-elected. Please review Australia's commitment to this agreement and either scrap it altogether or take it back to the drawing board.
Yours sincerely
Chris Schwar zChris Schwarz
Dear Sir or Madam,
I would like to urge you to do whatever is in your power to oppose Australia's involvement in The TPP. My most pressing concern is that by being involved in such a trade deal, Australia voluntarily strips itself of being able to pass laws which protect it's citizens, environment and economy if those changes impact upon the profits (or potential profits) of multinational corporations. A very good example of this was the case of Ontario, Canada having to abandon it's plan to develop a robust local industry in solar panel manufacturing after Japan and the EU took Canada to court citing unfair competition of WTO rules due to local content requirements. This is hardly a recipe for developing industry that protects our environment and promotes local jobs, and should not be a model to which Australia signs itself up for and for this reason (as well as many, many more) I ask you to oppose Australia's involvement in such a flawed agreement.
Sincerely,
Tristan Janle Tristan Janle
I am concerned about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). The TPP will place too much power in the hands of private companies.
Both the Productivity Commission and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission have said the TPP will give foreign investors the right to sue governments over domestic laws in international tribunals.These tribunals have no independent judiciary, no precedents and no appeals. So called 'safeguards' are weak and will allow private companies to sue the Australian
285 government if it seeks to pass protective legislation around health, the environment, labour rights and similar public interest regulation.
I am particularly concerned about the impact of the TPP on the Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme (PBS). As a person with a chronic illness, I rely on access to affordable medicines. The TPP will give pharmaceutical companies stronger monopoly rights. It provides a commitment to deliver up to 3 years of additional monopoly for biologic medicines, which could cost the PBS hundreds of millions of dollars a year for each year of delay in availability of cheaper medicines.
The TPP will have almost no economic benefits for Australia. A World Bank study has estimated that it will result in a tiny 0.7% growth in the Australian economy after 15 years.
The TPP is not in the public interest, and I urge you not to support the implementing legislation. Sandra Cockfield
Our health system with its subsidised medicines is the envy of the world
Providing affordable medicine for everybody is an incredibly cost effective way to ensure a healthy nation
A subsidised PBS scheme saves millions of dollars by treating health condititons early thus avoiding many expensive medical interventions later on
Allowing US pharmaceutical corporations to extend monopoly patents increases the cost of medicines which pressures our health system
The last thing we need is a US style health system which costs more and delivers far less.
Please stand up for our subsidised medical system
Please say NO to the TPP and its unfair secret deals pete lawr
I'm writing to express my concern with the proposed TPP currently under your consideration. I believe it will be detrimental to most ordinary Australians, benefiting only those who are already wealthy and powerful.
In particular, I am concerned that, in agreeing to the TPP, Australia and Australians will be giving away a large chunk of our sovereignty, our rights to govern ourselves and to protect our own interests. I realise these rights are under a cloud in Australia at the moment, where neoliberal doctrine is dominant in financial and political circles, but this will pass and a more community- oriented ethos will emerge in the future - at least, that's what I have to believe. But with a TPP in place, especially with the one being proposed, these changes to our possessive materialistic individualism will be very difficult to achieve. And in the meantime, life will become meaner and harder for those of our fellow Australians who cannot share in the prosperity that some are experiencing.
286 Please stop this TPP. Please do not allow our extreme right-wing government to give away our sovereignty.
Thank you,
Jenny Rankin Jenny Rankin
Please accept my submission to request a full and transparent investigation into the true beneficiaries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. The only winners will be the multinational companies who will have new power to sue the Australian Government over any laws which might put citizens' right over their right to make a larger profit. Of course, the Parliamentarians they pay to legislate in their favour might also be winners in the short term too. But longer term, even their families and businesses will be done over when they are no longer seen as necessary for profits.
The pharmaceutical companies, according to Andrew Robb, will have greater power to patent and charge exorbitant prices for their products - essentially holding nations to ransom. And of course they will be able to sue the Australian Government for even more money if they don't like any decisions made to benefit all Australians.
The TPP rides roughshod over any attempt to insist on Environmental protections, as yet again, the big corporations will be able to sue any Government if they don't like legislation.
Similarly, the TPP deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to breach my privacy and internet freedom at will.
These scenarios have been repeated time and again around the world whenever and wherever large multinational corporations have been given free rein. It will be the same this time, just legalised so the too big too fail will become even more untouchable than they already are. Capitalism has gone too far. Please put people and the facts of 'track records' at the centre of all discussions about the short and longer-term impacts of this narrow-minded deal. Lisa Newling
These are a few points that should surely cause you to REJECT the TPP:
Our government could be sued for passing laws that protect the environment, for raising the minimum wage, for a dreadful number of issues that would affect the PROFITS of Multinational Corporations. This is already happening in other countries around the globe (e.g., Canada).
The cost of necessary drugs will almost certainly rise.
Our internet usage will be legally spied on.
The TPP has not been properly available for scrutiny by Australians. This in itself should sound a warning.
287 We do not want to become like the U.S.A., which seems to be largely run for the greater profit of already obscenely rich people. Helen Cotsell
It would be best for almost all Australians to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal. It will make Australia vulnerable to expensive and destructive corporate lawsuits by allowing multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
It will also lead to significant increases in medicine costs, leave us open to being sued for protecting the environment, and allows internet service providers to spy on us. These are all terrible consequences Australian citizens do not want to suffer through.
Thank you for your serious consideration. Tim Bears
The Trans Pacific Prtnership treaty which is comng up for parliamentary submissions needs to be put under the microscope as I feel that we, the Australian public, have been left in the dark regarding this treaty as with every other so called free trade deal we have done.
I feel that these treaties are more to do with the the freedom of multi national corporations and less to do with the wefare of the citizens of the affected countries.
Can we have the truth concerning big pharmaceutical corporations and the prices we pay and how this will be affected? Can we have the truth about ISDS as I have heard the latest is for one corporation to sue the Egyptian government over raising their minimum wage. Other horror stories abound about the sovereignty, for that is what is under threat here, of the various countries involved in these treaties.
These treaties at the end of the day are less about trade and more about the ability of big business to move money, labour and pricing with complete freedom from oversight of the sovereign parliaments.
The Australian public deserve better and more openness and frankness about something as important to our future as these treaties seem to be. Colin Jones
As a voter and a citizen of this country I am writing to express my concern at the TPP which our Govt is embroiling us in.
I have concerns about the aspect of the deal which means that pharmaceutical companies in the US will still have the monopoly rights to certain medications. This will unquestionably affect the affordability of medications, some of which would be life saving, and would thus have a direct effect on those who are the most vulnerable. The Govt HAS NO RIGHT to put the interests of major money making enterprises before the rights and health of its people.
288 I also have concerns at the possibility of the Govt being sued for strengthening environmental protections. If this happens environmental disasters could occur which could be permanent, or take years to recover from. The environment needs protecting from companies whose only interest is in making a quick dollar, with no attention to the long term consequences.
I am also concerned at the possibility that big companies may be given the power to due over legal changes that may hurt their bottom line. Again, this is putting the interests of big business above the ordinary worker, who is never in a position of power.
I am also concerned at the suggestion that internet providers could be given the power to spy on its users. This is big brother becoming fact!
I know the saying money makes the world go around is probably true, but it looks to me like the Govt is putting the environment, and the health and privacy of its citizens below big companies.
Shame on you, you are selling us out!
Do not go ahead with this in the current form.
Marian Wright Marian Wright
To: The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties,
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen
I understand that you are tasked with reviewing the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal before Parliament makes a decision on this very important Trade deal.
I urge you to follow in the footsteps of France who have refused to sign it, until the Investor State Dispute mechanism (ISDS) of the TPP is removed.
Mr Mattias Fekl, French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade said
He would never allow Private Tribunals in the pay of Multinational Companies to dictate the polices of Sovereign States, especially in the fields of health and environment.
I have many more objections to this TPP especially the secrecy surrounding it as I understand that most politicians have not had sufficient time to research and ascertain its benefit or otherwise for our country; which is not only undemocratic but proves there are unacceptable terms in it...otherwise why the secrecy?
I urge you to reject this deal until the ISDS is removed.
With all good wishes
Biannca Pace
Ministry for Peace - Australia Biannca Pace
289
I don't want the TPP, I think that it does not help ordinary Australians or Australian companies.
I believe that it helps big multi-national corporations pillage overseas countries like ours. Andrew Robb did not help to protect us from ISDS's and that's a tragedy.
It should be put to a vote by the people or at least the people should be allowed to see/know what is contained in the deal. It definitely should not be secret. Secret deals are not honest deal they are dirty dishonest deals done by lobby groups to increase their profits no matter who gets hurt in the long run.
I will not vote for any party that supports the TPP. Marcia Herbst
Dear Committee,
I would like to voice my concern about the proposed TPP. As it stands, it very hard to see how the TPP is in Australia's interests. Protecting the monopoly rights and market share of international mega-corporations, which as we've seen recently pay very little tax in Australia due to legal loopholes, really can't be good for our country. Healthcare in Australia is taking a steadily increasing share of tax dollars, so how is extending patents on expensive medicines owned by foreign companies going to be good for our national budget or the affordability of medicine in general?
The recent Turnbull government vision of Australia paints us as agile, innovative, disruptive and dynamic. It is hard to see how protecting the the profits and market share of big international companies fits this vision. I hope you will look at the really bigger picture, and not the questionable calculations of people wanting to promote the TPP, when considering the worthiness of the proposal.
Best regards,
Randall Wayth. Randall Wayth
The Australian public are not stupid. Is Mr Robb fishing for a job offer from a multinational drug company, knowing his government is on it's last legs.
Blind (and deaf) Freddy can clearly see the TPP will not benefit the majority of Australians. We used to have one of the best medical and pharmaceutical schemes in the world, but our benefits are being eroded.
There needs to be a penalty for any politician or government worker who distorts the truth and misleads the Australian public.
290 I do not want our medical providers to go the way of the USA, because of some politician, making 'deals' that benefit rich people and companies overseas.
I am hoping the USA will not ratify the agreement seeing as the LNP and others will not act in the interests of Australians. Christene Cole
I have read about the TPP for five years now, and have noted that the public citizens in this world have been kept out of the TPP negotiations, along with journalists, and that even now after signing the TPP we still have no assurance of how long it would be active , does this TPP agreement mean an endless timeframe with re-negotiations along the future timeline?
This is NOT a 'Trade Agreement' it's all about LITIGATION through courts that don't have Judges or Juries, it's about COPYRIGHT and PATENT theft, all of these are catered for by the Law, we don't need or want the TPP to be enacted, get rid of the ROT before it's too late. thank you , Tony Nirta Tony Nirta
Tony Abbott broke all records for lying to the voters - & it seems that this makes it OK for Andrew Robb to keep doing so in his absence.
I was VERY skeptical when he assured us it would not impact the cost of medicines - & now he is assuring the drug companies that they can do exactly what was intended by the TPP; basically, whatever they WANT - at our cost.
OK Guys. Just keep on selling us out. Contrary to what you think about the voters, we are not ALL stupid - or gullible. There's an election coming. Jo Macdonald
Everything I read suggests you folks will be selling out the Australian people for bigger profits for foreign multinationals! Why do you do the things you do? Trying to force vaccinate the children of our country with toxin laden vaccines! You suppress effective cannabis cancer treatments, causing suffering and death to millions of us! you risk poisoning our waters with fracking, you engage in wars with peoples on the other side of the globe and bill the taxpayer for the weapons you buy off your American friends! What's really going on with you people? These actions will never make a better world, and one day you will no doubt get an opportunity to live with the consequences of your actions! But this insanity need to stop, you can turn your life around and do better for all our sakes! The clock really is ticking folks, please do better. With Love, Clive Clive Lohre
The Australian people have had less and less reason to trust our government(s) over the last 3 decades I've been voting.
291 Allowing an agreement with such massive and widespread ramifications for the entirety of our economy in both the immediate and long term to be passed under a veil of secrecy continues this dangerous path of distrust and misinformation between the government and the people.
The health system in the US is one of the most grossly inefficient in terms of patient care/cost in the world and if the leaks are true we are binding ourselves to a similar situation.
For decades people have been writing about the dangers of a surveillance state and the misuse of collected data- either by government to suppress populations freedoms or by lone agents gaining access to said data- and the TPP takes several large steps down this distopian path.
Finally the one environment we share is going to be even more difficult to protect if governments are unable to legally take action if it impacts corporate profits. And guess what- every action that reduces monopolies, opens up trade options or puts in place environmental protections will impact corporate profit.
Corporations exist solely to generate profit and they will NEVER account for public health, social well being or any form of greater good unless legislation modifies the equations such that it is the only way to continue to profit.
In this regard they are mindless, and voracious.Our governments need as MUCH POWER as possible to channel that mindlessness into the least dangerous paths. Nigel Heslop
I have strong concerns about the provsions of the treaty including multinational corporations suing Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits, and government being sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Further health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. Also the deal locks in the ability of my internet service provider to spy on me and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Please block the TPP. Matt Willson
Dear Members,
I am concerned that the arrangements proposed under the new TPP will not enable Australian citizens affordable access to modern biologic medicines. I understand that the Minister The Honourable A. Robb has told the pharmaceutical industry that they will receive the same monopoly rights over such medicines as is current in the USA. Confirming other reports I have read. I further understand that such an arrangement will prevent the Australian Government from negotiating cheaper and affordable access to these modern and important medicines in the future. Thus restricting the excellent coverage provided by the PBS.
This is not satisfactory or fair for Australians.
292 The second issue that I make submission on is the ability of foreign corporations to sue the Australian governments in private and secret courts over issues such as the anti-smoking laws or even our hard won work conditions.
I understand that there are some valuable features to the TPP but we must weigh up the profits and losses and as a citizen I believe these losses are too great to wager away on predicted trade issues. We should reject the TPP or bargain to protect our hard won and valuable lifestyle.
I therefore ask you to consider these points in coming to your decision.
Yours sincerely
Peter L Kaye Peter Kaye
Secrecy when practiced by government is almost always wrong. When it is practiced over a major international trade deal that will effect all Australians for an indefinite period is unconscionable. When what was told to the Australian people about the effect on pharmaceuticals is contradicted by the negotiator to the overseas beneficiary it amounts to treason. The Australian people have been sold down the river by ex minister Robb,who has announced his retirement from politics presumably to take up lucrative oppertunities with the corporations who will benefit from these deals.The Australian taxpayer ,however,will be paying much more for these medicines indefinitely, Australian drug companies will be disadvantaged, Australian universities will be denied access to vital ingredients and data to develop new and better drugs and Australian patients will be denied access to potentially life saving medicines. What are the upsides to this deal? We lose our nations independence to l egistate against environmental vandals,and trade with the USA has fallen and in the current political climate there it ts unlikely that they will ratify the deal anyway.If the Australian public was aware of what was really been signed in their name there would be an uproar.I urge all members of Parliament to vote down this disastrous deal ,irrespective of instructions from their party bosses max sutter
I strongly believe that Parliament should reject the TPP because it is not in the long term interest of Australia and Australians. I have read numerous articles involving independent analysis of the TPP, in so far as this is possible, given the extreme secrecy surrounding much of the TPP negotiations.
The TPP gives excessive protection to multinationals at the expense of Australian sovereignty. The TPP allows multinational corporations to sue Australia over legal changes that protect us and our environment, but that hurt their profits. It is outrageous that these multinational corporations - the very entities that have been shown to indulge in worldwide tax dodging - are being given yet another boost to their profits at the expense of the host countries in which they operate.
I am also concerned about the monopoly rights of big Pharma in relation to biologic medicines. It seems that Mr Robb is making reassuring statements to Australians whilst saying the exact opposite to US pharmaceutical companies.
293 Whilst the US is free to ruin its own land and groundwater supplies, for example via fracking, it should not have the same rights to bring about environmental destruction in Australia. As various environmental articles have often pointed out, when you can't breathe, nothing else matters, and when you can't drink the local water, nothing else matters. If you don't have clean air, water and land, you simply do not survive.
Surely it hasn't escaped the Government's notice that the clean and green food and health products currently produced in Australia are driving our exports to the fastest growing economies in our region - namely China and potentially India. Our clean and green production depends on our ability to pass appropriate environmental legislation, to protect our land, water and air, and this will be under threat from the provisions of the TPP.
As well as all the negatives associated with the TPP, numerous articles have pointed out that the TPP will add very little to Australia's GDP - certainly, much less than we are trading away.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Jane Tarran Jane Tarran
On the grounds of 'nothing to fear, nothing to hide' alone the secrecy surrounding the TPP, along with refusal to allow independent analysis of it is enough to make me very concerned. The information of the contents that has seen the light fully justifies this concern for the diminution of our democracy.
In simple terms what can be the benefit to the Australian population of enabling foreign corporations to take legal action, in private, against laws designed to protect us? Two known threats are those to the control of pricing of pharmaceuticals and the risk of corporations attacking laws designed to protect our environment.
I urge you to reject the TPP Richard Vaughan
I am concerned that the TPP will undermine Australia's ability to pass laws that protect the interests of its citizens. I do not see any significant benefit to the TPP, and see a number of threats to our well being and quality of life.
In particular, I am concerned about the risk to affordable medicines. I have been helping to care for my 94 year old mother-in-law, and would not like to see changes which would cost us or other taxpayers more as a result of a ill-considered and poorly scrutinised deal that was put together without consulting the wider public.
I am also concerned about possible restrictions to our ability to pass laws that protect the environment, and the legal costs that the taxpayer would bear to fight legal actions brought by foreign corporations. By definition, corporations are not concerned with the well-being of the wider community, but only with their bottom line.
294 As an example, I note the action brought against the government by Philip Morris to fight the plain packaging laws for cigarettes). Even where the action is won, we still incur costs, and the threat of action will make it harder for legislators to look after the interests of the wider community.
Finally, speaking as an entrepreneur whose business relies on the internet, I am also concerned about any deal which would undermine the privacy and freedom of the internet. This is simply bad for business.
We were not consulted about the TPP and we did not vote for it. Please reject it.
Yours sincerely,
David Hayward David Hayward
I have had concerns about the TPP for some time and am writing to express my doubts about its impact on ordinary Australian citizens. Most of us feel powerless. Our politicians do not listen to our concerns and, unless we live in a marginal seat, our opinions are ignored.
My primary concerns are:
* Affordable medicines: From what I have read about the TPP, US pharmaceutical companies would have the same monopoly rights over medicines that they have in the United States, meaning that the prices of many essential medicines will increase.
* Corporate lawsuits: I understand that the TPP gives multinational corporations the right to sue Australia in private corporate courts, without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but hurts their profits. For example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
.
* The environment: I also understand that our government could be sued for passing environment protection laws that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, a US energy company sued the Quebec government for introducing laws that stopped fracking in order to protect groundwater and land.
* Invasion of the personal privacy of internet users: The TPP allows internet service providers to spy on users and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
I do not understand why our government is prepared to further destroy our environment, give away the rights of Australian citizens and open us up to the possibility of taxpayers having to pay huge amounts to big corporations just for wanting to protect our clean air, our water and our productive farming land. What are we gaining from this deal that could possibly compensate for these momentous losses? Helene Richards
295 In Australia we have been able to assist people in poor health with our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for decades now. This has enabled those with chronic and life-threatening illness to be able to afford costly medicines.
Andrew Robb seems to have prevaricated with the Australian public by implying that nothing will change once the TPP comes into effect but I would challenge that!
Among many other concerns, I fear that once enacted, the TPP would mean that huge multinational pharmaceutical corporations would be able to charge high prices for medicines we once could obtain via the PBS.
Please ensure that this does NOT happen. Anni Cameron
I am seriously concerned about the TPP that has been kept mostly secret. It is now obvious that the reason for this is that it contains a number of agreements that undermine the long-term best interest of Australia.
It is going to negatively impact on the affordability of medicines. It will make it difficult, if not impossible for our government to enact laws to protect our environment, health, and workplace protection.
This TPP agreement is also exposing our governments to corporate lawsuits in private corporate courts without judges or jury over any legal changes that governments make to protect us, but hurt corporate profits.
Additionally, the deal demands that Internet providers spy on its customers and report possible copyright infringements.
Other independent reviews of the TPP suggest that the TPP agreement puts us in a position of selling our sovereignty for no economic benefit.
According to a report by the World Bank those benefits and jobs will not be going to Australia. In a comprehensive economic analysis it says the benefits to Australia will be next to nothing.
The World Bank says TPP would boost Australia’s economy by 0.7% by the year 2030. That would give an annual boost to Australia’s growth of less than one half of one 10th of one per cent.
The Productivity Commission has also been critical of aspects of the TPP saying that it is more of a preferential agreement than a free trade agreement. It offered to carry out an economic analysis of the agreement from an Australian perspective but was turned down by the Turnbull government.
Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel prize-winning economist is highly critical of the TPP. He says it may turn out to be the worst trade agreement in decades.
There are many valid reasons why Parliament should reject this dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal where only corporations will benefit at the expense of Australians and our sovereignty.
So I ask you to totally reject this agreement.
296 Regards,
Denis Hay Denis Hay
Of all the negatives I consider regarding the TPP the one that worries me the most is its likely effects on environmental protections. We, collectively, are not doing a good job of that anyway. The TPP will make it even harder.
As an older person I am concerned about the price of medicines should I need them in the future.
I believe that this measure has nothing whatsoever to do with bettering the lives of ordinary citizens in the participating nations. It will benefit the CEO class, the bottom lines of corporations and thus shareholders. It seems, reading about the U.S. primaries, that workers and the unemployed there are waking up to the detrimental effects of earlier so-called 'free trade' agreements. Let's hope they do in Australia too.
Please reject this troublesome measure.
Yours sincerely,
Jeff Young j Young
As a concerned person within the community, I would like to express my dissatisfaction about the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
Although we are hearing that our current system wont be changed, biological medicines will rise in price at the counter due to longer term monopoly patents.
Please do not browse over community alarm over these changes which will impact on workplace protection laws, our environment and health.
On a personal note, I work with a large number of people with disabilities. Many have psychiatric conditions and others have a wide range of health issues that require safe medications at reasonable prices. These people live simple lives and often, without good health, they have very little left. These people are some of the most disadvantaged in the community. The TPP will disadvantage them further. I do not want to see this happen. I hope you feel the same.
Please also carefully consider the potential for the government to be sued for passing new laws which strengthen environmental protections. This will leave the government only 2 options : escaping legal consequences by relaxing much needed laws - or putting them off, or otherwise paying up for the breaches. Neither would be a positive outcome!
Thankyou for your time and consideration.
Yours Sincerely
297 Stephen Corry STEPHEN CORRY
I strongly appeal to the government to reconsider Australia's proposed agreement to join the TPP.
As a pensioner who has increasing dependency on pharmaceuticals to make my life more bearable, it concerns me greatly that we would choose to join a cartel-like arrangement that will ensure that the pharmaceutical industry can extend the patents monopoly of medicines that many of us rely on. This can only result in the certainty that our medicines are much more expensive than they could otherwise be, in many cases making them unaffordable.
This cannot possibly be in the better interests of The Australian public. Margaret Lockwood
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Is this true? Has Mr Robb & his government cronies been telling lies to support their corporate donation base?
How much of our Australian independence is proposed to give away?
Why has so much been done in secret? John Hungerford
The Australian Parliament's TPP Inquiry
The TPP is dangerous to Australia's interests (economic, social, agricultural and health) in multiple ways. It is unthinkable that we plan to sign away, wittingly and willingly, our rights to our own governance for our own best interests.
Among the most dangerous of the TPPs provisions is that governing the pharmaceutical industry - most of which is under the control of US corporations.
Australia's government is elected to govern for Australians. We have one of the most EFFICIENT and EFFECTIVE health systems in the world - and we are one of the longest-lived populations. These facts stand in stark contrast with the US experience - with one of the least efficient, most expensive health systems in the world, and with an average life expectancy that is close to that of the Cubans!
298 How galling to find that we are now in danger of signing away our right to make and defend our own laws on issues including when it hurt the profits of the multinational companies that already pay us no tax.
The additional, needless costs to Australians caused by extended patents are completely antithetical to the supposed benefits of the TPP.
The TPP exposes Australia's efforts to protect and sustain our environment to the threat of legal action - again, putting our lives and livelihoods at risk. There is no evidence that the TPP will provide benefits to Australians that outweigh these risks - instead, the financial benefits seem likely to flow to other nations while the costs will be borne by Australians.
In so many ways, the TPP appears to maximise the benefits to large corporations and to minimise the benefits to the citizens of any of the countries involved.
It is sad to see that there has been so little effort to seek out and implement alternative ideas to enhance Australia's prosperity that do not require us to sell ourselves, our land, our water, and our innovative systems (such as Medicare and the PBS and strong tobacco control; labour laws and environmental protections) to private corporations in other countries. This is NOT investment in Australia, in Australians or in our future - not only will there be few benefits, there will be many and very large harms! Please do not sign! Marilyn Wise
If the TPP is such a good deal for Australia how come it has been negotiated with such determined secrecy?
Despite the secrecy and consequent lack of detail we do know that the TPP still includes ISDS provisions that will allow multinational corporations to sue Australian governments, putting our health care system and environmental standards at risk.
Why do that? What possible advantage can there be in signing away our sovereign rights? On the other hand I can see that such a move gives corporations the legal right to over-rule Australian law if it interferes with their profits.
I call on parliament to reject this agreement. Carlos While
Dear elected representative,
I am concerned about the secrecy of the trade deal signed in our name without any of us having rights of review. In the real world we would not buy anything sight unseen. I am also disturbed that the deal has no official economic modelling done by Treasury or the PC. Again, in the real world none of us would sign up to a deal without knowing its cost.
This is one example of why I feel right to have concerns. Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
299 But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Extend that to media laws, industrial laws and environmental laws that can be overridden by foreign corporations, and I question our sovereignty and the value of my vote.
Sincerely,
Paul Isbel Paul Isbel
The Australian parliament should reject the TPP because it is diametrically opposed to our national interests. It would be used to lead to corporate lawsuits brought to protect the interests of multinational companies. It would increase the cost of medicines even those on the PBS, thus increasing the pressure on Medicare. It would override our environment protection laws against fracking and land degradation. And finally, it would be an attack on our right to privacy on the Internet.
Accordingly, I am calling on the Australian parliament to block the TPP. yours sincerely,
Ian R. Yule Ian Yule
You know all this but let me repeat it;
Multinational corporations can sue Australia for pricing hurting their profits - wrong !
Under the TPP corporate rights and interests are binding, whereas provisions to protect public interest are non binding and are guaranteed to get shafted - wrong !
Health sector groups have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing - wrong !
My government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by - wrong !
Internet privacy and freedom - stop acting like Hitler / North Korea
Excessive copyright terms will deprive the public domain of creative works don't you dare censor what I may read
DRM removal will be a crime even though the content I download has been legally purchased. This one really, really annoys me. Its my book, it belongs to me not the company that sold it to me.
300 You call the liberal party a free speech / democratic political party but there is no way secret trade treaties are synonymous with free speech and democracy Ray Ireland
I am 100% against the TPP. I am concerned that the TPP will impose upon the sovereignty of Australia as a nation. For example, under the TPP there is a chance that tobacco companies could sue the Australian government for our current packaging laws as they have a negative impact on the tobacco company's profit margins. There could also be legal action from pharmaceutical companies if the Australian government doesn't give them monopoly rights over medicines which could lead to higher prices for essential medications. The TPP negotiations have been conducted dubiously in the shadows without public consultation or a referendum. It could trample on the sovereignty of this nation and place the population at the mercy of unscrupulous corporations which is unacceptable. Andrew Robb says 'we're not going to change the system.' What he really means is, 'we won't change the system unless big tobacco, big pharma and any other big corporation threaten to sue us.' A Roper
If the TPP is such a wonderful deal for Australia, why have the public seen or heard nothing? Only after whistleblowers allowed the public to see some of this bill were we assured in a vague adervistement by the government that the TPP was a fair deal and there was nothing to worry about. Global corporations could read the deal but AUSTRALIAN parliamentarians were denied access. If there is nothing to hide then LET US SEE THE TPP. Let us all discuss The Transpacific Partnership in an open forum. This deal affects every Australian and we want to see what this deal really is. Jordan McIntosh-Webb
To whom it may concern,
Please reject the TPP as it is not in the best interests of Australia or the Australian people.
Mr Robb had not been honest about the TPP and frankly I believe any perceived benefits will be far outweighed by negatives flowing from this agreement.
The TPP is an open ended and largely untested agreement and despite what we have been told we will be worse off under this.
Please reject the TPP as it undermine's our nations sovereignty and really only offers minimal advantages.
The risks are too great.
It is imperative you reject the TPP in the interests of current and future generations. Nicola McNaughton
301 Does it not surprise that we have been deceived by our government in regard to the TPP with USA.
New Special Trade Envoy Robb who negotiated this deal promised that there would be no negative impact to our economy or sovereignty.
This seems not to be the case as the Big Pharma of the USA now have monopoly rights over our biological medicines which will result in prolonged delays in patent freedom as occurs in USA.
Furthermore prices will rise and the threat of our loss of sovereignty regarding being sued for laws made here by our government in regard to these products.
The same threat applies to Governmental strengthening of environment laws; if it does not suit these companies they will sue.
Again as a consequence of this invidious arrangement our internet freedom is in jeopardy regarding any possible copyright infringements.
Entering into and agreeing to the ISDS clause will threaten our independence and sovereignty and the many arguments against this clause alleged by Envoy Robb as deliberate scaremongering clearly indicates that this whole TTP with USA should not be signed.
The only real beneficiaries of the TPP are international Big Pharma. Garry Scarf
I am extremely unhappy about what I'm hearing about the the Trans Pacific Partnership deal. It seems to be extremely dangerous for all Australians. So why is the government of the day supporting and working towards this?
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring us, the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
I don't understand. Mr Robb can't have it both ways. Biologic medicines under monopoly have patents for longer, which means Australians pay more for the medicines we rely on. This costs us all more, including the government. Why would anyone support this? This does not add up!!!
So I'm very wary and I ask this this TPP be rejected unless you can show convincingly that this is in our best interests. At the moment on the information we have been supplied, it sure doesn't look like it's good for Australians Roz Hart
I am a private citizen. I do not trust the way the TPP has been formulated in secret. It is not good enough for Government to keep TELLING the public that it'll be good for us.
302 ALLOW some rigorous investigation of whether or not it will be good for us, eg, in cost of pharmaceuticals, laws which will hamstring our passing of environmental protection measures etc. A lot of what is going to happen will be TO OUR DETRIMENT AND VERY HARD TO UNDO.
Shame on the Turnbull Govt for this secrecy!
How can we begin to trust you? Nan Stone
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. This means we pay more for Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer. This will cause harm to consumers who need affordable medicines.
Under the TPP, Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australians, but hurts their profits. So, for example, this means Australia cannot introduce plain packaging laws in the future to protect Australian consumers.
The ability of our government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws for protection of Australians are key priorities. The TPP enables large corporations to sue our government for passing laws to protect our environment.
The deal allows my ISP to spy on me! What about protecting my right to privacy?
I am very concerned that by signing the TPP the Australian government of the day is surrendering its sovereignty to Multinational Corporations. Susan Parker
dear Parliamentarians,
I participate in the democratic process by voting for a law making system that I expect will use its power to promote the wellbeing of our country and its residents.
I understand that the Transpacific Partnership puts your ability to do your job at risk by you second guessing how corporations might respond when you decide on policies: that is that they might sue you if your plans effect their profits.
I count myself fortunate to live in a society that has affordable medicines. I hear that some citizens of the U.S., an affluent society, cannot afford prescription medicine . Despite the public assurances given by the Trade Minister that our system will be protected I believe he has made statements to the contrary to a US publication.
I understand that there is very little independantly proven benefit, if at all, to being part of this agreement.
I cannot fathom why you would approve it. Please reject it.
303 yours faithfully
Denise Weelands Denise Weelands
Please do not give away Australia's right to control its own laws and public policy. Australia is the envy of many people in the world for the conditions that we live under. Your job as my representative in parliament, and an employee of the Australian people is to protect Australian interests, not those of the multi nationals. We can do it alone. I don't care if I have to take a pay cut. Independence and the ability to chose the conditions under which Australians live is infinitely more important to me. Nothing good can come from this deal. End the secrecy now. Empower Australians with the information and allow them to exercise their democratic right to chose their won future. Penelope Shorne
Australians have always supported the notion that we are the welfare state even though our welfare policies have been changed and slashed by governments in power over the last 10 years. But the he current government has just shown the Australian public that our health system is going to change by pending cutbacks in pathology, restricted use of medical pharmaceutical goods through the PBS- and the possible eradication of the PBS all together over the monopoly of the US pharmaceutical corporations which Andrew Robb has signed Australia up to. But now we find he hasn't told the Australian public the truth.
Now the financial pain will increase due to the deal that Mr Robb quietly agreed to with the multinational countries, which in affect, means that a monopoly exists between these groups and Australian have lost.. It means that vaccines, medical drugs and even scientific research will now be costlier to the Australian public right across the board.
And, if a patient whose illness is being researched by an Australian medical scientist /company to find a cure for some debilitating disease or other medical problems - and they happen to be successful- then the US Pharmaceutical companies win because of the TPP agreement which Mr Robb has signed Australia up to . It means the person (patient) or groups will have no legal right in holding his / her medical cure in Australia because it will be taken out of their hands and given to these big Us Pharmaceutical companies. When this medical scientific research discovery is sent off to these US companies it is patented and as a result these US Pharmaceutical companies will charge the patient, groups and others with the same medical problem thousands of dollars for their, perhaps very debilitating ilness. This in turn prevents the TGA to allow it to people through the PBS.
As we have not been told the truth by Mr Robb this part of our medical right are not going to be met. Mr Robb has duped the Australian people therefore should be rejected by the Senate. pamela mcintosh
304 To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP Review
I am writing this submission to you because I am very concerned about the Trans Pacific Partnership. I believe it to be a dangerous and unacceptable treaty for Australia.
In the first instance the provisions in the TPP about medications is especially and personally worrying for me. I have a brain injury, a compromised endocrinological system, chronic mental health issues, and diabetes. I rely on the Australian PBS every day of my life. As I see it my health and my life are compromised under the TPP proposal. I cannot afford to pay more for my medications and this is exactly what will happen if the TTP goes through unchanged. I do not see the advantage of making pharmaceutical companies richer than they already are and people with medical conditions poorer. Who are the Australian politicians trying to protect? Rich and unaccountable for profit businesses or Australian citizens? If this was the benchmark for ratifying or not ratifying the TPP ten Australian citizens should be the winners. This is not just my individual concern, health sector groups also warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
I am further concerned about the secrecy around the proposals for the TPP. The Government has not been open and accountable to the Australian community. They have not convincingly explained how the TPP will benefit Australia. The TPP as it now stands does not provide for adequate protection of our sovereign rights such as environmental, healtha dn workplace protection laws. Under this TPP multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Again our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Privacy and freedom of the internet is also at risk as the TPP locks in the ability of internet service provides to spy on people and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. Again privacy and transparency are infringed again.
Regards from Narelle Patterson
Given the far reaching consequences that may emerge from the TPP such as the further corporitisation of the world, giving corporations leave to prosecute governments for loss of earnings due to laws enacted by government. In a climate of fear over the government's ability to adequately fund health care, the idea that pharamaceutical companies may have the power to increase medicine costs with longer copyright protection is very worrying. I have always been proud of our quarantine laws. Can they be affected under the TPP? That the present government is stating that the TPP is in our best interest is of no comfort to me. Our Goverment has lied to us in the past to suit the own agendas. I also think of the refugee situation where the public is told it is not their right to know what goes on in their name.
305 Make the the TPP completely public. If a plebescite is considered necessary for the introduction of Same Sex Marriage legislation then surely the TPP requires a plebescite also considering the TPP will affect all Australians. We are told it will be beneficial to Australia. Lets have a yes or no education campaign culminating in a vote. Geofrey Wiese
The TPP is indeed a partnership. Its members are NOT sovereign countries but instead the doyennes of big business who have come together in the greatest scam that would allow them to destroy the power of the people by destroying the power of our elected governments. Of course I can't prove this but it is evidenced by the MANY aspects of the great deal. The latest comes from the very mouth of Australia's trade minister responsible for supporting Australia's case in negotiations.
Apparently he has accepted that our health system will become like USA's.
Our health system is still one of the best in the world, DESPITE being under almost continuous assault by those who fail to see that the USA system is only good if you are wealthy and a disaster for the rest of the population.
WE DO NOT WANT THEIR HEALTH SYSTEM. Alan Distel
I have several concerns about the TPP. This type of agreement is designed to help major corporations operate in any way that maximises their profits, and they provide them with a right to sue the Australian Government if any government policy impacts on their ability to maximise profit. This of course means that the Australian taxpayer pays legal bills and any other amounts that may be won under the terms of the agreement. As most major corporations pay little or no tax in Australia they will not be footing the Bill.
This means that any Australian Government now or in the future can be hampered in policy-making in areas of great importance to the Australian people, such as environmental issues and health care, to name but two.
These agreements also have an adverse impact on Australian jobs, and jobs for Australians.
In my submission these agreements are just con jobs on the Australian people. The TPP should be rejected. Jennifer Dwyer
I am aware that the government is intent on submitting to the TPP deal. I am extremely concerned that the health and welfare of millions of Australians like myself and my parents and their older friends will suffer for it. I also do not believe our economy needs it.
Our society, unlike that in the US, is relatively free of fear. I believe that this is because we all know that if we should fail, there are services that will take care of us, and that medicines will generally be
306 available. In the USA, people suffer extreme hardship, and that seems to be OK with their government and the corporations that own it.
I don't want to see that kind of suffering on that scale here in Australia. I do not want our society to be such a fearful and violent one. Our government policy should not be dictated by multinational corporations or other governments. Not even if they blackmail us or wave nice economic incentives under our noses.
Please reject the stipulations of the TPP. It will be a raw deal for the Australian government and for all Australians. Marra Apgar
In reviewing the commentary of the TPP during and after its formulation, and noting the negative conclusions of world economists concerning the (lack of) long-term benefits for subordinate member economies, I strongly oppose the Federal government's attempt to lock Australia into this mega economic trade agreement.
Not only does it continue the steady decline of public control over major elements in our economy and related policy; it now introduces potential external interference with our legal process and is highly likely to reduce our standards across a range of industries.
As a retired hospital pharmacist with first-hand experience of international pharmaceutical companies' marketing and pricing strategies, I am most uncomfortable with the TPP treatment of the very successful Australian medicines and health services regulatory and pricing mechanisms and policies. To undermine these in any way will be a disaster for the health sector of this country.
This aspect of the TPP is so obviously being dominated by the US health industry and its private health focus (in itself a disaster for most Americans): Australia should reject any move towards a US- based structure for the provision of health and medicines in this country, and certainly should eschew its toxic litigation reputation in this area.
Because of this, and the many examples of disempowerment of industries and public authorities enshrined in this Partnership, I ask that the TPP be rejected by the parliamentary enquiry. David Hillman
The passing of this bill would allow for the comercialisation and manipulation of disadvantaged Australian citizens who require life-changing medications on an every day basis. A particularly cruel injustice on already inconvenienced individuals and families.
It is ridiculous to offer companies the ability to sue our nations governernment over protecting our land so they can increase their profit margins by disregarding common sense for the environment.
Internet survailance is the kind of intrusion one might expect to see in a communist country. It is downright unacceptable and disrespectful. It sacrifices peoples privacy for, once more, profit.
307 The TTP is just another way for comercial companies to steal away money by tricking people out of basic human rights.
Burn it. Ailsa Jean
The TPPA has been negotiated open to the influence of corporations but closed to the public. The result is predictable. The ISDS provision is the most appalling example of this, effectively ceding Australian sovereignty to international corporations and cartels. I would be amazed if this survived a High Court challenge. It it did it would reflect extremely badly against the government and the courts. What is the benefit of the TPPA? Next to nothing as independent economic analyses have shown several times. Once again the government has caved in to corporations at the expense of consumers, workers and the environment.
The electorate will not forget the betrayal of the people by our representatives in parliament. Graham Shepherd
To whom it may concern in the Australian parliament,
As an Australian citizen I am most concerned by the lack of transparency that seems to be current with the TPP.
Firstly I expect the government to protect the rights of all Australians and allow for a situation where medecines are accessible and affordable to the majority. We should not be doing deals that protect big companies making big profits. Health sector groups have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
Secondly I have been informed that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Protecting our environment is extremely important to me and as a 68 year old professional woman with children and grandchildren I think we have a responsibility to look after our environment for the future and not be subjected to the power monopolies that look after short term profits.
I expect the elected government of the day to listen to people's concerns and represent us.
I hope that you will reject the TPP.
Yours sincerely Judith Berry Judith Berry
If Parliament is truly democratic it would reject the TPP as an affront to our democracy, standards of living and freedom. Corporations should not be handed such power to dictate their will over our
308 democracy. Corporations have proven time and tim again that they have little concern for our health, environment and future in their pursuit of profit and share holder returns. Monopoly rights of pharmaceuticals is a terrible precedent and will hurt the most vulnerable - a terrible reflection of parliament and of our society. The lack of media coverage and honest discussion causes great concern and I can't believe that this in any of our interests. Are these corporations benefitting from this TPP deal making political donations to ensure progress? I have no confidence in the TPP deal being in Australia's interest, certainly overseas in Japan and New Zealand there has been outrage. I don't want corporations running our country, I want representatives elected and serving the commu nity for the common good. There is no good to come of this and it will certainly take Australia down a dark, bleak path and in a direction that undermines Australia's progress and sovereignty.
Please stand up for your community and not corporate interests and give Australians' faith in our Parliament. Geraldine Tartan
I being a voter am totally against the Tpp being a penisioner I cannot afford expensive medicines, neither can low income families, also I do not think that we should be sued by major corporations in private courts over legal changes that protect us and hurts their profits.
I am totally against fracking look at the mess they have made of it so far and do not think we should be sued by corporation for protecting our environment just because it hurts their bottom line.
Also i consider my privacy is just that private no computer spying my government knows all about me as for the rest of the world take a hike none of your business.
Politicians need to be aware that there is a general election just around the corner?
Wendy Moulton Wendy Moulton
Please reject the TPP.
We don't want US pharmaceutical corporations to have control over what we pay for our medications here. They do not have the best interests of the australian people at heart.
We don't want corporations to be able to sue the australian government for imposing regulations that protect our environment but affect their profit. They do not have the best interests of the australian people at heart.
We don't want to jeopardise our internet privacy & freedom by locking in the ability of internet service providers to spy on us & report to other agencies. They may not have the interests of the australian people at heart.
In giving the go ahead to the TPP we would be losing too many checks & balances in the system that protect us, for dubious gains, Yvonne Walter
309
I want you to reject the TPP deal, it will raise prices of medicenes, which as a pensioner i cant afford. I deeply object to our country accetpting this deal. Health isnt the only objection i have to it, what sane government would agree to the clause which allows other countries to sue our government if they change laws and their companies lose money. This is OUR future and no other country should be able to tell us how to run our country, or be able to sue us cause they dont like the decisons our politicans make
Why isnt the government putting our needs first, fed up with the sellout to big corporations and America noels trindall
I request that the TPP be blocked for many reasons. The secrecy of the terms of this agreement greatly disturb me. The facts brought to my attention by Getup are of even more concern.
That our Government can be sued for an action taken in the best interests of Australians is deplorable. That our pharmaceuticals would be inferior, more expensive and in some cases not available to us is criminal.
I am greatly concerned and again make the request for the TPP to be blocked. At the very least there needs to be crystal clear transparency.
Thank you
Carmen Hopson Carmen Hopson
I am writing because I believe that the the Trans Pacific Partnership is a bad deal for Australia and for ordinary Australians, and must be rejected by the Parliament.
Is it just or fair for example, that under the deal multinational corporations will be able to sue Australians in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits? For example, our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. This is not a fantasy; In one current example of this kind of thing , a US corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. And the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Is this what we want for our country? For our own laws and protections to be at the mercy of foreign corporations?
Health sector groups also warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase the price of medicines, and it also appears that the deal will lock in the ability of internet service providers to spy on their customers and report possible copyright infringements to enforcement agencies.
310 I call on our elected representatives to look beyond blind ideology, block out the baying of the corporate lobbyists and ask themselves who will really benefit from the TPP. Will it be the average Australian, or will it be foreign multinationals? Don't compromise our sovereignty. Reject the TPP! Gary Bryson
The TPP will weaken Australia's sovereignty, and expose us to massive lawsuits for protecting the environment, or human rights.
If this wasn't the case, there wouldn't be the desperate clamour for it by transnational corporations.
The whole thing depends on secrecy. If ordinary people knew what it meant, there would be mass mobilisations against it.
Andrew Robb has just been exposed telling the Pharmaceutical companies the truth which he has been denying to the Australian people about just who will win or lose on medicines.
Further, what sort of Government signs on to a deal which compromises its citizens internet privacy?
I ask you to act immediately to reject this anti-democratic, secretive deal which goes against our national interest, and the health of our environment.
Yours sincerely, Don Stokes
To the Parliament's TPP Inquiry
Our former Prime Minister, Mr Howard, resisted having our health system and access to medicines watered down to please the money hungry American pharmaceutical corporations. He will be remembered for putting Australians first. What is Mr Robb doing? Exactly the opposite and selling us out, we must not let this happen.
Does this Government not realise that it could be sued for millions and millions if multinational corporations or other entities happen to think their profits could be hurt? Please think again and look around at examples of what this sort of thing means: i.e. Egypt - being sued for raising the minimum wage - UNTHINKABLE!
Québec in Canada - for stopping fracking to protect water and land - also UNTHINKABLE.
Will our Government suddenly find itself unable to enact laws to protect our health, the environment, the workers - UNTHINKABLE.
Australians will not stand idly by to be told what to do and how to live by foreigners trying to change and damage our way of life and all for money and more money. This is OUR country, OUR lives and the TPP MUST be rejected outright - there is NOTHING in it for us. Australia must remain master of its own destiny.
311 Respectfully yours, Louise Dyer
Most Australians naively elect politicians in the belief that their job is to make decisions that protect ALL Australians from the greed of large corporations, whether local or foreign.
Instead, we find, time and again, that our pollies are either in the pockets of those corporations (keeping an eye out for their post-pollie job opportunities), too overawed by the Big Boys (especially American), or too stupid to even understand that they are selling us out.
How do WE benefit by allowing Big Pharma to have long monopoly patents? We don't. We have to pay more for longer. This from politicians who keep telling us that we have an expensive health system which we cannot afford - but they are happy let Big Pharma charge more for longer. WHY?
They have also signed TPPs that give companies the right to sue a government should any government action damage their profits. Increase in pay rates? Sue the government. Restrict mining? Sue the government. Stop the importation of possibly dangerous goods such as contaminated foods? Sue the government. Ban fracking? Sue the government. Ban Guns? Sue the government. Pass any law that that might result in lower future profits for some Big Corporation? Watch out, they will sue you - and many of them have more money than the whole of Australia, more lawyers, more unscrupulous managers. Aileen Hewat
I am 62 years old and increasingly find myself despairing at the way our country is becoming more and more under the influence of multi-national corporations and especially the big pharmaceuticals. Why do we have to kow-tow to the US and be told what we can and cannot put on our pharmaceutical benefit scheme and how long we have to wait until generic alternatives become available? Being sick is the worse thing to happen to a person (I have had breast cancer) but not being able to afford medication is immoral. Even the US provide their aged population with free medicare. Please prevent the TPP going through especially on pharmaceuticals. I am aware that we live in a global environment but surely our sovereignty in our own country must take precedence over global dictates.
Sincerely
Mrs Marilyn Coleman Marilyn Coleman
I am tired of politicians constantly making the wrong moves, or deals. Why would a government support something like the TPP, when it can only mean more problems for Australians? Such as, having to pay more for medicines, especially those who require expensive, barely affordable meds.
Affordable medicines, along with our government's ability to do the right things concerning the environment, health, and protecting workers from unfair workplace actions, such as: unfair pay, getting rid of workers for no good reason after they have been used up for a few months, instead of
312 the possible secure job they were falsely promised, and other unfair treatment, should be the governments first priority.
Do the right thing. Heather Stallard
I am so disheartened at the influence that Big business/Multi nationals have over so many governments. This is disastrous for every country signing the TPP, and only good for the multis. How disgracefl that my government would be part of this, and it of course leads to disillusion with poloitics. You already know how the TPP will truthfully impact on the whole of this country (and the others), and you already know how the multis will benefit, eg: pharmaceuticals, ciggarette mnfs, coal miners, old fashoined fossil fuel diggers, lobbyists, and all the middle men (where are the women in all this?) along the way, I don't have to reiterate what you already know.
The greed, dishonesty and loss of rights and income of the ordinary people beggars belief, and to have it all wrapped up in santimonious clap trap is the most insulting of all.
Think the right thing, speak the truth and behave with honour. It is not too hard. Amber Griffiths- Marsh
Some of the unacceptable consequences of the TPP agreement are :
A flood of corporate lawsuits: Multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Affordable medicines: several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
Environmental protections: the Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on their clients and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. John Anderson
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP
With international analysis indicating that the Australian economy in terms of growth will beneifit just 0.7% from the TPP and the analysis of the Free Trade deal with the US costing not contributing to the Australian economy and our welbeing, I am particularly concerned abut the secrecy that has surrounded Andrew Robb's processes of negotiation, excluding even the involvmenet of experienced
313 bureaucrats. especially when knowing that US corporations and the public have been kept informed of the details.
Now it has been said that Andrew Robb has negotiated away the protections of the PBS and that the Coalition Government is heading us ever closer to the high cost low efficiency US form of health care, in spite of all the research and analysis that clearly shows the case for avoiding this course.
Will you please ensure that the complete TPP documents are made available for independent, public, academic and bureaucratic scrutiny?
We were told that the Coalsition Government was holding out against the ISDS provisions being pushed by the corporations. Now we learn that through the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits.
We now understand that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
We further understand that this deal locks in the ability of our internet service providers to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Pleasde work to protect, not the wellbeing of corporations but rather of the other 99% of Australians, by properly informing us of what has been signed on our behalf and by taking the necessary measures to wind back commitments to measures that cost so dearly but compensate us so poorly.
Regards
Margaret Clausen Allan and Margaret Clausen
We all want to support and encourage business and investment in Australia and its ensuing jobs. However, of higher priority is the overall wellbeing of our country and society measured on many dimensions, not just raw financial figures. In respect of the currently proposed TPP this goes to the very heart of the idea of our sovereignty and our ability to protect ourselves from, for example, imports we deem to be unacceptable for reasons which are reasonably defensible in a court.
Do not support a form of the TPP that would give foreign interests special rights, such as proposed under the ISDS. At best foreign interests should have the same rights as local interests, and arguably less than that. The separation of powers in Australia should be good enough that exercising or defense of such rights should be in a court of law - an Australian court - the same as for local businesses.
There are already examples of treaty shopping (eg Philip Morris), and payouts under ISDS clauses that are significant with respect to a country's GDP. Further, it is easy to imagine how companies - mostly big Pharmaceuticals - could adopt a commercial strategy like that recently evident from Turing Pharmaceutical, where they buy up the right for an important medicine and then hike the price extortionately (~5000%). Then craft an argument to sue Australia under an ISDS for loss of
314 profits based on that high price when we take actions to defend ourselves against such price gouging.
Does the TPP as proposed adequately protect us against absurdities such as Veolia suing Egypt for an increase in the minimum wage?
Even if it is BELIEVED to protect us from all the above suggested possibilities, special consideration needs to be applied to the developing business model of exploiting and gaming treaties, not just as Philip Morris has or Turing Pharmaceutical might.
There is potentially so much to be won by companies in such disputes under ISDS clauses that there are third parties willing to finance such behaviours. And many of the companies that are most likely to sue Australia under an ISDS are quite possibly those same companies that we, at large, feel are not paying their fair business tax currently. Further, Australia simply being in the right does not necessarily protect us against settling such disputes with massive payouts when parties are experienced and resourced to exploit legal tools as a business model. Barry Ihle
I don't want multinational corporations suing Australia, because it's us the people who will end up paying for YOUR mistakes. I don't want unaffordable medications the only choice for the lower income brackets, and I certainly don't want those bombastic, egotistical corporations telling us what they want to do even when it is not ecologically viable or suitable in our country - Remember the saying I didn't inherit this earth, I'm only borrowing it from my children - and I want to give my children and grandchildren a better place than what we've received from the governments of the last 50 years. Cathryn Hunt
The TPP is a secret deal that corporations want to push onto sovereign nations without the losers in the deal finding out. Protections that governments rightly put into place for the good of their people will be undermined by the greed of companies trying to maximize their and their shareholders' profits at the expense of consumers. We say NO to corporations running our world, our governments and our lives. Why is there zero transparency in the development of this deal? It is only so that it can be ratified without anyone finding out they have been sold out utterly and completely to big companies, who with their huge profits already own politicians and decide policy.
When and how did we allow businesses to get 'too big to fail'? How is it that now they are unconditionally 'entitled' to profits, sans risk? How is it that Corporations now have more rights than human beings?
The TPP is not a trade deal, but a grab by corporations of the power to earn profits without regard to health, environment, liberty, safety, dignity, equity, freedom from exploitation and freedom of information.
Irene and Eugene Moreau Irene and Eugene Moreau
315
The TPP will be detrimental for all signatory nations. It will allow multinational corporations to sue countries in private courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect human life and the environment but hurt corporate profits. Governments could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. Under similar provisions in another agreement, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for enacting laws that banned fracking to protect groundwater and land.
The TPP will also increase medicine pricing, stifle creative use of materials that are currently in the public domain, prevent countries from championing local products or creative content, prevent consumers from knowing how the products they consume are made, and allow internet service providers to spy on citizens. It will do all this without appreciable benefits for the majority of citizens in the signatory nations.
I call on you to reject the TPP. Renata Colwell
I would like to ask the parliament that represents the citizens of this country to reject the secret treaty, the TPP, negotiated without any scrutiny by the public. The treaty opens the possibility of our supposedly sovereign government being sued by unrepresentative multi-national corporations for such acts of self-protection as decent environmental laws, reasonably priced medicines and laws that clearly protect the public interest as opposed to the interests of global corporations that have no interest whatsoever in public welfare. We still have the opportune time to reject this appalling secret treaty - I urge you to act on this in the interest of the Australian people who have elected you as their representatives. john tomlin
Dear Parliamentarians,
I was an active climate scientist from 1968 through 2010, with 57 peer-reviewed scientific publications. I was awarded the Sverdrup Medal by the American Meteorological Society in 1999, and I was a Chief Research Scientist at the time I retired.
I am deeply concerned that the TPP can be used -- as other trade Treaties have already been systematically used, see Naomi Klein, 'This Changes Everything' -- to permit deeply unethical practices such as fracking Australia's farmlands to keep going, despite the terrible destruction that follows from it. (Google 'Fractured Country' for a 42 minute movie of what I mean.)
Quite frankly, I regard fracking as a Crime Against Humanity -- especially given that Climate Change stands to make farming steadily harder all over the world in the next few decades, by the increase in frequency and intensity of climate extremes. Every one of these extremes -- droughts, floods, bushfires, heatwaves, windstorms, etc -- are going to make farmers' lives ever more marginal, year
316 by year until CO2 stops increasing (and for several decades beyond). To destroy working farms, and the aquifers beneath them, for the sake of some small quantity of material which should stay underground anyway in order to slow global warming is utterly wrong.
If the TPP allows corporations to sue us for banning fracking, then the TPP will require us to betray our absolutely essential primary needs, for the greater profit of thoroughly unethical foreign corporations. Signed, Stuart Godfrey
I have watched the TPP saga unfolding with great disquiet. I understand that preliminary work needs to be done behind closed doors, but I am not happy about the attempt to push this through Parliament without scrutiny. This inquiry is very important, as it is our last chance to ensure that very very important deal is actually going to be beneficial to our nation.
I am concerned when I hear about monopoly rights for US pharmaceutical firms. I am concerned when I hear about multinational companies having the right to sue the Australian government over Australian legislation that is in Australia's interests but hurts their profits. I am concerned when I read that analysis of the benefits of the TPP show effectively nothing in it for us.
I urge you to reject the TPP in its current form and send the clear message that Australians won't be sold a pup.
Best wishes for your deliberations,
Jane Wright Jane Wright
Dear Members of parliament,
I am appalled that the Australia Public are being lied to over the TPP.
I am appalled that my generation and and ALL future generations will lose their freedom to choose affordable medicines.
I am appalled that Australians will run the risk of being sued millions or billions by multi national corporations for re negging on agreements made by money hungry idiots.
I am appalled that innocent people who wish to stand up for our basic rights of free speech may now be arrested.
I am appalled that our beautiful country is now being taken over by multi nationals who are destroying our food producing areas, our forests, farms and our native wildlife.
I am appalled at the state of affairs which our so called democracy has become.... none other than to be a paid puppet to the mining sector and multi nationals.
Heaven help us all! Diti Dickson
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Dear Members of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
I wish to register my concern about the effect of the Trans-Pacific Partnership on the price to the consumer of common medicines.
Mr Andrew Robb has recently been outed in the media for telling the Australian public that some medicines' prices would not increase because of the TPP but telling a US publication that Big Pharma in the USA that their patent protection rights would be preserved under American law and hence generics would not be available nearly as early in Australia as they have been.
I have been insulin-dependent since 1977 but, thanks to the PBS scheme, I have been able to live my life pretty much unaffected by my diabetes (except for having to test and inject myself 1460 times a year!)
I calculated that, although I have paid out about $17000 for insulin and another $12500 for test strips and other diabetic paraphernalia over the years, the cost of these and other medications required to keep me alive must have been of the order of $125000.
I'll probably retire sometime in the next couple of years as I am now 64. I would like to think that I will be able to afford to pay for the latest biologic medicines as they are developed as I grow older.
I don't know which of Andrew Robb's scenarios to believe him about but if it is the second one, I worry that my superannuation may not make it possible for me to live very long after I retire at all.
I would feel a lot more confident if the TPP was found by your committee to be too disadvantageous to Australia in general to be worth signing.
I think this probably is the case.
Yours sincerely Andy Edwards
To the Parliament's TPP inquiry .
PLEASE NOTE :
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury , over legal changes that protect US but hurts their PROFITS .In one example a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage !!!
Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increasing medicine pricing --- GREAT !!!
The deal locks into the ability of our internet provider to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcements agencies - blatant civil rights violations
318 And MUCH MUCH more , THEREFORE ,
Please carefully READ the ENTIRE TPP documents before making your decision
Thank you for Australia Gilbert Chaillet
Firstly, I am most concerned that our environmental protections will be further eroded and that our public purse will be eroded due to being sued by big companies that do not have Australia and it's environment best interests at heart, rather it's about their profits being maintained or increased at our expense.
I am also concerned that vital medicines will be made unnecessarily expensive and that they will be too costly for Australians to afford or will blow out the costs to the public purse if on the PBS.
The whole TPP process has been secretive and therefore likely to NOT be in Australian's best interest and it concerns me that the Government is still attempting to keep information under wraps.
Please do not pass the TPP - I do not believe that it is primarily in the best interests of the Australian people. We will regret it if you do, as down to track when it's too late to fix it, we will be outlaying millions $'s to Multinational Corporations. As a result, there will be less money for hospitals, schools and infrastructure with a flow on of less money circulating in our economy to create prosperity for Australians.
CoVianna Young CoVianna Young
This agreement was hammered out in secrecy because those wielding the hammer knew very well that if negotiations were done in public, the agreement would never eventuate. I am against agreements made in secret; I am for open government.
But I am also opposed to THIS agreement because I am sure that on balance it will be bad for Australia and Australians but GOOD for US business. We have plenty to other free trade agreements, and how much of our beef is allowed into the US? How many of our dairy products? How much of our sugar?
Here is a realistic definition of Free Trade Agreement, including the TPP: an agreement between the USA and another country or countries which benefits both or all parties, but ESPECIALLY the USA. [I KNOW this; I am FROM the USA.]
Toss out the TPP!
Remember too Libs, what happened to you when you tossed out the original Medicare. bill Barnes
319 All politicians - from whatever party - need to protect the Australians that elected them from the damage that will be wrought if the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership deal goes ahead in its current form.
Australians value affordable medicines, the environmental and corporate protections we currently have.
The proposed TPP will destroy these.
Deep down, you all know but many are too scared of the sacred US cow.
It's not fair that Andrew Robb - who won't be around to see the wreckage - has so much power in creating this agreement.
Be strong and stand up for Australia as we know it now, and not one where our current protections are destroyed. Sue Watson
Whilst the electorate has been undemocratically barred from the TPP negotiations, enough of us have seen enough to know what it is. It is an unfair travesty that will further weaken our economy and surrender our sovereignty to multinational corporations.
I for one do not want a US style copyright system, where companies spend a ridiculous amount of resources suing each other and everyday citizens over trivial matters. I certainly do not want to give these companies the ability to sue our government. And I do not want to give pharmaceutical companies more profits at the cost of people's health.
Please do not approve the TPP, it is blatantly obvious that it benefits neither Australia, nor the Australian people. Adam O'Dell
I am a constituent of Mr. Robb's. I cannot possibly live on the pension. Just this week I cut my medicines in half as I did not have the money to pay the pharmacist. Soon I will have to cancel my internet service and now have to decide, do I no longer pay house insurance or health insurance.
The TPP has been negotiated in secret, why? It is we the people that you work for not big business. We need to know what the TPP means for us, we need to know that Australians are being protected. We have a great pharmaceutical system, one that helps all patients not just the rich, a system based on egalitarian principles. The TPP is going to make us just like the USA. A greater gap between rich and poor, a system that punishes the poor. Obviously no one has learnt the lessons of history…if you take away all hope the people will revolt. Susan Bell
320 Please consider carefully before signing any deal that will effect our pharmaceutical standing. I know too many people who through no fault of there own (those who have looked after themselves & worked hard all their lives) who now have health issues that require ongoing medication.
To have the burden of illness topped with a struggle to pay for treatment is not one anyone wishes to contemplate. Think carefully, it may be you or someone you care about that may end up needing a drug or treatment that will be unattainable if the TPP allows monopoly rights to the pharmaceutical companies. Deirdre Roads
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
By any definition, he (the government) has been lying to us and the parliament. Why are they so secretive? Who will benefit? Not the Australian people. Has Robb set himself and some mates up with a cushy retirement job and income at our expense? Something smells very fishy in the government side of the House of Representatives. (or is that a misnomer? We don't seem to be represented very well at all.) Please block the implementation of this secretive, unequal treaty until it is presented to we, the people and our representatives openly, honestly and without the usual LNP spin. Ian Carter
The secretive way that Rob and his team have conducted the 'negotiations' on this agreement stinks.
Not only does the Govt. supposedly represent the Aust voters, but also Liberal party supporters are kept in the dark.
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what gets hidden from the electorate by the likes of Abbott. We don' t know what Rob and Co have hidden either.
Like Abbott, this Govt, is purely and simply untrustworthy.
If the TPP continues to be hidden, the Govt will not have my vote at the coming election.
Remember, the Govt has not yet rescued itself from the Abbott debacle. peter fimmel
The Honourable Andrew Robb
Dear Sir,
321 My life partner is dependent on 12 different medications plus a neural stimulation implant. It takes about three months for us to hit the Medicare threshold each year. My partner is on the Disability Support Pension and I'm lucky enough to have part-time work to balance earning enough to get by with caring for him. He is half a point off qualifying for Carer Allowance and Carer Payment which, in any case, would not be enough to cover our costs. We do not own a house so rent is an extra cost over many others. We live very quietly, do not smoke, drink, gamble or eat out.
Yet, we ran the company that did the first external R&D project for Bluescope Steel, successfully completed several ground-breaking projects for the CSIRO, sold IP to the CSIRO for them to commercialise plus my partner is the person who made public the method for transferring data between countries on the internet before the advent of the World Wide Web. He was also involved in the design of the implant he now uses when working at Teletronics. A technically brilliant man who has given much to this country.
Medical price hikes would hit us hard for the months before hitting the Medicare limit, especially as my partner is allergic to several medications which mean he must use high-end preparations. Despite this, the cocktail of drugs necessary for his well-being dull his brain to the point where he sleeps off the effects. They are eroding the intestinal wall and causing internal bleeding. He needs an operation to extend the use of the neural implant in order to reduce medication.
Like many others, our company went under due to the GFC. There are no assets to speak of. I cannot help feeling there are others in the same situation - lost everything, scraping by with no hope of ever working again.
I would like to point out the people on large amounts of medication are most likely to be on capped income, mostly from the government. It seems to me that keeping the price of medicines high will only cost the government and those who are most in need. Shirley Chester
Dear Senators,
I have not read all of the TPP. I expect my representatives and TPP reviewers to have read it and to put Australia and the Australian people first in any agreement made, whether it is a supposed trade or any other agreement.
Sadly, this does not seem to be the case as in previous instances ie Mark Vaile's American Trade Agreement when copyright was extended to 70 years after the writer's death. How did this one, simple example put Australian people before American organisations?
Here is another extension ie biologic medicines which deems Australian people second rate to US corporations by slowly eroding our medical system by increasing costs. A system which involves every Australian from birth to death. How does paying more for pharmaceutical medicines improve our medical systems?? If it doesn't improve it then it must be a backward step. It just doesn't make sense...
That the TPP committees couldn't give any information relating to the proposals to Australians or citizens of other TPP countries is a concern for everyone. Our freedoms are being devalued.
322 That overseas corporations can sue Australia for laws that the Australian people want is ludicruous. We are wanting better laws protecting our environment, food safety standards etc not a free-for-all for overseas corporations.
As i said previously, I have not read all the TPP BUT I, and many other Australians like me, expected Mr Robb to put the Australian people first - sadly it seems he has not done this and our only hope is that the Review Panel will do what Mr Robb has not.
TPP Review Panel, PLEASE stand up for Australia and Australians and say NO to this disheartening, backroom deal...
Judi Choat Di Brown
I am opposed to any signing of the TPP currently because:
1. I do not feel there has been a full, public or transparent conversation and education regarding consequences about whether Australia should sign or not.
2. I believe without such a public conversation, that the TPP if signed, weakens democratic process with laws that do not look after Australian citizens's needs, but does look after multi national corporations.
3. I do not believe the terms 'Free Trade' and TPP are equatable in any sense of definitions and should not be pushed on Australia as such.
4. I believe that while multi nationals do not pay appropriate tax when doing business in Australia, the TPP should certainly not be signed. I believe these corporate Tax laws need urgent attention first and could have the opportunity to net Australia big dollars it desperately needs. Perhaps after signing the TPP, who knows if corporations could sue the Government if it tried to pass new Tax laws requiring it to pay up.
5. I do not believe that corporations should have the right or ability to sue the government for any laws that put individual rights second after business rights (e.g. such as the in-process Phillip Morris case for the very reasons that that case is in process)
6. I do not believe laws should be passed with out any 'get out' clauses or cooling down or Trial periods or any ability to reverse laws if they prove more detrimental to a nation than beneficial.
7. I understand that environmental protections, internet privacy, medications, lawsuits and probably many other aspects of society could result negatively on the government and therefore the population nationwide if corporations be allowed such access.
I urge all government officials to stand up against business sector and corporate lobbyists. Do not put the values of money ahead of your voting population.
Please. Do not sign!! Do not be forced to hastily sign before frank and open discussion with the voting public.
323 Be reminded, at least for now, we are still a democracy and you can still be voted out if you sign away our rights.
Thank you. Sue Blake
Dear Mr Robb,
It seams that the principles of health for all has been forgotten in the arguments about profits.
It is our responsibility as members of a caring society to provide all health potentials to all members of that society as cost effectively as possible. To deny someone of their health entitlements should be seem as theft and a burden on all of our social capacity to support them and our social consciousness.
Please protect Australians rights to available, affordable and effective medications. Do not sell us out for profit driven enterprises. Rather, support socially beneficial health development such as affordable health for all of our social participants.
Remember Hypocrites.
Mark Crew Kate Westob
Hello,
I'm for global trade and open markets. Sharing expertise and innovation at a global level is the only way to ensure the long-term survival of our species.
However, I'm not for a US lead hegemony. In a democracy, people should always come before profit and TPP signs away our right to self-governance over to multi-national corporations.
Any measure to protect our citizens can result in corporate lawsuits - where profit is affected by health and environmental regulations. This is clearly putting profit before people.
Remember DDT, Radium, Tobacco, Asbestos? These were the more serious of needed interventions, but what about the more subtle, long-term carcinogens or degradation done to the environment?
Another point, we're living through the 6th mass extinction (caused by man) which has seen record numbers of our shared life on this planet disappear. How does this race-to-the-bottom help?
The TPP only ramps up the engines of consumption. Money will flow to the lowest labour costs and more shit - we don't need - will be consumed and thrown away.
Infinite consumption of manufactured goods (with today's technology) on a finite planet is a recipe for disaster.
324 We need a more concerted effort to raise our standards of education and quality of life. We need to structure our society in a way that gives our fellow Australians meaning and purpose.
The more enlightened a civilisation, the higher the quality of life they demand.
Please oppose this TPP and work towards creating a movement for a new renaissance in Australia - an era of enlightened individuals.
PS. If I can be corrected, please do so. I'm open to truth.
Kind regards,
Shawn Shawn Martino
This is one of the most offensive, restrictive, dishonest, and altogether dangerous pieces of legislation I have ever seen.
Giving multinational corporations the right to directly influence our laws, and go against community wishes and expectations, is a betrayal of our country.
Allowing these corporations the right to extort huge profits on many life-saving, and life-improving medications, is morally and ethically bankrupt.
Should you proceed with this travesty, rest assured that the Australian people will not forget, or forgive.
I am sharing the realities of this shocking let-down with as many people as I can, and believe me, they are listening. The minimal remaining grace extended by the people to your government is waning rapidly. Take note.
Do not ratify this agreement, or risk the consequences/
Yours sincerely
Craig Watt. Craig Watt
Hi my name is Gloria Paddock and i would like this inquiry to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.We were told that when it came to affordable medications and the TPP that the system would not be changed.
Mr Robb has told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. That is so wrong. I have a very sick husband and he has access to the medicines that he needs but under the TPP deal he may not.
325 I have relatives who live in the United States and my niece has to have surgery sooner rather than later and she has started a go fund me page because she can;t afford everything. They like Barack Obama for what he has done to make there medical situation open to everyone, not just the ones who can afford to pay. Australia is the envy of a lot of countries with our great health system but if this deal goes through we will be going backwards.I beg you to listen to the people not just the politicians trying to push it through.
Thank you. Gloria Paddock
I am a healthy middle aged female in full time employment and although this deal does not affect me now and may not for some time I am highly concerned about the Trans Pacific partnership deal. I have parents who are aging who will need to be protected from the possible catastrophic events of the TPP should it go ahead. I believe the most vulnerable in our society are most at risk should the TPP proceed as is currently evidenced by the way in which poor people are not able to access medicine in America under a similar system. We have a great health care system in Australia and can access affordable medicines. There are many other pharmaceuticals that are in clinical trials and will be available on the market in the near future. We would like equal access to these new life saving drugs. Under the TPP these may be under patent monopoly thus rendering them unavailable to all bar the most affluent in our society. A person's ultimate worth should never boil down to their bank ac count. Unless this deal is going to benefit every Australian then the Government needs to say NO!!
Sincerely,
A concerned tax payer with three University degrees who wants equity equality to be at the forefront of decision making.
Niamh Marzol Niamh Marzol
As a citizen of Australia it concerns me that Mr Robb after reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines & the TPP we're not going to change the system but recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US, I'm sure he's totally aware these companies can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. One needs to ask the question Why is he selling out Australia to these companies?
A case in Egypt has a corporation suing their Government for raising the minimum wage. This alone should & ring alarm bells for our own Government & to not give in to the US pharmaceutical corporations
Also health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medical pricing, which would be a disaster for the most people in Australia. Please make our medicines affordable.
326 Our Government could also be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by i.e. the Quebec provincial government was sued by a U.S energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater & land. How ludicrous that a country can given the green light to tell another how & what they can do with their own land.
And please keep our internet privacy & freedom & not allow a deal that locks in the ability of our service providers to spy & report us for possible infringement to enforcement agencies.
I have just become aware that the Phillip Morris company is suing Australia for our plain packaging law for their cigarettes. This just beggars belief. KEEP OUR MONEY IN AUSTRALIA FOR IT'S CITIZENS NOT GIVEN AWAY WILLY NILLY TO GREEDY CORPORATIONS!! Felicia Sandover
To whom it may concern,
Right now I am a very concerned Australian citizen. Why the concern? The TPP deal.
Of all free trade agreements, of which the TPP is one, this must be the most dangerous and insidious to date. The repercussions for the Australian people will be enormous if this deal is passed. Health and the environment are two keys areas where Australians will lose out, not to mention anything of the loss of our democratic rights and freedoms.
Health. The health of all Australians will be jeopardised under the deal. Big Pharma companies will own monopoly patents on medicines for much longer. As these companies are all about the bottom line, then Australians will be paying with their hip pockets all the way. If we dare complain or change the rules on pharmaceuticals, then those same corporations will have the right to sue our government. Once again we will pay to the already bloated coffers of these corporation. How can this possibly be a good deal? The only winners are the big corporations. Australian citizens lose. Democratic rights sold off for the sake of the global private profit machine.
Environment. Our environment is obviously precious in providing us with everything from water, to food, to clean air. Who will protect the environment under this appalling deal? For example, if large mining companies are working in an area where environmental controls are upgraded once again they have the right to sue the government for loss of projected future profit. Really? You cannot be serious can you? What land am I living in I wonder.
Reject the TPP deal now and forever!!! I cannot even fathom that the Australian Government is so willingly prepared to sell all our souls to the devil without even asking our permission. If this is signed we stand to lose everything. I implore you to reject this deal for now and future generations to come. Di Crowther
I am writing this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties to express my total opposition to the TPPA.
327 It is not a free trade deal - it is an attempt by big American corporations to gain unfettered access to our markets on terms that suit their own interests.
It is not a treaty that is in Australia's interests. For example, the agreement could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our economy and our health. Mr Robb recently told a US publication that under the agreement big Pharma will have the same monopoly rights over Biologic medicines as they have in the US. That means longer lasting high prices for Australians who need the drugs.
The agreement will also mean that our Government cedes its sovreign ability to make laws to protect our environment (in such matters as fracking for coal seam gas), our health and the safety of our workplaces; it will have laws that it enacts in the public interest challenged, indeed decided , by the infamous Investor State Dispute Settlement courts - secret courts, with no jury and from which there is no appeal.
One such attempt to legislate for public health by enforcing the plain packaging of tobacco products was nearly overturned by Philip Morris.
In another example, a corporation is currently suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
This shameful ceding of our sovreignty weakens and humiliates us as a nation. It is anathema that our Liberal Government should so favour the big corporations (because they are big Liberal Party donors?) as to want to proceed with it.
Internet service providers could be forced to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Please help Australia to avoid being conned into such a disastrous agreement.
Joseph Castley Joseph Castley
Sick and tired of these politicians who are nothing more than puppets, servants to big industry, corporations. Stop selling us out. Stop treating us like fools. We do not want the TPP. Take the TPP and shove it where the sun don't shine.
This evilness and greed is beyond comprehension. The TPP is for the benefit for corporations, it is NOT for the benefit of the people. Stop lying to us. You lot are a disgrace, trying to get the TPP through by stealth. Anytime something is done in secret then you know it is no good for us. if it was so good for us, it would all be transparent.
Are these politicians so stupid, so deaf, so arrogant that why are ignoring what we are saying, which is NO TPP.
TPP will never be acceptable, it will never be to our benefit, the TPP is designed to be of benefit to corporations.
328 What does one have to do to get the message across to politicians who are there to serve as servants to big business and who are ignoring the people.
Why would anyone with a brain want to give up their rights, and have corporations with obscene power. This TPP is the most idiotic and evil thing that only a brain dead person would think was good. We are also sick and tired of the lies, and twisting things.
How many times do we have to say, NO TPP. Monica Buchanan
Please ensure that nothing changes with the cost of medicines because of the TPP. Robb has told Australians nothing will change but he also told big Amkerian Pharma companies they still can charge their exhorbitant fees for medicines. Stop the TPP because it appears we will have different expectations and different results. The ISTD clauses are enough to stop it anyway. We can't trust big multinationals to play fair and they will expect us to follow their guidelines on wages and conditions.
It was written by the Multinationals so how can it be good for the people?
The Liberal National Party cannot be trusted as Abbott and Turnbull have shown consistently. The people are not to be looked after but exploited however they can. Ban The TPP
Ken Holley Ken Holley
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This is unacceptable and shows that Andrew Robb cannot be trusted to negotiate in the best interests of Australians.
Please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership. It is a bad deal for all Australians!
For Australia's sake, do not allow this to become law!
Regards,
Greg Bailey. Greg Bailey
Why do our politicians continue to bow to huge international organisations. Our politicians in Canberra need to heed what is happening in the USA regarding the the Presidential polling. Like our USA counterparts, we are questioning the propriety of our Political Parties and if get up are correct
329 in telling us that Andrew Robb is not telling the Australian Public the truth re the TPP and we know that the liberal party are supporting the oil and Gas industry in spite of the fact that their supporters know that the quicker we move to renewable energy the better. We need to give the Liberal Party a good kick up the backside at the next Federal Election Kevin Dohert
I am very concerned about the TPP.
As a older citizen I am concerned the TPP will impact on the availability of medicines, and that they will be too expensive for those who need them most.
It is of great concern to me that multinational corporations will be able to sue our country if changes are made which affect their profits. Australia should never consent to this as part of the deal.
Similarly with environment protection … this should be a priority for the government. We should be protecting OUR environment for the future generations, not catering to large corporations whose first priority is profit.
Large mining corporations have already had a devastating impact on Australian families who are struggling with the many challenges facing them from mining corporations.
I urge the government to reject the TPP and stand up for Australia for Australians FIRST. Pat Saunders
Unless you actually want to lose credibility in the same manner as did the Australian Democrats you will use your parliamentary vote to block the TPP. Three reasons for rejecting the Trans Pacific Partnership:
1. Australians' health costs will be not only higher but determined by overseas carpetbaggers,
2. Australians' privacy will be compromised so that big companies, overseas commercial and governmental agencies will be able to demand access to all citizens' personal details; this will include the identifying detail that the Australian Census now wishes to connect with the usual information,
3. Federal and State legislatures will not be able to pass laws that protect our health and safety, society, work practices without having to also consider the threat of being overridden by an antidemocratic court of corporate stand over men. Nick Butler
I request that you reject the TPP deal for the following reasons:
• A flood of corporate lawsuits: Multinational corporations can sue
Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal
330 changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
• Affordable medicines: Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
• Environmental protections: Our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the
Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
• Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. Roger Gomez
I am tired of Australian citizens having their rights dealt away in the name of a stronger economy. The stronger economy never helps the poor. There has been no transparency around the TPP so Australians are not sure what has been brokered in the deal. I for one am not prepared to bargain away my rights to low cost, affordable medications when I need them. If only the government could really feel what it is like to be on a low income and try to stretch a few dollars to cover all the urgent requirements of living. Politicians have good incomes, lurks and perks and their families do not go without important medications, food and basic needs. As a low income earner who has worked hard all my life, why should I.
No TPP. Don't sell our country and it's citizens short. From what I can tell their will not be much to gain for the average Aussie. Robyn Brown
I strongly object to the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
The possibility of multinationals having the right to sue in private corporate courts is outrageous and unethical.
I am most concerned that the price of medicines could be increased.
331 I am most concerned about the increased risks to our already threatened environment, if our government is likely to be fined if protection laws are increased.
I am most concerned that internationals already have far too much influence over our government. It is deplorable that even more incentives are being handed out, to increase trade, believing we have a lot to lose, whilst shareholders are the main benefactors. I think costs, including likely job losses, will likely out-way any possible increases to 'the bottom line'. Shirley Gladding
I believe that the TPP will give BIG corporations even more influence over Governments than they currently have, which is too much. Looking after the citizens is far more important than corporate profits and personal bonuses .
Rupert Murdoch and the behaviour of his various media outlets is a case in point. If a government doesn't do as he wants them to he publishes lies and distortions and no one seems to be able to take him to task.
Big corporations need to be brought to heel and no one seem to be able to do it. The TPP will only make a BAD situation even worse. Garth Taylor
In a democratic country an independent and open judiciary is essential. Signing up to a trade deal that removes the right of the people to observe judicial processes tramples our rights.
Multinationals have had a seat at the table during the negotiations. They do not represent Australian interests and never will. In fact they do their best to avoid any contribution to Australian society. This TPP is for their benefit only. We must look after Australian interests. This deal turns its back on the Australian people.
Pharmaceutical companies are championing this TPP because they stand to increase their profits at the expense of the Australian people. Andrew Robb is a traitor to this country if he can tell the population that the cost of pharmaceuticals is protected and then advising US pharmaceutical companies that they will exercise monopoly rights over medications for a longer period of time. All at the expense of the taxpayer (and multinationals try very hard to avoid paying tax in Australia).
The TPP has not been independently scrutinised and its development has been conducted in secrecy. How is it appropriate for multinational companies to be involved in the development of the TPP, and yet we the people of Australia are not allowed to know what it really contains? I thought we lived in a democracy, a democracy requires transparent information and decision making processes. The TPP totally fails Australian democracy because of the secrecy.
Please don't sign up to a deal that reduces control of our destiny. This is a big chip off our democratic rights. Jane McKay
332 Australians want affordable medicines available to all its citizens. Provisions within the TPP can effect the pricing of medicines and thus disadvantage Australians.
The Federal Government should ensure the legal rights that we enjoy as a country is never under threat. There are examples that demonstrate that even our laws, passed by our elected representatives can be challenged, as has happened in other countries.
Our Government should work towards the best interests of this country and all its people. Clearly this is not the case here.
Work for the best interests of Australia and Australians, not the multinational companies that apparently pull the strings of the Australian Government. Allan McLeod
The TPP is fraught with danger. It is concerned more with maximising profits for Big Business, to the detriment of the Australian populace.
Any binding ( legalised) agreement which stymies the ability of Federal Government to protect its population , is unwise in the extreme.
In all honesty, we ( and you) know the danger and to proceed under these circumstances would be unethical.
Where are our true statesmen ( & stateswoman ) who would look beyond short-term gain , to an ethical solution & an honest trade outcome for all parties?
Let us not grow wealthy through greed & the profiting from others' Schadenfreude, be it at a personal or, international level!
Wake up before it is too late!
Do not go down this dark pathway! Suzette Landels
Ordinary people do not know for how many years big corporate interests have been working behind closed doors putting together the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
We Australians [through the Parliament] are now expected to approve the Trans Pacific Partnership deal about which we are encouraged to believe the vague words of Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb that Australians will benefit from the 'free trade' set to arise. Played down is the loss of jurisdiction for Australian courts that is set to result from any adoption by Australia of the Trans Pacific Partnership.
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties should now be given authority to undertake a PUBLIC detailed investigation of the clauses of TPP over a time interval similar to that given to the interests who worked in secret to put the TPP together so that the TPP is presented to us now.
333 Many measures of social advantage to Australians could be imagined [eg Dental Care on a par with Medicare, tax on alcohol related to social damage caused by its over consumption] but such things would be threatened by the loss of jurisdiction for Australian courts that is set to result from any adoption by Australia of the Trans Pacific Partnership. Peter Young
There seems to be very little that is good for people - as against corporations - in this treaty.
Vital medicines will be kept expensive for longer, making it more difficult for people on low incomes to afford them.
Corporations will be able to sue governments for making it more difficult to make large profits; and who will pay for the governments' side of the case? The taxpayers; who will also pay for the corporations' side of the case through higher prices.
The internet will be censored.
'Copyright protection' will be longer, to the detriment of health, education and much more.
Protection against tobacco, alcohol, and, quite possibly, addictive drugs will be removed.
Please protect us from this treaty.
Yours sincerely Marianne Ehrhardt
Perhaps those involved in making decisions and encouraging changes such as the TPP have never had personal cause to stop and consider the chain events that such decisions may have.
My sister and I are both sick. My sister, Kate, 35 years of age, has been sick since she was 11. I am 32 and have been sick for almost 7 years. Both of us are unable to work and are living on Disability Pensions of $400 a week.
Being sick is an incredibly expensive, never mind depressing, experience. In just one week this year, I spent $1200 out of pocket on medical visits and tests. Since then I have spent another $500. That does not include my standard medications or medical insurance. My sisters expenses are similar.
Each fortnight we both receive a treatment in hospital called Octogam. Deals such as the TPP could make such treatment impossibly expensive for thousands of Australians.
Now think if it were people you loved who were dependent on such medical help? How would respond to a deal such as the TPP?
Kind Regards,
Gemma. Gemma Prior
334 Dear honorable MP (s),
I'm writing to you with concerns that the TPP that has been spruced by our trade minister might not be in Australia's best interest.
It seems that the TPP may actually not protect us against patents delaying the release of life saving drugs or having to pay a premium price to purchase brand name drugs over cheaper generic ones. The trade minister gave verbal assurances to the Australian public that he'd negotiated protection measures for us, but recent conversations he'd had with the Pharmaceutical companies seems o tell a different story.
I am also concerned that corporations could sue our government for doing things like raiding the minimum wage, as was the case recently in regards to Egypt. Surely our egalitarian way of life needs protection from the greedy, faceless corporation hounds.
Australians are yet to have any modeled information outlining just how much the TPP is going to benefit us, if at all. If something has no net benefit, why buy into it? This needs to be clearly and transparently explained to the Australian people.
In this regards, it is vital that the TPP be properly reviewed before sign off occurs and, if the review says it's no good for our country, then the Government better be prepared to act on this.
Please take these issues on board and act accordingly.
Sincerely,
Jamie Corfield Jamie Corfield
The tpp will infringe on our sovereign rights to make decisions in the best interests of all australians. Our country can be sued by foreign corporations for making those decisions , why are we contemplating a trade agreement with such open ended negative consequences? It seems very stupid to me. We also cannot afford medicines to be under monopoly patents for longer, enabling international pharmaceutical corporations to bleed australians dry. The tpp is an absolute disgrace , we will be ripped off. I seriously question the motives of andrew robb and question the benefits he and other memebers of the liberal party may be making from rushing this agreement through and hiding it from the australian people. mick clarke
To whom it may concern,
I wish to make a submission to please reject the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement on behalf of myself & my family. I believe the same would apply for my local community & the general Australian public if they knew enough about what the TPP would mean to the Australian way of life.
My objections are on the following grounds:
335 1. Flood of corporate lawsuits
The TPP allows the Australian government to be sued in private corporate courts for introducing any legislation that protects the public interest or our environmental heritage if this impacts on corporate profits. This is not a theory - indeed, there is plenty of proof of governments across the globe currently being sued. Eg. In Egypt, a bill raising the minimum wage has resulted in a corporate lawsuit.
This is not in Australia's interest for several reasons - the cost and time involved in continuous lawsuits; & effectively giving up democracy to corporate control as any legislation can be challenged & indeed overturned.
2. Environmental protections threatened.
The TPP allows the government to be sued for passing legislation that strengthens environmental protections that corporations have to abide by. This includes water and air pollution, fracking, etc. There are again many examples of this occurring. One such example is in Canada. As Australia contains some of the most beautiful & unique environments on earth, it would be especially devastating. We do NOT want the sort of damage to our environment that has occurred elsewhere. 3. Affordable medicines becoming unaffordable It appears that under the TPP pharmaceutical corporations would have the right to keep medicines under patent for longer, meaning higher prices. The health sector has also indicated that several terms under the TPP would raise medical costs for all Australians. This is unacceptable! Public health is an important factor in quality of life...we do NOT want the sort of health care standard or systems as in America. 4. Loss of Internet freedom & privacy The TPP allows ISP's to spy on customers for corporate profiteering. We want to keep the things that make Australia great!! The terms of the TPP appear to stand only for the interests of multinational corporations and against public and government interests. Please reject it outright. Yours sincerely, Jenny Skillen
For some considerable time we have been given a whole lot of platitudes about the TPP being good for Australia. It is high time that the Government and the Monster in particular opened up the paperwork to allow Australia to be fully aware of just how this treaty is dangerous for Australia. The cost of increases through out the entire Retail system and ad hoc rhetoric within the courts if Multi Nationals do not like the way we do things because we have signed away not only our rights but the rights of our children and their children as well.
This IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PIECES OF PAPERWORK THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED SINCE THE WORLD TREATY FORMULATED AT THE END OF WORLD WW11, GIVING AWAY LAND WHICH IS NOW CALLED ISRAEL. Ray Dunbar
336 Any government who thinks the TPP is a great idea is a government of the big corporations not a government of the people. I couldn't vote for a government that pushed gay marriage though I do believe in gay rights. All people deserve respect for their beliefs, straight people included. I will not vote for a government that sneaks through the TPP. There's a lot of us going to be looking for Independent candidates if the big corporations keep paying no tax and getting all the breaks. Someone who keeps their government wage for the rest of their lives should surely be working for the people of the nation. Diane Edwards
Honorable ministers, Australian citizens and Australian parliaments should be free to decide the best ways to protect our economy and our environment. It is clear that the TPP surrenders rights to international corporations to sue Australia for laws that would reduce their profits. This could be disatrous for us. Pharmaceutical is just one example.
The TPP will reduce our capacity to protect our economy, our health and our environment, at a time when these are more liable to disruption.
When the true effects of the TPP become apparent, parliamentarians should not be seen to have supported multinational corporations against the rights of Australians.
Yours sincerely, Robert Day Robert Day
I am devestated to learn that my elected Government is selling us out. You said the Trans Pacific Partnership deal would protect our interests.UNTRUE
Andrew Robb has accepted for Australia to sign on to this unfair trade deal to endanger our protective laws on Food Safety; Internet Freedom; Clean Water and Air protections; coal seam Gas Mining; Environment Management; Laour laws; changing laws as required and many other areas. They are already trying to sue us over our Plain packaging for cigarettes.
Robb has accepted that that Biologic Medicines will be under monopoly patents for longer, so that the high cost of these medicines are continued for longer.How does this benefit us?
This cannot continue. Does this current Government care about the welfare of Australia or must we show you what we believe at the upcoming election? Michelle Kamper
I wish to submit that the TPP should be rejected by Parliament or at very least there should be a very detailed independent inquiry into the fine points of the deal.
It appears that the Government is trying to fly under the radar with this trade deal instead of being totally open and honest with the Australian people about what the pros and cons really are.
337 It concerns me greatly that multinational corporations will have the ability to sue Australia over legal changes that Australia may make that could affect their profits. This is so wrong on every level !
My other major concern is to do with our exposure to a possible large increase in the cost of medicines under the monopoly rights of huge pharmaceutical corporations. Why are you exposing us to this danger??
It seems to me that Australian benefits will be minimal compared to the downsides of the TPP deal. If I am wrong, then explain it to me in detail.
If this TPP deal is so good, then please do the Australian people the courtesy of giving us a detailed explanation of why it is so beneficial to us and also answer the major concerns of many people. Rosemary Sargeant
All around the world people are standing up against the TPP.
For an agreement we were never told about and while we get millions of government ad's that say we're about to have an Idea's Boom, the government seems reluctant to tell us what benefits we'll get from the TPP.
I would hazard to guess the issue lies within the agreement itself which gives us no real benefit and the government who cried foul about other costings now fail to report themselves of how it will affect any law changes.
The TPP is a race to the bottom on Environment law and patents.
The TPP is death for the Australian Medicare system, given American companies the right which the Australian people rejected with previous US free trade agreements to increase the cost of medicine by the vagrancy of American type patent laws. The cost to the PBS would be prohibitive.
A hidden court allowing the Australian Government to be sued for dis-advantaging Companies mean not the end-of-democracy but again the price of paying companies for the change in the Pokies laws would make it again prohibitive.
When did a trade agreement ever touch any of these things?
Trade Agreements should be about trade not about laws or allowing companies to guarantee their future profits at the expense of Tax Payers.
I am asking the Senate to do what the Government is not doing, be honest with people.
I hope that we can at least stay this legislation until after the government has a honest discussion with the Australian people.
This is the meaning of democracy something that seems threatened by the strangeness of the silence, secrecy and undemocratic nature of the current TPP process.
Warm Regards
338 Pauline Bleach Pauline Bleach
In the last 12 months I have developed a myriad of health problems and all these were and have been very expensive to continue to alleviate the pain. Three years I have been trying to find out what is the matter with me, during this time I have spent my superannuation trying to find out.
Now though people tell me how lucky I am to have a health care card and I certainly understand how people think that but I don't call it that I call it humble thanks but if this TPP goes ahead it will be the taxpayers that pay my drug bill and I am ashamed of that. It was with real hesitation that I went to Centerelinkand have only been on it for a few weeks. But why should the taxpayer pay for exorbinate costs, the same as they charge Americans, I am appalled that the government have kept so much off the TPP secret and if drugs is one of the them.
The Australian government needs to release the whole TPP and let us be the judge of the TPP to see if this is a good thing for Australia.
We are the taxpayers that will pay for this and for that reason we should judge whether it is good for Australia, not some politician that may retire before the TPP becomes part of our lives but the politician will be able to afford these changes.
As for me I won't feel the changes at the chemist or doctors surgery like I used to but things can change and I hanker to get back to work although I just turned 60.
It is what you have done all your life and the TPP shouldn't make Australians poorer for the political gain of one Australian political party. Kay Hughes
I have several concerns about the TPP Agreement.
I cannot see how giving Multinational corporations the ability to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits, is in our country's best interests. Already for example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Extending patent rights on medicines will result in significant hardship for members of our community.
Placing our environment in the hands of foreign corporations is a disgrace. How could a government acting on behalf of its citizens agree to the potential to be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
339 I do not see how our Government can pass laws allowing the population to be spied on when they have not evidence of any laws being broken. The TPP deal locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
I also have serious concerns that a foreign employer could bring the entire workforce from their country in any industry in our country if the TPP is passed so that we loose the jobs and any gains from the business. Christopher Paul
I would like the parliament to block the passage of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. I object vehemently to these pseudo trade deals that really are not purely about trade and to the secrecy and lack of debate that we have seen around this and virtually every other issue. There are so many issues with this deal that I hardly know where to begin & so I'll keep it brief and state that probably my largest concern is with regards to the dispute settlement process. As far as I'm concerned, to have an body that is not subject to election or any other democratic process deciding disputes between a corporation and any representative of, or indeed the Australian government itself, it simply unacceptable. So, as far as I'm concerned, unless the passage of this is blocked, then you will have effectively undermined yourselves - that is, the democratic process - and, in fact, the sovereignty of our nation.
I would urge you to please take a stand for what is RIGHT and block this travesty from continuing. If you haven't understood the long-term potential consequences of this policy, then feel free to ask someone who might perhaps see further over the horizon than you can.
So many of us in this country are absolutely fed up with the soap opera that our parliament has become - so, I urge you to change our minds, for the good of all. Thank you. Joanna Cissoko
Please listen to the voice of the people, i.e. voters! We don't want to be controlled and restrained by the regulations that favour big international companies who seek to weaken our laws and maximize their profits at the expense of the Australian population (and other countries' populations). Our laws must not be overridden by companies that have only self-interest at heart. With regard to pharmaceuticals, Mr Robb promised in 2015 that there would be no changes for Australians with respect to pricing for medicines. Now it seems we are to have the same problems as the Americans! Shame if you ratify the TPP! Alida Sewell
1. The commercial benefit for Australia is doubtful in the least. See the recently released World Bank study and the report by the Productivity Commission
2. There is little doubt that US pharmas will maintain patents for longer, with a resulting increase in the longer term cost to Australians for US based drugs
340 3. Australia's elected governments will be increasingly exposed to costly lawsuits for potential loss of income due to future laws
4. The TPP flies in the face of many of the Paris agreements to which Australia has agreed
5. The TPP is strongly associated with unrealistic and environmentally unrealistic growth targets Alan Hill
Free trade sounds grand. But how come it works only in favour of the most powerful countries? How well does it work for countries like Mexico? Give monopoly rights to US pharmaceutical companies over biologic medicines and you are selling your compatriots' rights. These companies are powerful and they are seductive: please don't be fooled.
The only thing the major US corporations want is more profit and more power over the market. We WILL be the losers. It is naive to expect anything less. Your responsibility is to protect Australians, not big US corporations. Protect us, our children, our grandchildren. YOUR people. Annie Bilton
Dear parlementarians,
Our land is being sold to overseas companies, our environment is being raffled off to the highest overseas bidder, our freedom and privacy is traded away for dubious reasons, our health will be compromised if this TTP thing is passed in parliament, and so on and so forth. Many of the proposed agreements and latw proposals should never have seen the light of day or discussed in the Australian parliament, in other countries they have failed. Why compromise Australia's future? It makes no sense whatsoever.
Please make sure we keep having access to affordable medicines, can make sound decisions about our environmental protection, and do not become the USA's next annexed state or for that matter any country's next annexed province! Australia is an independent country and must remain so, it is the country of my choice.
Regards,
Marian o'Hara Marian O'Hara
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
341 What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
I am fed up with a government which is dishonest and double dealing. Turnbull is a complete failure Gifford Causon
The TPP is dangerous for ALL Australians (except the current government, which is trying to hide it) because
1) The ISDS provisions allow multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. A real case: a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
2) Our government could be sued by American corporations for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections and potentially affect the corporations' profits.
3) The TPP requires your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
4) American patents on medicines will be lengthened, forcing Australians to pay more longer.
Therefore, the TPP must be rejected. regards
Dr HL Seldon
Dr MA Seldon
Dr SR Seldon Lee Seldon
As an Australian Pharmacist, I understand the tsunami of biologic medicines ready or nearing readiness for the market and the manner in which they will change health care and frighteningly increase health spending.
Government needs to balance rights and responsibilities in the health sector for the sake of the public. Giving the pharmaceutical companies the rights to extended patents on this type of medicine will poorly serve the most disadvantaged in Australia whilst increasing the profits for giant pharmaceutical companies. A healthy public is a surer way to a healthy economy than out dated protectionism.
Other risks associated with the TPP include a flood of corporate and other lawsuits from multinational companies due to the ISDS provisions or loss of market due to the Australian Government strengthening environmental protections.
342 This treaty has far reaching implications and must, in my opinion be demonstrated to meet a greater good threshold before it is signed on behalf of the Australian publlic Tracey Nayler
In requesting that members of Parliament block the TPP I draw attention to provisions in the plan that would allow business corporations to exercise unfair monopoly over issues that concern ordinary Australians. Pharmaceutical corporations would have monopoly patent rights over medicines that would put prescription drugs beyond affordability. This is grossly unjust.
Corporations could also sue governments who legislate in favour of health, environment protection, and the protection of individual human rights. Philip Morris is currently suing the Australian government over plain packaging laws. This is an outrageous denial of health hazards associated with smoking and is a move to protect corporate profits. Corporations could also sue to reverse decisions prohibiting fracking associated with coal seam gas exploration.
The TPP goes a lot further than goodwill trade deals and elected members need to be aware of the hidden costs that seek to protect the profits and monopolies of corporations and, at the same time, subtly deprive ordinary people of basic rights and freedoms that enable them to be part of the decision-making process that constitutes true democracy. Laurie Woods
I am too ill to make a detailed submission, but I oppose the TPP and request Parliament to block its passage as I believe it is detrimental to the interests of the majority of Australians.
There are many specific provisions I object to, but the main ones are:
. The provision that allows corporations to sue the Australian Government should it introduce laws or regulations which the corporation believes will limit their activities or profits. In effect this undermines Australia's sovereignty.
. The provision that allows large pharmaceutical corporations monopoly rights over biologic medicines, which will result in higher prices for our medicines.
. The provision that allows corporations to challenge our environmental protection laws should they believe these laws curtail their activities or profits.
In short, the TPP provides more benefits to large and multinational corporations than it does to medium and small Australian companies, including farmers. The ordinary workers/citizens will be detrimentally affected.
I particularly object to the secrecy of this whole operation and the lack of any rigorous investigation into past trade agreements which I understand have brought little or no benefit to Australia. Elaine Diffe
343 I am against the TPP for many reasons, but will focus on one major issue here. we are at an environmental cross roads when it comes to climate change. The emergency is real and needs immediate action. The world has agreed (in Paris, Nov 2015) that thevsituation is urgent and dire. In this light I am extremely concerned about the environmental aspects of the TPP.
Protecting our environment is paramount in this era of climate change emergency. We cannot risk our government being sued for passing environmental protection laws.
If the planet tanks so do we and what use will the TPP be to ANYONE then????
No TPP. Not now. Not ever. Ria Hamblett
US HEALH SYSTEM FOR AUSTRALIANS?
US health system for australians? I don't think so. It is not up to US government and US multinationals to decide which health system Australian people want. And we have not put our representatives in our Parliament House to work or accept agreements under the pressure of US government and US corporations. Australian government has no right to ignore the health and wellbeing of their own people, no right to ignore the interest of the people they are suppose to represent.
The powerful nations always put their own interests first before their allies and use pressure to get them accepted. We as people are aware of this. That is why we elected YOU PEOPLE as our representatives so that you protect us against these pressures and protect our interests.
DONT THINK THAT we people do not understand international politics, international agreements and accepted or rejected conditions of those agreements. We do understand them. We are aware who is ignoring us who is not. We trusted you and that is why you are where you are as our representeive. SO PLEASE PROOVE THAT YOU DESERVE OUR TRUST! Seref Ozturk
As an adult living in this country I am very concerned about the lack of scrutiny and SECRECY regarding the TTP agreements.
Politicians have negotiated on our behalf to sign away our rights to big corporations.
The ability to sue our government and therefore the citizens who provide the taxes used to pay for this.
Patents on Biological medicines can be held longer and charges for the use of medicines set at any price these corporations choose to charge, to the detriment of the common person.
Lawsuits can be dragged out and the everyday person can't afford them so justice and ethics mean nothing.
Environmental protection is already under attack in some states with the right to protest against what is happening in peoples own properties subjected to fines.
344 This is considered revenue raising but what about the right of individuals to protect what they hold dear. Is Fracking as safe as the corporations make out because salesmen for the industry can paint a picture whichever way they choose.
The reality is different.I have seen the water on fire on the net and the poisoning of the water and the land. Please imagine if this was in your own back yard.
Then there are the voiceless animal's, who speaks for them and the habitat they call home?. Once they are gone that is it no going back no matter how advanced the science.
Our everyday privacy is being monitored under the guise of protecton? From copyright laws. Who wins in this?. not the everyday person but corporations and lawyers. Australia may wish to be a global power house but protection of it's citizens is more important, for without them you have nothing. If the TPP is so good for us then why the secrecy? Angela Butler
The TTP has the potential to hand control of the pricing of medicines to big pharma. If this is the case it should not be signed off on.
We do not want to hand greater corporate intervention and power to multinationals through the courts over our Government's decisions to improve the lives of our citizens. We are not americans nor do we want their ridiculously litiginous multinationals interfering with our political life.
Anything that is likely to lessen the effective means of ameliorating the effect of global warming, and weakening environmental protections will not be to the long term benefit of Australia or indeed the globe, do not hand greater potential control of these issues to the crazed greed of US energy companies.
There is too much spying on the citizens of the world by Governments, do not hand, more power to foreign governments in their quest for ever increasing desire big brother intervention in our lives. Russell Hanna
Mr Robb is on record as having told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. Alas, MR Robb has been caught out deceiving the people, after having said in Australia, that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system
The Government can't have it both ways. Either we are going to continue to get affordable medicines, or corporations are going to get all their monopoly rights. Which is it to be? If we can't trust the Government on this issue why should we trust them on any other aspect of the TPP agreement? It has all the appearances of a corporate power grab of unprecedented proportions. That being so how can it possibly be in the interests of ordinary people to sign an agreement giving corporations the power to override national sovereignty whenever it suits them? Adrian Rogers
Dear JSCT,
345 there are far too many problems (most of which we'll end up paying dearly for) with the TPP for it to be passed.
We'll end up giving sovereignty over Australian to multi-national corporations to do as they please. It's already bad enough that most of them pay no tax, and now the TPP will allow them to set the agenda to suit themselves, not the Australian taxpayer.
Affordable medicines, environmental, health, workplace protection laws will all be subject to challenge by ANY Corporation that thinks Australian laws are hurting their profits. It will end up costing Australia many, many $ for virtually no economic gain: http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/12/tpp-trade-deal-will-grow-australias-economy- by-less-than-1-world-bank-reveals
It's a bad deal for Australia.
It's a great deal for big Pharma, Frackers and multi-national tax avoiders. Regards Kieran Stafford
I do not have an expert knowledge of free trade agreements. No one that seems to know anything about free trade deals seems to think the TPP is a good deal for Australia except the politicians who are pushing it. The general consensus seems to be that the only group this deal will benefit will be large corporations and their shareholders. With effects such as significant increases in the cost of medicines, and the ability for corporations to sue our government if they enact legislation that (although being good for the people) effects their profits. This does not seem like a good thing for the Australian people. I would ask that the senate reject this Free trade agreement. Alex Arthur
Dear members of Parliament,
I am writing this to urge you to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
I strongly believe that the risks of the TPP to Australian people and communities far outweigh the benefits.
My main concern is that the TPP will in many circumstances give overseas corporations power over the rights of Australian parliaments and communities to make laws and decisions. It will place the interests of companies to make a profit above our rights to a fair and healthy community, in many circumstances.
I ask you to please do what you can to ensure that the TPP deal is not approved in our parliament. thank you for your interest. yours sincerely John Nihill
346 To the Parliament,
I am vehemently opposed to the TPP on the grounds that Multinational corporations can sue our government, a sovereign nation, without judges or jury over legalities that protect the Australian people and impact on corporations precious profits. On another point I would like to inform you how concerned I am as an individual who accesses affordable medicine through the benefits scheme that Health sector groups are warning of increased medicine pricing. As a pensioner I could not afford to keep taking vital medication if this were to occur. Please, I implore you not to let this deal pass, there are simply too many unknowns and there is too much at stake should we get it wrong. Aaron Storti
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
This is just not acceptable for me as an Australian citizen, expecting that my government stands for my best interests. Annabelle Solomon
The TPP will continue to push health issues towards the model preferred by the USA. This will ensure that people already disadvantaged in many ways will suffer yet another blow.
The 2014 report from The Commonwealth Fund in the USA states:
The United States health care system is the most expensive in the world, but this report and prior editions consistently show the U.S. underperforms relative to other countries on most dimensions of performance. Among the 11 nations studied in this report—Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States—the U.S. ranks last, as it did in the 2010, 2007, 2006, and 2004 editions of Mirror, Mirror. Most troubling, the U.S. fails to achieve better health outcomes than the other countries, and as shown in the earlier editions, the U.S. is last or near last on dimensions of access, efficiency, and equity.
This is just the tip of this ugly TPP-berg.
In addition to making essential medicines unaffordable for those who need them most (and all in the name of obscene profits) does Australia really need:
-- Expensive lawsuits which may not follow the due process Australians would expect and simply line the pockets of huge companies with more taxpayer funds?
347 -- Lawsuits that may override Australia's sovereignty over its own environment?
-- Even more spying on Australian citizens through the Internet?
I do not condone the infringement of copyright in any way but this constant push to exert greater control over individuals is skating very close to the infringement of personal human rights.
Please think very carefully about what is under threat of being lost to this country forever - our freedom. Then vote No.
Thank you for reading my message. Lee Jeffer
The TPP will take away our sovereignty. It will cost jobs; it will put our environment at risk; it will place our online privacy at risk. Worst of all, it will make the cost of life-saving medications beyond the reach of, probably, the majority of Australians.
I have had a chronic disease for about forty years. At times I have had to take large doses of several drugs: without them I would almost certainly not be alive today, still making a contribution to society and my community. I am one of many thousands of Australians in similar circumstances.
The TPP may help big corporations, but it will damage the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Australians: you are in your position because of us; you govern for us.
Please consider your choice. Lesley Campbell
As I understand the TPP it supports the big pharmaceutical companies holding their patents for a much longer period than they currently do thus delaying the introduction of cheaper copies onto the market. Whilst they have the patent the companies are able to artificially inflate the prices they charge allegedly to recoup the cost of the R & D. I am lucky enough as a result of War Service to have a DVA Gold Card. My wife who suffers from a number of long term and quite serious medical conditions will not have it until I die. I don't intend doing this for some time! In the meantime we have to pay for expensive medications to support rich pharmaceutical companies. I definitely do not support anything that delays the introduction of cheaper medicines on the market. Affordable medication should be the right of all people.
As we saw with the Tobacco legislation big international companies are prepared to take on countries like Australia in Court to change legislation they do not like ie Philip Morris HK prepared to fight the Australian Govt on the plain packaging legislation. We need to do more to fight the scourge of sugar in our prepared foodstuffs and I can imagine Kraft in the US being prepared to fight any Aust Govt legislation they believe is negatively affecting them.
This TPP needs to be well scrutinised before the Parlt assents to it. Philip Giles
348 Dear Committee Members,
I was born in January 1940 and my wife in January 1944 and we are presently trying to survive on full Seniors Age Pensions for Married Couples, which at $xxxxxxxx total per annum is a major ongoing challenge for us.
And just today we have received two pieces of bad news about potentially adverse impacts on the future our healthcare budget.
The first is that the guarantee given to all Australians by Minister Robb that if the TPP is entered into there would NOT be any increases in the cost of imported medicines, despite strenuous lobbying by foreign pharmaceutical companies, is completely worthless!
The last time that this was an issue was during the final term of the Howard Government, but the then Trade Minister Mark Vale did at least have the decency to keep his word by ensuring that pharmaceuticals were NOT affected by the trade agreement entered into.
Unfortunately due to our ages and our respective states of our health we need to take a wide range of prescribed medicines, so we therefore request that if the TPP is in fact entered into, that pharmaceuticals are definitely excluded from the Trade Agreement.
The second piece of bad news is that upon checking with our not for profit health fund Phoenix Healthcare and of which I have been a member for 58 years, their fees will increase by just under 10%, and not the 5.6% as stated by Health Minister Sussan Ley.
This $20 per week increase in our healthcare expenses is going to seriously and adversely impact our already overstretched household budget, which could well force us to give up private health cover and after 58 years of keeping off the public healthcare system, we may have no choice other than to place further load on an already overloaded and under-funded State system.
Finally, we wish to thank you for taking time to read this submission and trust that at the end of your deliberations, that you ensure that pharmaceuticals ARE excluded from the TPP Agreement should it in fact be entered into.
Sincerely,
Grahame Elvin Grahame Elvin
I would like to see the TTP blocked by the Parliament because:
1. We should not be giving US pharmaceutical corpsorations monopoly rights over biologic medicines used in Australia. The Government is keen to cut expenditure, by giving the monopoly to large pharmaceutical corporations it will increase the cost of pharmaceuticals that are paid for by the Health Dept thereby increasing the Health budget or decreasing the amount of money being allocated to other areas of the Health budget. It is also make a lot of elderly and lower and middle class Australians have to make the choice as to whether they can afford medications which would be a detriment to their health.
349 2. the TTP is opening the possibility of having global ,multinational companies taking out law suits against Australia which not only allows them to dictate to Australia what they can and cannot do, but results in multi million dollar law suites which have to be defended by Australia and are paid for by the tax paying Australians.
3. It appears that the Government has no real thoughts and definitely no actions when it comes to protecting the environment. If the Government does see some sense and begins to be serious about protecting the environment, under the TPP it appears that the Government can then be sued by multi nationals and others for making laws to protect the environment and not looking after the income of such multi nationals.
I would like to see the Parliament rejecting the TTP or at the very least, ensuring it is subject to further scrutiny by independent parties.
I am interested to know when parliament started bowing to multi national companies and forgetting about the interest of the interest of those people who are paying their wages - the ordinary tax paying Australians. Trish Goodale
In its present form the TPP must be rejected. It gives monopoly rights to pharmaceutical companies which would override our PBS policies, making many medicines unaffordable to most Australians. That is, biologic medicines would be kept under monopoly patents for longer, forcing us to pay more for the medicines we rely on. This benefits Big Pharma and their profits by fleecing ordinary Australians.
Moreover, the ISDS permits companies to sue governments over policies which threaten their profits--policies democratically determined to protect workers rights and the environment. Even now Philip Morris is suing the Australian government over plain cigarette packaging in Hong Kong.
THE TPP MUST BE STOPPED. Thomas Wilson
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Trans Pacific Partnership.
I have many concerns regarding this deal including pharmaceutical companies raising prices for their own profits. Also I do not believe corporations should have the right to sue governments over environmental laws or workplace protections for workers. This is completely wrong and the deal seems to favour corporations over people and the environment.
I also disagree with the unnecessary secrecy surrounding this signing and the complete lack of public consultation by the government for this partnership. In short I believe this deal is wrong and not in the best interests of the Australian people.
Thanks for the chance to make a submission. Michael Peel
350 Dear Sir,
No One, Can Sign, T.P.P. Agreement, With Deadly Hidden Secret Agreements, Etc., Behind All, Etc., Australians Backs, Etc.,
That Allows, Etc., Big Corporations, Etc., Secret, Etc., Court Hearings, Etc., To Sue Us, All Taxpayers, Etc., For Lost Profits, Etc., Costs, Etc.,
You All, Etc., Politicians, Etc., At All, Etc., Levels, Etc., Of Governments, Etc., And All, Etc., Of Yours, So Called, Authorities, Agencies, Etc.,
Will Be Hold, Etc., 100% Accountable, Etc., For Everyone, Of All, Etc., Secret, And Non Secret, Etc., Paqyouts, Etc., Whatever Called, Legal, Etc., Law Suite, Etc., Actions, Etc., That Includes, Etc., But Not Limited To, 1, More Or All Big Corporations, Etc., Are Doing, World Wide,
We All, Etc., Australians, Etc., Will Not, Under Any, Etc., Curcumstances, Etc., Accept, Etc., This Bullshit, Etc., Secret Agreements, Etc.,
And Will Always, Etc., Refuse, Etc., To Pay, Even 1 Cent,
Instead, Etc., We All, Etc., Australians, Etc., Will Start, Lots Of Legal Actions, Etc., Against, Each And Everyone, Etc., Involved, In Any, Etc., Shapes, Etc., Or Forms, Etc., Whatsoever,
Fact Is, That Each, Etc., And Everyone, Etc., Of You Politicians, Etc., Scum Bags, Etc., Are Committing Treason, And Treachery, Etc., And Are Comitting Plenty Of Criminal, Etc., And Other Offences, Etc., And Will/Should Be Put Into Jail, For Life, No Ifs, No Buts.
Dated, 10 Of March 2016,
Yours Sincerely,
Henri Virtanen Henri Virtanen
The TPP is a very nasty piece of work. Andrew Robb has signed of on something that would mean that medicines would cost a lot more which could mean some people may die because they cannot afford to buy what they need to stay alive.
When the Australian Government pass laws to protect and strengthen environmental protections like fracking or polluting our water then the Government can be sued by greedy energy companies.
Our internet privacy is at risk with this treaty and Australia would be open to multinational corporate lawsuits if we do something that they don't like Barbara Davison
To whom it may concern
351 As an Australian I'm deeply concerned about the Trans Pacific Partnership treaty which, if it goes ahead, will undermine Australia's sovereignty.
The TPP's ISDS provisions will allow transnational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate tribunals (outside Australia's legal system), over legal changes that protect us, but which they claim may hurt their 'expected future profits'. For example, the government could be sued for legislation (that corporations would have to abide by) to strengthen environmental, food, health and workplace protections.
Some health sector groups have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has been inconsistent about this. On the one hand he has told the Australian community that the affordable medicines system will not change. On the other hand he has told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. In other words, they keep their monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines. He can't have it both ways.
Part of the problem of course is that we know so little about the contents of the treaty because it has been negotiated in secret with no public consultation so we can only speculate on what effects it will have. This is probably the most shameful and invidious aspect of the treaty.
It should be rejected by Parliament.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Yours faithfully, Tom Smallman
Dear Inquiry members,
I am writing to you in the hope thst any deals with pharmaceutical companies be scrutinised first.
I, along with many other Australians, suffer from an incureable disease. In my case it is called Freidriech's Ataxia, but there are many diseases whose sufferers would benefit from effective drug treatments.
T here are many such drug trials for FA underway, and it would directly negatively impact the FA community here if any trade deal allowed drug companies to delay or exhorbitantly charge for their product. This applies to other life-affecting conditions like MS or Alzheimer's Disease.
Please re-examine such an important deal with this in mind.
Respectfully,
Rebecca Stant Rebecca Stant
352 When i hear the lies, the half-truths, the false-promises, the double-speak, the blatant arrogance about the TPP, I feel a deep anger that our government, and the opposition Labor Party, are the propagators!
The TPP is a huge confidence trick perpetrated by American Big Business, so blatant and so potentially damaging to Australia, that all 30,000 pages had to be prepared in utter secrecy. That process started back in the 1980's, when Big Business first suggested they wanted a legal system which was controlled by them and could not be challenged by any sovereign nation. The reaction to this proposal was such outrage, that for the next two and a half decades, nothing further was said.
During that period in America, the neocons came to power, and following the election of Reagan, the matter began in earnest again.
Now, when finally published, it is couched in such dense legalese, not to make it better undertood, but to ensure that corporate lawyers will always be able to find beneficial loopholes in whatever matter they contend..
Big Pharma has already shown its hand. Agree to whatever time Australia may want regarding patent expiration, but never mind: when the pressure's on, we get our way. And what does Andrew Robb do?
He verifies this exactly by his comments about Big Pharma's biologic monopoly patents being what they choose, not what
Australia chooses.
What about Investor/state disputes?
What about environmental protection?
What protection for our Unions from rabid companies who want $2 an hour workers?
Why the refusal to allow independent analysis?
What about the contention that the TPP is a huge trade block to continue America's dominance over China?
No one answers. Pollies bend over, and America shafts the world at large, with counterfeit dollars spewing in every direction. Robert Kent
I urge you to please not sign away our Australian rights to the TPP.
It is an evil. It will allow foreign corporations to sue our government if we make laws that may affect their profits. It will make our medicinal costs. IT would also mean that international corporations suing Australia if we pass laws that try to protect us from environmental disasters like fracking that the public clearly do not want as has happened in Canada. It will mean the end of democracy as we know it and will affect our poorest people such as pensioners and those unable to find work because of physical disabilities.
353 It is NOT a good deal. Remember some of your family will be adversely affected by this terrible agreement. Do you want to be the man who sold Australia's freedom of choice?
I believe that it will mean that some of our poorest will soon not be able to buy medicines that allow them to live.
Also remember that the corporate lawsuits would be held in courts that are closed to scrutiny and to reporters and the public. You will be remembered as the person who sold our country short. What benefit will it have for Australia? Very little. Mr Robb
, don't sell Australia out. Allan Royal
Please do not vote for the TPP.
Why do so many USA Presidential candidates oppose it?
I don't think we can trust USA companies to share or licence or sell IP in a way that is helpful to Australia.
I don't want to see the Australian Government sued by USA corporations because of laws we have introduced and tried to apply regarding health and labelling standards.
We may lose all power to identify GMO products.
We may find health controls on smoking will be weakened.
We may find controls over drinking and drink advertising will be weakened or disallowed.
We may find pharmaceutical prices rise or cant be brought down or cant be brought down within a reasonable period
These are not matters which should be determined by the profit seeking of USA companies. They should be determined by the decisions of Australian Committees relevant to the subject. regards
Fred Trop-Asher
PS. Why hasnt the government disclosed the full terms of the TPP so we really know what is going on. Fred Tropp-asher
I am an Australian citizen who has lived in 4 different countries. I have witnessed first-hand the devestating effects of unaffordable medication on communities, where treatable short term conditions become chronic illnesses that eventually result in great cost to both individuals and society.
354 Personally, I will almost certainly require lifelong medication to treat a benign brain tumor. Currently, as an employed individual, I am able to afford the cost of this medication, but by passing the TPP you place my future health in jeopardy.
Please vote against the TPP. Defend Australians against corporations who would place our common well being at the mercy of profit margins and corporate policy. Protect our sovereign rights as elected officials who should represent the interests of this nation. Kim Yen Howells-Ng
I have been following the developments in the negotiations in secrecy and thanks to Wikileaks have seen the details of a deal which will undermine our sovereignty, trample over our rights as citizens and severely erode our much needed regulations in terms of trade and consumer protection.
It is an abomination on every level and I remind the members of government who will make a decision about this so-called 'free trade' deal (a misnomer if ever there were one) that somebody they know and love will get a raw deal from it, so pervasive it is. Nobody can insulate themselves from the market. If you prioritise the market over society and its members it will prove to be a less equitable society for all.
Never forget that underprivilege makes for gated communities and ghettos. Jane Stephens
There is too much we don't know about the TPP, and what we do know does not look good. Why has Andrew Robb not done more to ask questions about what the TPP involves for Australians? Why do we get the impression that he has simply allowed the multinationals to walk all over him? How can anyone possibly accede to deals which allow multinational companies to override the laws of the countries they operate in, for their own commercial advantage?
To take pharmaceuticals as an example, currently in Australia we are able to choose generic brands of medication when we have prescriptions made up. Am I right in thinking that under the terms of the TPP, this option will no longer be available, and moreover, any supplier who offers consumers cheaper alternative brands, may be liable for prosecution if the TPP endorsed supplier believes their profits will be harmed?
I want to know more about what is going on here. If the TPP is so terrific and such an advantage to Australia, why do we still know so little about it and what it involves?
The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review need to ask some serious questions about the TPP. If convincing answers are not forthcoming, the TPP needs to be rejected. Julie Hopper
The TPP as it is cannot be easily undone in the future. Going ahead with it, we are increasing government legal liability, and irrevocably giving away government ability to provide and protect for poorer fellow citizens against mega corporations.
355 Stop encouraging global greed!
Means and ends - get it right!
People must come first here, not big business. Our health must be priority and paramount (for us to contribute effectively towards society and the economy), and support and be proud of a government that can make and uphold hard decisions on their behalf.
I am a 40yo migrant but can still recall an Australia that would've rejected such unegalitarian values in an instant. When it comes to our economy making money, there isn't just the one way. Fang Cheah
I have been poisoned twice by Monsanto products... the first time it was Hi-Cane, which contains Agent Orange.
I lost my sense of balance and could not drive. It took 3 years of treatment from a holistic doctor to restore me, at least around 85%. I lost my job and had to retire early.
Second - it was Round-Up. The paddock opposite my house on a lifestyle was sprayed with Round Up before planting maize. We had a hail storm, so the maize was lost, and the paddock sprayed again with Round Up.
I spent three weeks in bed, with ulcers, inside and out.
We sold the property and left.
Please please do not do away with alternative medicine, it is the only thing that often has been able to help me.
I also do not want to see the pharmacies under monopoly patents.
There are many more problems with children than there were when I was growing up - I have one grandson with autism, and another granddaughter, born with a cone head 4 months premature, who at three cannot talk or walk.
What are we doing to the planet?? I think we are one of the species in danger of extinction.
Yours sincerely,
Sara Dickon Sara Dickon
Members of Parliment,
When you cast your vote concerning the TPP, please be aware of three major issues.
1. The deal, among other things, will make healthcare unaffordable for many Australians, with already immensely wealthy pharmaceutical companies reaping the greatest rewards.
356 2. The inordinate regulation the TPP will assert over a free and open internet will effectively act as censorship at the whim of the highest bidders. This is akin to allowing a small handful of powerful individuals with personal agendas ownership over the majority of media and information dissemination across all countries involved. Which as you know we already do have and already do suffer from.
3. You, personally, will be held responsible for the choice you make on this. It is not something you want yourself or your entire family name associated with in the memory of human history. If you are wise you will vote against it and advise all others to do the same, and if you were extremely wise you would denounce it publicly in order to clear your name in the global arena.
Here's hoping that you heed these words. Mark Gerrett
To whom it should concern...
Reject the TPP. It only benefits multinational corporations and does nothing to help average Australians.
In particular, signing our country up to the investor/state dispute provisions is one of the dumbest actions I can think of. What person in their right mind accepts such a deal on behalf of the citizens of their nation?
There are a whole bunch of issues not to like about the TPP deal but the ISDS clauses alone should be enough to throw it out on its ear!
We must retain the right to legislate for the greater good of Australians without the threat of legal action from international corporate interests peeved that their profit margins might be compromised by laws intended to protect citizens.
I strongly urge members of the Parliament to earn a positive place in history by knocking back this deal!
Regards
Dr David Pyle. David Pyle
From the limited detail we have been given, it is obvious that the Trans Pacific Partnership would be extremely detrimental to Australia!
We cannot afford to drive our pharmaceutical medicine accessibility down to the American system of prolonged monopoly patents. Nor is it acceptable for multinational corporations to be able to sue our government for environmental decisions that hurt their profit lines.
357 This 'treaty' has been negotiated in such secrecy that there has not been adequate opportunity for people with appropriate qualifications to expose possible 'loopholes' that might be present in addition to the above-mentioned ones.
This 'treaty should be soundly rejected in it's present form. Marj Jensen
The TPP has been negotiated under a veil of cover and Australian Citizens have no real knowledge what our politicians are getting us into.
From the scant information I have received I am concerned about:
1. Australia being sued by multinational corporations, protecting their pursuit of profits, at the expense of Australian's interests.
2.Health sector groups are warning us that several provisions of the TPP could increase the price of medicines.
3.Our environment could be seriously compromised in favour of multinational developments and mining.
4.Internet privacy and personal freedom of communication can be jeopardised by internet services spying on individuals for copyright infringements.
It seems incredible that our government can put Australia into a binding and important contract as this without any consultations with it's people.
Markus Egli Markus Egli
this is a completely ridiculous policy, how is our great nation going to benefit from signing, what by loosing our rights , allowing corporations to sue our government, increasing our food costs, loosing our valuable land, higher medical costs, really, its about time we stood up to this level of grab the money and run mentality. we should be producing our own food to feed our own people, lets stand on our own two feet and be who we are proud Australians, running this country the Australian way, fairly and with integrity.Lets do something really silly and be mindful of the future generations, our legacy should mean something. mark forbes
I want the TPP blocked by parliament until full scrutiny can be given to clauses that will allow foreign corporations to sue Australian people if our parliament make decisions to protect our rights. We should not be at the mercy of foreign corporation and their demands for profits . We have governments to run our country, and should not allow corporations that right to sue for loss of ( possible) profits. The secrecy is undemocratic and with an election looming, it is not the time to go
358 ahead without proper public consultation.This is a deal that needs a referendum, not a secret trade deal where we are kept in the dark as it will impact upon us for generations if not indefinitely.
Cathy Wallace. Catherine Wallace
According to the World Bank analysis the TPP will have very minor benefit for Australia (0.7 by 2030). This is significantly less than Vietnam, Singapore and New Zealand. But the real winners are multinationals. It has now come out Australians will suffer the same crippling costs for biologic medicines as Americans and we are left wondering what else will come out. Worse still multinational corporations will be able to sue our government when it legislates to protect us when such legislation may affect company profits. John Howard never put our sovereignty at risk. He had the gumption to rebuff the measures that put Australian health and well-being at risk. When multinationals can legally stop a government from protecting its citizens, their environment and natural resources the relevance of government is severely diminished. Cheryl Mainard
Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is an enormous help to all Australians, and most particularly to the most vulnerable - families with young children, people with disability, pensioners and more. Many people would have to go without their medication if they were forced to pay the premium price that the big pharmaceutical companies want. The TPP would allow these companies to force their expensive products on Australia, rather than allowing the development and distribution of cheaper generic drugs.
Australia could be penalised for distributing drugs that aren't made by the big companies - and these companies are out to maximise their profits.
Please reject this dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal. Joan Apthorp
I'm 78 and a self funded retiree( ex- APS) and take medication for chronic back pain, glaucoma, emphysema, asthma,high blood pressure and diabetes. My husband is 80, and financially totally dependent on my pension. He lost his pancreas in childhood and is still dependent on oral pancreatic enzymes and,being diabetic,is insulin dependent .He suffers from anxiety. Yesterday he was diagnosed with Altzheimers Disease.
We do what we can to keep healthy by diet and going to the gym 5 days a week. But that is not enough to keep us alive. We must have the appropriate medications for which we cannot afford to pay the unsubsidised costs.
For us, it's a matter of life and death.So please reject the TPP. We are not the only vulnerable people.
Ann Forward. Ann Forward
359
Sjogren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease you've probably never heard of, but which hits roughly the same number of people as rheumatoid arthritis, attacks the moisture producing glands. Eyes, mouth, skin, lungs -- all become debilitatingly drier. The crippling fatigue that comes with lupus also comes with Sjogren's. As one MD commented, 'It rots your life.' There are so few systemic options out there. Biologics are one of the few drugs that seem to be providing hope for sufferers.
The TPP will do nothing to help people with this disease who already have to foot the full price bill for so many drugs and aids: artificial tears, saliva, lung washes, and others. This is only one small example of what the TPP will mean to us.
The corporations will take care of themselves. How about you take care of us, ordinary people, the ones who vote? Wendy Waring
Both Hitler and Mussolini (and many other Dictators) have joined with big business to rule the people. The TPP is another attempt to permit international corporations to avoid an open market system and to rob the people. The TPP and similar treaties will also lead to suppression of Trade Unions and civil strife. At present the Trade Unions are one of the few balances we have in our society against big business. This treaty will lead to ridiculous court cases, much suffering of the Australian people, encourage a class based society and ultimately must result in either / or revolution, slavery and dictatorship. Australia was built on freedom and thousands of Australian gave their lives for our freedom. Will you destroy that history and turn this wonderful nation, this paradise as yet almost unsullied by the deprivations and ravages of corporations into a living hell. Read history and examine your consciences, I beg. Do you want to go down in history as the people that sold out your nation? In days of yore that was treason. Think carefully please.
Further, why hasn't the full wording of this and similar recent treaties been made available to the people of Australia. Why are you hiding it from us, the people. Your role is to act in our best interests - not in the interests of international corporations. Bill Trottet
I would like the TPP blocked. I am worried we will be vulnerable to corporate lawsuits against Australia because we try to protect ourselves. I see cigarette packets with no pretty packaging being a big issue here.
I am worried about being challenged about the environmental protections we have in our country. We own this country, and our use or protection of it should not be challenged or overruled. Fracking has caused so many problems that cannot be fixed. Clean, unpolluted drinking water is not negotiable. It is our right, something some other countries could only dream of!!! Why would we jeopardise it further. The TPP will open a can of worms.
360 We do not want the outrageous prices that they pay for medications overseas., especially USA. The TPP will break down the system.
There is enough monitoring of us already, big brother should not be invading our privacy to monitor our private computer use. michelle aston
Could you please note that I do not wish you to in any way or part sign Australia up to the Trans- Pacific Partnership? I really do not see what we will gain from this deal and we seem set to lose affordable medicines, the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws, and lots of taxpayer's money if we lose in the secret courts.
I cannot bear to hear any more about the supposed positives of this deal for a few Australians only when the detriments for most Australians and the future of this country are at risk.
No.
Thank you.
Regards Erica Corr
1) The TPP will allow foreign companies to sue Australia (ie you, me and every other tax payer in the country) in private corporate courts without judges or juries over laws that have been made in Australia's interest.
This is already happening in other countries: a corporation is currently suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Every single thing about this is outrageous.
2) Affordable medicines: Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could lead to increased costs for medicines.
3) Environmental protections: Our government could be sued for passing laws that protect the environment. Not likely to happen with the current government, but we can live in hope. Again for example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
4) Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report to corporate enforcement agencies. Hugh Ferrar
As a health professional, I see the TPP as a grave threat to the entire Australian society, particularly in regard to quality control and cost of medications , whether prescribed or otherwise. Until recent cuts to the national prescriber list were made (items removed from the PBS) the Australian system was admired internationally because its purpose is to secure value for money, impose strict controls
361 in regard to efficacy & safety and contain costs for both the government and the consumer. Thereby relative equity of access to key medications has been achieved, although far from perfect.
To compromise the PPS by purely commercial reasons implied in any free trade agreement, is tantamount to yet again selling off autonomy and decency which is happening rather a lot in this country. To be sure USA would not be so keen on the agreement if it were not for the power of their corporations who, as a any politician should know, display no morality and eschew all legal responsibility.
'To any responsible, moral, right thinking politician who thinks it is ok to still be all the way with the USA, I beg, think again, Margaret Campbell
So, global corporate interests don't have enough power over us already?
The most outrageous instrument of our subjection is the ISDS. We do have responsibilities which must not be subject to the pecuniary interests of corporations indifferent to our interests, all the more if their only interest in us is exploitation of us.
This trade deal is entirely directed to the freedom of the powerful corporate interests who have created it at the expense of our freedom, even our freedom to address matters of our health, welfare and survival.
If you represent us, your constituents, you must reject the TPP. Felix Prael
The TPP is a serious concern to me.
I want medicine to continue be affordable in Australia. I don't want Australians to end up in the same awful predicament as Americans. Please listen to informed health sector groups who are warning us that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. This is unacceptable.
Multinational corporations have such power due to their huge profits. I don't want Australia to be in a position where it can be sued in private corporate courts (ie NO judges or jury) by any multinational corporations over legal changes that are in place to protect us but hurts their profits.
Our environment is precious. We need to maintain our environment and be able to protect it in our legal framework. I am most concerned that the TPP will weaken Australia's ability to do this. Why should we enable the Australian government to be be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections. These protections are there for a good reason. Corporations must abide by them and not be helped by weakening our rights against destructive corporate activities such as fracking or water pollution.
Please help to prevent these negative impacts on Australia and Australians.
Thank you. Helia Wolfson
362
I have been concerned from the start about the secrecy with which this deal has been made. Explanations that it has to do with commercial in confidence business deals fly in the face of democratic respect for the citizens of a country that is signing up to this. two things in particular terrify me
The ISDS provisions already invoked around the world against sovereign governments including Australia ( Philip Morris v us the Australian voting public )
The threat to our PBS and the gift to big pharma by extending patent and biologic deals ( mainly US companies ) and the consequent loss of our pretty fair system of pharmaceuticals. Why do you want to increase the profits of foreign companies who pay us little or no tax by penalising the ill Australian public ?
Are you so disdainful of your fellow citizens?
I am afraid that I have no confidence in Mr Robb or his words.
I would hope that wiser and cooler heads in Parliament might reject this deal and thereby NOT sell out Australia. Jeffrey Stewart
I am writing to express my great concern about the provisions of the TransPacific Partnership.
I am most concerned about the possibility that environmental controls, already under threat by the Federal Government, will be further weakened by the TPP.
I understand that international companies will be able to sue the Australian Government in the event that their wishes or results are thwarted.
To place our environment, our land and water in the hands of big multinationals focussed entirely on their profit line appears to me to be a profligate action, with no application of the Precautionary Principal.
Yours sincerely
Nicola Chirlian Nicola Chirlian
Dear elected representatives of the Australian people.
Don't sell our rights down the river!
363 We need to maintain and strengthen our legal system to protect Aistralian citizens. The TPP will open the doors to US pharmaceutical companies ..maintaining their U.S. Legal equivalent. Monopoly patents will mean that we Australians will pay more for medicines we rely on.
We have a good system making medicines affordable for our citizens. Let's maintain and strengthen it!
Yon need to ensure that our fragile environment is protected with Australian laws with Australian interests at heart enforceable over foreign corporations eg re fracking or water pollution.
You must maintain and strengthen laws that protect Australian consumers from Internet server spying and reporting on consumers re copyright infringements. Maree Gill
I don't mean to be blunt... No actually I do and I'm going to put it in layman's terms, the TPP does absolutely nothing for the public and is nothing but an over-hyped and over stipulated agreement that will give more money and more power to corporations, while taking away democratic process and regulations. So really it does nothing for government either. Sure it might look like a shiny, big new agreement and you might get your pat on the back for helping it through but long term this is going to be detrimental to the economy, jobs, government and society at large.
Let me remind you, you represent the people of this nation and NOT corporate interest. luke wynn
I do not support the TPP and neither should you. You may have forgotten this, but while you may be constantly lobbied by corporations, you are not in government to to make their lives richer. You are voted in by the people of Australia. The ones who need medicines and decent rates of pay and workplace protection.
Do not support or pass the TPP. Our health system may not be perfect, but it is streets ahead of the discrimanatory and entirely monetised version in the US. The same one that President Obama is trying to fix. The one that fails so many ordinary citizens. Affordable medicine is so important.
Our environment and the ability for us people to stand up to corporations who wish to weaken our legislation are important. Please don't sell us out on this one either.
Please ditch the TPP, for the sake of the people of australia.
Thankyou
Cate Ewin Cate Ewin
There is nothing in the history of the TPP to engender trust from the population that their interests are being looked after. I am a tech entrepreneur, trying to do business around the globe. In principal, I should be a staunch supporter of reforming intellectual property agreements and reducing barriers
364 to trade. However, the secrecy surrounding the negotiations of the TPP and the slow drip of revelations about the actual contents lead me to conclude this agreement is not in our national interest.
The current farce of the Australian government being sued in Hong Kong for the cigarette packaging laws passed by our Parliament to protect our people is bad enough. I note that plain packaging for cigarettes has since been adopted by a number of other western democracies for the simple reason that it works., i.e., saving health costs by reducing incentives for people to harm themselves is manifestly good policy. Why on earth would we sign a trade agreement to extend this kind of dispute resolution framework? So that more multinationals whose business interests are at odds with our national interests can sue us? This is just a bad idea, reject it.
The recent revelations of the impact of the TPP on patent provisions for the expensive class of biological (i.e. antibody derived) medicines is further evidence of our national interest being at odds with those of global pharmaceutical companies. Having recently spent time in the US, we do not want a health system that places profits before people. It is barbaric. Medicare is not perfect but affordable medicines are something we should be justly proud of and defend, for the long term costs of the alternatives are horrendous in both human and financial costs.
The TPP is so transparently a transfer of power from elected governments to global corporate interests that I cannot believe we are even having this conversation. Take a stand for the interests of those who elected you, represent our interested and reject this foolish deal. Keiran Thompson
I urge you to block the passages of the TTP deal that affect affordable medicines in this country. We have been assured that we will keep our system of affordable medicines but now we are hearing that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over medicines that they have in the USA. Which is the truth?
We do not want the US system here raising the prices of medicines out of the reach of the poor and the middle class alike. We have a great system here at the moment and we need the government to keep our system and not change it.
Sincerely, Joan Ting Joan Ting
The more I hear and see of this proposed Trans -Pacific Partnership TPP free trade agreement.
The more it becomes blatantly obvious that the fine print of this deal is all about protecting the vested interests of big ( US in particular business) with no interest in protecting the long established citizen,s rights of members of all the smaller countries being asked to sign and join this agreement. Including us in Australlia.
365 The proof is already out there re the corruption of this and other similar proposal. A good example is the Canadian Gov being successfully sued by a US corp for losses of half a billion and winning because it Canada attempted to block the actions of this company which were against the established Canadian constitution rights of Canadians.
Another local exmple is the Australian and US navel oranges dister from back in the 70's which we are still stuck with and paying for.
A here and now example is the blatant price gouging by a new US drug co owner of prescription drugs jacking the price from $ 15 to $ 750 purely because they can and they bought the patent!
If you want my vote next election you best vote against this and make sure I know you voted against the proposed TPP, as reinforcement ; Added to the above we have already seen several cases where Malcolm Turnbull will do anything to protect these vested interests over those of the average voter!
Douglas Hicks Douglas Hicks
My name is Mark Sidebotham. I am 56 years old. I am an engineer, I make my living in Australia by working.
No politician has the right to give Australia's sovereignty away. No politician has the right to give faceless money-grubbing capitalists the power to dictate terms to the Australian people. The Australian people are not slaves and do no wish to become slaves.
Anyone who gives Australian sovereignty away is a traitor and is committing treason. Only a few hundred years ago anyone in any country in the world who worked to give the agents of a foreign power influence over the affairs of his own country would have been put to death. Working to give them supreme power over the rulers and legislature of the country, such as this specious trade deal does, would have resulted in a very unpleasant and public death.
Giving power to corporations under Australian law is one thing, but giving foreign interests the power to sue the government of Australia for making laws here is another. It is treason. Those who propose this should be arrested, charged, tried, and then thrown into prison for the rest of their days. If it were still lawful I'd say they should have their heads stuck on spikes in Australia Square. No wonder the scurrilous politicians of this once-great country have tried to keep this secret.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! Mark Sidebotham
We are Australia! We are not the U.S.A and we should not be beholden to the powers of foreign multinationals, who are the only ones who stand to benefit from the TPP. The TPP is not in the interests of our country. Let's be fair dinkum - who is the driver behind it? Which countries will be
366 exploited for the profits of others. Don't allow the rights of present and future Australians to be sold to global multinational corporations. All Australians should have the right to access affordable medications. We know what is happening to pharmaceuticals in the USA. We also know how global multinationals are suing communities and governments globally for imposing environmental sanctions and trying to look after the wellbeing of the local populations. Don't sign the TPP. Australia doesn't stand to benefit from it in the long run! Instead, we should be looking to invest in Australian manufacturing, Australia's agricultural sector and initiating good infrastructure projects. The smart n ations in the World are doing just this! Instead, it feels like we've had our heads stuck in mining pits for so long we've actually lost sight of what really will make our nation healthy and great for future generations. I hope that I'll be able to one day tell my one year old that our politicians listened to the voices of the public and rejected the TPP - a proposal that was put together by the most selfish to improve their own interests and exploit the rest of the World. Jane Goddard
To Parliament,
I am very concerned about the TPP deal, and the repercussions it could have for ordinary Australians.
First & foremost it would effect the most needy eg pensioners with higher costs in medications.
Multinational corporations could sue the government in private corporate courts without judge or jury over legal changes that would protect its citizens but would hurt those companies profits. euldAndthcouldAsuecosuegovernment over tightening environmental laws eg fracking or water pollution.
Please reject this dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership.
Protecting the country's power & control & the welfare of the people is much more important than the mighty dollar.
Thanks & regards
Maria Prestinenzi Maria Prestinenzi
To the Parliamentary Inquiry into the TPP.
Among many facts I have learned about the proposed TPP, all of which have negative implications for people other than multi-national corporations, the one that concerns me the most is that ordinary people supporting or initiating a boycott over a company or product, would face prosecution.
This one aspect of the TPP, is an attack on our democratic rights to protest and take action against companies that breach the accepted standards of safety, quality and ethics.
367 I trust that the Australian parliament will see through the marketing of the TPP and reject it completely. Linda Wilson
Dear Parliamentarians,
I am very concerned about the TPP as Australia will loose control over our environment if a foreign company has bought land in Australia with the purpose of mining or fracking. Can the Federal or State Government decide not to grant the mining or fracking lease and stop the foreign company from realising its investment? It might be that we are powerless and there goes our precious environment.
As well, the rights of overseas pharmaceutical corporations in Australia is not clear at all and we should not leave it to the courts to have decide what the TPP actually means. Millions of dollars will have to spend on these legal processes and Australia might loose. regards,
Wies Schuiringa wies schuiringa
I wish Parliament to block the TPP for the following reasons:
Australian citizens (en masse) have not had a chance to read the terms and conditions of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement. Parliament must represent the citizens of Australia; NOT the special interest groups, lobbyists for big business, NOR Corporations.
Any agreement, must ONLY benefit the citizens, and corporate interests, or foreign interests should only come second to the interests of Australian citizens.
There is widespread doubts within the community as to the benefits and costs of the TPP, and it should not be passed until there has been open and honest PUBLIC scrutiny of the terms and conditions.
Please ensure that the public have access to the document, BEFORE it is ratified or accepted by the representatives of the people of Australia.
Thank you, Clay Sparkes Clay Sparkes
How can this Government even consider it - the implications for ordinary Australian's are totally unjust in favour of massive profits for multinationals!!! It is immoral to allow these companies to charge insane amounts on medicine so that it is more difficult for the sick who need to access it,
368 simply because the Big USA Pharma corporations want to make billions of profits and take it out of this country!!
How can this be good for our people?
How can you as a Government under the advise of Andrew Robb even consider it!!!
Please come to your moral and social senses!!!
Thank you
Monica Brown monica brown
I have many concerns about the TPP.
It will probably increase the cost of medicines. Andrew Robb has given assurances to us in Australia, but we cannot believe them when he tells a United States publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly right over biologic medicines as in the US.
Multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts over changes to laws that protect us but hurt their profits. It is crazy for a country to agree to be sued by tobacco companies, for example.
Similarly, Australia could be sued for strengthening environmental protections. The Quebec provincial government was sued by a US company for laws stopping fracking. Our groundwater and farmland are more important than corporate profits.
Internet privacy and freedom will be compromised.
Please reject this secretive takeover by international corporations. Anna Da
Under provisions of the TPP it is quite possible, if not probable that the cost of medicines in Australia will rise.
The Government and quite possibly private companies could be sued for passing laws in this country which would affect the profits of American companies.
My privacy could quite conceivably be affected as large companies could insist that my private data be made available to them.
It's frightening that overseas companies and possibly governments would be able to have a say in the way our government makes and administers laws.
The parliament should refuse to include Australia in the TPP. William Mudie
369 Hi, I strongly oppose the TPP on several grounds, foremost I want access for all Australians to affordable medicines. I find it simply unbelievable that our Government wants to trade away health for Australians by giving Big Pharma monopoly rights over biological medicines. Our Government is elected to serve us- the Australian public to the last, NOT some powerful pharma corporations in the USA! None of us can afford more expensive medication and it will either lead to greater poverty or earlier deaths. This is NOT what our politicians got elected for! Don't sign the TPP!
I have not seen any benefits ever from previous free trade deals and strongly believe it is mainly for the good of the powerful, which we aren't!
Andrea Janssen Andrea Honsalek-Janssen
Dear elected representatives
As a citizen who works in healthcare, I am very concerned about the proposed TPP and it's possible effect on our health system and medicine affordability. Leaving biologic medicines under patent for longer will be a disadvantage to our nation, and to the health of all individuals. It puts advances in medicine out of the reach of ordinary people. I am also concerned about the potential impact on our environmental protections. The current deal seems to favour corporate interests over the national interest, and could be used as a tool by those corporations to push their own agenda onto our sovereignty. I urge you to reject the TPP in its current format.
Yours sincerely
Dr Peter Robinson Peter Robinson
The advantages of the TPP to Australia see limited at best. I have seen no serious balance sheet on the pros and con of this deal other than platitudes and generalities.
Concessions gained by Andrew Rob for Australia are paltry compared to what the USA is offering us.
The secrecy around this deal is not justified. Surely it is up to all countries involved to take their people into their confidence on such an important all pervasive deal. Clearly there are going to be some big winner and big losers in this process. If this is NOT the case then what do you have to hide?
Despite this process being driven by the USA, The prognosis in the USA and Australia for Jobs growth is not there, as jobs are sent off shore to lower wage cost / lower taxing countries.
The TPP should be scrapped as many people are saying here and in the USA! grant coward
1.we need affordable medicine. Our current system works fine and we should protect the Australian people from greedy US pharmaceutical corporations wanting to put money before saving lives.
370 2. We need to protect the ability of the Australian government to enabled environmental, health, andworkplace protection laws to be maintained and not controlled by the U.S.
3. We need to protect Australia from other countries' ability to interfere with our laws regarding environmental issues such as fracking and water pollution by big corporate companies becoming able to sue Australia
4. We have been able to run our own country for the last 200 years without other countries dictating to us. We should be very concerned about giving control to the U.S regarding affordable medicine, environmental protection and especially Internet privacy and freedom.
The TPP needs to be rejected by The Australian government as it will be a blight on the Australian people. Pam Ladhams
To those voting on the TTP:
*Do you fully understand the potential repercussions of this bill on the Australian population?
*Do you truly understand the TTP?
*Are you willing to put powerful corporations ahead of the Australian people?
*Are you willing to believe that large pharmaceutical corporations will put people before profit? (If so, you're in Fairyland!!)
*How can you contemplate giving US corporations monopoly rights of any medicines used in our country?
In fairness to your people, and on behalf of your people -the Australians who enabled you to have this position of trust and power - please reject the TPP deal. Marilyn Perkins
It has been alleged that Andrew Robb has lied either to the Australian public, or to US corporations concerning monopoly rights over biologic medicines. Saying one thing to one group, and the opposite to another group over the same issue is lying, by definition.
The TPP trade deal was done in secret and the details withheld from scrutiny by the people it will affect.
The stench of bad and possibly, if not probably, corrupt dealings that usually go with such lies and lack of transparency, is so great that the TPP as proposed must be rejected for the good of the Australian people.
Another reason to reject is the possibility of foreign corporations suing the government for legislating to protect Australians, thus endangering our sovereignty. Doug Carter As a GP of 20yrs, I am most concerned about the affordability of medicines with the proposed new TPP. Any proposal
371 should keep Australian healthcare affordable for patients & not pave the way for pharmaceutical companies to have monopoly rights over biological medicines as they do in the US.
There are other concerns, such as potential lawsuits from multinational corporations, that may arise from the proposed TPP, that threaten to weaken not strengthen Australia's position in the world economy.
To date I have not heard any details that have reassured me that these concerns have been sufficiently addressed.
Dr Darren Fahroedin Darren Fahroedin
The public are becoming far more aware of the consequences of the TPP to their rights, choices, bargaining power which would be subject to corporate influences that are neither democratic or reversible.
The challenge to the Westminster form of government must be resisted if we are to provide a future for our grandchildren that we enjoy because our grandparents fought so courageously for.
It is the thin end of the wedge and will see the imposition of corporate agendas over our rights...... the Liberal influence is evident in the secrecy and deceit of Mr Robb, which suggests a party ideology which will not pass the pub test. Seriously, can the Liberal Party go to the election with such an array of policies so removed from the the interest of Australia and it's citizens?
Regards
Mike Williams Michael Williams
I am writing to express my opposition to the TPP on the grounds that it represents major risks to the processes of democratic governance, to access to essential medicines, and to our ability to protect public health and our environment.
My core concerns are:
Loss of democratic governance - due to the ability of Multinational corporations to sue the Australian government, in private corporate courts, for any reductions in profit caused by government laws and regulations.
Access to affordable medicines is threatened by several clauses in the TPP - especially by the provision for longer monopoly patents.
Environmental and social protections are threatened by the ability of corporations to sue our government for loss of profits. This strips our government, and hence our populace, of our power to protect and sustain the environment on which we depend, and the society in which we wish to live.
372 I urge you to reject the TPP and safeguard these vital functions of government. Jessie Wells
The TPP has the opportunity to alter a range of laws here in Australia.
As such, the parliament and senate must be given a full copy of the TPP text before (BEFORE!!) it is agreed to by any individual.
The range of issues credibly identified by CHOICE Australia (Australia's leading consumer rights advocate) as serious risks to Australian citizens cover:
- investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) clause
- extending the period of pharmaceutical monopolies
- Altering our copyright obligations
(https://www.choice.com.au/shopping/consumer-rights-and-advice/your-rights/articles/tpp- secretly-trading-away-your-rights)
The TPP must be subject to effective scrutiny by the representatives of the Australian people prior to any agreement!
Regards,
Michael Sheehy Michael Sheehy
The more information which has been uncovered regarding this agreement - the more concerned we become as to the effects on ordinary australians. Costs of medicines, protection of Intellectual Property, Australian ownership of our own resources. We owe it to future generations of Australians to be cautious, considered and careful in the manner in which we bow to big business, US multinationals and the US government.
Be thorough, be careful and consider the legacy/impost such an agreement will leave to the Australians of future generations. Who will be the real winners from this agreement in the short and long term. Who will be the losers in the short and more especially - the long term.
If transparency has not been a product of the process which lead to this agreement - we should be concerned, very concerned and alarmed. Take the time, be cautious and think of Australia's independent future. Michael Anderson
Dear Parliament,
I am deeply concerned of the immediate & long term consequences with the TTP-
373 Living costs are just not affordable to a lot of Australians - e.g. ..
* pensioners,students, single people-male -female-young-middle age & families ,thats most of the Australian public you represent.
A lot of people, to my observation, are already living on two meals a day.
Please consider,the long term effects of this alone. I can only observe & think as a futurist what lack of affordable medications would contribute to an already struggling public, -a growing health crisis in a non affordable health system?
Kind Regards,
Sylvia
I strongly believe that too many parts of the TPP remain dangerously under-scrutinised. I also believe that if the Turnbull government does not take more time to consider the impacts of the TPP, then it will be viewed as intentionally keeping it underscrutinised.
In particular, the following concerns need further scrutiny and reporting on to the Australian electorate: that health sector groups have warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. that multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
The TPP is of serious concern in my community and should be rejected until further scrutinised. jennifer robinson
It is a dangerous and underhanded thing that the special trad envoy Andrew Robb has done in telling the US they will have the same monopoly over biologic medicines in Australia as in the US.
The government is looking at an increase in the ageing population and it seems counter productive to ensure biologic medicines which can alleviate and/or prevent illnesses become more expensive and therefore less available to a large proportion of the population.
374 It makes sense to make them less expensive so they are more readily available and there curb or prevent some of the government costs of the ageing population.
The government is the problem not the solution to the country's woes. Judith Roach
In any trade agreement we need to be better off as a resullt of it. I am very concerned that Australians well be worse off by signing the TPP.
I am concerned that multinational companies will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges and jury. Australia needs to be able to pass laws or take actions that benefit its citizens without being taken to court.
Australia needs to be able to have strong environmental protections and not be sued if it passes laws to protect land and water which may impact negatively on the profits of any company.
I am also concerned that there may be certain provisions that will lead to increased medicine prices and thus impact on the ability of sick Australians to get well.
I am very concerned about these issues and urge the parliament to reject this agreement. sincerely,
Georgina Kategiannis Georgina Kategiannis
It's difficult to think of a reason why anyone would support the TPP: a scheme that must be kept largely secret from the Australian people, but that apparently gives unheard-of powers to huge multinational companies. Who in Australia welcomes giving these companies control over our government - the deciding vote in what we pay for pharmaceuticals and who gets what; companies with the ability to set their own rules about environmental issues (can't you see the CSG people cheering as they plan to wreck more of our country - after all, it's not their backyard); and companies who are able to sue a government if it tries to get in the way of their profits!
One has to ask the question - and it is a vital one for our long term survival as a nation - who should be in control of Australia's future? The people of Australia, or a multinational company that exists only for maximum profits, now, and so what for the future?
I implore you to do everything possible to safeguard our country from profiteers and their steamroller tactics. I love my country, and I assume you do too.
Thank you for reading this submission. Cynthia Harris Cynthia Harris
375 Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has been caught red-handed telling the Australian public one thing and American pharmaceutical corporations another.
Mr Robb spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States.
This could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health.
I am asking Parliament to protect affordable medicines and reject the TPP.
It is a bad arrangement at best and a threat to the Australian market on a number of levels. Vote it out. Vote it down.
In the future such global arrangements should be fully disclosed and examined by bodies within government and outside it to establish agreements which do not sign away the farm and put our sovereignty at risk - allow our legislative bodies to be sued under such wide ranging and ill- considered restrictions.
It is a bad initiative and should be sent back for major review and renegotiation or better yet sent into oblivion where it belongs.
Thanks for your consideration.
John Hall John Hall
I am feeling very confused about the likely impact of the TPP on the cost of basic medicines and health care in Australia. I've been told on the one hand that the current Federal govt has provided a guarantee to Australians that the cost of our medicines and health care wont increase.
But then I heard in the news that United States pharmaceutical companies will have the same monopoly rights over medicines in Australia that they have in the US. Doesnt having monopoly rights over medicines mean Australian pay more for medicines?
Even middle class people, let alone poor people will object to spending much more on medicines and it will be too late then cause Mr Robb will be gone from political life - it's my understanding that this TPP is not a reversible deal if we dont like the impacts later on. Please dont risk my future health care or that of My children and grandchildren, some of whom have to have significant amounts of medicine to keep leukemai at bay.
Yours sincerely
Barbara Martin Barbara Martin
Risk of TPP cost Burden on future generations:
376 I am really concerned that the TPP will impose burdens upon our younger generation of contracts and obligations rooted in old policy or outdated governance.
TPP Agreements locked in now, re biological medicines, patents, wages, etc or other details buried in TPP clauses, could be binding, in perpetuity. This could derail any innovative government programs to optimise the way Australia runs, or plans to eliminate costly red tape or infrastructure etc if such changes would mean corporations such as Big Pharma could be disadvantaged and thus able to sue the Australian people.
It is wrong that any private corporation could be able to hold a government to ransom for making changes to benefit its citizens or its environment now or in future. It is wrong that citizens needing lifesaving medicines, or the PBS , should be forced to pay huge costs to cover the agreement for pharmaceutical companies through TPP agreements.
I urge you to oppose any binding agreement that will potentially place our present and future generations at such risk of exploitation by very savvy and very profit-oriented private corporations. Miranda Jelbart
Dear Representatives of the Australian People
We elect you to represent the people's rights and well being.
You are one of us, the people.
It seems rather odd that you would want to agree to harmful outcomes for all of us, the people. Your family are people, the ones you care for are people, all will be affected by your decision to give corporations the power over the people. It makes one scratch their head and wonder why you would legislate for the TPP? Do corporations elect you or the people?
Perhaps you have not read the contents?
The TPP will lower food safety standards, allow for a pharmaceutical monopoly (do you really want a health system like the USA?) and make us the people, poorer. When we ask to put our environmental wealth over the monetary wealth of corporations, we will have to pay off lawsuits where corporations suit us, that's us the people, you and your family too, for 'potential loss of business'
This is not the way I wish you to move forward on my behalf.
I ask you, as a representative of the people, that you put the people's well being and rights, before corporations. Say no to the TPP.
Regards,
Dimity O'Dea Dimity O'Dea
377 Please block the TTP deal in Parliament and protect the needs of our own community when it comes to affordable medicines.
Your electors and the people of Australia rely on the availability of the medicines and drugs and their affordability so all Australians can have proper health care.
Our health care is admired by all the world. Please don't let it be dismantled or become some sort of piecemeal arrangement which leaves those who need it most unable to access it.
This vote affects the future of all Australians .
Please use your vote and your voice to protect the people you represent. Bev Chigwidden
Hello, I'm a Queensland GP with a special interest in evidence-based medicine. Hopefully you are all aware of the undeniable evidence that ALL the major pharmaceutical companies have repeatedly breached ethical guidelines and that the multimillion dollar fines that they receive for such conduct is a trivial operating cost to them. I suggest you carefully read Dr Peter Gotzsche's book, Deadly Medicines and organised crime before you believe anything that a pharmaceutical company tells you.
All the evidence is freely available to you on the internet, just not publicised.
We have draconian laws in Queensland to try to shutdown bikie gangs and their crime. These gangs are just small time amateurs compared to the scale of Big Pharma.
As a legislator, are you brave enough to stand up to them? Are you smart enough to see through them.
For my patient's sake, I hope so.
Dr Rockley Boothroyd Rockley Boothroyd
As a senior Australian I use and will require prescribed medications as I age. Australian governments year after year have made it difficult to access the age pension forcing many hardworking, honest Australians who have paid taxes to draw down on their own financial resources in order to live. Fortunately, our pharmaceutical medecines have been affordable up to now. Granting large powerful US drug companies monopoly patents over biologic medecines via the TPP is a callous and electorally stupid policy. It smacks of selfishness and lacks foresight. It will force elderly Australians to pay more for the vital medecines on which they rely.
Please reconsider this and force Minister Robb to take this out of the TPP. It is unjust and he has no right to allow this to happen. His actions can be considered an abuse of his ministerial role. He meant to govern in the interest of Australian citizens not large US companies. Is he getting a backhander? Has he lined up a job with them in the future when his political career finishes? Why would any Australian turn on their own people with such an unjust policy? Melinda Parkin
378
Dear Parliament,
As a public health physician, I am concerned that the TPP will leave Australia vulnerable to law suits from multinational corporations particularly with regard to measures aimed at protecting public health but that also have an impact on company profits e.g. plain cigarette packaging.
I am also worried about the possible impact on the price of medicines and the flow on impact on our medicare system.
The little we know about the TPP also suggest that environmental protections will be eroded and internet privacy will be a thing of the past.
Please reject the TPP.
Thanks for your consideration Benjamin Coghlan
Having worked in a senior position for an American multinational for over 20 years, I have knowledge of how they work. With this in mind I have reviewed the scant information available on the TPP with interest.
I understand some level of confidentiality is required, but the level of secrecy surrounding these negotiations vs the social impact of the result is a risk I believe to be unacceptable.
I know American corporations (and US governmental instruments in there service) to be extremely ruthless, bold, strategic, litigious, and strategic. Knowing this from the inside I can guarantee the USA (and it's corporations) will get enormous and unfair benefit, while Australia will come out of these negotiations in serious trouble (except for a few individuals). The USA would otherwise not initiate or participate!
I particularly urge you to stand against any provisions in the TPP that would:
1) Allow foreign corporations to sue our government. This would involve anything that impacts their profit, including our environmental protection!).
2) Allow US pharmaceutical/Biologic industries to gouge for even greater profits at Australia's expense. The maintenance of generic pharma products are important feature as well.
These items are so egregious, I can only guess what other nasties might be hidden in the documentation. So ignore any superficial bonamour; to the US negotiators it is war, and there are only winners (them) and losers (you).
Regards
Peter Hunt Peter Hunt
379
So the government thinks:-
A flood of corporate lawsuits: Multinational corporations suing Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. (In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.) costing the taxpayer a fortune to defend the case & much more in penalties!
Affordable medicines: Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. Health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP will increase medicine pricing, is good for Australians, we already know what is happening in America where pharmaceuticals cost a lot more.
Environmental protections: Our government will be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. (For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.)
Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. And probably introduce additional charges for high speed internet access.
Amongst other detrimental outcomes for Australia incorporated in the TPP are good for Australians? I don't think the Australian public will see it that way, particularly when the IMF reports it will have virtually no positive benefit for Australia's economy; the only ones benefitting from this atrocious corporate trade deal are American Corporations, you really have to wonder why Andrew Robb signed away Australia's rights!! John Car
What is wrong with the people that run our country!
Surely they can see what a mess the American health model is? Why do they want to lead Australia down the same path?
Shame on Andrew Robb and the rest of parliament for praising (and lying about) the TPP when its clearly a lemon that will hurt our environment and our people.
Its so wrong what is happening all over the world and we can all see it - we are at the mercy of big business in bed with government...corruption and pure greed killing people and the planet.
Please don't let this trade deal go though!
Regards
Carly Carly Fiumara
380
It is said that Mr Robb has said that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines here that they have in the US. This would keep them under monopoly patents longer, which would make them more expensive for longer.
I understand that the TPP also gives the US domination over our laws protecting our land and environment. For example, if we rule no fracking, this could be over turned by the US.
I do not understand all the issues but I feel uneasy about the handling of this partnership. Who profits?
This partnership has not been examined carefully by our own experts or even parliamentarians. Uncle Sam is not just in this for our well-being. Could we have public discussion and careful consideration of any agreement and its effects BEFORE it is signed off. Are our politicians too concerned with the next election to neglect their duty of with the TPP. Jocelyn Scarr
The health and well being of Australians is not a corporate commodity to be negotiated with anyone. In particular the big american money corporations as they have already shown their lack of morals when it comes to profit over humanity.
We expect our government to govern for our people and to protect the integrity and well being of our people first . Don't pander to the large corporate pharmaceutical companies they are well paid for their efforts.
They are just greedy. If they don't like it tell them NO, They will come around quick because they will still make to much money.
Any way we can always buy from India or just don't recognise their patents and make our own.
Why isn't this deal published for all to see and decide on.
This should be a referendum it is to important for a silly polly to deal with alone or on advise from a business person with an agenda to make money. Keith McKenna
To those who actually have the interests of the Australian people at heart - not in words, but in actions:
PLEASE do not allow this 'secret deal' between monopolistic pharmaceutical corporations & our Govt (under the TPP that Min. Robb & his Govt have purposefully hidden from external impartial scrutiny) be passed as legislation.
A great many Australian industries including those in the pharmaceutical industry & end-users will be beholden to this Agreement for generations to come ... and when the 'small print' is fully
381 understood the Australian people will blame this Parliament for enacting such an unfair Agreement on average Australian people.
Whatever happened to giving Australians a fair go - in spirit; through the sharing of accurate and accountable information & from an admirable sense of Parliamentary duty?
PLEASE do not make Australians suffer unnecessarily by ratifying this proposed legislation - it will be our country's downfall if you do not stop it!
Thank you,
Richard Hawkins Rick Hawkins
I'm deeply concerned about our government signing Australia up to the TPP. The government apparently does not understand that being in the TPP could result in higher costs of medicines for Australians.
It also does;t seem to understand or care that multinational corporations could sue Australia in private courses if their profits are affected due to legal changes here in Australia. A crazy situation for our government to put us in.
Our government also doesn't seem to understand or care that it could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protection if such laws affect foreign large corporations. Crazy again.
Finally it is incredible that our government should want to lock in our internet service providers to be effectively spies on we consumers.
Our government must be stopped from signing us up to the TPP. ALEX MORTENSEN
I am very concerned that TPP is being used to benefit multinationals and not protect the citizens of Australia from commercial exploitation.
The Government's role is to represent its citizens and not bolster capitalist exploitation.
In particular it is not in the public interest to ensure US pharmaceutical companies use US monopoly law in Australia which will cost the public and taxpayers even more for biologic medicines.
I note that in general the prices negotiated for medicines by the NHS in the UK is considerably lower than in Australia and companies should not be allowed to profit at the expense of the health of Australians. Andrew Pring
Dear Sirs/Madams,
382 It is my firm belief the Trans Pacific Partnership deal is not in the best interest of the average Australian.
Any agreement watering down the average individual's rights and advantages and giving more power to large corporations goes contrary to the very reason our government was formed and elected: to look out for us. Bringing in the TPP is the opposite of looking out for us.
Our environment is precious beyond a mere dollar figures. Tying future governments' hands on passing environmental laws is outrageously irrisponsible. Clean water and air is a fundamental right, as is the right to protect our natural environment.
Second to our environment, this deal could hurt those that can least afford to be hurt. We have seen recent examples where normal, everyday human beings cannot afford to take life saving medication, because they could not afford the outrageous profits pharmaceutical companies demanded - 'your money or your life' seems to be legal practice now. The TPP is only going to add another layer of legitimacy to that form of profiteering.
Please, put the rights of the humans that make up the Australian population above the greed of big business.
Kind regards,
Miriam Adler Miriam Adler
Dear Minister
Biologic medicine under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
This should not happen ,people rely on their medicines , the costs need to be kept to a reasonable amount. It is their health , and medicines are a necessary part of a lot of peoples lives, to keep them well. If the costs escalate, people may not be able to afford them.
Please reject the TTP ,it has been looked at by experts and the benefits of the TTP . No benefits that they can say , so why go there. Say No.
Yours Faithfuly
Sandra Nicolaou sandra nicolaou
The TPP is shaping up as a serious test of our Parliament to stand up for the rights of the Australian people as it should in a true democracy.
Our Medicare system needs access to affordable medicines to survive and this seems under threat despite assurances by our Trade Minister.
383 Unless the existing patents term is retained, this becomes doubtful.
There are provisions in the TPP to extend these patents without any reference to the Australian people. This should not be how the democratic process works. As long as the TPP is shrouded in secrecy and not fully exposed to public comment, then it is undermining the democratic process.
It needs to be made clear now that Medicare is not to a plaything of Govt. It cannot be put at risk because of some perceived ideological bias. Anthony O'Donnell
I demand that the TPP is ripped up.
How dare politicians make deals with Corporations without consultation with the public. The fact that these trade deals are secret immediately rings alarm bells.
I cant believe the audacity of politicians to even propose a deal that they have negotiated secretly. If it is such a great deal then why not expose it and demonstrate to the public how wonderful it is and what great politicians we have looking after our interests.
I have been watching commentary re the TPP and to date have not come across any reliable endorsement from anyone whose opinion I would respect.
I admire and respect Elizabeth Warren US Senator who rejects this deal wholeheartedly and that is enough for me. Get rid of it or we will get rid of you. How dare you.
I could not believe what I was seeing and hearing re the GFC and thought at the time that you couldn't go much lower but this TPP has the potential to be just as bad. I feel that politicians are like the enemy of the people - is this a democracy, if it is the dictionary is wrong in its description of the meaning of the word.
NO TPP - NOT NOW - NOT EVER!!! - its a filthy deal negotiated by filthy people. Diane Cummings
The TPP should be rejected because the Australian people and the Australian government should decide on the Australia we want. The TPP will give foreign corporations the option of suing the Australian government if the corporation deems the Australian government has made decisions or laws that hurt their profit.
I am outraged that my government is considering giving up some of their power to legislate in the interest of Australian citizens to foreign corporations. I want my government to be able to legislate to protect our environment, create fair labour laws that strengthen our economy, keep the costs of medicines down and delay the introduction of new technology until it is tested safe by our scientists without having to worry about if it interferes with the profits of foreign corporations. I think that giving up our power to legislate should require a referendum! Lone Christoffersen
384 Having worked in the Pesticide industry, I know what the profit margins can be. As patents expire, the prices drop by about 90%. So why is it in the interests of Australia to prop up the rivers of gold for transnational corporations some of whom have a history of tax avoidance, by prolonging patents? Ever Greening is the term used.
This proposal reminds me of the British East India Company take over of India and also of the way those colonial operation exploited countries like China. Have a look at who ran the railways in China before WW2 and the Revolution. I would suggest that the population has forgotten the lessons of the ‘post colonial era’
I also strongly suggest that some of the benefits which were promised in the Free Trade Agreement with the USA have not eventuated. In my area. Recommendations made by the peak body of pesticide manufacturers in Australia were added to the treaty and these have increase the complexity of the registration and marketing of generic pesticides since. That body, ‘Life Crop is dominated by the major international producers and does not adequately represent Australian generic pesticide producers, importers and formulators.
Yet one of the Australian negotiators of that treaty was unaware that it does not fully represent the Australian industry or the best interests of the users. (Personal conversation by myself with one of the negotiators)
That the TPP has been negotiated in secret for so long, without even American and Australian members of Congress or Parliament in most cased not having access to the detailed summaries suggest to me that this is a just an attempt to reimpose the colonial dictatorships as demonstrated by the 17 and 18th century great powers.
That the Belgians’ killed so many people produce rubber is an historical atrocity. Yet to further entrench the profit margins for various drugs and pesticides is as effective as dropping bombs on the poor, and is much cheaper per kill.
So why do we want to give so much away? John Holmes
To sign the TPPA is to sell out the interests of the Australian people, myself and many people in other countries as well.
It will effectively decrease by a long way the democratic processes and make us subject to the whims of huge multinational corporations as they madly strive for maximisation of their profit at any expense, including the lives of those who can not pay for medicines.
The TPPA will allow these same rapacious unelected companies sue governments for paper losses if they pass laws that so reduce profits. There are many such laws that would be and should be passed to benefit that country's citizens, yet doing so will open the taxpayers of that country to massive compensation claims.
385 We need to protect the medicare system in Australia and to extend it. The TPPA will do the opposite, allowing the medicare system to be whittled away to almost nothing in the interests of the greedy companies mentioned above.
To sign the TPPA is to allow the growth of global fascist measures that will eventually lead to a company dominated, privileged few who will dominate the world in a manner akin to that of the fascists in Hitler's Germany of the 1933 to 1945. Just like those times the Nazis were supported very strongly by the biggest businesses of those days. People of that ilk will determine those who are seen as 'people' and those seen as 'untermenchen'.
Part and parcel of this is the monitoring of communications and movements of people under the guise of shielding against 'terrorism'. Terrorist is a word that is almost meaningless because it means whatever it means for the moment to the ruling powers. History shows many 'terrorists' are freedom fighters, great humanitarians, good people wanting genuine freedoms for their people. Mandella is one, Xanana Gusmao another for instance. The real terrorists are those who put maximising profit ahead of the wellbeing and interests of the people of any country.
I urge you most sincerely and from the bottom of my heart .... Do not allow in any way the TPPA. Do not have anything to do with such a traitorous act. History will never forgive you if you do.
Sincerely, Alan Chung (better known as Ugly.) Alan Chung
The TPP should be banned because private corporations will be able to sue the Australian government so that their profits are not affected.
Monopoly patents for biological medicines will last longer than originally suggested, meaning that prices would remain higher for longer for those medicines for Australians. But the pharmaceutical corporations will be happy as they will make more profit.
The Australian government could be sued for changing laws for the greater well being of Australians, and in turn be sued by these private US corporations because it affects their bottom line.
The Australian government should never, ever be placed in a position that would allow them to be sued by a private, money making corporation. Vicki Mandel
There are so many dangers in the TPP that our MPs should go through it very carefully for the faults. The most dangerous fault I think is the power it gives a foreign corporation to sue our government if a law has been passed that affects their profits disadvantageously. Foreign tobacco corporations would be jumping with joy!
I believe that the TPP will entitle pharmaceutical corporations to longer monopoly patents and this will mean that we will pay higher prices for medications for longer periods.
These are just two defects in the TPP and there are many more.
386 Please reject this dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership when it is put to you in Parliament. Audrey Mathers
Pharmacies in bed with corporations as to benefit the rich.
Doctors, lawyers, guns and money!
Controlling all forms of life for the so called what world leaders think we need, but also probable virtual inside trading.
The TPP should stand for Trading Parisites Partnership in brackets the Care Bears.
Strongly against and wish to say that you so called people, the people of the people need to rethink the whole world trade movement. Stop making so many bad decisions.
It's not rocket science that you guys are being tricked into selling us all out for our privacy. Progress? What a joke. Ray Scott
Because I think it is crazy to give away our right to decide what laws we want to have in our own country !!!
It is not ok to give corporations the right to sue us for any reason !!!
It is not ok to allow corporations to dictate what we grow what we sell and how much we sell it for !!!
This deal is not to our advantage , some people think we will have a better deal in the market if we have the TTP but we will be flooded with products from other countries trying to do the same thing!!!
STOP THIS MADDNESS NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE !!!! Kris Heather
To the Australian Parliament,
I am emailing to ask you to reject the TPP deal, which has so much potential to hurt all Australians. Whether it is being free to protect our environment and public health, to raise our minimum wage without the government being sued by a corporation, or simply having access to less expensive vital medicines, this TPP deal must be rejected to protect our sovereignty and the national interest.
I am particularly concerned that the Australian government could be faced with crippling lawsuits for years to come, simply for trying to protect an ecosystem from destruction, or for taking essential steps to foster the welfare of Australian workers or patients.
387 Please accept this message as a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP. Cate Stirling
As an extremely concerned Australian, I am asking you to reject the TPP for numerous reasons.
1. The ability to allow Multinational corporations free access to sue us in private courts because we might try to prevent them from introducing changes that could be detrimental to us but hurt their profits.
2. The fact that many Health sector groups believe provisions within the TPP could increase medicine prices.
3. Our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections that corporations must abide by, if it doesn't suit their profit making.
4. My privacy and freedom - I believe this deal will allow my internet provider to supply information regarding my movements on the internet to enforcement agencies.
Please , don't allow our nation to be at the mercy of Multinational corporations whose only concern is making profits regardless of the environmental and social impact it may have on our country and us. Cindy Mather
Affordable medicines should stay just that...affordable. This Country as a duty of care to the people who fall into this category and for the people who will have the need for these medicines in the future - we have to boycott and not join the TPP if it means these medicines will not remain as they are at the time of this submission being made.
What right does Andrew Robb have to tell a US Publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they currently have/enjoy in the United States? He has no right at all to say this but it does highlight that there deals to be done if we join the TPP.
Whilst we may think our medical/medicines are scarce, hard to obtain and costly even at the assistance prices - if we go the way that the United States has gone on their medical/medicines we will be doomed.
This is only one aspect of why I feel that joining the TPP would be detrimental to this country as a whole. A similar issue but different is the ECU. All European Countries joined that hoping for a better outcome for their Country and the products they produced. It has proved to be a huge disaster and now is so entwined that even if they wanted to do so they could not dismantle it. I would never want Australia to be in this position with foreign neighbours - despite already heading down this path e.g. Selling freehold land to foreign investors?? We must be the laughing stock of the World. Ani Hart
388 To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review
Dear Committee Members ,
I am writing to ask you to very carefully consider the TPP. I believe this deal is grossly unfair for Australians.This deal could mean for us :
A flood of corporate lawsuits.
Increased medicine pricing.
Loss of environment protections.
Internet privacy and freedom at risk.
This deal does nothing to help average Australians ,but grossly favours greedy corporations . We do not need to enter into this grossly unfair and greedy partnership which as I believe will not benefit Australia at all.
Please do not be pressured into passing the TPP, it is a dirty,dangerous deal! Jane Costigan
Aren't governments supposed to represent the best interests of the people who elect them? If so, then why are you so eager to embrace a 'partnership' that will give corporations terrifying power over Australian laws? Allowing them to sue governments (in private courts where the 'judges' are often beholden to the corporations) over any law that they find inconvenient could end up overturning decades of progress in environmental protection, health and safety and consumer rights. In other countries Veolia is suing Egypt for raising the minimum wage and Vattenfall is suing Germany for reducing their use of nuclear power. By what calculus do corporations have any right to dictate or interfere in these decisions? I don't want to live in a country where my on government has decided that a corporations profit margin is more important than my rights. If the TPP passes I will have to conclude that the current government simply doesn't care about its citizens at all.
Ben Gardner
I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of the TPP but I have very little faith that the document is drafted in the best interest of the individual citizen, and is instead aligned with those who have the funds to generate the power and influence over outcomes.
Of primary concern is the effect that it will have on our health system - a fragile enough entity as it is. The USA model is exactly what I dread could become of our health system - and each time we open the door to aligning with their system, as opposed to the other way round, the more I fear we cannot turn back.
I urge you as politicians to explore this document thoroughly, with the interests of the individual citizen as your first priority.
389 We really need to assess the impact of the trade off's on not only Australia, but citizens across the globe.
Thank you,
Amy Lees Amy Lees
Dear Parliamentarians,
I am writing to urge you to REJECT the TPP. This treaty will not benefit Australians, and indeed, has a high likelihood of impacting on our nation in a negative way. Some of the main negative impacts are like to be:
1. Right of multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or juries over legal changes that protect us but can hurt their profits.
2. Provisions that could increase medicine pricing, driving our health care costs both personally and governmentally.
3. Erosion of environmental protections in favour of corporate interests.
4. Impacts on internet privacy and freedom.
The TPP will give us no tangible benefits but only diminish our rights, our safety, and our quality of life. Please reject this treaty!
Thank you. Judith LeViine
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is one of the best, if not THE best scenes in the world, ensuring access to medicines at prices that the general public can afford, and preventing the sort of price gouging that is commonplace in many other regions of the world. This scheme must be protected from the sort of provisions that the secretive TPP is proposing.
Should the TPP be imposed on a largely unsuspecting Australia public, there would likely follow a flood of corporate lawsuits as companies and corporations hrough the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations seek to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect the Australian public and the environment, but are seen as harmful to their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
There would be wide ranging negative impacts on the expansion of existing, and proposed new environmental protections. The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution, or logging in protected areas to maintain volumes of extraction.
390 An important but little understood feature of the TPP that covers internet privacy and freedom would see the current ability of a user's internet service provider to spy on the user(s) and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies becoming acceptable in law and adversely affecting the privacy and freedoms of Australians, as well as opening up the risk of hacking and unethical use of private information. Tricie McGann
I was an Australian practising doctor of medicine & surgery 1969-2008, retiring due to illness. I have seen most things first hand... here & around the world.... the diseases, infections & trauma. Poverty plays a huge part.. YES, even here in Australia.
The TPP is NOT going to help this.
It is not going to prevent huge corporations like Marlborough from suing OUR government. It is not going to protect our food crops & environment from greedy overseas influences.
Do our politicians & around the world (and those in USA) really know what the TPP involves? Have they been allowed to read it, study it in detail & discuss it publically?
No!
So I do not endorse it. Janene Mannerheim
To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review.
My submission to your review of the TPP agreement is to the power it removes from the majority of Australians and gives to the very wealthy Corporations. It does not pass the Pub test of governing for the common good of all Australians but panders to a select wealthy few.
The Biologic medicines under this agreement will become more expensive for average Australians and increases the vast profits of Big Pharma corporations. This is not a fair out come for the majority and so the TPP should be rejected.
The Corporate State Dispute resolution provisions are written to give Corporations absolute right of doing what ever makes them money. If we wish to pass laws to protect our environment, our health or our future, Corporations can sue if they think their precious profits might be affected.
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. The TPP takes away our Sovereign right to govern for the common good, so it must be rejected.
The deal also locks in the ability of your internet service provider to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. This is going too far - reject the TPP. Simon Chinner
391
I would like the TPP to be blocked by parliament.
When I first read about the TPP, before individuals and organisations were discussing it in great detail, I became concerned that the rights of Australians and Australia to sovereignty, affordable healthcare and privacy were at risk.
Since then, my concerns have only been amplified. I absolutely do not trust that the TPP is an agreement that best represents the interests of Australia and Australians. I believe that our representatives have not acted in our best interests.
While some aspects of the TPP may be positive, there are too many parts which I strongly believe we should reject.
I am most concerned about opening the door to multinational corporations to sue the Australia government for interfering in their profits, to sue, fine or jail individual citizens, and/or to influence our laws which are supposed to protect our sovereignty, our health (affordable medicine and other health measures), our environment (fracking, mining that lead to pollution), and our privacy and freedom on the internet (spying to detect copyright breaches).
To me, much of the TPP looks like it was designed by multinational corporations for multinational corporations. If the TPP goes through, it will mean our elected representatives have failed the Australian people. I did not vote for the TPP, I will not support it or a party that supports it. Katie Nolan
To whom it may concern, our Parliament is our last standing line of defence between protecting all we hold dear as Australians from the free for all take over of US corporate agendas.
I have lived in the United States for aver 6 years as expat working for in Advertising. I know their system inside out & it is bleak.
My son was born in Santa Monica California because I couldn't get the time off work to be there if my wife stayed in Australia. Getting insurance was near impossible as my wife arrived already 4month pregnant so the pregnancy was deemed 'a pre existing condition'. His birth was a smooth regular birth & it still cost us over 20k in hospital & associated fees. Not to mention the close to 8k annually just to insure my small family.
Don't let anyone convince you this deal is anything but a massive power grab. Stand up for this beautiful country & be the impenetrable line of defence that protected all we hold dear.
Thank you,
Eka Eka Darvill
392
I am writing to express my alarm at some of the provisions of the proposed TPP.
Firstly, I understand that Australia could be sued for enabling or failing to prevent any action that may endanger the profits of multinational companies connected with signatory countries, even indirectly. This could include things like improving workers' pay or mandating local environmental protections. Preventing Australians from maintaining a reasonable standard of living or protecting the environment on which they depend for clean air and water is a disgraceful state of affairs. Allowing such a situation to eventuate for the sake of short term profits would be irresponsible in the extreme.
I also understand that several provisions of the TPP, designed to protect the profits of multi-national pharmaceutical companies, may increase the price of some medications. Medicine is not a luxury item and people should not have to take a dose which is lower than that prescribed, or forgo their pharmaceuticals altogether weeks, in order to make ends meet. People who, like myself, are elderly already find medicines to be a significant budget item. Allowing any measures that may increase this burden would be unconscionable.
Please take off those myopia-inducing glasses that all government politicians seem to wear and have the courage and vision to abort this trade deal that, no matter how good its short term benefits, would be disastrous - and irreversibly so - for our physical welfare in the long term. Vivien Smith
I understand in limited scope that Australia must engage in international trade matters, and may be obligated in certain respects to existing treaties and agreements. I also understand we are a sovereign nation; that our elected representatives are obliged to provide legislative frameworks that will improve living conditions, health and livelihood for the Australian public collectively without bias or inequality.
Australians should prevent our Government from giving further power to large corporations. The TPP may have some beneficial influence on sectors of our economy, but it reads to me like a poisoned chalice!
We don't need the TPP with all it's hidden agendas.
Australia doesn't need multinational corporations empowered to sue us and control us even more; They already control much of our behaviour through their global brand marketing, and politically through electoral donations (bribery).
Australians must insist that we retain our rights to enact and legislate, adjudicate and enforce our own laws for the good of the Australian public, without interference from foreign companies.
IT'S A NO BRAINER.
REJECT THE TPP NOW. Ross Brown
393
As an Australian Citizen, I do not want Australia to sign the TPP.
The small amount of information that has been made available shows that we as Australian citizens will be the loser and I call on you to stop this deal now.
As I get older, I do not want the price of new medicines to remain held at inflated prices for longer, rather than subject to the 'beneficial competition' that Government's like to talk about.
I do not want Businesses suing the Australian Government (the people), or claiming compensation when the Government rightly restricts trade in products that are harmful (such as cigarettes) to me and my fellow citizens.
I do not want this government to sign up to deals made in secret and subject to no public scrutiny.
And, I particularly do not want big business getting away with even more harm to our fragile environment in the name of a fast buck - which is headed overseas.
As a concerned citizen, I say you do not sign the TPP in my name, so therefore you have no right to sign it. kind regards Jo Barkworth
The TPP has been negotiated without adequate public scrutiny, and now with the haste to ratify it risks locking in aspects that are dangerous to the future of Australia's capacity to pass laws without fear of legal response from multinationals. It threatens our capacity to provide affordable medicines to Australia's people, will restrict environmental laws and impose constraints on use of copyright. It should not be agreed to.
Please ensure the TPP does not pass the Senate unless a full independent analysis of its benefits has been conducted and open to review by a further Senate committee process.
Thank you.
Scott McKenzie Scott McKenzie
Whilst I believe that the TPP may be of some benefit to Australia, I firmly believe that at this stage it should be blocked. My reasons are as follows -
1.The Australian people have been given very little information on this very important issue.
2. What does the TPP mean to our health system, i.e. pharmaceutical
394 goods??
3. Does the TPP give overseas companies the right to sue the
Australian Government if the Government acts in the best interests of Australia to the detriment of the overseas company?
I urge Parliament to reject the TPP until such time that a thorough investigation is carried out, and the Australian people are made aware of the outcome of such investigation. Glenda Campbell
If the Trans Pacific Partnership is passed by parliament it will be extremely damaging to Australia, particularly in the areas of environment and health. The provisions of the TPP allow pharmaceutical corporations in the US to control the prices we pay for medicines, and do this for a long time.
If Andrew Robb and the federal government has been completely up front and frank with the Australian people?
I believe that the secrecy surrounding the TPP negotiations were enough to raise alarm, the fact that the government has done everything in its power to prevent in depth enquiry and analysis of the TPP is reason enough to stop the TPP proceeding.
The federal government should represent the rights of the Australian public, not multi national business. Andrew Robb has been quoted from speeches made to US pharmaceutical corporations, guaranteeing them the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US.
That means that biologic medicines will remain under patent longer, making those medicines more expensive to Australians. Is that representing the interests of Australian. Not unless they happen to be share holders in large US pharmaceutical companies.
Until very recently, the Australian government has opposed the inclusion of investor state dispute settlement processes in FTA's. The inclusion of the ISDS in the TPP appears to be an abrogation of the power of the commonwealth, in favour of trans national corporations. Philip Morris has attempted to take the Australian government to arbitration, in Hong Kong, following the introduction of the Australian plain packaging legislation. Philip Morris sued the commonwealth through all the courts in Australia and lost. Then took the commonwealth to arbitration under the ISDS provisions of an Australia-Hong Kong bi lateral investment treaty. The commonwealth is forced in this circumstance to spend many millions of dollars defending its right to act in the interests of its citizens. The provincial government of Quebec in Canada was sued when laws were passed preventing fracking and more recently the Egyptian government has been sued because the raising of the minimum wage affect ed the profitability of some multi national corporations.
The ISDS allow multi national corporations to usurp the role of government in our democracy. They are a meal ticket for the legal profession and have a chilling effect on democratic government.
395 Not enough is known about the TPP due to the total secrecy surrounding it. If it was ALL good news the government would not be so reticent to speak about it, they don't have much else that is good news to speak about. Edward Carter
I am writing this submission regarding the TPP because it has several elements that i believe are not in the best interests of Australia and her people.
To me the most alarming aspect of this partnership is the potential for large corporations to sue the Australian Government should it believe we are hampering their profit making activities. As you may be aware this has already begun happening around the world and surely the TPP would only increase the likelyhood of it happening more. Australia needs to remain a soverign nation and should be able to uphold , create and implement leglislation that protects its enviornment and its people without the possible threat of lawsuits from (mostly foreign companies?)
If this deal goes ahead how is the government to protect its enviornment or its people?
Thank your for your time in reading this submission.
I truly hope that Australia can stay strong and continue to protect its most precious resources its land and its people without threat and condemnation.
Yours sincerely,
Kathryn Forster Kathryn Forster
We have other trade agreements - some good some not so good. And if this one goes unsigned so what - others will come along more favourably constructed to take its place.
So amid all the furore and double speak associated with this one and considering the fact that several countries have chosen not to sign and allowing for the doubt that niggles even a little bit - when the stakes are so high - why sign?
Why say no to the Australian people when you can say yes? Yes to respecting their concerns and ensuring their rights rather than handing over more power to the already mighty and ruthless corporations. Yes to making morally and ethically sound decisions rather than being railroaded by a date set by self-serving so-called friends and allies.
This is not a good time to be an Australian - don't make things harder than they already are.
Please don't sign this one.
Thank you and kind regards Anna Helps
396 Please reject the TPP!
I'm really concerned about the impact of the TPP on medicines, the environment and our cyber privacy.
It seems to me to be of great benefit to large corporations, and not to us as citizens. Governments getting sued? How does that benefit us as a country? Please, have the strength and forethought to project this beautiful country from what will be devasting and long lasting consequences for us all.....
From all that I have read, I can't even believe we are considering this, let alone ready to sign on. As our Government, I can only imagine you must be under enormous pressure to support this agreement (from big corporations)... It is like blackmail and you must, please, have the strength to stand strong and say NO now, or their power will only grow....
Yours in earnest, Beck Gooderham
What is dangerous about the trans pacific partnership, is giving too much power to the already powerful multinationals. Consumers are locked out. Democracy will be undermined. As voters we need to reject this deal. There is nothing balanced and fair about it. It gives monopoly power to corporations to dictate to world governments over how they operate, Evenif it is illegal ie breaching environmental, Labour laws. In a globalised world, citizens need more control over what they consume, Not less. Corporates should be serving us not dictating to governments what they want. Through secret deals which lock out citizens. The fact the TPP is secretive indicates it is biased, for the benefit for the corporations profit. I don't want our society to be dominated by monolopoly corporates who dictate what medicines i should buy and at a higher price. Or having right holders telling ISP provides to spy upon their customers for copyright infringement. Roger Wong
From its inception up to now, the TPP has been shrouded in secrecy and neither the Australian Parliament nor the Australian public have been honestly and fully informed of the complete terms of this 'agreement'. If, as has been revealed, the TPP will impinge on the sovereignty of the Australian people, then I ask the Australian Parliamentarians to reject the TPP in its current form and procedures. For the Trade Agreement negotiations to proceed further, there needs to be full transparency and full disclosure at every stage of the negotiations, to the Australian Parliament and the Australian people, and the core terms and conditions must be set by the elected representatives of the nations who are part of the negotiations, NOT, overwhelmingly, by multinational corporations and/or their lobbyists. Aisea Kaloumaira
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
397 But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on?
Please clarify the exact nature of this deal in all areas. I'm sure there are other cases of things we are being told being different to what will actually happen.
Kirsty Macpherson kirsty macpherson
Dear Sir / Madam, plans for the Trans Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP) should be shelved immediately.
The negative effects of TPP will be far reaching including;
Life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health.
Environmental protections: Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
Internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on citizens and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Please withdraw the TPP plan and ensure it isn't passed. Arielle Breit
Dear Sir/Madam,
Andrew Robb recently told US pharmaceutical companies they would enjoy the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US. This is after he assured Australians that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
The TPP could open up Australian companies to a torrent of lawsuits from multi-national corporations over legal changes that protect us but hurt their profits.
Amongst other concerns I have are: increased medicine costs, effecting the weak and elderly (and Australia); our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen our environmental protections over fracking or water pollution.
Finally, my major concern is over our internet privacy and freedom. This deal allows ISPs to spy on us and report copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. This is a power that could easily be abused.
Please listen to the people and don't bow to the will of multinational corporations. This is an issue that effects all Australians' futures.
398 Regards Jim Gaylard
To the Honorable Mr Robb,
The Trans Pacific Partnership deal places economic benefits to business as sacrosanct, over and above all other considerations, including health, the environment or social benefit.
It is absolutely imperative that governments in Australia are free to make decisions based on the well being of their constituents and not just on the economic benefits.
For example, the Australian pharmaceutical benefits scheme is one of the most cost effective in the world. The Trans Pacific Partnership could leave us exposed to law suits if medications are banned or restricted because they are ineffective, dangerous or not cost effective, similar to the law suit we are currently fighting regarding plain packaging on cigarettes.
The Australian people are too important to leave at the mercy of big business. The TPP should not be ratified.
Yous sincerely,
Lindy Jeffree
To Whom It May Concern
I wanted to raise some concerns I have - along with many others - in relation to TPP.
You will be aware of the fears of a number of Australians that some of the clauses in the TPP will allow a flood of corporate lawsuits.
While supposedly available to all of the economies signing up to the TPP this fear of what will happen has not been conclusively or comprehensively explained by Andreww Robb or the Prime Minister.
This is perhaps a very serious clause for those companies and economies where doing the right thing is not as important as it is for us in Australia. The defence of these vexatious cases will be paid for by our taxes. I would prefer to see that money used for health services or education than paid to lawyers defending such as case.
Affordable medicines: if, as mentioned by GetUp! Mr Robb has been telling two different stories to the Australian public and the U.S. pharmaceutical companies then there's a case to answer by him and the Govt.
Getting the TPP over the line by this method is not the way we want our representatives to represent us. Us, not overseas interests.
399 Can Mr Robb and the Govt state categorically that pharmaceuticals will remain cheap enough and available enough under the TPP - even those which big pharma may attempt to hold up access to under the TPP to gain more profits?
As with the Budget, the Govt spin doctors have not given you the tools to sell the TPP as a positive.
I don't buy into the they're coming for our jobs fear mongering but there are some parts of the TPP which do make me doubt the benefits to Australia.
Environmental protections: Our government (with the taxpayer footing the bill) can be sued by some foreign company because we don't want them to do CSG and ruin the water table and our food producing land.
To refuse to sell the Kidman properties because we don't want the primary producer held by foreign interests and take the food out of Australia is somewhat at odds with signing up to a TPP which may allow others to sue us for not allowing - or allow them to do it in the end - them to ruin our environment and the land which makes us a major food bowl in our region.
Internet privacy and freedom: The deal is said to lock in the ability of an internet service provider to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies. Seriously bad move.
I would ask the Govt to reconsider these clauses and any others which will mean Australia is not in the driver's seat for our own economy in the coming years.
With thanks
Sharon Sherry Sharon Sherr
Attention all politicians, we know that the TPP and TPIP are nothing more than an attempt by corporations to wrest control/sovereignty of nations from its peoples for the purpose of exploitation.
If you do not reject the TPP and all other related trade agreements you can justifyably be labelled treasonous and suspected of some duplicity, to which you will answer for some day.
If you brush this off as preposterous you are would be making a very grave mistake.
Its time for politicians to find some courage and put aside the trappings of the lobbyists and think of what it means to hold office... serve the people!!!
We are watching your progress intently.
We are not fooled by the 24/7 media spin.
I do not need to wish you good luck, for luck plays no part... either you choose to be a good person or a bad person.
Let us see? James Koehn
400
Having lived in Minnesota with my family while teaching I know first hand the enormous cost associated with medical issues there. I know how many children who desperately needed medication were unable to do so because of the cost of the medication. This left children with serious health issues without help. I do not wish this for our Australian children. I have no idea why we would even consider endangering the lives of our people by making costs out of their reach. We have had a system that looked after our sick and now we seem to be wanting to destroy this with in the TPP. Patricia Jenkinson
The TPP is pernicious attempt by multi-national companies to take more control over the profit making ventures undertakings in countries where they minimise their taxation liabilities and drive out competition. Their lobbyists in the US and no doubt here have sundry politicians in their pocket, they can sue governments on the basis of restraint of trade should legislation be brought in that affects their bottom line. The TPP is all about more globalisation, more profits and less choice and more expense for consumers. Andrew Robb needs to pull his head in and have a serious look at the impact this legislation will have on this country geoff Dunstone
In the TPP the negatives far outweigh the negatives. I have not seen any compelling independent analysis that says that the TPP good for Australia overall, in fact every piece of independent analysis I have seen draws the opposite conclusion - the TPP is bad for Australia. Yet the government persists. Why?
The TPP has failed. Try again, maybe smaller agreements. Why does technology and agricultural trade, and pharmaceutical intellectual property need to be negotiated all at once, in a single large secret treaty? It makes absolutely no sense.
I definitely do not support the TPP, and do not support any party that introduces it in to Australian law. Robert Parsons
I am a pensioner, and I am shocked at what Andrew Robb has done.
Under the TPP I am no longer assured of cheap available medicines.
Andrew Robb assures us that we will still have available generic and affordable life-saving medicines, BUT he has had the cheek to openly lie to us, because he has assured United States corporations that they will have the same monopoly rights as they have now in the United States.
This is selling our sovreignty to foreign corporations, and is the act of a traitor. Worse, he lies to us in assuring us that the TPP will not affect us, whereas we know that if our laws don't suit a foreign corporation under the TPP, and we don't alter them to suit their needs, they can sue us!
401 Why is he doing this? Is he getting an under-the-counter gift to betray our interests? If this was Second World War time, such an act of a traitor would earn him the firing squad.
How can the normal people of Australia get rid of such parasites as these sleazy politicians who want to sell our birthright?
Robin Williams
There seems to be a subtle shifting of our commodities based economy to one of agriculture. While our farmers will worthily benefit from increased prices, what is happening to the fertile land that is needed to produce the products we need? The ABCs 7:30 report on 1 September, highlighted the fact 1% of Australia’s agricultural land is now foreign owned and several more purchases are in the pipeline. Free Trade Agreements will make it easier for international consortium's to purchase land then produce and export products to their home country. The 7:30 report also highlighted the FTA fact workers could be unquestionably brought in to form the workforce from the home country to fill the needed agricultural jobs. To the negative effect of our work force.
Foreign investors, laden with deep pockets of cash are donating huge sums to both major parties, insuring they are front and centre with our trade negotiators.
We are constantly told FTAs and mining projects equate to creating jobs. Such as the Carmichael coal mine project will create 10,000 jobs. In reality, through a court of law, found out the number would only be an estimated 1,400. We need to ask the question sooner than later of these FTAs, what jobs and how many will be created and will they be open to our workforce. Rather than blindly believing our politicians. Please request a fair and independent review of the TPP so we will know true benefits.
My prescription medication previously cost me $35/month. Now that it is generic, I pay $15/month. Giving away our shorter monopoly rights to US pharmaceutical companies will cost Australian citizens more money. What kind of a deal is that? Also, Parliament recently passed legislation concerning the medical use of marijuana. How will the monopoly rights over biologic medicines affect this Australian produced drug?
You need to step back and review the affect on the punters of our country and not the political and big business end of town.
Respectfully submitted,
Bill Gillespie
I believe very strongly that the TPP is not at all in the best interests of the Australian public.
It gives too much power to corporations who are ruled by profit margins and have no care for people or environments.
402 Access to pharmaceutical medicines is an issue in point. We don't need to support monopolies that drive up prices at the expense of people's lives.
Also of concern is the issue of corporations being able to sue governments and individuals who oppose them on the basis of caring for our natural environment.
Money does not rule, it is supposed to make our lives easier. Communities need more power to stand up for their rights, not an erosion of those rights. Anara Carroll
I do not support a TPP agreement that will increase the costs of pharmaceutical medicines in Australia.
I urge you to reject the proposed TPP agreement and I urge you to protect the pharmaceutical medicine costs in Australia under the TPP agreement for all patients in Australia.
I do not support a government that would increase medicine costs to Australian patients that would make medicines unaffordable to patients putting lives at risk that would lead to the death of patients because the increased costs of medicines would be unaffordable to Australian patients and would result in patients having to go without medicines and treatment that would lead to death in many patients in Australia.
The TPP agreement is an IMMORAL agreement should the cost of pharmaceutical medicine costs continue to increase to unaffordable costs to patients in Australia.
I urge you to act in the interests of the Australian people and economy and in the interest of human health in Australia at all times.
I will not support a Government that supports increased costs of medicines in Australia that will result in many unneccessary deaths to patients in Australia due to unaffordability, as per the proposed increased pharmaceutical costs by Pharmaceutical companies/Multi national corporations intentions within the proposed TPP agreement, and I will vote for the opposition to govern the Australian economy in the interests of the Australian people and the Australian economy at the upcoming federal election this year !
I urge you to reject the proposed TPP agreement and I urge you to protect the pharmaceutical medicine costs in Australia under the TPP agreement for all patients in Australia.
Yours Sincerely, Leanne Bennett
Dear members of the Parliamentary Committee,
As an older aged Australian, I strongly urge you to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
I believe that signing this treaty is akin to selling out Australia's sovereignty!
403 Despite Mr Robb's assertions to the contrary, the ISDS provisions are a serious threat and a disincentive for Australian governments to bring in laws which run counter to the interests of multi- national corporations.
Also, Mr Robb's statement in the US regarding the retaining , in Australia, of the US pharmaceutical corporations's monopoly rights on Biologic medicines they enjoy in the US, is contrary to his statements to the Australian public.
This treaty has far too many negative implications regarding Australia's independence for any clear- thinking government to even consider signing up to it.
Thank you,
Robert Birse. Robert Birse
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review folk,
The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Is this what we want?
Also, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. For example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. John Dore
In Australia we view and pride ourselves as an egalitarian nation.
As a general physician, working both in the public and private health care system, I am extremely concerned with signing up to the Trans Pacific Partnership. We, as a sovereign nation, are giving up important systems we currently have in place to help minimise the cost of new pharmaceutical agents. Some of these agents are currently available only to those who can afford them (in the private healthcare system) and are not on the PBS. With our governments lack of ability to increase taxes - we can barely afford current healthcare costs - let alone the projected increase in costs of expensive first world drugs, I cannot see how this TPP will help us to treat the majority of Australians (not just the wealthy).
This is particularly annoying when some of the basic immunological research leading to their development was undertaken and payed for in Australia - and then used by international companies.
We are only finding out the implications of this deal after the event and I think there should have been greater transparency and discussion before signing.
I have been told that it is not too late and the deal is not yet binding.
404 I urge the members of Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review to reject the current deal, which, I have no doubt, will worsen the divide in health care between the wealthy and the not so wealthy in Australia. Ian Jennens
I am extremely concerned about the proposal to go ahead with the Trans Pacific Partnership deal. This would be disastrous for the best interests of Australia and all Australians (though it may be in the financial self-serving interests of a few who care little if anything for the country as a whole and its citizens).
Increased cost of medicines, trashing of environmental protections, a plethora of corporate lawsuits conducted outside the vital protections of our normal legal systems, invasion of privacy, and attacks on our freedom are only some of the serious setbacks Australia and its citizens would suffer if the TPP was accepted.
Please do the right thing by rejecting this vicious, divisive, totalitarian proposal.
Thank you Don Margetson
To the Parliamentary Inquiry into the TPP,
I have already written in great detail many months ago to Mr Andrew Robb about my concerns regarding the dangers to Australian consumers and future generations inherent in the TPP. I am particularly concerned about the ongoing potential impact on the sick, the poor and the vulnerable, and the power we are giving global companies to pursue legal action against Australia well into the future when their interests are not catered for.
I did receive a reply, but I was not convinced that the precautions which were apparently being put in place were adequate. I am also deeply concerned at the ongoing motivation of those who are pushing this deal through government with limited public explanation in language which is accessible to those most likely to be negatively affected. I do not think that a justification of what's good for the big business or government interests of Australia will be passed on to all Australians. That has generally proved to be false.
I I urge you to block this bill and allow further scrutiny by a range of consumer groups, particularly those representing the poor, the sick, the disabled and families on average incomes. These are people who are unlikely to benefit from the TPP and likely to suffer adverse consequences.
Your sincerely,
Roslyn Elkington
405 I urge the Standing Committee to recommend rejection of the TPP. I am concerned at ISDS clauses which undermine our sovereignty and potentially limit our government's ability to regulate in areas like the environment and health. Overseas experience and the escalating rate of court cases using ISDS clauses indicate that the checks and balances may not work. Particularly concerning is that international cases are increasingly heard by trade tribunals, not bona fide international courts.
I also fear that pharmaceuticals will increase in price to Australian consumers through lengthened patent periods.
The World Bank predicts that Australia will gain less than most participatory countries from the TPP. Any potential gains are not worth the risk. ian grosser
Hi,
From everything I've heard and read the TPP really sounds like bad news for Australia. I have no idea why any of our politicians would be in favour of it. What's going on? Is implementing the TPP somehow in their interests? It is clearly not beneficial to most Australians or the Australian government.
I mean Andrew Robb spending the last few months reassuring us that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system. But then he goes and tells a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. WTF?
Please perform an independent and transparent public inquiry (or whatever is appropriate along those lines, you know what I mean) into the TPP to fully determine the harm it can cause in Australia to affordable medicines, internet privacy and freedom, the ability for our government to act in the public interest and enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws, and for foreign companies to steal money from Australia by suing our government.
I worked hard for that money! And then I gave it to the government to use to run the country I live in! I don't want it bloody well stolen by foreign companies!
Seriously. What the hell is going on?
Then, if the TPP is proven to be terrible for Australia, don't implement it! Tear it up and walk away from it.
Kind regards,
Chris Christopher Scott
Dear Honourable Members
406 I wish to express my fear that signing the TPP will impact adversely on the lives of ordinary Australians.
I cannot believe that the representatives of the Australian people would leave us open to be sued by multinational corporations if our laws interfere with their profits.
The price of affordable medicines may be a thing of the past if it interferes with the profits of pharmaceutical corporations. Is this what you want for us?
Our environmental laws could well be challenged by corporations who don't wish to abide by them. Fracking comes to mind, where the Canadian province, Quebec was sued by a US energy company over laws that protected groundwater and land. No doubt that could happen here.
Internet privacy and freedom is another area of susceptibility.
Do you we want this for the Australian people? If not, please reject the TPP or at the very least make sure that amendments are made so we are not at risk.
Sincerely
Julie Beeforth Julie Beeforth
Dear Members of the Australian Parliament,
I ask that the TPP be rejected as it will greatly reduce the rights of Australia and Australians to make determinations about the things that matter to them. This includes the setting of wages, the cost of medicines, reducing even further protections to our environment and infringements on my privacy.
I have yet to hear any convincing argument that the TPP benefits me or my family or friends. The only people to gain real benefits are international corporations who already have more than enough influence on our lives and world. Their only interest is their profit. Why should Australia help them - they pay very little tax to us and want even more.
Tonia Abrahams Tonia Abrahams
I wish to express my concerns about the TPP to the Joint Standing Committee's review.
I am concerned by reports that Australia's special trade envoy, Andrew Robb, has said to a US publication that under the TPP, US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biological medicines that they enjoy in the US. If US companies can have monopoly patents over biologic medicines sold in Australia for longer, we (in Australia) will not be able to have the benefit of generic or cheaper competitive brands as soon as what we do now. I am worried that this could result in an increase in the price we pay for our medicines compared with the pre TPP arrangements.
407 I am also very concerned about the potential for large corporations, under the TPP agreement, to be able to take action against our government if it enacts legislation that is beneficial to our people but that has negative impacts on their profits. My concerns relate especially to the areas of protection of our environment, the health of our population or the welfare, safety and other conditions of Australia workers. I think it is disgraceful and immoral for a government to make an agreement that leads us to a future where the profits of large corporations rate more highly than the welfare of its citizens - and where actions taken to benefit the people can result in very expensive litigation that has to be paid for by the taxpayer.
Sincerely
Mary McDermott Mary McDermott
I would like to ask that the TPP receive much more independent scrutiny before any further negotiations occur.
We live in an age where corporate interests are already given precedence in many situations over the good of our country and our people. The provisions for greater control of medications by pharmacy companies has the potential to negatively impact health provision in this country and balloon health costs for the government and individuals.
I am also very concerned about the increased power for corporations to sue governments over good public policy that impacts on their profits. Don't let our sovereignty be sold for short sighted 'trade gains'.
Thank you Karen Makkai
TREASON is the right word for those advocating to sign the TPP!
We MUST NOT have our sovereign rights given away in this method!
We must not allow corporations to hire non-residents at the expense of local employment, especially without advertising these jobs, nor without need for proper qualifications for each job!
We must not allow Pharma companies to change our Nation's direction re subsidies, costs, etc!
I am an overseas born (Hungary) 48 year old Australian Citizen. I appreciate having bene given a fair go here, I have repaid this country with good behaviour and employment and raising a family, YET am disgusted at the direction we are being driven towards on these and other relevant issues!
If you allow the TPP to be signed re these issues, you yourself will be guilty of treasonously signing away our great Nation's rights ! Zoltan petri
Surrendering Australia’s Sovereignty – ISDS and the TPP Cost of Medicines
408
Dear Parliamentarians
It is becoming increasingly clear why Andrew Robb and the TPP negotiators have been so keen to keep the terms of the TPP agreement secret from the Australian public.
The more we hear about the TPP agreement, the more provisions we discover that will be seriously damaging for the Australian economy and for our society for many years to come.
We were told that the very precious Australian PBS would be secure and medicines would remain affordable in Australia. Instead it seems our negotiators have caved in to the demands of Big Pharma and their US representatives. Now we hear that US pharmaceutical companies will have monopoly rights over biologic medicines and that these will cost Australians much, much more.
We can only wonder how many other provisions of the TPP are designed to favour US business interests rather than the needs of Australians.
PLEASE REJECT THE TPP. It's clearly not a good deal for Australia.
Yours sincerely Elizabeth Weiss
I do not support the TPP for the following reasons:
Corporations should never have the right to sue Governments for implementing policy, wether it affects their bottom line or not.
Trade agreements should not be placed before sovereign national rights of any country to manage its own affairs.
The secrecy of the TPP agreement thus far is cause for alarm in itself. What exactly is being proposed and negotiated in secrecy behind closed doors.
I say no to the TPP unless it is brought out into the open and publicly examined and debated by all parties, which includes citizens of Australia. Tony Poutsma
Australia is at present a democracy in which the community, through its elected governments, exercises sovereign power to make decisions affecting the community's well-being and the Australian environment.
The TPP risks giving commercial corporations the right to determine matters affecting the well-being of the Australian community and environment, overriding federal and state government decisions in courts which are not answerable to the Australian people.
In particular, the TPP may give foreign corporations the right to:
409 - Challenge and overturn local environmental controls, such as those affecting mining projects, if they affect foreign corporation profits, as happened when the Quebec provincial government was sued by a US energy company over laws protecting groundwater resources;
- Challenge and overturn laws protecting workers' conditions, as is happening currently in Egypt, where the government is being sued by a corporation for raising the minimum wage;
- Undermine Australians' unique and socially responsible scheme for access to affordable medicine, by prioritising pharmaceutical company profits and raising medicine prices
- Challenge and overturn legislation enacted to protect the community's health, as is happening with the Hong Kong legal challenge to Australia's tobacco plain packaging laws.
Australia must retain its right to protect its own community's health, social values and environment regardless of the financial interests of corporations who are not answerable to our community. Danny Neumann
I am concerned about the TPP because it undermines our democracy. Our laws are in place to protect the Australian people not the profits of foreign corporations. I don't want watered down environmental controls or weak labour rights. I don't like the idea of monopoly rights over biologic medicines that US pharmaceutical companies already enjoy in the United States. I want affordable medicines in Australia, not the terrible downward spiral of despair that affects Americans who fall ill and lose everything trying to pay for life-saving drugs. Why should any foreign corporation have the right to sue the Australian Govt. if its profits are affected by a change in law that is for the benefit of the Australian people?
The TPP is definitely not in the interests of the Australian public and should be rejected. It has been shrouded in secrecy, not debated enough (if at all) and can't be justified by the meagre economic growth of only .07%
(as estimated by the World Bank) after 15 years in
Australia. Please say NO to the TPP. Jan Perigo
I find it DEEPLY concerning it is proposed that this FAR REACHING treaty (negotiated in secret) should be passed by the Australian Parliament, without the actual terms and conditions being released to the public.
What has been revealed is concerning because there seems to be a conflict between what the government is telling us, and what is being revealed 'in the press' - which is illustrated in the difference in the statements made by Mr Robb that were reassuring the community that the TPP
410 would NOT change the system for local access to affordable medicines... But has made statements to a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. - Which sounds very much like a CHANGE in the system for access to affordable drugs.
I am also DEEPLY concerned about the fact that Australia's sovereignty can be over ruled by foreign courts IF FOREIGN CORPORATIONS object to environmental or pollution laws that they believe will adversely effect their profits. (as is illustrated by the USA's WTO action against India's ambitious plans to adopt renewable energy )
I DO NOT believe this treaty is in our country's best interests and urge you to use your powers to see that it is rejeted Fred Payne
I am shocked and bewildered that our government would even consider signing such an agreement. The TPP is obviously only in the interests of big international companies and not in the best interest of all the Australian people.
The Government is meant to serve/work for us so why is this TPP agreement such a secret? Why is it not all out in the public domain for open discussion and made upfront and transparent? If it is such a great opportunity for us the Australian people and Australian companies, then lets see it in its entirety!
Even with the little amount of information that has been released- medicines, health, workplace- I don't like and I don't want the TPP. Annette Hunt
i BELIEVE THAT THE TPP SHOULD BE TERMINATED BY THE GOVERNMENT EVEN BEFORE BEING REJECTED BY THE PARLIAMENT. iT IS A DECEITFUL DOCUMENT, CONCEIVED BY GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES WORKING OFTEN AT THE REQUEST OF LARGE MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES, THEIR LOBBY GROUPS AND POLITICIANS CAPTURED BY THESE FACELESS ENTITIES.
ROBB HAS BEEN DUPED AND HAS LIED TO THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC ABOUT THE REACH OF THE LARGE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES (US COMPANIES USUALLY) THAT WILL RESULT IN A DELETERIOUS EFFECT ON OUR PBS. SO STOP IT NOW.
AND THE CAPACITY FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES TO SUE THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT (IE, THE POOR SAPS OF THE COMMON MAN AND TAXPAYER FOOTING THE BILL AS USUAL) BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE OUR LAWS. ECHOES OF THE BREXIT HERE EH?
SO CUT OUR LOSSES AND DUMP THIS USELESS GARBAGE THAT THE 'SECRET SQUIRRELS BUSINESS' HAS SHADED US FROM SEEING (BUT BIG PHARMA AMONGST SO MANY OTHERS HAVE SEEN AND HELPED CRAFT).
411 OF COURSE ROBB COULD MAKE A SUPREME SACRIFICE AND SIGN AWAY ALL HIS POLITICAL SUPER, EMOLUMENTS, GOLD CARDS, FREE FLIGHTS, GOLDEN HANDSHAKE LOOT AS A DOWN PAYMENT AND AS SURETY AGAINST THESE NASTIES EMERGING. WAS THAT A PIG JUST FLY PAST MY WINDOW?
SO MS, MR, MRS AND MISS PARLIAMENTARIANS, PUT YOUR BRAINS INTO GEAR, GET THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION VERIFY THE ECONOMIC AND OTHER BENEFITS OF THE 'DEAL'; GET TREASURY TO GIVE EVIDENCE TO THE SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE AND LET US ALL SEE THE WORK OF ROBB OUT IN THE OPEN AND HIS REPUTATION UNDER THE GLARE OF LIGHT, FULL DISCLOSURE AND SCRUPULOUS EXAMINATION BY PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE CAPABLE THAN A POLLY TO TELL THE TRUTH.
Peter Cooke
Andrew Robb and the TPP Inquiry team. Can we put TPP on the table for all to see as clearly TPP will impact every citizen of this great country, Australia. Nobody likes surprises of this kind especially given how significant this deal is. I think it is about time there was full transparency around TPP including releasing the contracts for public scrutiny.
If you wish to hide details from the public then I guess you won't allow transparency which will prove there are negative impacts to Australians, at least in part. I'm not sure how you can live with this on your conscience if full transparency is not offered.
Please do the right thing by the end user, that is, every single proud Australian Steve Dew
10/3/2016
I am writing this submission to air my discontent and absolute disgust that our Federal Government went to great lengths to hide try and slip through the Trans Pacific Partnership Deal without being honest and transparent with voters Australian Citizens who are by the way taxpayers.
I cannot believe where this country is heading I do not believe that medicines or anything else will be affordable to those who need them, I also do not believe that Biologic Medicines should remain under monopoly patents for long periods of times as these money making, power hungry companies would like them to be.
Why should people who need new medications be forced to wait long periods of time to get new approved pharmaceuticals that could save their life. Just another way for drug companies to make money for longer before they are put on to the PBS if there is still a PBS scheme. Nobody in a country like Australia should have to wait for life saving or lifestyle enhancing medications ( by that I mean pain free) drugs we pay taxes to live in a country that takes care of its citizens by creating equal opportunities for all of its people. At the moment we are selling our country out and I never thought I would see the day that this would happen.
I would never vote for any government that would undertake to push this deal through.
412 I am 71 years old still working, a widow, paying taxes, have paid all of my own educational issues, but have a chronic auto immune disease and have very large pharmaceutical bills to pay every month. I also spent just on three months in a Sydney Hospital in 2015, Private Health Insurance and still came out owing thousands of dollars. So many of my friends and colleagues feel the same way that I do and unless you want to lose the election and lose faith with the Australian people you will not push this deal through. Mavis Jean Symonds
the little that has been leaked about this tpp shows to me that it is not a good deal for australia.quite apart from the isds sanctions that are being allowed,but the pharmaceutical companies are obviously with the isds are not going to allow the extent of negotiations we currently enjoy without asserting their rights under the isds.as a consumer in australia with a fair reliance on pharmaceuticles i will probably not be able to afford what are to me essential medicines.this would be also applicable to the greater majority of over 60 peoples. please do not ratify this agreement for reasons given and obviously unknown due to secrecy which has been surrounding this agreement since day one. patrick o'rourke
I cannot believe the sheer idiocy and short-sightedness in allowing the TPP to go ahead. It beggars belief that a government, elected by the people for the people (supposedly!), would even consider a TPP that allows huge corporations with very deep pockets and little or no compassion, understanding or sense of fairplay to be given the power to sue our country (read - the people of Australia) if for some reason we make a legal change to protect some aspect of our way of life that affects their bottom line - it's OBSCENE!!! A NEW TERMINOLOGY IS BEING FOSTERED BY GOVERNMENTS SUPPORTING THE TPP - CORPORATOCRACY.
What a sad world we are creating where the rich continue to profit even more grandiosly at the expense of ordinary folks betrayed by the governments they elected to protect them!
STOP THE TPP AND PROTECT OUR FUTURE Lance Sheppard
The Trans Pacific Partnership is a dangerous and unfair deal. Australians rights are being sold out by Andrew Robb. This deal will see pharmaceuticals become out of reach for sone Australians. Life saving medications should not be held back for the top dollar . These huge companies have already proved they are unscrupulous but when given carte Blanche by our own elected politicians they will stop at nothing. I object strongly also to Robb signing away our sovereign right to protest and reject products that Are in Some way are undesirable ,. The TPP will allow multicorporation to sue the Australian people if a protest leads to the stopping of sales of that product. Since when can Australians be sued for trying to protect our country our citizens our children our environment . This secret nasty deal must be stopped Naomi lyon
413 It would appear that the Right Honourable Andrew Robb has been less than HONOURABLE in his dealings with the Australian public if, as has been reported, he recently told a US publication that the United States pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines they enjoy in the United States.
The fact that the Minister felt it necessary to mislead the Australian Public on a matter as important as the length of time these medicines will be under monopoly patents, hence the cost imposed on the public, must bring into question the validity of this whole agreement.
.Any TPP type agreement requires the full scrutiny of all members of both houses of Parliament, ensuring that it is in the best interests of Australia and its citizens.
As this agreement was negotiated in secret, has not had a full parliamentary revue and will affect all of the Australian Public who, because of the secrecy surrounding it have no idea of its contents, this agreement should be rejected. John Morganlowe
To the great detriment of ordinary Australians, the right side of politics has long since lost touch with reality, so sold out and beholden is it to the corporations at the big end of town. Despite the fine, hand-on-heart weasel-words of CEOs and Boards (and politicians), many or most corporations seem to be totally lacking in ethical behaviour and probity. Grubby greed seems to remain the operative culture. The TPP is yet another heinous instance of this stance, the only difference being the enormity of the sell-out. This was the essence of the Whyalla lady's 'shirtfronting' of the Prime Minister. She was right to nail him with the absolute fact that many ordinary Australians feel completely disaffected and disenfranchised. Also please note: my criticisms are made free from affiliations with any political person, party or organisation. 'A pox on all their houses' I deem to be the most apt quote. Graeme Mowat
I am writing to voice my concerns over the TPP deal. I don't believe that the Australian people have been given open and honest information about the full impacts of the partnership and ask that it be rejected.
My primary concerns are that the TPP will:
Give multinational corporations the right to sue the Australian government over laws that are designed to protect us in the environment, workplace and health fields.
Increase the cost of medicines.
Erode our internet privacy and freedoms.
These issues have already occurred in other countries and so I urge you to reject the TPP.
Thank you for your time. Pam Everson
414
Dear Honourable Members and Senators,
Please do not allow the TPP to be signed. If the government signs this agreement we will be signing away our sovereign rights to multinational corporations. These corporations do not have any loyalty to Australia or operate in the the best interests of the Australian people.
Their primary goal is to maximise profits at the expense of ethical or fair behaviour in the countries they operate in. This has been demonstrated by the dodgy mechanisms they use to minimise and or avoid paying tax in Australia. They are not good corporate citizens.
I request that Australia does not sign the TPP.
Yours sincerely,
Sharon Rea. Sharon Rea
Here's the top issues that I want to make sure you are aware of:
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. This is already happening overseas. For example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
As Health Care professional are warning that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing, we should hold off signing until Government members are willing to tell us the truth about this - what is the reason for rushing anyway?.
Why would we risk the possibility of our Government being sued for passing laws that strengthen our environmental protections, say in areas such as fracking or water pollution, and that make corporations abide by these new laws? For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. This can't be good for the long term future for any country.
Securing any deal that locks in the ability of our internet service providers to spy on anyone and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies is suspicious to say the least. We already have laws so we can prosecute for these offences so who will be spying on who and why?
Please re-consider passing this TPP. Lesley Hazelwood
With the greatest respect for your careful considerations, I would simply like to share with you a viewpoint that is also held by many of the people that I know. This viewpoint is that the TPP has many flaws that disadvantage Australians, particularly in the following ways.
415 * The prospect of higher prices for important medicines, making them no longer affordable for many of our citizens.
* The likelihood of multinational companies bringing lawsuits against the Australian government whenever they are disadvantaged by new laws to protect our environment, and the consequent potential for governments to be less inclined to create such important environmentally focused laws that would benefit all Australians, present and future.
* Similarly, because of the threat of litigation by corporate entities, governments are likely to be less inclined to pass laws that demonstrably benefit all Australians in any areas where such laws may restrict the potential profits of multinational companies. This would place multinational corporate needs above the needs of the Australian people, which in a freely elected Australian parliament is manifestly wrong.
* The possible misuse of information by corporate entities, particularly where the TPP overrides both privacy and freedom via the internet.
I strongly appeal to the Joint Standing Committee to reject this flawed Trans Pacific Partnership treaty. David Brech
The TPP endangers Australia's sovereignty and national interest.
There is no independant analysis, no detailed scrutiny, and no convincing net benefit to Australia's economy - but plenty of potential downside.
Any trade deal with such wide ranging and long term implications needs to be thoroughly debated in a democratic society.
If we are happy to let corporate and foreign interests govern our national decision making without any oversight, checks or balances then the TPP is a wonderful thing. If, however, the wellbeing of the Australian people deserves to be the priority of Parliament, then the TPP must to be resoundly rejected.
Please do NOT allow legislation committing Australia to the TPP to pass into law. Stephen Cottee
The TPP hands too much power to the deepest corporate pockets at the expense of hard-fought- and-won legal and social protections for average Australians. Provisions in the TPP forfeiting sovereignty are NOT inevitable. Be brave, take a stand against bullies. We tell our children to respect and consider others; I'm asking you to lead by your actions and not permit Australians to be bound by this vastly unjust treaty. We believe strongly in regulated capitalism. It's the best of both, balancing interests. History shows the human misery which results from unlimited laissez faire markets, and the current corporate litigation occurring against sovereign governments demonstrates the pressure of increasing profitability in globalised markets. At the expense of the vast majority of us: non-corporate private individuals. As parliamentary representatives of average Australians, we
416 need you. We need you to protect our future and our wellbeing by honestly and with clear vision looking to the longterm effects of this awful pact on the intangible ideals on which our unique and globally admired culture is founded. A fair go.
Please reject the TPP. Rosemary Asher
I firmly believe that when signing this agreement we are unleashing forces that can't be controlled. Giving up a huge degree of our sovereignty to me seems so short-sighted. Capitalism can only function when there is competition. When there is no competition it becomes an oligarchy. This is what you are setting up our medical system to become. Please please reconsider.
When outside forces can shape our lives more than our politicians that is when we must reconsider if we can still call ourselves a democracy. Signing this is putting an end to the way the country is presently run. You have to consider this before signing!
Are you our representative or are you representing American pharmaceutical companies? Jessica Vorreiter
In all international negotiations, the stronger side is the winner. Be assured, that is not us. Our politicians are ham-strung by their perceived need for foreign investment and their need to appear to be doing something about the economy. It's an illusion that is fostered by those who actually control the world economy.
Corporations have become so greedy that they are no longer satisfied to control national governments through political donations, propaganda, threats and intimidation. Signing the TPP is a desperate act by our leaders who know they no longer have sovereign power and have given up the fight (if they were ever even in it.)
What good can come of agreeing that corporations can sue our government for compensation for profits they might have made if the government had acted otherwise? Even more curious is the idea that disputes between governments and corporations would be heard in courts set up by the corporations.
The TPP has been sold to us as necessary to stop video piracy. This is just a smoke screen to hide the real purpose of this corporation-inspired trade deal - to further reduce the power of governments to protect their people.
The shiny red apple to hide the poison within. Roy Hives
The Australian Government is supposed to represent its citizens; we elected you.
You are selling us short if you go with the TPP.
417 Why I think this:
1. US corporations can sue the Australian Government (if there is a threat to their profits) and thus force them to override laws that are in place to protect Australians and the environment, and therefore generations to come.
2. The Australian government will have less control over pricing of pharmaceuticals. The big pharmaceutical companies already have too much power over so-called sovereign governments.
In other words, the Australian Parliament will be beholden to multinational corporations and will no longer be able to protect Australian public and health interest. I worry for my children and grand - children.
Block the TPP!!
The dry old lands of Australia need careful and delicate management to continue to give a good life to the people who are living here now and in the future. We already have many problems with water and do not need rapacious corporations to rape and exploit our land because they are not making enough profit. Corporations being able to sue our government for laws and regulations that are making life best for most is a form of terrorism.
I do not understand why any government would give approval to this form of exploitation and lack of control of our own destiny for the profit of large corporations! Why bother to spend billions on defence!
This is a war we must not lose. Lorraine Ragless
I am very concerned about increased costs of pharmaceuticals if the TPP goes ahead. I am also worried that huge corporations will have powers over research and biologic medicines.
How can the Australian government relinquish rights that affect us, only to enable wealthy companies to profit? If the argument provided is that they invest in research, it is pretty clear they only research medicines that will benefit them financially. Pharmaceutical companies have hindered research by imposing patents on medical knowledge that should be free for all.
Scientists in general share information for the good of humanity. It would be better if our government supported Australian medical research rather than prop up already powerful institutions.
I urge the Parliament to reconsider its support of the TPP to ensure Australia's health.
Regards,
Megan Lee. Megan Lee
418
Is it true that Andrew Robb has told the US pharmaceutical corporations that they would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in America?
Does this mean that in Australia we will have to pay more for these medicines?
Does it also mean that these multinational corporations can sue over legal changes that protect the Australian public, but affects THEIR profits? We can take as given that they will look after their own interests before ours. Just look at the Commonwealth Bank, and that is an Australian company!!!
I question the right for any foreign multinational corporation to have the right to sue our government.
I would also consider the future of a government willing to sign away our rights!! elaine houlton
We live in a democracy and we elect Governemts we hope will do the right thing for us and legislate laws to make our society better (e.g. Plain packaging) and we want them to protect our Environment and strive for equality. The TPP threatens our society by giving too much power to Corporations through ISDS provisions - they'll be able to sue our Governemts for anything they believe will harm their profits - obviously at the expense of community (e.g. Fracking and Coal Seam Gas). The current Federal Government claims 'it's all good for Australia' but we can't trust them. The TPP must be independently reviewed by Treasury to confirm its merits. Let me be very clear - IT MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO COME INTO EFFECT. The costs to our society will be too great. As an example, look to the Korean FTA - it sold out our Automotive industry to imports - a massive future cost to this Country. We have already seen the potential threats from ISDS provisions. Please act to stop the TPP. Thank you,
David Lunt David Lunt
Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has been caught red-handed telling the Australian public one thing and American pharmaceutical corporations another.
Mr Robb's spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States.[1], [2]
This could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health.[3]
Reject the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
Remember this is an election year. I won't forget your response to this request.
419 References
[1] TPP: Trade Minister Andrew Robb trumpets 'excellent' deal, The Australian,, 6 October 2015
[2] Morning trade: Robb reassures on TPP biologics, Politico, 22 February 2016.
[3] TPP text favours corporate rights over citizens and communities, Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network media release, 5 November 2015 Barry Keen
The TTP needs to be blocked, because in too many ways it values corporations more than people.
In the US there are huge problems in medicine production, with medicines usually being exclusively produced by one corporation for a long period of time, enabling excessive pricing and often keeping the medications out of reach of the people who need them.
If we pass this TTP, that will be allowed here.
Another significant issue of the TTP is that corporations are valued over our environment.
If the TTP is passed, corporations will be allowed to sue our government (to sue our people) over laws protecting their own environment! When experience shows us that corporations generally value profit over sustainability, why would we allow this? And when the profits belong to a foreign corporation, which means they will not be used to benefit us here in any way, why would we want to give unlimited access to our resources, we don't want to give them permission to pillage our land!
Block the TTP. We will loose too much if it is passed! Emilie Traeger
Giving US pharmaceutical companies the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines in Australia as they have in the US could make essential medicines unaffordable for many Australians. In addition there could be a drop in food safety standards including the increased difficulty food consumers will have in avoiding GM foods. Due to Roundup saturation spraying GM mono crops such as soy and corn survive in a toxic state while all living things in their immediate environment such as weeds, grasses and insects, etc. are destroyed by lethal chemicals such as Dioxin. Do we really want to eat toxic chemically saturated GM foods? Furthermore US companies will be able to sue the Australian Government for any of its measures that further the health of Australians through environmental protection and other legislation through the TPP. Similarly Phillip Morris is currently suing the Australian Government for its responsible cigarette plain packaging legislation due to a bilateral inv estor rights agreement between HK and Australia. Lastly the company representatives in countries like China and the US tend to be very hard nosed in business compared to in Australia so one can be sure that bilateral trade agreements will work to benefit Chinese (government) companies and US companies more than Australian ones. For all these reasons any bilateral trade agreements by Australia with the US or China are not likely to bode well for Australia's future prosperity Rohan Gunaratna
420
Dear Parliament,
I am asking that you fully reject the TPP.
No trade deal should be negotiated and entered into that is so blatantly one sided towards corporations, as the TPP.
The fact that the TPP has been negotiated in secret with corporations and their lobbyists with very little or no community involvement is alarming!
The majority of Australians will be worse of under the TPP and it is really time for you, the parliamentarians to do what we, the people of Australia, has employed you to do, protect the interest of us and our country, not that of a foreign one.
Please reject the TPP Benny Pettersson
the TPP is a blatant power grab by corporations who wish to further poison our ecosystem & strip our community of rights & assets. I am disgusted that such a proposition has come to pass with very little concern from politicians who are very well paid to work in the interests of the community. we are watching. future generations are watching. if you do not block the TPP in the senate we will all know without a shadow of a doubt who you work for and what you stand for. please. don't sell us out. it is time to reign in corporate greed and make a government for the people, the community and the future. Liz Payne
Making trade deals now that remove Australians right of sovereignty in introducing or enforcing environmental protections, affordable medicine policies, industrial relations and many other issues is something that will almost certainly result in voter backlash when the first legal case is raised in Australia.
The Turnbull Government will be billed by the media as the government who sold out Australia. The evidence for this outcome is apparent around the world where governments have made similar deals.
Australia must be free to determine its own policies and standards - free of control from overseas corporate interests - interests which are in no way aligned with Australia's. Don't be the government that sell Australia's sovereignty. Robert Fairlie-Cuninghame
421 Why hand so much power over to corporations? The government, elected by the Australian people, should decide the outcomes for its own countrymen and women. With good, equitable and affordable access to healthcare pharmaceuticals. Why follow the overpriced, inaccessible to many, medical system of the USA. It's failing there, so why would it be any different here? Why fail us with this wretched TPP deal? Why allow corporations, who only have their own profits at heart, to have the capacity to hold the Australian government to ransom, legally, if they don't get things the way they want. Who in their right mind would sign away their right to protect the environment they live in? Pollution and clean water are global issues and it has been demonstrated time and time again that big business has no respect for the environment nor the peoples that have to live in it. Why sign away the rights, freedoms and lives of the Australian people. Put people above profits. Particula rly when those profits will go overseas and be of such little benefit to Australia and its people.
Help us all.
Don't sign the TPP!!! Patrick Carr
I write to ask you to act to stop the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
My reason for this request is that the deal, to date, has not been developed or written in Australia's best interests.
The TTP, as it stands, is a cavilling cop out in terms of looking after our interests. It is a sell out of our rights and position when it comes to our sovereignty and self determination.
For instance Multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that we, as a nation or as states, might put in place to protect us for shonky goods or services if it lowers their expected profits. For example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage!!!
And our Trade Envoy, Andrew Robb, thinks its 'a win' for Australia. Just great!!!.
When it comes to already spiralling costs of medicine and drugs, our health sector groups are warning that provisions of the TPP will lead to even more increases in medicine pricing, with the TTP guaranteeing that we will pay top dollar... Again, Andrew Robb, just great!! well done!
Then there is ability to control and manage our own environment. Under the TTP, we could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protection and require that corporations abide by these laws. This might be in cases of waste material disposal, toxic dumping, destruction of bio mass or water pollution. The Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Again Mr Robb, just great!!! what a dud! How could such a provision possibly be seen as in our best interests?
Then there is the TTP's as a kind of 'Big Brother' watching us all. The TTP deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies - who ever they might be.
422 Again Mr Robb, just great!!! Is this TTP a 'win' for Australia ? not really, not even a half hearted one, no way....This is not good enough. Hard work needs to be done. At present the TTP is just another lazy, administrative stuff up 'negotiated' by a submissive team from a lazy position. Its a cop out, a job half-done. Its just in not good enough. Stephen Bowers
Andrew Robb, special trade envoy, has repeatedly told us that there will be no change to cost of affordable medicines. However he recently told a US publication that US corporations would have the same monopoly rights here in Australia that they enjoy in the US. Monopoly patents mean higher costs.
Looking at the whole spectrum of probable effects on our way of life and sovereignty I cannot imagine why any wise government would sign it. It is a U S corporate grab for power over governments and their peoples, actually a very destabilizing influence upon our nation if it ensues.
!. Corporate lawsuits if another govt. passes legislation that infringes their profit. This is meddling with the sovereignty of a nation to move independently. For instance, raising the minimum wage.It will have myriads of unforseen affects in the future.
2. Environmental protection. For instance, if glyphosate (round up) a proven carcinogen was banned by a nation, Monsanto would be quick to sue citing lost profits.(Actually they might be already... but it would get worse.) We would be powerless to protect our water, soils, even air.
3. Internet privacy and freedom. Self explanatory.
Please for the sake of wholeness and care, and the sanctity of life on this planet, do not let this disgraceful travesty masquerading as a trade agreement pass. Nancy Jakeman
When will this government treat the people of Australia with dignity and respect.They continually lie,mis-represent and hide the facts that every one of us should be made aware of before any of their bills are passed into parliament.This country is supposed to be a democracy but the more you run the tape over it the more it looks like a third world country being run by despots.
Its no wonder that the member for Goldstein the Honourable Andrew Robb is retiring from politics after signing such a far reaching policy that may help some parts of the economy but by all reports will be detrimental to the majority of the low to middle income earners of Australia.
The situation is more detrimental to the countries that are non members of this agreement as they will be left out of all deals and to make matters worse if a member country deals with a non member country they are liable for penalties for breaking the allegiance.What these penalties might be is anyone's guess.Staff at the World Bank have calculated that by 2030 Australia will benefit by 0.7% but i think our losses will reduce this considerably so i am asking Parliament to reject this partnership taking into consideration the following points.
1) May cause a flood of corporate lawsuits.
2) Pharmaceutical prices mat escalate.
423 3) Envionmental protections may be compromised.
I'll end now hoping that the partnership will be made more transparent before it is even considered to be voted on. Neil L.
It is a major function of government to protect the people's health and the environment. Pollution of air and water costs many billions of dollars per annum in damage to people's health and the environment. In Australia, especially since the carbon tax was scrapped, the people rather than the polluters bear these costs. Pollution has to be regulated or taxed out of existence to save these costs. Yet, under the proposed ISDS provisions of the proposed TPP agreement, international corporations would be able to sue the government for loss of profit, and potential profit, if regulations or taxes were imposed on their operations. This would be a strong disincentive to regulation or taxing, which is exactly the opposite to what is needed.
We rejected ISDS in the past and it is even more important that we reject it now. Jonathan Milford
This is a greedy, dangerous and dishonest deal between governments and rich corporations. It is not for the good of the man in the street. We need affordable medicines for the lowest income groups, we need to be sure that farmers will not be sent to the wall by fracking and other mining obscenities. Our government needs to be protected to be free to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws amongst other things.
Once this deal is made, we cannot get out of it and we will have a huge amount to lose and regret. What responsibility are we showing to future generations? [email protected] Audrey Raymond
Dear Parliament - this deal with multi-national trade corporations will take Australia down a path of limited national rights. We will no longer be able to protect the rights of Australians to make choices for Australia but be in the hands of corporations protecting their profits!
Australians do not want corporations from other countries telling us what we can or cannot do,or suing us, because our decisions to protect our people and environment effect their profit.
Do not let our govt be subject to corporations that put profit above people! Make a stand for human democracy not corporate greed. It will not benefit Australia or the Australian people to follow the US path. Let's be Australian and make our own decisions. Sheree Anderson
Dear Sir/Madam
424 I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed adoption of the TPP by Australia.
It is critical that our country maintains its sovereignty over all matters pertaining to our territories. It is inconceivable that the government is currently being sued by William Morris because the plain paper packaging that was implemented to save the lives of our citizens impacts their economic bottom line.
This is trade madness and will no doubt lead to similar situations when we make decisions for the benefit of our citizens that may impact a multinational company. I and many Australians find this concept abhorrent.
I urge you to reject this bad deal, and protect our national interests.
Yours sincerely
Dr Ian Wilkinson Dr Ian Wilkinson
The TTP makes interesting reading particularly the agreement on health patents that allows big pharmas (predominately US firms) a mafia-like grip on medications - and reduces the likelihood of generic drugs succeeding to help the poorest in society.
It also restricts innovation in developing new drugs due to heavily restrictive testing periods. Incredibly stupid in a world where many types of bacteria are increasingly drug resistant. We need innovation and speed to develop and fight new drug resistant bacteria.
The TTP leaves us incredibly exposed to corruption and price exploitation by the big pharmas and leaves the poorest of society paying significantly more for what's readily available.
The TTP should NOT PROCEED.
Thanks
Chris Chris MacDonald
We have had a warning of what will happen recently when an individual purchased the rights to a common essential medicine. Immediately he proposed a huge increase in price simply because could. Fortunately the outcry was so great he backed down. It was a close call, he was an individual without the legal resources of a huge corporation. We were lucky this time. The TPP will give corporations the legal right to do what he has done and protect them from any backlash from government or nation of people. The primary goal of any business is profit, only government regulations keep this in check. Please do not sign an agreement that will prevent our government from protecting the interests of Australians. Conrad Noad
425 Submission to parliament re the Trans Pacific Partnership Treaty
It is one of the most frightening decisions by this Coalition government, that Australia's special trade envoy, as Minister for Trade lied to us. The truth is out now. This man, who has conveniently decided to leave parliament, sold us out. Many of us were afraid he would. I am one of those with a limited income reliant on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which has helped to keep less fortunate Australians healthy so that our PBS, with its concern for the quality of the lives of all the children, women and men. And the general health of Australians, except for the First Peoples who will undoubtedly be hit by this, is much better than the health of Americans. And at a lower cost.
Because of it, I can lead an independent life and be much less of a burden on the government and my fellow citizens. In Steve Ciobo we have a replacement as Minister for Trade who has shown he is not interested in the welfare of Australians. He is a market-forces man.
We are going to have to reply on the Senate to make sure that the lives of ordinary Australians are not made worse by Robb's decisions to ensure that US pharmaceutical corporations can have the same monopoly rights that they in USA. [ Which is the reason so many Americans cross the border to buy their medicine in Canada.] And he has allowed them to be able to sue us for restraint of trade. Australia is being sold out. Please Senators. Do your best to fight for the public good and the health of the people of Australia
Erica Jolly
Stifle innovation in ways we cannot even begin to imagine.
Noone with the actual knowledge in the public has being allowed time or given the correct data to show the true impact on Australia.
The government is not paying attention to how mangled this so called trade agreement is.
True data modeling shows this will cost jobs, impact health of all Australians and within a few years cost the tax payer an staggering amount. This deal wont even let Australia make their own laws regarding fodod and what goes into it. How is this a 'good thing'
Well, it is good for US companies and other nations that don't want to abide by what we, the public of Australia need I guess. Hey, at least they will make a lot of money.
Wonder how much $ the corporations involved spent paying out to governments and lobby groups getting this through. Best let them make it back 10 fold. Adrian D
Mr Robb's spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines...
Only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States !!!
426 This isn't the first time that our government has gone to great lengths to keep the truth about the TPP under wraps...
The entire treaty was negotiated in secret, and the government has since refused to subject the TPP to ANY independent analysis.
Too many parts of the TPP remain dangerously under-scrutinised – and the Turnbull government's desperate to keep it that way.
The only thing left is for the Turnbull government to stand down in disgrace. You are nothing but a bunch of professional liars and fascists who care little for anyone except their grubby political donors.
You will lose the next election...
Goods riddance. Shane Myers
I am deeply concerned to learn that we appear to have been duped by Mr Robb about affordable medicines remaining as a fundamental understanding in the signing of the TPP.
In the same way as I believe in the right for all Australians to have acess to free education I believe access to affordable health care is one of the foundations of our Austealian way of life.
Similarly I would be extremely concerned about any government that surrendered its ability to make decisions and laws pertaining to environmental, health and workplace protection. Already we live in a society which is increasingly lacking the ability to protect the vulnerable members of our society. Nanette Hassall
I would like the TPP to be blocked as the negotiations discussed by Mr Robb are not legitimate, they never were going to be as Mr Robb could not negotiate anything to a successful outcome for either side.
Here in Australia we do not need Biological medicines under monopoly patents for longer as it means we have to pay more for our medicines and why should we.
Our present Government have made many drastic decisions about employment and all areas of our lives to our detriment so we the people feel we have had enough nonsense and need some positive structures which will enable the people to feel confident respectful of living their without being in debt for anything we need to keep us healthy and happy...
The TPP is a made up arrangement for a few Countries and for what purpose for the general public... there really is no logic to a desired egotistic arrangement... Marion Thomas
427 I am extremely concerned about the following issues of the TPP.
- Increase in the cost of pharmaceuticals. The increasing cost of provision of health care in Australia is a major budget issue. Increased cost of pharmaceuticals is the last thing Aust. people need. We certainly don't want to follow down the path of the US health system with high cost and poor outcomes.
- The sovereignty of Australian Law to:
. ensure multinational companies are not able to sue Australia on issues that impact upon their profit eg, think of the value of introducing plain packaging for cigarettes reducing the prevalence of smoking.
. protect our environment.
Unless the above issues are protected, the TPP will be a disaster for Australia. Heather Boulden
Any deal of this magnitude should not be shrouded in such secrecy. Does this agreement give corporations the right to sue the government on grounds that if they pass laws that protect the people but risk corporate profits, they are entitled to compensation?
If so, the TPP is of no benefit to the people. You are giving absolute control to the needs of the rich and forgetting that the average citizen is losing in this deal.
Absolute transparency is required. If being rushed to sign a deal that may potentially ruin the country isn't enough of a warning sign, here is another one, say NO! Reject the deal!! Andrew Dallal
I am registering my deep concerns regarding the TPP.
Firstly to have a secret deal is wrong in a democracy and where transparency and the input, impact on and liberty of the population should be put before business interests.
Concern re. our Australian Government being sued due to provisions for example if elements in our country change that impact the profit of a Partnership country. Whether it's introducing plain tobacco packaging or environmental regulations to protect people or Egypt increasing minimum wage.. In a capitalist, free economy there are risks from market forces. To allow major Corporations to negate these as Government backed entities is corporate manipulation, uncompetitive. This leads to a not free Government, society or economy.
Concern regarding the monopoly and control over pharmaceuticals by profit driven corporations. Please ensure access and equity to medications for the population ahead of profit generation.
Please look at these concerns and especially concerns of other countries that did not join the TPP. clare hooton
428
It's a dodgy deal (or set of deals) and you know it.
It's plain as day for anyone to see. When we have ministers (who presumably know what is going on in the deal) tell the Australia public one thing then clearly state another to a corporation there is clearly a problem. Either a) even the people who are making the deal don't understand it. or b) they understand it and are deliberately misleading us about it.
It's all about falling into line with the US and worldwide corporate agendas and does nothing to protect the people. If it did, then the government would be scrambling to make it public. The secrecy surrounding it speaks volumes.
It seeks to undermine our environmental protections and our privacy protections and in this day and age both of these things should be getting bolstered protections, not reductions. It's just not good enough. Russell Bruechert
I am extremely concerned about the TPP. My main concerns are around big corporations being in control of our water, land, pharmaceuticals, our food and our seeds. Basically, in control of our lives!
I don't believe corporations will ever operate in the best interest of citizens or the environmental or social sustainability of society.
Of most concern is the ability of corporations to be able to sue governments. This is insane!
I also believe that once signed, there is no way of getting out of it. Future generations will be locked into a very unpopular agreement with no way of reversing it. Gilda Davies
I am very concerned about the TTP. There are many reasons why I believe the TTP should be amended and not accepted in its current form.
I am most concerned about the fact that multinational corporations could sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. This is simply wrong. The focus should be on the wellbeing of the Australian people.
Another topic I am concerned about are affordable medicines: Health sector groups warned that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
Medicines should be affordable for all Australians. Many old and sick people are already struggling to pay for their meds.
The third topic I am concerned about is the environment and its protection: The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
429 I am afraid that if the TTP is passed we all miss out and some big corporations overseas are the big winners. Please listen to the Australian people because you are our representatives! Nicole Winking
I am extremely concerned that the TPP will mean that we the Australian people will lose access to affordable medicines. We have the best system in the world in Australia now and I don't want to see it ruined by a short sighted international deal that gives the big US pharmaceutical companies monopoly patents over medicines here in Australia that we rely on.
I also don't want to be spied on by my internet service provider and subjected to possible copyright infringement threats from enforcement agencies.
Stop our government from being in the position of possible littigation for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections.
Exposing our government to possible corporate lawsuits over legal changes that lower corporate profits for multinational corporations has to be a bad thing. John Oldham
The TPP deal must be rejected on account of the harm it can cause to the affordability of medicines, and the ability of our government to act in the public interest in enacting environmental, health and workplace protection laws.
Under the TPP deal, our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. There has been a precedent in Canada, where the Quebec provincial government was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
The deal would inadvertently also result in a flood of corporate lawsuits, with multinational corporations suing Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but reduce their profits, as has happened before with a corporation suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Our government needs to protect our right to affordable medicines, and its own ability to enact environmental, health and workplace protection laws, which are key priorities for all Australians. Sophia Sakellis
Dear Mr Robb,
One of the things that makes Australia a great country is our universal access to medical care. Not only does it save individuals money when they are sick and need medical attention but it also saves the economy as these individuals can access cheaper medicines at an early stage of their sickness which in many cases saves them from needing to go to the hospital or take further time off work.
430 There are many other reasons why the TPP is a bad deal for Australia. Allowing multinational corporations the ability to sue if new conditions (whether they be strengthening environmental legislation, improving labour laws etc) hurt their profits is not acceptable for any country, especially not one like Australia where we pride ourselves on our beautiful country and great standard of living.
For the sake of future generations do not allow this TPP deal to come into affect.
Sincerely,
Kristy kristy walters
I have had half a lifetime of serious health issues, including ten years while surviving on a carer's pension. One of the few stable parts of my life has been the knowledge that I was always able to receive medicines required to keep me alive, at a price I could manage.
The thought of seeing changes that would create a two tier health system is anathema. Being rich should not be a requirement for easy access to a cutting edge health network.
Big pharma should serve the people. Of course these companies need profits to develop new treatments, however commercial interests should never threaten the sovereignty of any nation. The rule of law demands that judges and juries decide legal matters, not corporate courts that are set up to benefit corporations.
As the pace of climate change increases, it is our responsibility to constantly improve environmental safeguards, rather than putting ourselves at the mercy of commercial interests. Big oil is over. We need to adapt and to strengthen our alternative energy technologies to suit future needs and conditions and to ensure a healthy employment environment as well.
Be strong. Steve Froudist
Do NOT sign anything that allows multinational corporations to sue Australia over legal changes that protect us.
Do NOT sign anything where the TPP could increase the price of medicine, eg. monopoly patents.
Do NOT sign anything which would permit corporations to sue if the Australian or State government passes laws that strengthen environmental protections.
Do NOT sign anything that permits any internet service provider to spy on Australian citizens.
To put it simply REJECT THE TPP. Andrew Robb has been either complicit or stupid in his dealings with this matter and the government should be ashamed of the way it has organised to sell out Australian citizens.
431 Patricia Skenridge PATTI Skenridge
Legal changes which protect Australian citizens but affect the profits of multinational corporations must NEVER be allowed. Multinationals must NEVER have the power to sue sovereign sates. The mere idea of a privte corporate court is abhorrent, inhumane and against human rights.
No legislation should ever be passed which could increase the price of medicines - this is projected under provisions of the TTP.
The TTP provides that the Australian government could be sued for passing laws strengthening environmental protection which currently limit the anit-environmental actions of multinational corporations.
What sane governent would sign such an agreement?
Internet privacy and freedom will also be compromised by the TTP and this is also unacceptable. Hannah Woolhouse
I urge the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal because, under its provisions, multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury over legal changes that protect Australian citizens, but hurts their profits. Furthermore, health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase the prices of medicines.
It even includes provisions under which our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. Finally, the deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on users and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
For all these reasons I urge you to recommend that the Australian Parliament refuse to ratify the threaty. Martin Scurrah
Dear Senators,
Until details of specifics within the TPP agreement have been made public and the Senate Committee on Treaties findings have also been made public I do not authorize the signing of TPP on my behalf.
It is my opinion that if there is nothing to hide then there is no reason not to place the details in the public domain.
432 Initial arguments for keeping details secret such as the need to have the Committee review the contents unhindered by public scrutiny and calls by the public to see the contents has well and truly passed its time now.
It is time to make public the contents of the TPP and let it stand up to the opinions of the people it will most affect....thats us...your constituents.
Your duty of care does not end with making decisions that are potentially large in ramifications to US without engaging us as stakeholders.
DO NOT SIGN THE TPP treaty. Julie Emerald
Negotiations relating to this agreement have never been made entirely clear to the Australian public but the details that have been reluctantly made public to date give rise to fears that our country will be open to legal cases by other nations for somewhat spurious reasons; our pharmaceutical industry will be permitted to duplicate the same rights as those enjoyed in the United States and said industry will have monopoly rights over biological medicines that could lead to limitations and increased prices purely for the profit motive.Patients with chronic conditions will be the principle victims if this is allowed to occur. Annette Bunda
The TPP has been shrouded in secrecy, misinformation and double speak.
(Retiring) Special trade envoy Robb is guilty of misinformation and doublespeak. He recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US.
At home Australia's Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
What is the TRUTH?
Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton have disavowed the TPP. Come January 20 2017 the political landscape will change- and potentially drastically- whether there is a republican or a Democrat in the White.
Americans have had enough of disadvantageous trade deals. Look at the results of the Michigan primary. Australians have had enough.
One can only hope there is a Bernie Sanders in the wings in Australia- a person and a mass movement that will speak truth to Labour and Liberal power. Anna Rubbo
The TPP is a disaster. Corporations should NOT be able to sue governments!
433 The pharmaceutical industry does NOT need protection. (Are they struggling? I don't think so.)
The idea that current environmental protections could be attacked for financial reasons is ridiculous.
I believe in a free and private internet.
This TPP agreement is mad and does nothing to improve the lives of most Australians. It should be thrown out, not just blocked.
The worst thing is, the government knows all this. The only possible reason the public was completely cut out of the process of developing the agreement. What a disgusting corporate attack on democracy. Richard Bayles
Protect Australia and its people from agreeing to accept the TPP. By accepting the TPP deal. Example would be that biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which would mean we would pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts that protect us but hurts their profits. A corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Environmental protections - government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporation must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. e.g. Quebec was sued by a energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting ground water and land.
Internet privacy and freedom - the TPP locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on you and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Say no and reject the TPP for the future of the Australian people and future generations. Margaret Thorpe
The TPP is rediculous. We all know it is of no benefit to anyone except the wealthy. Oh of course, politicians are wealthy so can we expect you to understand? Judging by what we know of your lives and the seeming disregard of most everything except maintaining your 'lifestyle', probably not. So why do i bother writing at all? Because i have children and grandchildren. The future you are offering them looks bleak. You are taking much more than you are giving. Your greed means more people are suffering than ever before. What is the point of extended lives if the period of extension is spent dealing with ill-health? Ill-health that is caused by dirty air, dirty water, dirty food; all of which could be tackled if you had the will. I try to give you the benefit of the doubt, that you are simply ignorant because you are cushioned by wealth; but in truth how could you not know what you are doing? Ignorance is a choice, not a given. Hetty Jacobs
434 How do deceitful people like Andrew Robb get into politics? What a silly question from a dumb old member of the great unwashed.
Of course Mr Robb is not interested in Australia maintaining our existing affordable medicines system.
Well to hell with Mr Robb an all of his buddies who are prepared to sell their collective souls to the American way. Time to stop bowing to the US dollar, the Trans Pacific is the American way of locking lesser counties into a system, which is set up to benefit wealthy Americans who own their pharmaceutical corps.
If it is the LNP's intension to lock Australia into America's TPP, then let us kick them out at the next election. Ron O'Toole
I am most concerned about the TPP and the long term implications on reducing Australia's sovereigncy. Our government is open to being sued over decisions made for the good of our nation and it's citizen's but which will create problems for large coorporations vested interests. This is clearly against the public interest. There are examples of this occurring already as in Egypt when their government tried to implement a fair basic wage. It is critical that future decisions for the good of our nation and it's citizens are not hamstrung by potential international law suits and resultant huge costs to the taxpayer
Some rights granted within the TPP reduce competition and long term costs to our health system and to Australian consumers by granting monopoly rights to corporations over biological medicines.
This is an occasion when you are beholden to read the small print as in a personal/ business contract and be very aware of the ramifications, not just the attractive bits because we all know it's these bits that come back to bite you. Parliamentarians cannot support this and claim to be representing the good of Australians. There are too many elements that serve vested private interests and their profits.
I am most concerned and believe the risk of harm is too great a cost for the seductive benefits also undoubtedly a part of this. Janet Brearle
Dear Sir/Madam,
I'm deeply concerned about some aspects of the TPP that could give too many rights to private corporations at the expense of our country and its citizens.
If corporations have the ability to sue the government for decisions that compromise their profit, I worry that you will not be able to fulfill your role in protecting our country and its people. Many decisions by government are made not based solely on financial motivations, but for social or environmental good. Please don't tie up your own hands but signing up to these provisions in the TPP. Demand better protection for our country in these deals.
435 Sincerely,
Ava Shirley Ava Shirle
The TPP in its present form will be detrimental to the people of Australia.
Under the current agreement big pharmacy will have huge influence on making medicines expensive.
Under the ISDS provisions corporates can sue the Australian Govenment for any predicted lack of profit caused by Australians passing a law that protects our environment but makes it difficult for the company in question; ie an anti fracking law or an environmental protection law.
Case in point is the Egyptian government being sued for raising the minimum wage.
Also we will lose significant privacy by communications businesses being obliged to spy on us and pass on private details to government agencies.
The TPP as it stands does not serve to benefit the Australian public-it will serve to benefit the corporate business sector.
The TPP should be rejected in its present form as a secretive repressive and nasty piece of legislation.Drop the TPP! Antonio Mazzella
I would like the TPP blocked in parliament due to my concerns that pharmaceutical companies will have the monopoly on medicines and costs of medicines to the Australian public. I am also very concerned about the fact that companies can sue the Australian government, thereby costing Australian citizens, if laws are out into place or at in place that interfere with the companies abilities to make profits. This is a very undemocratic policy that is full of flaws and traps for our country. Please do not allow it to go through.
Yours sincerely
Sandy Clancy
We are living in times where governments are continually taking away individuals rights and freedoms favouring those of corporations. This is leading very dangerously towards breaching the so many international treaties that were instigated due to these same factors occurring leading to World War 2. Every person has a human right under these treaties including the Nuremberg code to make informed decisions about their own health. The TPP is taking away this international freedom on not just a medical level but on many others. Australia's disability system is already in ruins and under this deal many of our most vulnerable citizens will be further disempowered and neglected. This deal can not go ahead. Jodie Derriman
436
Please do not pass the TPP. Why would you? There is no logical reason to do so. If you sat still, focused on the good of all things and the felt in your heart if the TPP is good then you would know it is not.
If your brain will no longer make a rational decision then listen to all the people who are telling you the TPP is a bad move.
If you are not capable of blocking TPP then you need to stand down as you are no longer capable of representing the people you serve.
Best wishes and wise decisions to you, Catherine Hammmersley Catherine Hammersle
I am extremely concerned about The ratification of the TPP which could have serious deleterious consequences for Australians. This Trans Pacific Partnership deal must be rejected.
First, it's very likely that the price of medicines will go up given the agreement with US corporations like Pharma and medicines will be under monopoly patent for longer.
Second, Australia could be sued by multinational corporations in private courts without judges or jury jeopardising any chance of a fair trial thus contravening our democratic justice system. Other tobacco companies could follow Philip Morris and sue the Australian government and win. What then about all the health gains made under plain packaging? This could be the end of it.
Third, our government could be sued for passing protective environmental laws that are in the way of international corporations' private interests and profits, which could have damaging consequences for our environment.
This is not the Australia we voted for! This is dangerous for our democracy and our sovereignty in our internal affairs.
The Parliament should reject this deal. Anne-Marie Rohan
Does any Government have the power trade any of sovereignty and that of future Governments to any non disclosed or not yet existent foreign power? Especially one which will return little or no benefit to Australia (World Bank figures indicate that in fourteen years it will boost Australia's economy by 0 .7%.) Per year that becomes very insignificant compared to right of the Australian Government to govern Australia.
Is not ceding autonomy of the government to a foreign power some form of treason?
The recent example of the tobacco giant that moved their whole company into an I.S.D.S. zone specifically to attack the Australian Government.
437 and the Egyptian case where the government was sued for raising the minimum wage.
If the TPP cedes any power of the Australian Government to a foreign entity without express consent [referendum] It, or parts of it , should be easily challenged.
Or is this just a backdoor attempt by the Liberal Party to bring back their fuedal system where they can rise in their princely glory and 'see' how much better they are than their bond serfs?. TONY HOTTES
I continue to be amazed that governments around the world have been seduced by the claims of multinational corporations that they should have the right to sue governments protecting people's health, environment, future and wellbeing. it is time for governments to stand up to the TPP and refuse to foist this unfair trade agreement on people.
Stand up for Australians' access to the cheapest pharamceuticals not the most expensive. stand up for the government's right to impose plain plackaging and save our lives and reduce the health bill.
Stand up for the government's right to protect our agriculture and not be sued for breaches of trade. independent analysis shows that trade deals will not deliver anywhere near the benefits in extra income claimed for them. chilla bulbeck
I'm very concerned about the rights of Australians being undermined by the TPP.
I have lived in the States and was very grateful to come home to a country with affordable healthcare and medicine for all. The TPP seems to allow corporations to dictate our health policies as they do in the USA, or sue us for loss of profit. If this is not the case then I'd like to know why this deal has been negotiated and pushed through with such secrecy.
I'm also hugely concerned about the environmental implications of allowing multinational corporations such influence over our environmental policies.
I would like the TPP to be thoroughly scrutinised by parliament and any part of the deal which undermines our healthcare, environment or sovereignty to be trashed. Jane Edgecombe
Dear Senators,
438 I, a practising N.S.W. solicitor admitted in March 1970, my wife (a registered nurse) and my five adult children and their wives and partners strongly oppose the U.S.A. and Australia Trans Pacific Partnership deal and I make the following submission on my own and their behalf.
Mr. Robb M.P. spent months trying to convince the Australian people that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will not affect Australians access to affordable medicines, only to turn around to tell the big pharmaceutical companies that they will receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biological medicines as in the U.S.A.
This could see the life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry at the expense of the Australian people's health, the Australian, State and Territory Governments and the Australian companies.
We are very concerned that the Coalition Government has refused to subject the TPP to any independent analysis.
We particularly object to the fact that the TPP allows multinational corporations to sue the Australian Government in private corporation courts without judges or a jury over legal changes that protect the people of Australia but cuts down on these corporations' profits. E.g. a corporation suing the Egyptian Government for raising the minimum wage.
Mr. Robb M.P. told a U.S.A. publication that U.S.A. pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in U.S.A. This would mean that biologic medicines under monopoly patients will last for longer which means that the people of Australia will pay more for the medicines they rely on when they should not have to if there was not TPP agreement.
Yours faithfully,
Paul Cummins, BA Ll B (ANU) former senior Commonwealth public servant policy, legal, legislative and administration adviser to two former Liberal Federal Ministers and Secretaries the Secretariat of two Federal Departments in Canberra, A.C.T. paul Cummins
I am very concerned about the trans Pacific Partnership deal that has been negotiated in secret with very little independent oversight and even less public visibility.
The information that has come to light is very troubling indeed, including increasing the rights of corporations to sue our government if legislation causes them to lose profit - even if that legislation is protecting us or our environment.
In addition the content regarding pharmaceuticals and profits and patents will more than likely see us pay more for medicine we need, again losing out to big company profits.
We will not stand by and let our voice be taken away. This deal is not for us and does not represent our best interests now and in the future. Madds O'Donoghue
439 TPP details are not being concealed because they are so impressive & fantastic! Once more the public is being fed disinformation.
Hiding information from the public should be actionable!
Duplicitous behaviour by politicians (eg providing incorrect inaccurate information to the public re impact on affordable medicines) should be punished
Destroying the environment is a crime, that will have permanent negative impacts on the planet & generations to come
Why set us up for costly lawsuits from multinationals when government does what they are supposed to,and makes law changes to protect the welfare of its citizens (eg Big Tobacco taking exception to the groundbreaking plain packaging laws)
Added to that, threats to privacy from internet providers reporting on copyright breaches-and this is just the beginning. The terms are so tightly under wraps, God only knows what other horrors lurk within this thing!
TPP is bad for Australia-toss it out now before its too late! Margaret Toll
Members of Parliament
I am very concerned that our rights as Australians are being signed away with the TPP.
Affordable medicines are a huge part of being able to live a better quality of life for longer. If the TPP is passed with its current provisions in place, Health sector groups warn that medicine pricing could increase; this is not good enough for an ageing population, low income families and the chronically/terminally ill. This is UNACCEPTABLE!
Leaving Australia wide open for corporate lawsuits from multinational corporations, just because of legal changes that protect Australians and our environment but affect their profits, is UNACCEPTABLE!
Lack of internet privacy and freedom has always been wrong. Any law or agreement that takes away our privacy, when there is no supporting evidence to so, is UNACCEPTABLE!
I am NOT convinced that this Government is acting in the best interest of Australia when it comes the the TPP. The TPP provisions that benefit Corporations and not protect Australian is Shameful, Appalling and Disgraceful; just plain SAD! What were you thinking?!
Regards
Karen Karen Vost
440 I am scared of a deal that gives rights to commercial companies which are above the rights of governments.
Please protect our rights to pharmaceuticals.
Please protect our right to look after the environment.
Please protect the right of your government to make legislation to help our country.
Dont give multinational companies the right to sue your government and hold our people to ransom for making good decisions which protect us.
Please act for the Australian people not for multinationals.
Thats what you were elected to do.
Please act in good faith to us.
We voted you in and we can vote you out.
Sincerely Skye Stanle
Dear Members of Parliament
Backdoor deals have become the norm in modern democratic society - as has been the case with the TPP; a document written, in the most part, by the corporations seeking to benefit from its ratification.
Both the public and the numerous bodies trusted to analyse documents such as these should have the ability to scrutinise the document before our future is, potentially, signed away.
Speaking of our future; from documents leaked it is clear that the TPP does very little to address the environmental impacts of international trade, nor does it protect governments implementing legislation aimed at halting our very evident destruction of the planet. Given the legal weight of this document it is an absolute no brainer that these issues should be addressed appropriately.
Health, workplace protection, privacy, the list goes on.
I'm not saying that everything in the TPP is bad, nor am I saying it should be thrown out. The document just needs the appropriate level of scrutiny by the public before we are shackled with it - and that hasn't happened.
Regards
Daryl Baker Daryl Baker
441 The goal of the TPP is to make it easier for big business and international corporations to act across borders without interference from states. The TPP will effectively erode state oversight in favour of corporate freedom in areas such as the environment, workers rights, food safety, internet freedom, the costs of medicine, and financial regulation.
It is inconceivably reckless for any country to sign away the rights & obligations of their citizens in such a way. Relying on corporations to do the right thing by humanity when they are almost solely driven by shareholder needs is ludicrous.
Each country needs to be able to protect their citizens from financial, biological & human right issues. The TPP removes this some or most of these rights.
Do the right thing by Australia - protect Australian citizens. Steven James
Dear Sir as a nation we need to keep our medical supplies and practices affordable to ALL of our people. Please refuse to ratify the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and thereby allow our medicines to be aimed at corporate profits as opposed to health benefits for people. quote .....
Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. .... end quote
We already know that pharmaceutical companies already are attempting to abolish the PBS system to increase profits - like the USA has achieved by not allowing the government to have arranged buying prices for common medicines.
If the TPP is so good for Australia why is the government not allowing independent scrutiny of it
Please act for our benefit now and not after it is too late.
David Cooper David Cooper
The power of big corporations and their effects on the rights of ordinary citizens needs to be controlled, not expanded. Only this week we saw the devastating effects of the Commonwealth Bank's corrupt Comminsure policies on the lives of ordinary citizens. The Trans Pacific Partnership will increase the possibility of more corruption based on corporate greed and it will be the average citizen, again, who pays the price. Whether it be as a result of increased pharmaceutical prices, lack of internet privacy, the long-term impacts of environmental devastation or through a flood of corporate lawsuits, the end-result will be felt by all but those who profit from corporate greed. A
442 government that supports the multi-national sector to the detriment of its people will never have my vote. Lynn Brunet
To whom it may concern,
Please do not pass the TPP. history has already shown it will not be of benefit to us in the long run. There are so many aspects of the TPP that don't even have anything to do with trade which is misleading and flat out wrong. Big corporations have too much control and weslth and power already. So not willingly give them more as if roll only increase the divide between the rich and the poor which is markedly worse since the GFC. Please do your job and represent the majority of average citizens not the the minority of super wealthy. It simply isn't right and everyone should go to bed with a clear conscience. Could you really if this was passed? I know I couldn't. Thanks for listening. Claire McFee Claire McFee
I support all other citizens making submissions to reject the TPP for the following reasons.
The most concerning part of the TPP is the ISDS provisions as those exact provisions actively enables large corporations to sue our governments which is contra to any notion of us living in a democracy.
The provision support corporate take overs entirely, is not consistent with our rule of law and separation of powers as it will allow corporations to sue in private corporate courts without judges or juries when governments support laws for strengthening our environmental protections or workplace protections.
The current deal also would lock in an ability for internet service providers to spy on citizens which is so contra to our democratic rights also.
Another public interest concern is that the current deal would monopolise rights over biologic medicines as Mr Robbs recent duplicitous conduct revealed, as shown in the Australian 6 October 2015 trumping excellent deal at odds with the more recent morning trade: Robb reassures on TPP biologics, Politico, 22 February 2016. These claims cannot be trusted and appear deceptive.
For the above reason we the communities and individuals impacted on by these agreements need much greater scrutiny than it has received to date. We cant allow our collective wellbeing to be sold out to multinational corporations.
Please reject the TPP now. Gail Mensinga
I urge you to vote against the Trans Pacific Partnership deal.
The fact that this deal has been shrouded in secrecy during the entire process should be seen as a red flat signalling the danger it poses to the Australian population.
443 Australia will be vulnerable to multinational corporations suing us for their loss of profits, regardless of the cost to our country.
The cost of medicines will, without doubt, increase. Health sector groups have warned of this outcome from the deal.
Environmental protection laws will be worthless as big corporations sue, again for loss of profits.
This deal poses a real threat to our future. Reject it!
Anne Genders Anne Genders
I am concerned at the powerful interests of US and other international drug companies being able to stymie Australia's health system by compelling, via the terms of this TPP, Australians to pay higher prices for essential medications. So much for Australian sovereignty!
Whether from their pocket, or subsidised via PBS (and the taxpayer), this will cost us much more in health care. For some, it will mean being unable to afford life preserving medicine, and enduring sickness, poor quality of life, and early death. It will also add to the Public Deficit in health funding.
In a country so well off as Australia, that is an unacceptable risk to take. This will undoubtedly become an election issue, especially between the haves and the have-nots. Anthony Grimes
Dear Members of Parliament,
I write with deep concern about the lack of independent scrutiny of international trade deals including the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).
It is not unreasonable that citizens request scrutiny of any deals that will impact on them in some way. Impacts potentially include social, economic and environmental costs both internalised and externalised (i.e. private profits at the expense of social debt). It is unreasonable not to provide independent scrutiny, requested or not, as I believe, and it seems our community increasingly believe also, that that is your role - ensure the best possible outcomes for all. How can any decision on that be made without evidence/independent scrutiny?
Regards, Alison Mitchell
I have been a Liberal voter for nearly 4 decades, but this will be reviewed in the light of the betrayal of the Australian people by the TPP. If it is so great and good for us, why all the secrecy and lack of independent analysis and scrutiny? This will not be flying under my radar when I go to vote. I will be looking to all the various parties responses to the TPP.
444 I am disgusted by the power the TPP gives to Multinational companies to sue us over things that improve our lives and our environment but may affect their profit.
I don't want Big Pharma having monopoly patents on biological medicines that people need.
I have spend the better part of 2 years in the USA between 2012 and 2014 and their approach to medicines and healthcare are not something we want or need. What we have in this country is far superior with much better health outcomes for everyone. We do not need a TPP that is going to raise the cost of healthcare for every day Australians and their Families!!
Australia needs to be controlled by Australians, it is our country and I am sick and tired of our politicians signing this control to overseas interests. we need to look out for our own workers business without multi nationals pressuring us to keep their profits up.
And lastly but by no means least, I value my internet privacy and freedom and do not want corporate interests spying on me. Jennifer Baker
I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the TPP.
The TPP has been negotiated in secrecy and, even at this late stage, we are still unclear about many of the key details. This is hardly the way a democracy with an open and transparent government was designed to work.
From the available figures, it seems that the benefits to Australia are infinitesimal - isn't it less than 1% over five years or so? Rather, it seems that the negotiations have focussed on improving benefits for large corporations.
I have major concerns about the impact of the TPP on pharmacological products and the ability of multinational pharmaceutical corporations to prolong patents and control prices. (And this is a free trade agreement?).
I also have deep concerns about the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provisions. As I understand it, these provisions allow foreign investors to sue our government if their profits are affected by any Australian law or policy. It is almost impossible to believe that we would sign up to an agreement with such a clause.
I urge you, in the best interests of all Australians, to reject the TPP.
With many thanks,
Mark Creamer. Mark Creamer
It seems to be difficult and complex enough for our politicians and business people to manage the massive pharmaceutical companies and their patent rights as it is, without handing them even stronger monopoly rights here. The Australian people as tax payers are going to have to pay for ever
445 increasing court battles as the multinationals sue us. And this will be in private courts without judges or jury!!! Where does this come from? What about transparency and accountability to the people for where their taxes are going? Who or what else in Australia, apart from refugees that is who have no rights whatsoever here, who else gets to undertake lawsuits under these circumstances? That these proposals are in the TPP for a start shows how much control the multinationals have over our government, and the TPP will only legalise this control.
As well our environmental protections will also be at risk when they potentially impact the multinational corporation profits as well. This is totally unacceptable.
This TPP sells our country down the drain to multinational corporations, and the devastating results for Australians and Australia will never be able to be reversed. The TPP hands management of Australia over to big corporations. REJECT THE TPP!!! Lesley Morgan
The TPP will give global corporations the rights to dominate and manipulate markets to their advantage without any controls.
The TPP gives them the rights to sue governments if their profits are affected by government decisions, laws or policies.
We now learn that under the TPP Pharmaceutical companies will have the same rights over biologic medicines as in the United States. This right is not what the Australian people were told and now we learn the future access to medicine will be more expensive putting people's health at risk.
Negotiating the TPP in secret is about misleading the Australian public. We will be at the mercy of global corporations, the very corporations that do not pay their taxes. I do not support the TPP. Sally Drummond
I am concerned about aspects of the Trans Pacific Partnership which may advantage the United States more than Australia.
Below are my concerns:
1) increased prices for medicines to accommodate US companies. The current brand free medicines choices available to the public are working well, particularly for low income people.
2) possible increase in corporate lawsuits to protect US companies' profits. This may disadvantage Australia in many ways.
3) possibility of our government being sued over environmental protection laws which US companies don't want to prevent their activities in this country. We need to keep our protection in sovereign laws.
Plesse take this into consideration at the Joint Standing Committee meeting. Caroline Barraket
446
While my concerns about the TPP include the risks of increased costs for pharmacueticals, my principal concerns are the ISDS provisions and how they might be used to undermine environmental measures by any level of government.
The dangers of ISDS provisions are already apparent with numerous cases involving the NAFTA agreement: 'As a result of NAFTA’s ISDS challenges, Canada is now the most sued developed country in the world. Canada has been sued more times than either the U.S. or Mexico. Of the 77 known NAFTA investor-state claims, 35 have been against Canada, 22 have targeted Mexico and 20 have targeted the US. The US government has won 11 of its cases and never lost a NAFTA investor-state case or paid any compensation to Canadian or Mexican companies'. Published on Friday, October 23, 2015 by Global Justice Now.
The tobacco industry is using ISDS provisions to sue Australia for its plain packaging legislation, which is a vital health measure and one that other countries around the world want to adopt.
Australia needs to undergo a major shift in its economy to innovation and reduced carbon emissions. As we see regularly there are large corporations involved in industries that are subject to change who act for their vested interest and against the transition to new industries and jobs. One example is the energy industry where State Governments have sold (and NSW is still seeking to sell) energy businesses that are being challenged by the community's uptake of renewable energy, (and will be further challenged by battery technology) and local, State or Commonwealth measures to encourage the uptake of renewable energy. if there are international corporations engaged in these businesses then there would seem to a real risk of retaliation through ISDS provisions.
The Productivity Commission has raised serious doubts about the benefits of trade agreements that are not multilateral trade agreements: Preferential trade agreements add to the complexity and cost of international trade through substantially different sets of rules of origin, varying coverage of services and potentially costly intellectual property protections and investor-state dispute settlement provisions, the report concluded. (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06- 25/productivity-commission-doubts-claimed-free-trade-deal-benefits/6572256)
The Commonwealth Government cannot know all of the 'unintended' consequences of its embrace of the TPP, however there is ample evidence to suggest that our Parliament needs to protect us from its ratification. Catherine McMahon
STOP this provision:
Have private corporate courts undermines the intent of the Australian Constitution on a number of grounds.
1) undermines the separation of powers by having off shore courts outside of our jurisdiction ( Australia is presently being sued by Big Tobacco. A friend of the Liberal Party even though tobacco has caused so many deaths. Have we filed a cross claim?)
447 2) Is not 'good governance' as it empowers large corporations like pharmaceutical giants, coal seem gas companies and other off shore investors and corporations to control our democracy by being able to sue in their own biased courts which could effectively bankrupt local councils, and state governments. Already a number of these giants do not pay tax due to NLP not addressing loopholes available to them;
3) The Turnbull/ Robb/ Joyce govenment are enabling, through this dirty deal an acquisition of our property other than on just terms. Parliament has powers to make laws; but only on just terms. Kirby J 1988. Dave Rowe
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has been reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP there would be no changes to our system.
But apparently Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
If this is the case, biologic medicines will be subject to monopoly patents for longer, which means we are likely to pay more for the medicines we rely on.
How can the Australian Parliament sanction a deal which will disadvantage Australians in order to pander to US pharmaceutical corporations?
The worst aspect of the TPP, however, will be the ability for US corporations to sue the Australian Government in response to legislation that protects Australian community interests and safeguards. The TPP is a bad idea unless our current protections can be maintained and future legislation to maintain or ensure them can be passed without interference. Paul Merr
I am writing to express my concern regarding the effect a TPP will have on the cost of pharmaceuticals in this country.
The US spends more than any other nation on health care and in spite of this many people in that country cannot afford basic health care. Part of the reason for this is that the profitability of pharmaceutical companies is of more importance than the health of the poor in that country.
I reject any change to the Australian system that will result in our system becoming more like the system in the US or that will undermine our PBS.
Therefore, I reject the inclusion of pharmaceuticals in any TPP. Calogero Panvino
The TPP is a massive free trade agreement that would have profound impacts on non trade issues such as the safety of our food, off-shoring jobs, the cost of medicine, financial regulations, the
448 environment, and the global race to the bottom. I don’t think that anything good could come out of a trade deal that has locked out our electe leaders, while allowing global corporations to have a big influence on the text.
The TPP is not good for our states, our country, or (when you get down to it) our world.
Vote NO on the Trans Pacific Partnership. yvon mounier
HOW IS IT THAT OUR GOVERNMENT THINKS THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA ARE STUPID?
WE ARE NOT AMERICANS AND OUR GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO LINK US AT THE HIP, WE ARE BECOMING ANOTHER STATE OF THE USA.
I DO NOT LIKE THE COVERT PROCESS WHICH IS TAKING PLACE AND THE TRANS PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP IS YET ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF DECEIPT. YOU MUST STOP THIS MATTER FROM PROCEEDING POST HASTE.
I DO NOT WANT AUSTRALIA BECOMING ANOTHER STATE OF AMERICA. PLEASE LET YOUR COLLEAGUES KNOW THIS.
OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL NOT THANK YOU FOR GIVING OUR COUNTRY AWAY. LOOK WHAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN IN DARWIN 2000 TROOPS THAT DEFINITELY WONT BE THE FINAL NUMBER YOU CAN BET YOUR BOOTS ON THAT. OH AND CHINA HAS A 99 YEAR LEASE ON THE DARWIN PORT FACILITY THAT WAS ALSO VERY CLEVER. DID THE AUSTRALIANS GET A HEADS UP THAT DECISION?
YOU NEED TO LOOK AFTER OUR COUNTRY AND STOP THE GIVING AWAY OF OUR RIGHTS AND OUR LAND.
I AM NOT ABORIGINAL I AM A WHITE AUSTRALIAN BORN AUSTRALIAN AND ASHAMED OF HOW OUR GOVERMMENTS ARE RUNNING AUSTRALIA.
GET SOME INTEGRITY HAPPENING PLEASE.
COLLEEN ROHAN Colleen Rohan
I am writing this email to strongly voice my opposition to the TPP.
The US Medical/Pharmaceutical/Insurance System is a total disaster. This is one of the many Corporate Fascist Systems that exist in the US and the last thing we need is for it to be exported to the rest of the world. The so-called 'trade benefits' are just fantasy, the TPP was drafted by the corporations for the benefit of the corporations and is being promoted by the members of the US Government most of whom are 'bought and paid for' by the corporations. Further, I find it highly objectionable that a 'private' Tribunal can have jurisdiction over the legal system of the land and
449 restrict the ability of our government to enact laws that are in the best interest of its citizens but might be detrimental to the profits of corporations. Such areas that come to mind are Environment Protection, Government Sponsored Projects that might impact(compete with) corporate projects etc etc.
I have done extensive reading on what this trade deal is about and consider it an absolute disaster for the average person everywhere, including the US, and I vehemently oppose its implementation. We currently have a viable public medical/pharmaceutical system. Contrast this with the total disaster that exists in the US and if US corporations are allowed into this country under the provisions of the TPP our system will end up the same way i.e. absolutely unaffordable. Paul Karlsen
Dear Ministers of Parliament,
As representatives of the Australian people I urge you to block the Transpacific Partnership (TPP).
Ratifying agreements like the TPP herald a global-laiseez-faire market place and change the governance of nations from acting in the interest of its public to policing its public on behalf of a minute group of wealthy individuals who can control the world's business, education, health, food, media, communication, and environment, via financial markets.
The only way this transfer of power to few can happen is if one-by-one the people of this world let it happen.
It is possible that some of you may have been blackmailed, or coerced into signing this agreement, perhaps some of you are being bribed with lucrative incentives, or, in the worst case scenario, some of you actually believe the intellectual claptrap that defies wisdom.
None of us are perfect, and none of us can separate ourselves from our fellow humanity: we share the same consciousness as much as we share the same planet. (SHARE is the big word here.) It is essential that we all begin to act according to this reality.
It is imperative that the TPP and other 'deals' like it never see light of day.
In solidarity and strength
Anita Lago Anita Lago
I am making this submission to the government because I do not want the TPP deal in Australia. It is not any sort of 'deal' for the Australian people. It is a deal - done in secret and kept shrouded in misinformation so that the Australian people would not question. And the government hoped would be passed and not questioned, as there is obviously something in it for them...certainly not the Australian people. We do not need 'deals' that are good for pharmaceutical companies, or big corporations looking to take control over the Australian people's sovereignty. We do not need 'deals' that will put our environment in jeopardy because some corporation doesn't give a damn as long as their profit margins are being met. We do not need 'deals' that put the Australian people at a
450 disadvantage....and this is what the TPP will do. Since when is it okay for a pharmaceutical company to have biologic medicines rights over the health and well-being of the people. The well-being of the people come first or has the government lost sight of that?
This is a bad, very bad 'deal' for the Australian people. No to the TPP! Deborah Williams
I submit that there is an unacceptable risk, indeed likelihood, of multinational corporations suing the Australian Government in private courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect the ppeople of Australia but hurt the profits of the multinational corporation. For example a multinational corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising their minimum wage.
Similarly our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the vital and necessary environmental protections that corporations must adhere to in Australia.eg. fracking, water pollution.
Our own trade minister has stated in a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the Untited States. We would pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Furthermore the deal secures our internet providers' ability to spy on our internet activity for reasons beyond safety and terrorism threats. William Harve
Like many Australians, I have grave concerns about the government of Australia signing the TPP. Here are some of my reasons for that concern:
I understand that under the terms of the TPP, transnational corporations are able to take legal action against national governments where those corporations believe that their profits have been infringed or are threatened by the passage of government legislation or establishment of governmental regulation.
This capacity of transnational corporations has been demonstrated many times under other free trade deals whereby a government's capacity to protect the interests of its citizens and of the natural environment has been curtailed by a corporation's so-called right to protect its own profit making.
For instance, under the TPP the Australian government could be sued by a transnational corporation for domestic legislation that strengthens environmental protections where a transnational corporation believes that such laws impede their profit.
I further understand that the interstate dispute resolution mechanisms in the TPP that make these lawsuits possible take place in opaque courts without judges or jury. They are thereby anti- democratic.
451 Under the terms of the TPP, public health is a lesser priority than the profit-making of corporations. Health sector groups have warned us that the TPP could very well increase the price of medicines in Australia.
The TPP also undermines Internet privacy by entrenching the capacity of internet service providers to spy on their customers and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
For all these reasons and more, it is my hope that the Australian government will not sign the TPP. In any case, we may be saved from its ravages by an unlikely ally as the US Congress appears likely to sink it. Cathy Picone
To the Hon Andrew Robb and the Inquiry into the TTP:
The TTP is wrong for Australia. We are dismayed to think that you would put this nation into a position of being dictated to and even sued by multi-national corporations, simply because right now you want to be able to claim more Jobs Jobs Jobs. This is poor, short-term thinking.
Please, rethink. What you boast of achieving is not worth the threat of having our government sued for enacting environmental or other necessary legislation that might endanger profits of multinationals; not worth forcing the effects of monopolies on citizens of Australia; not worth the rise in the cost of medicines when those who are chronically ill currently enjoy such a fair system.
The TTP is wrong for us, wrong for Australia. Please reject it and the threats it poses.
Sincerely, Pat Grainger
I represent many thousands of Australians who want the TTP deal rejected absolutely (yet do not even know the deal is going on, because they have not been made aware of this).
People who already are struggling with paying for medications will be very negatively impacted by having to pay much higher prices still. Australia's inequality gap is very high in the international scales and many Ausralians are struggling financially (and therefore emotionally also). This is a burden that the TTP will only heighten.
Worse again is the inability for protections to the environment due to the TTP allowing corporations to sue countries. This is totally unacceptable in a world that desperately needs environmental protection for the habitat of the human species to be able to survive. This situation is untenable and it is crucial to have proper protections in place that keep corporations and their inability to act ethically totally restricted (NOT the other way around!!)
ACT NOW to save the world from this devastatingly bad trade agreement that would imperil the whole populations of the world. It takes very courageous people, who are positioned to do something right, to take that step immediately. Please do this on the behalf of the many thousands of Australians your actions and decisions will be impacting.
452 Thank you Fiona McAllan
I am not sick. But I hope that I, or my family, don't get sick. The thought of big business monopolising medicines terrifies me. The though of our politicians blatantly lying to the public terrifies me.
The TPP must be stopped. We must be able to access affordable medicines.
Along with medicine monopolies, corporations suing our government in private courts is just ridiculous. Politicians are already too influenced by big business. The thought that our taxpayers money could be spent on corporates suing for laws they don't like (ie affect their profits) is crazy. Why would ANY government sign up to that?
I also have serious concerns about internet freedom and privacy, and protection of the environment.
Our country is top great to be signing away these freedoms. The TPP must be stopped, never to return to the table.
Carly Martyn and Family Carly Martyn
I am very concerned about the TPP and the implications for our people . Corporations have one aim only: to make a profit. They should not be permitted to sue governments that make laws that interfere with their profits. This could lead to even worse outcomes for our citizens, our environment, and ultimately for life on the planet.
In addition I have concerns about increased American pharmaceutical profits at the expense of our taxpayers.
If the TPP is as benign as claimed, why is it not open for independent scrutiny and general information?
Please block the TPP in parliament to protect our rights to legislate for our people and the environmet and to provide pharmaceuticals without bigger profits for companies at our expense.
Sincerely
Leone Flowers Leone Flowers
The TPP gives far too much power to corporations and takes away the ability of the government to regulate to protect the rights and health of it's citizens. It opens the door for corporate lawsuits to sue the government for legislation that protects citizens but hurts profits, forcing the government to give more priority to corporate interests.
The government's concern should always be the health and safety of Australian citizens over all else.
453 The TPP will increase medical costs, making access for low-income Australians more difficult. It will protect companies over the environment even at the risk of unsafe water and air pollution and put Australians at risk from corporate spying on their online activities.
Politicians will have more pressure to bow to the companies that will be given leverage by the TPP, even when it's against the best interests of Australian businesses and citizens.
As a young Australian voter I firmly urge the complete rejection of the TPP. Talara Nicholas
I have real concerns that the TPP will put us in a similar situation to the US where pharmaceutical corporations hold sick people to ransom. I don't think Australia should sign anything that could increase the cost of medicine.
I also have concerns about the ability of corporations to sue Australia over policy. I am so proud to live in a country that has plain packaged cigarettes, where we have made a real impact in my generation via policy to the health risk associated with cigarettes. I hope that we will continue to reduce health and environmental risks in this way (e.g. obesity, global warming, etc). However, none of this is possible, if corporations can sue over these policies. We should be able to impact the bottom line of corporations that are pushing products and services that hurt people via policy. Anita Weller
There has never been a trade deal like this one. There has been a secrecy policy about this one since its beginning and the requirement to release no details of the agreement until after it has been signed is one which should have alarm bells ringing all over it. This secret deal effectively hands over what remnants of our national sovereignty remain to foreign corporations, abdicating our own legal process to some (again) secret process that will always decide in favour of these same foreign corporations.
Enough is enough. We as a nation deserve better that being enslaved to whatever shadowy,nameless, tax-avoiding entities hold some sort of gun to our collective heads.
Too lopsided, as even the most uneducated can see.
This is a good deal much as we may be not being smacked in the face any more, but only if we give the aggressor a big gnarly stick with which to beat us. What fools think this can be sold to an entire population? Bob Davis
People are FED UP! with their elected officials being swayed by corporate influences. How does a cartel of the worlds most scheming corporations get to put a trading agreement before our government and attempt to have it dealt with in secret.
This agreement risks our sovereignty in that it puts control outside our own legal processes.
454 This agreement will destroy thousands of small businesses.
This agreement will make Australia yet another puppet to the wicked Globalist agenda afoot.
Signing this agreement is NOT constitutional.
This agreement (as with all other international trade agreements) has hidden agenda all through it.
Signing it in my opinion is an act of treason. Terrence Barnes
The obfuscation, deceit and uncertainty surrounding the TPP continues to disturb responsible Australians. Of particular concern are the devious, avaricious antics of major US pharmaceutical groups who are only acting in their own interests - not for the common good of humanity.
Andrew Robb has seemingly been conned by the slick, shrewdly worded rhetoric of US negotiators and is now intent on trying to con the Australian people! Shameful.
Our politicians can at least learn one thing from their self-absorbed American counterparts and that lesson is simple: they must start acting in their own interests which should also be Australia's.
Our first priority:
Australia's health not America's wealth!
Christopher Lynch. CHRISTOPHER LYNCH
Submission on The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) The government has not been completely transparent about the full impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This 'deal' has been largely conducted in secret and it has not been explained well to the Australian public. Essentially the government want the public to take it on trust.
The Trans Pacific Partnership is, in my view, a dangerous deal for Australia and its citizens, and I ask you to reject it. My grounds for objection include:
- the very high likelihood that the cost of medicines will increase - Médecins Sans Frontières has great concerns over this aspect, and have put out a well-explained paper on the matter, to which I direct you.
- reduced protection for the natural environment, whereby the governmnent could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections
- the ability for corporations, under the TPP, to sue Australia over decisions the government makes that protect us
455 Please do not support the TPP. Put Australia and Australians first. Katherine Lustig
dear members ,once more a treaty is on the table for approval with only a restricted group of people able to view and study this proposal. the out come will affect all of the Australian community and that of 40 other Nations. Secrecy for only a few selected groups but no general clarification to us the general population of this or all the other affected nations.the average Australian worker carries already a heavy burden on many bad policies created by our politicians.we are the ones to pay for most of those ,please consider all options as we all need to be actually gain something not just a hand full of corporation and extreme wealthy people.. it should not be up to us, to later on if signed,that we would be held to ransom by some rule or law existing somewhere in an other Nation and used by some smart lawyers and corporations to screw us and this nation over for some lame duck excuse. we need to protect our hard won workplace laws . we need to protect our already fragile environment. we need to protect affordable medicines,and our health system. we need our government to be able to act in our public interest. all people of the proposed nations involved need to informed and that is not happening ,not good enough.therefore please Reject this TTP. Marius Van Den Heuvel
The goverment should be protecting the Australian people from these big corporations, that is their job to look after US. It is appalling and disturbing that TPP has been negotiated at all.
Who is going to benefit from this agreement? Why all the secrecy? The Egyptian government is being sued for raising the minimum wage? How could this happen? Another HUGE rip off by greedy corporations who will eventually destroy the capitalist system.
Do not pass this obscene agreement which is a total insult to the Australian people.
Please consider our future under total control of these corporate monsters. Kathryn McSwan
I call upon the Australian Government to block the TPP deal. We the people should have basic human rights to fair and affordable health care, the TPP is giving big Parma companies monopoly, which will make treatments to expensive. I am deeply concerned about the negative impact that the TPP will have on this country and the way of life that we enjoy here. A great nation is built upon happy healthy citizens, clearly the TPP is only about profit and does not take in consideration the
456 people and the environment. We must take more action about climate change, which the TPP fails to do, without sustaining our environment there will be dramatic consequences. I say no to the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. Elliot Dunn
It is beyond belief that an Australian Government could willingly sign up to a deal allowing it (us!) to be SUED by foreign multinationals for passing Australian laws.
As an Age Pensioner who relies on some key subsidised medications to keep me healthy and OUT of the hospital system, the possibility that DECISIONS regarding these and other medicines could be taken out of Australian hands is mind-boggling STUPID.
Please STAND UP AND BE COUNTED for representing the interests of your electors instead of the interests of the multinationals, by rejecting this crazy deal that has had NO scrutiny till now by any Australian parliament. Margot Oliver
It is in the interests of all Australians to block the TPP so as not to fall down the way America has done. If you are poor or below the poverty line in America, this fact alone should make you a first priority for medical services, but you be near death because of your condition, and in the US, if you can't produce the funds, the system can't (wont) save you. You are just a number. Not only that, in the US, capitalism is put before the basic human rights of the needy. This is the nature of free trade. Corporations have the rights of individuals, but none of the responsibilities. The TPP grants corps- the right to sue countries if that country says it rejects the policy of the TPP. It is very important that Australia stands it's ground and reject this incideous virus-like TPP strangle hold - it will set an example for other countries to do the same. We say NO. Andrew Benthe-
Good morning Senators,
Over the years I have made a number of submissions regarding the TPP, including to DFAT when they first called for submissions. These have always pointed out the unbeneficial aspects of the agreement. As time goes by the insidious nature of supra-national agreements with ISDS type frameworks becomes more and more apparent. There is the recent case brough by Veolia against the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage (to $74 per month) or our own case with Philip Morris and the plain cigarette packaging. For lots of examples see the Sydney Morning Herald article 15th June 2015 (http://www.smh.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/trade-deals- acronym-really-translates-to-we-lose-20150618-ghrqm8.html).
Remember that it will foreign companies only that will be able to bring cases against the Australian governments (including state and local authorities). Local businesses will not have this ability, potentially undermine their competetlveness. This agreement was written by US big business to suit their interests, that is making more money. Remember giants like Apple, Google, ExxonMobil and hundreds of others paid no tax at all in Australia. See the ABC for more information
457 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-17/almost-600-companies-did-not-pay-tax-in-2013- 14/7036324).
The truth is that this is a highly secretive deal where the negotiation transcripts are classified and will not released for years, long after the agreement comes into force (if ratified). There seems to be no exit clauses built into the agreement and there has been no analysis of cost benefit regarding Australian interests. There is a study being done at the moment due next month. The only information I have seen so far indicate little or no economic growth flowing from the agreement.
The bottom line is that the TPP is all about ensuring mega corporation profits which does little to help ordinary Australians, or the country as a whole. Please recommend non ratification of this treaty.
Kind regards Drew Nichols
The agenda underlying Trade Agreements is known. From NAFTA, through to Australia being taken to court for our cigarette packaging laws, they fail to better societies as a whole.
This is no grandiose treaty being signed. It is corporate driven legislation signed by politicians who are self and party driven. We know what is wrong with this. Self interest. And politics is the shadow of big business. Who amongst you will have the force of character needed at this level for this decision? Any of you? Answer with action, not political rhetoric. We the voting, internet-enabled and connected public, are watching.
With Grave Concern.
James K Roger. James Roger
This is my second email protesting this deal which will give Australia's sovereignty into the hands of Multinational Corporations.
The right to get reasonably priced pharmaceutical products is one of the last remaining things that once made us the Lucky Country.
If you take that right away, the Australian people will not notice, at first.
They will notice when they are asked to pay $70.00 for a prescription that should cost $10.00. When they do, watch out! When the smoke clears there may not be a Liberal Party any more.
Remember, Australian voters have higher expectations of their governments than the American voters and they are much better educated and voting is compulsory.
They will gut you.
On second thoughts, please do it. It is probably better that we get rid of a party of science hating, elitist, brutal, homophobic morons than have a decent pharmaceutical scheme.
458 Kind regards
Peter Merity Peter Merit
The TPP is a deal that fundamentally can not be trusted. It was negotiated in secret with the full text only becoming available for a short time before the treaty was signed. Non DFAT analysis which has been performed shows that the TPP would result in worse outcomes for Australia. The fact that the government refuses to have the TPP analysed by the Productivity Commission, despite that being the function of the Commission is duplicitous.
The ISDS clause in particular is handing over our sovereignty as a nation to vested corporate interests. Our rights to govern ourselves and make decisions that we think are in our best interests will be held hostage. The ACCC has already identified the ISDS clause as being a hindrance on reform as well as potentially leading to higher costs for consumers. The mechanisms of settling ISDS via private courts makes a mockery of the values of our legal system.
The IP chapter of the TPP also hold Australia hostage. Examples from Canada show us what will likely happen if Australia signs the TPP. This is particularly relevant in the ongoing disputes of Environmental regulation in relation to fracking and how fracking can pollute our water.
Australians are losing their fundamental right to privacy in this digital age, and signing the TPP with continue to erode what rights they have left.
Modelling by the World Bank shows that Australia has little to gain from signing the TPP.
I urge Parliament to reject the TPP as it is not fundamentally in Australia's best interests. It is in the interests of a small segment of society who will accrue the benefits at the expense of the security and liberty of the rest of us. The handling of the treaty has been far from transparent and therefore it can not be trusted. Kieran Simpson
My name is Petra Foster. I am writing this to express that it is my will that the Australian Government does not sign the TPP.
Here are some facts about the TPP:
The TPP allows foreign corporations to sue our government over changes to law in Australia that affect their profits. These cases are heard in secret tribunals that have no independent judges.
The TPP gives big pharmaceutical companies stronger monopoly rights, which will push up the prices of crucial, and potentially life-saving medicines.
The TPP will bring a meagre 0.7% of economic growth after 15 years in Australia, as estimated by the World Bank.
The TPP contains weak labour rights and environmental standards that are not enforceable.
459 In short, the TPP's not in Australia's public interest and threatens our democracy.
Thank you for listening.
Regards
Petra Foster Petra Foster
Mr Robb
I hope your name is not indicative of how we as Australian citizens will be robbed of our current biological medical systems.
Why are we bowing to America and their Very flawed system ?Why would you make an agreement that will retard Australias growth as a nation and threaten the very system that is held in such high regard ?
We are not an American state ..I do not want to live under an improvised american system and that is what you are basically putting in place by this agreement
I say NO NO NO to the TTP .....stop giving our Australian rights away based on a handshake ! ..You are placing MY countries affairs in the hands of foreigners opening up avenues to be silenced , sued , and used
NO to the TTP
Anna Nilsson anna nilsson
When the successful negotiation of the TPP was announced, the Australian public was told that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme would remain in place, keeping many medicines affordable for Australians. Now we learn that Andrew Robb has told pharmaceutical companies in the USA that they will have the same monopoly rights here as in the USA under the TPP.
These things can't both be true, so which is it? The Liberal government under Tony Abbott demonstrated repeatedly that it was a friend of big corporations and didn't give a damn about ordinary Australians. It was prepared to break promises left, right and centre, showing itself to be utterly untrustworthy and treating the Australian public with contempt. This sounds like just another example of that.
Furthermore, under the TPP, I understand that corporations will be able to take legal action against the Australian government if their business is hurt by legislation. This could mean that tobacco companies could initiate action over the labels of cigarette packaging, which has led to a reduction in smoking and saved many lives. Is our government prepared to risk this? No TPP! Dianne Veitch
460 I like the idea of international agreements that support closing the taxation holes exploited by international companies. The TPP is not that. It's not for holding international companies accountable for environmental abuses either. It doesn't seem to have any provisions for improving international governance at all.
It's for helping corporations - not for me and not for my government. So - why?
Any effect it has to dilute our PBS is totally unacceptable to me. This is how all drug and medical research should be priced and funded and is a gold standard that cannot be allowed to be removed.
I get it that we need to be mindful of the environment we offer foreign companies as they decide to invest here. I get it that we compete with other countries in this way - (see above for the need to get together with other countries to reduce the way companies play us off against each other). BUT to allow foreign companies to sue us for making choices that concern us locally is ridiculous. Chris Paterson
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to express my deep concern about the Trans Pacific Partnership deal - from the lack of public knowledge and education to the potential dangers it holds for our communities and individuals.
The lack of public debate highlights for me that many of the results of such a partnership are not in the best interests of the Australian public. This merely increases the lack of trust in the political process and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I am happy to be given this opportunity to voice my concerns.
Whilst due to the lack of real debate, the depth of concern about the main issues with the partnership are difficult to explain. My main concern is the impact upon affordable medicine and a move away from the more egalitarian health system that we have and how it provides a positive ripple effect within our communities and culture. I am very aware of the detrimental effects of the free market on those within our society who are the most vulnerable. More expensive and less equitable access to medicines will marginalize many and have a negative affect on our culture, and way of life. A new wave of poor will be created by a health system that values money before people.
I will continue to talk about my concerns with who ever will listen and explain how our government is turning its back on the people of this country. yours sincerely,
Dominic Braybon Dominic Braybon
Trade should be about people not about big corporations. The TPP, as is stands, is all about giving power to multi-national corporatioons and taking power away from the governments that sign it and the people in those coountries that agree. Small businesses create far more jobs than large ones.
461 The TPP does nothing for small businesses. There are so many ways in which ratifying the TPP would hurt Australia that it is imposible to list them all. here are a few.
Medicines. There are several provisioons in the TPP which could increase the cost of medicines.
Corporations could sue the Australian government over almost any law which damaged their profits. As an example, one corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Do we want that to be possible in Australia?
Similarly environmental protections could be watered down. As an example of what could happen, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
The list goes on and on. Australia deserves better. There is no way I will ever vote for an indivicual or political party which supports the TPP. Russell Willis Willis
I am most concerned about a TPP that enables multinational corporations to sue Australia over changes that hurt their profits. This is happening now in Egypt.
Keeping medicines affordable is a major concern to me as I'm turning 65 and require medicines now with this need bound to increase to keep me well and in the workforce.
Being sued for strengthening environmental protection laws to prevent damage to our fragile ecosystems from business activity is also a major concern for me. The Canadian government has been sued for passing laws stopping fracking by multinationals, to protect their land and groundwater.
Finally, internet privacy and freedom will be lost.
Please do not accept this TPP. It must be changed.
Yours truly
Michael Green Michael Green
Why is It that governments think that they can make deals with large companies and not come clean to the people they are supposedly representing. I know I never voted for any political party to make deals with large corporations to tell me or my family and friends on how they should live their lives or on what products they can or cannot buy.
I think the governments, in what is supposedly a democratic country, are going about to many things behind closed doors. This is not what we voted them in for. Start listening to the people of this country and stop listening to large corporations whether from within this country or from outside the country. Colleen Turnbull
462
When Andrew Robb tells the Australian public We're not going to change the system and then saying that Us pharmaceutical corporationswould have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in th United States, he is not telling the Australian public that it means they will pay more for medicines than they do now. And as with the ISDS it means Australia is giving up it's sovereingty to foreign corporations.
Futher as the exact negotiations and details of the TPP are kept from the Australian public our government should not be entering into an agreement without the us the Australian voters being well informed on what exactly it will mean Peter Remi
If passed, the TPP will be an express lane for moving money of Australian people in truckloads to a very few, already very rich, owners of large transnational companies such as overseas pharmaceutical companies.
The TPP and deals like it are 21st century piracy, in the old sense. That is, We (the pirates) board your ship, we take your money and we leave. But we will come back. and you will not be able to defeat us in courts of law.
The Parliament of Australia will become the agent for the companies which have been trying to get the TPP, or something like it (remember the MAI?) up for over 2 decades now.
Our supposedly esatimable politicians have been bending over backwards to help them. I object. Strenuously.
Yours faithfully
Jane O'Grady Jane O'Grad
I do not support the TPP in its present form as it gives too much power to large 'phara' companies and is thus likely to alter the current options for generic substitutes to be introduced, thus increasing the costs of medicines in Australia and the amount of money need to be spent on our national health scheme.
Also the TPP give large multinationals the opportunity to legally contest Australian laws. This is not democratic and I cannot support a government which has provided these concessions to get passed a trade agreement - the TPP, which appears to provide little benefit for the Australian economy and Australians, but a lot of benefit to multinational corporations. ron kell
To whom it may concern,
463 I writing to make this submission because I am concerned about the introduction of the Trans- Pacific-Partnership. I have little understanding of how it works. Most people I talk to don't know what it is and I think the Australian public deserve to know more about the effects of what out country has signed up for. I believe as a result of the TPP our pharmaceuticals will be going up in price and corporations will have the ability to sue our Government if their interests are violated. I believe this is a step back in fairness and equality for all. Shaun Stephens
Observation of Australia's victory over the tobacco plain packaging has prompted me to question the outcomes of international trade treaties. My particular concern is that we sign away not just our trading security, but our sovreign right to enact and apply legislation for the common good, such as plain tobacco packaging.
Happily Australia put a superior case to the body (not a court in any judicial sense) that decided in our favour against Philip Morris. In terms of litigation this would seem to be the tip of a mighty mysterious iceberg in the defence of the common good of Australian citizens and such lucky outcomes would be far from certain. This would apply across a host of industrial, social, environmental, health, communications and privacy legislation, way beyond mere trade issues.
The asymmetry of power and resources across companies and governments surely mitigates against signing up to these agreements as if there is a even playing field. We and other countries have already experienced unhappy outcomes of such treaties and I urge greater caution and closer assessment of the possible unintended outcomes before any trade treaty, let alone this massively complex TPP, is signed on my behalf as an Australian citizen. Joy Sotheran
More power is given to the wealthy multinational corporations, especially by giving them monopoly rights over biologic medicines and longer monopoly patents on them, thus increasing the prices of these medicines to the public.
If Australia wishes to increase environmental protections that are compulsory for the multinationals to obey (such as fracking and water pollution) these companies can sue us, resulting in a large number of corporate lawsuits.
Several provisions of the TPP could increase the price of medicines.
Don't let these giants ride roughshod over the majority of Australians: they are only interested in increasing their gigantic profits at the expense of the little individuals.
Yours sincerely,
Wendy Roberts wendy roberts
To whom it concerns
464 I would like to register my disgust at the way Andrew Robb and the government are trying to hoodwink the Australian population. Opening the way for multinationals to sue the government over medicine patents or so that they can cause pollution is NOT good for Australia!
We should also be strengthening online privacy rather than allowing ISPs to provide their customers' data onward. Haven't we learned anything from Edward Snowden's heroism and the US government's deception of its people for over a decade.
We vote for politicians to represent us and fight for the issues we care about. The impression we are left with over this TPP debacle is that our government is more keen to appease the US government and multinationals than to stand up to them in representing their voters Ciaran MacCormaic
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (TPP Review)
The rights of all Australians are gravely affected by the proposed TPP. Not only is such an agreement unconstitutional - the public is not allow to see the details of the agreement that will affect them - not only is it anti-democratic - foreign corporations will have more rights than Australians over laws in our country - it has now also been shown that it could affect the health of Australians - through stopping medicines being affordable, stopping laws that would protect the environment and even having an effect on workplace protection laws.
The TPP cannot be accepted as it is against everything that Australia stands for.
Yours sincerely
Alain Trembleau
To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP:
Please do NOT go ahead with the TPP.
It will affect the poorest people in our community more than others.
A constituent-focused, and compassionate, democratic society should put the needs of not only its own country's businesses and enterprises, but equally importantly, its own citizens, ahead of the needs of huge non-Australian pharmaceutical companies.
Please ensure that the TPP is rejected in the Senate.
Any deal that puts the needs and rights of American (or other countries') companies ahead of Australia's needs and rights is not a deal that should be approved by our parliamentary system. Angela Gill
465 Australia is a nation, not a marketplace. Our politicians and our parliamentary systems should be putting the best interests of it's citizens ahead of corporations.
Any Trans-Pacific Partnership deal should be carefully considered and thoroughly communicated to the public, there should be ample opportunity for genuine feedback and discussions, and thorough benefit analyses should be commissioned to determine whether such a deal will benefit the people of Australia, as well as strengthening trade among Pacific nations.
Instead, until very recently only the most superficial information has been made public by the government, providing almost no concrete details of what this deal actually means. When further details were made public there has been very little opportunity for public consultation, and for the most part that too feels like it has been falling on deaf ears. It seems that the Government has already made its mind up about this deal without the input of the citizens it is meant to represent. The fact that the Government seems to have made its mind without even an independent analysis is of serious concern. This is exactly what bodies like the Productivity Commission are there for, but instead, this massive and legally binding economic deal is being rushed through.
This is not how a democratic nation functions. By subverting open channels of communication, and demonstrating complete negligence for the best interest of the citizens of this country, our current political and parliamentary systems show only how weak and ineffective they are against corporate influence.
Please reject the TPP and restore carefully considered due process back to trade deals of this magnitude.
Sincerely, Paul Knox
To the Joint Standing Committee
I respectfully ask that my concerns re Trans Pacific Partnership inconsistencies between community understandings of the outcomes regarding pharmecuticals here in Australia and reported monopoly rights over biologic medicines by U.S. pharmaceutical corporations be considered.
I am 75 and so old enough to remember the worry of my parents and frequent borrowings from friends and neighbours to fill prescriptions for sibling sicknesses. This was not unusual at the time and a reluctance to seek medical advice for many conditions because of the cost of pharmaceuticals was just a fact of life .I have had the good fortune to enjoy reasonable health and contribute to Australian society for many years although I have two chronic health conditions, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.Without access to affordable medicines either condition would have impacted severely on my lifestyle and forced me from the workforce. Instead I was able to continue employment until my late sixties. To continue a healthy lifestyle I need a combination of five medicines daily which I could not afford without the present Commonwealth subsidies.
I think my concerns for access to affordable medicines for myself and the Australian community are well founded and under threat from pharmaceutical corporation control because of ambiguities in the TPP.I note with regret that according to some sources Mr Robb, trade envoy, has two different
466 versions of the working of the TPP .. For Australian public We are not going to change the system. For the US pharmaceutical corporations they would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
I reject the idea that control of Australian access to affordable medicine should be damaged by a clause in the Trans Pacific partnership and urge the Joint Standing Committee to take into account my concerns regarding Australians access to affordable medicines
Rosemary Brown Rosemary Brown Brown
I'm sure you don't need me to list here the pitfalls of such an all-encompassing agreement. Have we really learned nothing from the US ?Are people like Andrew Robb not aware of the difficulties these agreements make to the lives of citizens, the environment and the country as a whole, whilst boosting the profits of the multi-nationals? If Andrew Robb isn't aware of the dangers, and someone like me, who isn't a politician or an expert is aware of it, then God help us.
Another sell-out to the multinationals and too bad for the average citizen?
If this goes ahead unaltered Turnbull will certainly lose my vote and the votes of all my family. Diane Inman
The TTP needs to be blocked by parliament for the preservation of some form of equity to protect all people from a dictatorship of our Australian and global society. The TTP serves to accommodate 1% of the global population rather than people and the environment in which we all exist. If we do not have primary resources, we have nothing to maintain our existence. Rather the TTP serves to poison and silence people and the environment.
Adding to this the TTP will only protect Neoliberal ideologies.
If the Government wants/needs to avoid a revolution of the people, then parliament needs to block the TTP TODAY! Fi Mills
I want our elected government to respond to the wishes of our electorate and not be locked into agreements with overseas governments which are beholden to large corporations whose prime concerns are with profits.
It is a disgrace that large overseas companies like Philip Morris can sue the Australian Government regarding our insistence on plain packaging to discourage our citizens from smoking.
The pricing of our medicines should not be locked in to a partnership deal with overseas governments who are heavily influenced by large corporations.
467 Australians should be able to enact laws to protect our environment and regulate mining interests independently of deals with large overseas corporations.
Concerned
Gordon Hervey Gordon Herve
I wish to express dismay at the blinkered ideological pursuit of so-called 'free trade agreements' by the Australian government. The Trans Pacific Partnership us its most harmful product to date.
Vast amounts of independent academic analyses have discredited the claims made in favour of these agreements, and demonstrated their lack of realised benefits to Australia.
I beg you not to sign any agreement that diminishes Australia's freedom to legislate to protect our environment or health from the behaviours or products of any corporation or foreign entity, or that exposes such action to financial liability through the unaccountable Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanisms.
I beg you not to sign any agreement that allows foreign labour to be employed in Australia preferentially over Australian labour.
I beg you not to sign any agreement that contains less than reciprocal arrangements in terms of access and tariffs. Currently we are offering vast swaths of access and protections to foreign products, in return for dubious relaxations of constraints on Australian exports.
The TPP breaches all of the above criteria, and many more. To sign it would be an act of treason. We did not elect you to dismantle Australian sovereignty.
Sincerely, Jane O'Sullivan
Submission on The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) The government has not been completely transparent about the full impacts of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). This 'deal' has been largely conducted in secret and it has not been explained well to the Australian public. Essentially the government want the public to take it on trust.
I would like to express my views and those of very many Australians, who feel ridden roughshod over to implement this highly secretive, damaging trade agreement.
Mr Robb has been shown to be duplicitous when talking about the TPP. How can he tell us it's all good, and then go overseas and virtually promise Big Pharma they will have the same monopoly rights they enjoy in the USA?
468 The present govt is making noises about privatising sections of Medicare which I feel will increase the costs of Medicine.
ISDS clauses will enable corporations to sue any govt that affects their profits, or perceived profits. This will hamstring anyone who protests or expresses disapproval with a corporations dealings. This could cause environmental damage uneard of, as corporations roll out their hair brained schemes to make money. At our expense.
Internet privacy has gone. That's it, just gone. It opens the door to profiling, interfering in law abiding citizens lives and the information gleaned (Metadata) only benefits those countries which are paranoid and scared of their citizens. Tim Galli
Access to safe and affordable medicine should be available to all Australians, the TPP threatens this and should be rejected.
So many of my friends are alive because they have access to the medicine they need at an affordable price. For some it is still a stretch to fit medications into their limited budgets with the current system, any additional price increases could seriously threaten their lives. We can't risk any slide towards a U.S. style system with medicines under patent longer, restricting affordable generic medicines for those who need them. I don't want to see the people I love die so that a few pharmaceutical companies can make greater profits.
I work for a charity, and I hear about many clients having to choose between food, housing, bills, and medicine. If medicines become more expensive, more people will choose to go without and it will put a greater strain on the public health system and the not for profit sector.
Please reject the dangerous and volatile TPP to protect vulnerable Australians. Neridah Llewellyn
As an Australian, I'm extremely concerned about the ramifications of the possible signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership. Despite Mr Robb telling us that it's not going to change the cost of affordable medicines, many people, far more intelligent than I, have been saying that this WILL happen. And it has been reported that Mr Robb himself has recently told a US publication that US pharaceutical corporations will still have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they have in the States!!
Surely you can see that a flood of corporate lawsuits are going to be the result? Multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage!
In addition, the Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
469 I beg you to reconsider the massive implications that signing this agreement will mean. Barbara Helsb
Dear Sir
I have always had deep reservations regarding the TPP mostly because of the way it was secretly negotiated and the secret way it is being handled without independent scrutiny indicates to me something is seriously wrong with it.
From a personal point of view I have a chronic illness and will be on medication for the rest of my life these are expensive to me as a self funded retiree under this agreement it has now been revealed that any new pharmaceuticals patents will take a long time to become 'generic' and operate under U.S. laws.
Why doesn't the Australian Government come clean with this Treaty. Peter Robinson
I am opposed to Australia joining the TPP because it will expose us to further exploitation of our great country by international corporations. Already most of our mineral wealth benefits them far more than Australians who surely are the rightful owners.
In addition it will leave us open to very expensive legal battles and allow them to despoil our country in a very dangerous manner so that our land will become desert, our water supplies will be poisened and used for wasteful purposes in the driest continent on earth. Atmospheric pollution will also increase along with the cost of medicines.
Our efforts in environmental protection will be cast aside and internet privacy and freedom will suffer.
Human induced climate change activities will increase and Australia is already heading along the road to becoming a global pariah when we could easily become a world renewable superpower able to attract all the energy intensive industries. We have the world's best and most easily harvested solar energy in all its forms. Fossil fuels should not be burnt to throw away most of the energy released. They could become an important resource in the future. Harold Waring
Secrecy is the weapon of a government trying to avoid public scrutiny. Refusing to trust the citizens of this country to make considered judgements about matters that concern their own well-being threatens our democratic tradition. Why would any citizen trust a government that will not tell us openly what they are doing on our behalf.
I am most concerned about the TPP providing an avenue through which international companies can sue national governments that legislate to protect their own citizens welfare if it doesn't fit the companies business plan. In particular, the changes that will undoubtedly be required to achieve
470 anything like the 2 degrees climate target agreed to in Paris and protect our environment against the ravages of uncontrolled exploitation may require regulations that decrease or prohibit certain companies activities.
I am also deeply disturbed by the apparent discrepancy between what Minister Robb has told the Australian public and what he has told US pharmaceutical companies. To endanger in anyway the Australian health system by increasing its costs for, say, pharmaceuticals would amount to willful vandalism of a system that gives a degree of equitable access to health services. To weaken our current system is unconscionable. Brian Phillips
Ever since I first heard of NAFTA when it was being canvassed twenty years ago in Canada, I have been concerned about these so-called Free trade deals. they serve the purposes very nicely of big multinational companies, which become laws unto themselves, with power way beyond the national governments of the countries (let alone the people) they are meant to serve.
Profit is their game, regardless of the rights of individuals.
Time and again we have seen small companies, groups, even governments sued by the big companies.
There are so many dimensions to the TPP, that I am concerned we are abrogating our sovereignty by going into this deal.
Latest turn of the screw is the story that Andrew Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines which they enjoy in the US That means Australians would be paying more for medicines. Not a smart idea.
Let's reject the TPP, and explain to the parliament and to the people, with great clarity, why it's not good for our nation. I hope your committee can do that. Jo Vallentine
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties
I am writing to please ask you to look into the following very serious provisions, which are completely unacceptable in my mind and that of many other Australian citizens and residents:
1. The TPP will allow multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but hurt their profits.
2. Our government could be sued under the TPP for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
471 3. The deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on us and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Yours sincerely
Mario Santos Mario Santos
The TPP is only a cover for huge Multinational USA CORPORATIONS ( WHO ALREADY RUN THE USA GOVERNMENT) to control all the world trade,at the expense of the citizens of every country they infest.
The Australian Government is already a lapdog to the USA,and the only way to stop this farce is for citizens to make it clear that they are not going to accept this secret deal. I call on all Australian politicians to block this deal,and ensure that we maintain the legal rights to reject policies from the USA GOVT (CORPORATION).
Australia's Government is already heading down the path into a disfunctional medical system, that the American people with no money or income currently have,and are turned away if they cannot afford to pay for medicines and health care.
KEEP AUSTRALIA ON THE RIGHT PATH AND REJECT THIS FRAUDULENT TPP. Ian Davidson
Dear Mr Robb,
I urge you to stand firm on protecting Australia's sovereignty, by refusing to sign away our rights to make environmental protection laws, to set the priced of pharmaceuticals available under the current PBS arrangements, and to protect our rights to privacy on the internet. My understanding is that you have not yet signed the partnership agreement, pending better protection of Australian interests with respect to environmental protection, pharmaceutical benefits and workplace safety.
As a self-funded retiree without benefit of the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care Card, I currently have a pharmaceutical bill of over $140.00 per month (after the PBS provisions are applied). I cannot begin to imagine the cost hikes that would be imposed upon me if Australia were to move to a US style health-care system. And yet, I fear that this is what signing the TPP agreement will lead to. And that is just the start ... as they say at Bunnings. God know what the end would look like!
Glyn Davies, B.A. B.Ed., (Qld), M.A. (Lond) Glyn DAVIES
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP We're not going to change the system.
472 But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US Pharmaceutical Corporations would have the same monopoly rights over Biologic Medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic Medicines under monopoly Patents for longer, which means We Pay More for the medicines we rely on.
But we will blow the whistle on this and other nasties in the deal. This Friday, submissions close to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review. Barry Woodfield
I want the TPP blocked, as we have every right to access to our health via the medications we rely on!! Many of us do not have much money as the BIG BUSINESSES keep taking and taking our money for their rubbish services!!!! WHY do they need more via our medications!!!??? This makes me incredibly furious! If this is a way to get rid of us from the planet, well you are not doing a good job as we will make sure you LOSE!!! What makes you big businesses think you should own the whole planet with less people on it!!?? No! Not right!! We are not stupid, go away and leave our essentials including our medications alone!!!! Chelle Destefano
To the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties,
The online activist campaign group GetUp have brought some concerning issues with the planned Trans-Pacific Partnership deal to my attention. I do not know any great detail about the intended deal but I do know that I am extremely worried and upset if any potential agreement organised with the Australian Government puts the rights of Australia and its citizens second to the interests of private companies.
If there are clauses in the TPP deal that allow the possibility for any private company, local or international, to attempt to sue Australia for positive legal changes, such as raising the minimum wage or improving environmental protection legislation, then this deal needs to be revamped, altered or stamped out. The future of our country should never be at the mercy of self-interested bodies who focus on ever-increasing profits and not the greater public good.
Additionally, GetUp informs me that this current TPP deal will enable internet service providers to spy on their customers and provide private information to enforcement agencies. Whilst law enforcement requires access such as this to effectively do their job, the breaking down of critical privacy laws should be only done on a case-by-case basis with legal oversight and not enforced carte blanche across the entire population. My privacy is a right that I take very seriously and I do not believe that we should have that right taken away from us at the request of other countries or international corporations without discussing it with the Australian populace and putting it to a vote.
These are the concerns of one Australian citizen which I believe are mirrored by many more who may not have the confidence to write to you. The Australian Government is supposed to represent the Australian people and make decisions that improve our lives, our rights and our country's future.
473 Please thoroughly examine the current TPP deal to ensure that it stands up to the people's expectations and protects our country more than it protects the interests of international bodies.
Kind regards,
David Hawkins David Hawkins
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am deeply concerned by the TPP in that it appears to have been written for multinationals and by the multinationals. This is further reinforced by the government's unwillingness to have this agreement reviewed / assessed by the productivity commission to see if it was in the (economic) national interest.
I understand that concentrated wealth can distort any political system, but an agreement that allows a corporation to litigate if we change laws to protect the environment or health is clearly not in our interests. Intellectual property protections are important to drive innovation and investment, but rent seeking laws stifle growth and innovation.
Yours sincerely, Marcus Vogt
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
The TPP is written by and for the benefit of giant corporations at the expense of consumers protections and rights. There is much that is alarming and wrong with this deal. Please do not support the TPP! Sharon Nicodemus
I'd like the TPP to be blocked because it was not submitted for scrutiny before Andrew Robb signed our independence away. The Australian public are entitled to know the ways they will be affected by this agreement.
I know that it makes our government accountable to multinational corporations who have already sued various governments. As a democracy we need to make our own decisions and to be able to offer affordable medicines to everybody. Medicines should not be under patents for long periods of time. This means that we will pay more for medicines we need for longer.
474 We also need to have the ability to make decisions about how we protect our environment, health and continue with decent workplace protection laws. Australian workers need to know that they can continue to work for decent wages. Also with the issues of global warming affecting our climate and national parks and waterways we need to be able to make appropriate laws to protect them.
I know people who will be adversely affected financially if they have to pay for their current patented medicines for years and years.
I am really concerned and ask you to SERIOUSLY consider all of the downfalls.
Thank you. Helen Hoffman
The TPP will only benefit large American corporations at the expense of all Australians. Nothing in the TPP will benefit Australian workers, increase employment opportunities or help to sustain the environment.
LNP politicians are lying about any benefits that they say will accrue to Australia from the TPP.
The role of the Federal Government is to look after the long term quality of life of all Australians now and in the future. The current government is only interested in making the rich, richer at the expense of everyone else.
The TPP has the potential to destroy the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws to protect Australians.
Reject the TPP! Rex Faldt
Dear Mr Robb,
Regarding affordable medicines, I am very concerned that it is not in fact true that the TPP is not going to change the system. As I am a self funded retiree, I am troubled that health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
I am extremely worried that multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits as occurred in Egypt where one corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
It is outrageous that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. Mark Streten
475 It is beyond me why a country like Australia would put itself and therefore its people in a position where our way of life is threatened.
Law suits and litigation have a strangle hold on the processes in the United States and the only winners are the lawyers. If the TPP can bring cases against companies without a judge or jury we are never going to see the end of law suits against corporations - the companies will be bankrupted defending themselves and/or the company will go along with the demands of the larger company and we - the people who use or are employed by the little company - will be disadvantaged.
Our public health sector is under enough threat now from the Federal Government making changes which disadvantage the people from the lower economic sector, the TPP will make this worse.
The environmental concerns are huge, and our own government could be in trouble if they legislate to protect our environment.
I know this deal has not been finalised and I am hoping that much more consideration goes into thinking about the consequences of signing this document before some one does put Australia's name on the line.
If I was a small business and I was offered a deal like this where all of the power is in someone else's hands I would close the door in their faces. I shudder to think we could all be held to ransom if Australia becomes a partner to this deal.
Wendy Sonnenburg wendy Sonnenburg
I assume you will receive submissions from organisations such as Get Up with whom I keep contact very regularly to alert me to the derrogatory attitude the coalition in government bears as its brandmark toward the welfare of Australia and Australians. The details from these groups will give the clearer picture of the harm to me and Australia a a whole you intend, to ensure, you gain approval for your performance by your bosses, but I make this point.
There is this facade of the governance of the country being sold to us by the likes of Andrew Robb and the whole status quo of the hard to find, deeply barricaded up MPs who are the elected representatives of us without one jot of sincere loyalty to people like me.
This revelation again and again ensures I will post this information to my Facebook and I will discuss this with people and i will ring your department about the expertise of the trade minister to work as a henchman in addition to the facts of the TTP, and most assuredly i will carefully scrutinize the policies of other parties and independents to decide my vote in the federal elections.
You do remind me of the person system in practice in Mexico. Roslyn Blackwood
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States. He has previously told the Australian public this wouldn't occur. This would mean that
476 Biologic medicines would be under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. These patents shouldn't even be legal they delay the development of treatments, and are thus crimes against humanity. Agreeing to any treat that support furthering them is thus also a crime against humanity.
Further more this deal could prevent our government taking critical action to protect the Australian public, by allowing the to government to be sued by Multinational corporations, outside of the Australian legal system, worse yet in private corporate run courts with out judge or jury, frankly this is most likely at violation of the Australian Constitution, hence a referendum should be being held with full disclosure to the public. This court would be use to prevent legal changes to protect the general public at the expense of corporate profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. In another Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
The governments first duty is to the general public any deal that allow them to be abused such as the TPP is therefor criminal, this Committee should outright reject the TPP and recommend criminal Charges be brought against those from the Australian government involved in signing it, for crimes against Australia, at the very least a royal (I think that's what their called) commission into their behavior should occur. Glen Fletcher
The TPP gives far too much power to corporations. In the case of medicines, it will increase the monopoly of the large pharmaceuticals, making way for the dismantling of Medicare. The Australian people are justly proud of Medicare, a system which is admired throughout the world. We do not want it dismantled and the power over our healthcare given to corporations who, in their own words, are there to make a profit . . .which may be at odds with human welfare. For example dependency on pharmaceutical drugs is better for profit than real and lasting cures, particularly if those cures involve diet and lifestyle changes.
Additionally, commercial-in-confidence and patient confidentiality can be used as a smokescreen to hide the excesses of the industry unless we the public remain firmly in control. Which means rejecting the TPP. Lynda Tout-Smith
I'm really puzzled, not to mention confused, by the TPP process. On the one hand Minister Robb has told us not to worry about price increases for pharmaceuticals while on the other he tells BIG Pharma they're welcome to sue Australia if we do anything that affects BIG Pharma profits.
This contradiction needs to be cleared up so that Australians will continue to have affordable medicines.
In addition, we need to protect our fast-disappearing natural environment on which our economy fundamentally depends rather than leave it open to law suits from big companies which want to wreck our natural environment in order to satisfy their addiction to big money.
477 Your earnest consideration of these aspects of the TPP is needed. Adrian Watkins
Any risk to the Australian Public through having to pay more for medicines simply because the Government wants to make dirty deals the USA and their huge multi-national pharmaceutical corporations is an absolute joke. What this says is that Big Business is far more important to the Government than the needs the people of Australia.
The Australian people are basically approaching a level of becoming unable to meet the costs of living now; so why would nay decent and morally ethical government be wanting to make their financial burdens greater?
It is another method of adding the Australian Community and treating them as merely a source of monitory gain for big business. To hell with families and the children of these families; lets do all we can to bankrupt them.
Take a good look before you go and sign away any of the rights of the Australian people. Ja Ja
This is a thoroughly outrageous treaty that shouldn't even be contemplated by Parliament let alone considered being passed. Just look at the costs that similar Trade Deals put together in secret have wrought on other countries that were foolish enough to sign onto them. US companies are suing governments whose environmental laws supposedly prevented them making a profit for billions of dollars not to mention supressing a county's right to decide to use generic drugs as opposed to patened US drugs etc etc.
It is simply unconcionable to sign onto the TPP. It is not a partnership, trade or otherwise , just a front for Big Business and Big Pharma from America to rape Australi as it has done already in so many countries. Don't fall for the line they are handing you. Australia deserves better. See that we get it please! Anna Lisi
Dear memeners of parliament,
I urge you to please rethink the approval of TPP, because it has such substantial and far reaching implications.
Here are some of my concerns: corporate lawsuits will allow the interests of industry to threaten the rights of consumers, including protection from harmful substances, decrease in quality of the product, fair pricing and affordability, as well as the protection of our beautiful Australian environment.
Being hit with a potential corporate lawsuit, will hollow out our democratic process becuase politicians will have to ask themselves, if they can afford to pass a law that may have an unwanted
478 impact on profits of a corporation. Now that is clearly putting profits over the well-being of citizens of Australia. And even worse, it has precious little to do with democracy. Anette Lahaye
The TPP has been arrived at in an essentially secretive manner. Entry into it by Australia has been vaunted as evidence of achievement for political purposes without any pretence at analysis or cost effective valuation. Listen for instance to Tony Abbott's continuing boast that one of the achievements of his time in government is the number of free trade agreements negotiated; the emphasis is on number not on content or benefits.
Given that abuse of rational policy, I have no confidence whatever that the adoption of the TPP will have worthwhile substantive effects or that it will not weaken Australia's sovereignty as against hte multinational corporate giants that ave become so predatory of our economy.
I believe there are real fears as to the capacity of Australia to maintain independence policies about the pricing of pharmaceuticals; there are also legitimate fears that the TPP fails to protect Australia's sovereignty in relation to environmental controls.
There is massive hypocrisy and bulldust practised by politicians about the benefit of trade agreements; they are snowed or at least cowed by the power of the global corporates who set an agenda that best suits their interest. The ghastly enthusiasm of people like Minister Robb contrasts with the grim acknowledgement by Australian think tanks that minimal improvement to growth can be expected from the TPP ; there is a dishonest failure to acknowledge that foundational to the free trader treaty ploy is an acceptance of neo-liberal mantras about small government , low tax and the ascendancy of a free market. That theory sits ill with recognition of the extent to which the US promoters of the Free trade cycle fail to practise what they preach; read for instance the current issue of Harpers Magazine which has story about how for decades USA private grazing enterprise on federal national park lands has been subsidised by predator control at the expense of federal taxpayers . Many of those who most assiduously promote free trade arrangements do not practise what they preach in relation to their own backyard industries. Mr Robb may happily see Australian services more readily off-shored under the TPP and other agreements but he still wants to retain the diesel fuel subsidies for his own original constituents. Let this stage of consideration of the TPP look at the real pros and cons of entry into a binding agreement on this scale.
I accept that some bilateral or similar agreements may promote usefully and reciprocally beneficial trade. The TPP is not shown to be such an agreement. Paul Munro
The Federal Government will put the interests of big corporations before that of the people it is tasked with governing if they continue with their intention of signing up to the TPP agreement. There is already evidence of multinational corporations misusing their rights under agreements such as the TPP, by suing in order to protect their profits, to the detriment of the individual countries who signed up to them. How can we knowingly proceed into such an agreement then without an absolute guarantee that the Australian or State Governments would not be subjected to the
479 possibility of being sued by such corporations in the future? We cannot put ourselves in a position where we could be held to ransom by the greed of mega-corporations.
As for the warnings from health sector groups about the risks to affordable medicines under the implementation of the TPP; the people who need to access expensive medicine are probably the most vulnerable in society. We look with scorn at the US and the appalling state of their health system and wonder how such a developed country could condone such a situation, as the sick, disabled or elderly are surely some of the citizens most requiring care from a Government. Yet it appears our Government is also prepared to gamble the future of these people in order to promote relations with multinational pharmaceutical companies. The future of biologic medicine monopoly patents has not been fully investigated, and in circumstances such as these (when access to medicines can literally mean life or death) it is surely best to err on the side of extreme caution rather than proceed without the most stringent procedures in place to ensure the rights of the Australian people to affordab le health treatment and medicine is guaranteed.
Loopholes will always be found by those wishing to profit. A multi-national corporation by definition is a company who wishes to profit, hold a monopoly, or control a market in their chosen sector. Their intentions are never, ever to consider the needs of the people with whom they have no allegiance to. The Australian Government, however, should always proceed from the place of protecting the most vulnerable and most at risk first and foremost.
I do not have the expertise to lodge my submission in extremely sophisticated and eloquent terms, however, my sentiment and concern is no less valid. Please consider the long term impacts of any trade agreements. They will far outlast the term of any particular party in Government or politician in a ministry position.
Yours sincerely Jeanine Colless
Our democracy is based on the rule of law, in other words, full disclosure and consistency.
There hasn't been no full disclosure of the TPP details and implications for Australia, thanks to commercial in confidence cover, and insufficient public debate since the signing. There are serious concerns about the future pricing of pharmaceuticals, environmental protections and internet privacy.
Consistency depends on case law that can be studied, and old cases can be reopened if inconsistencies are found. With ISDS hearings are closed and there's no right of appeal. This means our democracy is so much weaker.
The North American Free Trade Agreement among Canada USA and Mexico included an Investor State Dispute Settlement section, purportedly to deal with the corrupt Mexican judicial system, but 70% of disputes are against Canada, and about 63% of them, that's 44% of all NAFTA disputes are against Canada's environmental protection or resource management. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/01/14/canada-sued-investor-state-dispute- ccpa_n_6471460.html
480 This is indicative of the incremental take-over of government by big business. The truth is revealed when it's too late to pull out. Veolia is a well known business name in Australia. A hugely successful French based company. Why would it object to an increase in Egypt's basic wage, enough to sue the Egyptian government? Please consider the implications of this for Australian living standards down the track. Jim Morris
I am very concerned that the government is expecting the Australian public on trust in accepting the TPP. I would not allow someone else to make agreements for me in my private life without my carefully scrutinizing them first.
The secrecy behind the TPP smacks of shabby backroom deals and clandestine agreements between Big Government and Big Business, where the interests of ordinary people, particularly those in developing countries, come a very distant last. Why the secrecy if there are not some dirty little secrets to hide? Why the reluctance to allow public scrutiny and accountability? What are the architects of the TPP afraid of?
I reject totally the myth of commercial in confidence when those affected are not just powerful commercial and government interests. I do not wish to be the hapless dupe who pays the price of being sold down the river because it suits the interests of those who wish to hide from me and my fellow citizens behind the humbug and self-serving artifice of confidentiality! Larry Cutler
I am writing to ask you to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal in it's entirety. I understand that if this deal is accepted, it will mean medication will become more costly as medications will be under patents longer, making more money for drug companies while putting poorer people at risk. It will also give power to multinational companies over governments to sue when laws are made that affect their profits adversely and that includes environmental laws. Lastly the TPP will allow my internet provider to spy on me and invade my privacy. Australian people do not want their democracy taken away by corporations seeking to maximise their profits. Please let me know your response. Monica O-Lear
I wish to register my objection to the proposed TPP.
Of particular concern to me are the future of affordable medicines and protecting the ability of our government to enact environmental, health and workplace protection laws.
The Australian government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution as has already happened in Canada.
Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits.
481 Why on earth would the Australian government agree to America's demands in this regard? Susan Phillips
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP
I am deeply concerned by the partnership agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and I am against the deal.
This deal is unfair and does not benefit Australia.
The TPP is unfair because of the Investor State Dispute Settlements associated with this trade deal. I am agasp with feelings of fear and anxiety as i ponder the outcome of this on our societies well being and fragile environments. This is why I am writing because I do not feel safe with government handing over its right to regulate corporations who cannot self-regulate for the betterment of society and the environment. For example, smoking or fast food industries are very lucrative but leave the Australian nation-state with high medical expenses. Under the TPP cigarette or Fast Food corporations would sue Australian tax payers via the government because they lose income from regulations intended to reduce our healthcare costs and increase the health and well being of our citizens.
Sadly, the pharmaceutical industry who financially gain from illnesses associated with lifestyle diseases seem to have strategically designed this trade deal to better their own interests than the interests of Australian citizens. This is unfair!
How can everyday Australians have a say when the decision making for this TTP agreement has been crafted in secrecy?
The TPP does not benefit Australia. It is widely understood that Australia has already signed a number of trade deals with many of the pacific countries associated with the TPP. These deals essentially have eroded any gains that Australia would expect from a trade deal that will cover 40% of the global economy.
It is depressing to think that Australia would agree to this deal when it has so little to financially gain but would allow resource companies to further deplete our environment without effective environmental protections to water and agriculture. It makes me very disappointed!
Finally, the TPP is designed to erode internet privacy through mandating service provider reporting. If this takes place then the civil society will probably further become entrenched in a form of neo- corporate feudalism.
I appreciate your time on this serious trade deal that would erroneously shape Australia in the 21st century if it ever was dispatched on the innocent. It should not be given a green light simply because so much has been achieved between the 11 pacific countries. It is an unfair and unnecessary trade deal that seems more aligned with ideological belief than good reason.
Yours Truly,
482 Jonathan Cassell
2450 J Cassell
Why do we need trade agreements, we can manufacture all we need from here yet we trade with other countries because they have cheaper labour costs, no environmental and social concerns. The TPP only encourages such things, whilst it may look like its trying to solve them on the surface and that will be what is sold to everyone through public relations - providing this isn't talked about in secrecy. Corporations have enough power already why give them any opportunity to monopolise and sue the government?
The current economic structure and debt based economy are going to fail lets focus on alternatives and stop striving to keep this destructive system going. king regards
Jarrod Kennedy Jarrod Kenned
If the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) is going to be so good for us and for all those countries which sign up to it, why was it negotiated in secret, its details kept from all those people it will affect, and its promoters not agree to a thorough and independent analysis of the Treaty?
I believe the TPP should not be ratified by Australia nor any of its other signatories, as it will lock other countries who are not members out of legitimate trade, which will contribute to further poverty and isolation of some developing countries.
Under the TPP's ISDS provisions Australia and other signatory nations will be able to be sued by multinationals in private courts without judges or jury, where the multinationals believe that their profits will be damaged by laws or provisions enacted by governments to protect their citizens or the environment. This is happening and has happened already under existing trade agreements but I believe will become more widespread and aggressive under the TPP.
I believe that the TPP will benefit the big Pharmaceutical Companies, especially at the expense of affordable medicine for ordinary people. This is already the case in the USA, but will happen here in Australia and elsewhere.
Democracy will become something in name only as people's rights are trampled on by the power and greed of the multinationals.
Listen to the voices of ordinary people who do not like being deceived and are entitled to know the truth about this trade deal. Please remember the people you represent and reject the TPP - I urge you.
Yours sincerely Carmel Cowan
483
Dear Madam I am asking Parliament to protect affordable medicines and reject the TPP. Special Trade Envoy Andrew Robb has been caught red-handed telling the Australian public one thing and American pharmaceutical corporations another.
Mr Robb's spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States.1, 2
This could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health.3
This isn't the first time that our government has gone to great lengths to keep the truth about the TPP under wraps – the entire treaty was negotiated in secret, and the government has since refused to subject the TPP to any independent analysis.
Too many parts of the TPP remain dangerously under-scrutinised.
I understand the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, who are reviewing the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, are accepting submissions.
Rgds
Michelle michelle brooks
Dear Standing Committee members
I thoroughly reject any attempt by American pharmaceuticals getting their greedy claws into Australian medicine markets - any more than they have already!!
That is one good reason I am asking you to reject the TPP.I am currently living with a partner who has a terminal illness and medicines at a reasonable price and availability are vital.
I am also totally opposed to multinational corporations having the right to sue the Australian government over legislation which Australian politicians have deliberated and voted upon. It is global government by stealth and I think Australia should maintain as much autonomy as it has left.
Likewise I oppose multinational corporations having the power to overturn environmental protection decisions made by our government and agencies
Thanks
Catherine Catherine Murph
484 Dear elected member
Mr Robb's spent months trying to convince Australians that the TPP won't affect our access to affordable medicines, only to turn around and tell Big Pharma they'll receive the same dangerous monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the United States. ([1] TPP: Trade Minister Andrew Robb trumpets 'excellent' deal, The Australian,, 6 October 2015
[2] Morning trade: Robb reassures on TPP biologics, Politico, 22 February 2016.)
This could see life-saving medicines trapped under monopoly patents for longer, boosting profits for the pharmaceutical industry – at the expense of our health. ([3] TPP text favours corporate rights over citizens and communities, Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network media release, 5 November 2015)
Too many parts of the TPP remain dangerously under-scrutinised.
Please scrutinize
Regards
Linda Ballantyne Linda Ballantyne
Dear Parliamentary Committee,
I urge you to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal that Andrew Robb has organised for Australia.
The deal does not benefit Australia and will not help us economically.
Importantly, as a doctor, I am extremely concerned that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they have in the United State. This means that medicine will cost Australians more.
Further, the Australian Government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections that corporations must abide by.
I urge Parliament to reject the TPP and stop giving Australia away. Susan Carden
I am writing to express significant concerns over the TPP.
I have been following developments in this area for some time and I do not believe becoming a signatory to the TPP is at all in Australia's national interest, nor in the interests of Australian citizens.
I am particularly concerned about the Investor State Dispute Settlements. Multinational corporations concerns about profits should not supersede Australian laws.
I am also deeply concerned for affordable medicines. Australia's ability to add critical medicines to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme should not be curtailed by the big pharmaceutical companies.
485 Australia already has significant bi-lateral trade deals with most of the participants of the TPP. There seems to be very few material benefits for Australia to sign, and yet doing so would cede significant sovereignty to corporate interests, with little or no recourse, and no ability to leave in the future.
I strongly oppose Australia becoming a signatory to the TPP, and I urge our representatives to reconsider their position.
Best regards,
Tai Sinclair. Tai Sinclair
Andrew Robb,
How many lives of sick Australians are you going ruin before you get a conscience.
Keep your own political and egotistical ambition at bay and do the right thing by us.
I can't believe the political suicide that you guys dice with when you make stupid decisions like this in our name.
The TPP is going to die a death of a thousand cuts and the careers of many diplomats, politicians an bureaucrats will die with it.
How about you stop lying and get some ethics as a leader of Australia should.
Bring on electronic referenda I say and say good bye to all politicians. andrew McGahe
Anything I have followed on the radio or T.V. news gives me a feeling of total distrust that the information I am being given is the whole truth.
The cutting of investigaters says to me that it will be easier for o/seas companies to sell inferior medicines etc. to Australia. I do not trust medications manufactured in 3rd world countries. There appears to be gaps or contradictions in the information given - cant summon up trust for the process.
I would like to see the government come clean on what is really going on, or not go ahead with the current proposals. Yvonne Pace
For the attention of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP Review.
As Secretory of the Mundaring Residents and Ratepayers Association Inc, I have been directed to show our dismay on how the proposed TPP erodes the sovereign rights of Australia as a Nation, and all who live in Australia.
486 There are many, many areas of concern but some of the important topics are as follows.
The strong possibility of propitiatory medicines becoming a cash-cow for the large drug companies.
The new found ability of overseas corporations to dictate to the Australian Government. And then sue in a closed court when they fail to get what they want.
Serious concerns large corporations will be able to bypass Australia's environmental laws.
The seemingly lack of positive benefits to Australia directly from the TPP, when over the same time period most of the proposed beneficial outcomes could be obtained without the TPP.
The TPP Rules and Benefits seem to only flow one way.
Only the USA based corporations gain the advantage.
This is not fair to Australia.
Thanking in advance all who give consideration to the above.
Tom Burbidge
MRRA Secretary
Thomas Burbidge
The Trans Pacific Partnership is simply another way for big corporations to seize more power and control. When governments allow this to happen and fail to protect the rights of its citizens, then that will be the end of democracy as we know it. We have affordable medicines and a world class health system, yet our government insists on tampering with it. Big pharmecutical companies already have too much power. It's time the Australian government started looking after its people.
I do not want Australia to sign up to the TPP. I want our rights, our environment and our health system to be protected.
Thank you
Elizabeth Finck Elizabeth Finck
If deals like this were in the public arena those (in the current government) involved would be prosecuted and jailed for fraud. Fraud is what this deal is because the citizens of this country have been intentionally deceived by their own government.
Never before have I witnessed the level of dishonesty in a political party.
487 Australians deserve the TRUTH about the TPP. Not the lies being told to it by Andrew Robb. We do not elect governments to betray us to big business and to foreign countries. This would be considered treason in many countries. It needs to be treated the same way here.
We do not need to be sold out.....and we badly need an election. michael jb
I want to make a submission because I know that TPP will not benefit Australia in anyway possible. Look at what has happened to Canada, they are the most sued country in the world. To sign the TPP will hand over all power to greedy corporations who do not have the Australian peoples interests at heart.
People won't be able to afford medicine, tax's will rise to pay off corporations who run the government, and the environment will be destroyed. If you care about the people of Australia, you will do something about this.
So save our environment, save internet privacy, save affordable medicine and please don't turn Australia into a place of modern slavery. Say no to TPP. Alice Heller
Don't let the Australian government lose control over the pricing of medicines in its own country.
You are elected by the people to look after our welfare in all area of our lives and agreeing to this TPP agreement is certainly not the way to do this. Please, please do not sign this.
A different issue but one that has had a detrimental on our farmers (and who knows who else) was the Free Trade agreement that John Howard introduced. So many of our own fruit trees cut down, jobs lost etc.
Please read all the submissions made to you and please act in the best interests of your Australian people.
Yours hopefully
Maris Wild Maris Wild
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this submission to express my deep concerns about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
Despite the government's attempts to hide the details of this deal from the Australian people, sufficient details have emerged to show that the TPP will take away power from Australian citizens, and place it in the hands of multinational corporations.
488 An independent economic analysis by the World Bank forecasts that by 20130, the TPP will cause the Australian economy to grow by 0.7 percent.
Less than 1 percent. Over 15 years. Of the 13 signatory countries to the TPP, Australia ranks second last in projected economic benefit.
In return for this, the TPP imposes laws that will increase the price of medicines, remove consumer protections, and leave our government at the mercy of investor corporations.
Please consider these 3 ways the TPP will make life worse for most Australians.
1. My neighbour Rosie (a doctor and OAM) was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour last December. As well as facing chemotherapy, she has to take 11 different medicines, some 3-4 times every day.
The TPP grants pharmaceutical companies the same monopoly rights over medicines they currently enjoy in the USA. For the benefit of a few pharmaceutical manufacturers, ordinary Australians like Rosie will be forced to pay much higher prices for the medicines they depends upon.
Not only in medicine - the TPP will expand the exclusive control on copyrights, patents and inventions used to register everything from new vaccines and medicines to media and agricutural chemicals.
2. The current stringent Australian food safety rules on labelling, additives, pesticides, location of origin and presence of genetically modified substances could be considered barriers to fair trade. Thus Australia could be forced to remove labels that inform and protect people – or threatened with trade sanctions.
3. The TPP contains provisions for companies to sue the democratically elected governments of countries for loss of future income if they enact laws to protect their citizens.
This process is not conducted in public before a court: it is in private, before an arbitration panel. These panellists are investment law experts who may also represent corporations: the potential for vested interests to infiltrate and manipulate the outcome of the arbitration process is enormous. Furthermore the arbitration panel has no precedents, no appeals and no judicial review.
We have already witnessed Philip Morris International suing the Australian government for introducing laws to reduce smoking through plain packaging for cigarettes.
Elsewhere, US-registered energy company Lone Pine Resources is seeking US$118.9 million in damages from the Canadian state of Quebec, which has placed a moratorium on fracking for Coal Seam Gas.
Meanwhile, an Australian firm, Oceana Gold, is suing El Salvador for US$300m over its refusal to overturn a law banning gold mining - an industry that has poisoned drinking water supplies and wiped out all aquatic life in rivers elsewhere in the country.
(Ah, so this is where the benefits accrue to Australia – in allowing our corporations to poison people and the environment in other countries.)
489 Regardless of whether any future lawsuits against the Australian government are successful, they will be a huge drain on this country's financial resources. The government would need to make provisions for the cost of defending or settling claims from investor corporations. In other words, our tax dollars are going to be spent on legal action, not on infrastructure, health, and other vital services.
In 10 years, what will people remember of this government? That it presided over a minuscule 0.7 percent growth in the economy? Or that it freely handed over Australia's sovereignty and billions in taxpayers' money to the directors and shareholders of multinational corporations?
The TPP as it stands is undemocratic. This country has not voted for it and it is against our best interests, both as Australians or as world citizens.
This has already been noted in the US, where Republican and Democrats are joining to block the TPP due to the undemocratic process and the possible effects it could have upon the government.
It would be a shameful act of betrayal against the Australian people if it is allowed to pass into law.
Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards,
David Stott
David Stott
I understand that the development and role of Australia's PBS has been to curtail overcharging for medicines which originate in the USA. The PBS has saved Australians millions of dollars and made health spending go much further for years.
This is likely to change because of the public being hoodwinked by the secretive TPP deal. We do not know the details of what has been signed away in secret. It is time we acted to preserve the financial benefits of the PBS. Trusting short term political expediency is fool hardy.
My request is to strengthen the position of the PBS and access it provides to restrict monopoly power of the drug companies. I am not prepared to trust the words of Minister Robb who says one thing to Australians and another to the US drug cartels. Les Johnston
I have been informed of the following:
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
490 What does this mean? Biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on. I call upon the Parliament to protect the interest of all Australians (as individuals and not corporations) to ensure that the medicines that we require do not become too expensive because of monopolies.
One of my children has a disability and I am very concerned about the cost of her medication and any future impact triggered by the TPP.
I do not believe in a win win situation. Someone will always be disadvantaged and I expect the politicians who represent us to place our requirement above foreign corporations.
Please reject this portion of the TPP and speak up for Australians who require medication to assist them with their health issues. regards
Kaye Hart Kaye Hart
Dear Parliament,
I urge you to reject the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal. Australia's special trade envoy, Andrew Robb, has repeatedly reassured the Australian community that when it comes to affordable medicines, nothing would change under the TPP. However, Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This is but one example of the hidden dangers of the TPP. Another one is that Australia, under the TPP, may face countless corporate lawsuits, as multinational corporations can sue Australia over legal changes that are meant to protect us, but that will endanger corporate profits.
The same goes for environmental protections, such as for fracking and other pollution - the Australian government can get sued if these protections hinder corporations.
In short, the TPP will do nothing for the Australian people - it is a corporate deal, made behind closed doors, to benefit global corporations only. I ask you to reject the TPP and protect the country and people that you represent.
Thank you,
Judith Hoff Judith Hoff
Only one of many reasons to reject this TPP is to maintain access to affordable medicines for Australians and sovereignty over the choice of those medicines
Selection of medicines for Australian use must be by Australian experts on Australian terms - with no pressure from US pharmaceutical companies.
491 In fact US pharmaceutical companies have no right to be privy to any discussions about choice of medicines for the Australian PBS.
There is no reason to be discussing anything to do with Australians' access to PBS medicines with anyone except Australians.
In addition extended patent rights for medicines such as by 'evergreeening' cannot be tolerated and must not be accepted.
Monopoly rights on biologics is completely inappropriate.
The DOHA agreement must continue to be respected with public health a priority over profits. Beverley Snell
The TPP has been developed with input from corporations, but the general public have been kept very much in the dark throughout the whole process.
People around the world are questioning why such secrecy has been necessary if it is truly to the benefit of everyone (which is almost a contradiction - in a zero sum game, the only way some can be better off is for others to be worse off)
The ISDS provisions, in particular, are of grave concern.
No corporation should be able to challenge laws made legally in a country because they threaten the ability of the corporation to make profits. If a particular business model is no longer profitable for a corporation, they should either change their business model or cease operating in that country.
The trade minister has been careful to point out that tobacco legislation has specifically been carved out of the provisions. Why? Because we know that tobacco companies have already been abusing such provisions in the past.
Who knows what abuses will be committed in future? So why provide the abuse mechanism at all?
We're not talking about 3rd-world banana republics ,here ,but some of the most advanced Western nations.
ISDS give corporations too much power at a time when the popular mood in many countries is to look at the way global corporations are internalising profits and externalising costs - tax being a prime example.
It's no coincidence that the TPP is being pushed through, now, by these same corporations - they see which way the wind is blowing, and are trying to enshrine their rights before people can effect change. Matthew Johnson
My issue is with protection of the Australian environment. It goes without saying that without a sustainably healthy environment all corporate interests are doomed anyway.
492 Meanwhile, it appears from the reading that the TPP intends to prioritise trade, not the environment. The agreement suggests that corporations may be empowered to attack our environmental & health safeguards. The US dominated accord would grant powers to multinational companies in the USA & Asia, empowering them to challenge Australian regulations, rules, government actions & court rulings.
Typical of what we may certainly expect more of, is Australia currently being sued by a cigarette company. How extreme is the greed re loss of profit, when Australia has acted in the nation's best interest, protecting better health for its citizens. How much do we value self determination? I do not want our way of life to be determined by an economic agenda, &, what I perceive to be the overriding power of multinational companies. Monika Kopicki
The utter secrecy involved in governments negotiating with each other and refusing to involve the electorate should be enough to start alarm bells ringing all over the place.
From the small amount of info I have seen, it would seem the only beneficiaries of this treaty are big business. I've seen no proof that it will benefit the man in the street (unless you believe in the old myth of 'trickle down economics'.
I can see plenty of benefits for big business and plenty of damage to our environment, prices paid for medicines and damage to our ability to act as an independent country trying to protect itself and its citizens.
Mr Robb is treating us like idiots - are all politicians the same. Stand up for our country, not big business.
Geoff Kennedy Geoff Kenned
August Members,
This T.P.P. is only going to end in tears,( For us) I sub scribe to an online alternate energy newsletter, The last one contained a story of India and their solar undertakings.
The crux of the report was that India has a solar rebate scheme much like us and the only qualification to access this scheme is that you use locally produced PV cells looking after local jobs and company's, Quite reasonable Id think.
However the American company's that produce solar panels didn't think so and took them to court under their trade agreement with the U.S. and the court found them in breech of the afore mentioned agreement as it hindered a U.S. company's profitability and forced India to change its policy.
This agreement is a one way street that is going to ultimately damage our economy and undermine our sovereignty, perhaps even make some of our parliamentarians redundant as their decisions prove ultimately useless.
493 Don't think for one minute that the big Pharmaceutical company's will act any different if they are given the opportunity.
Scrap the whole thing Its a useless albatross around our necks and a burden for future generations to bear. Andrew Hailla
Dear Representatives and Senators.
As we operate in a democratic system it is essential that there is transparency in the processes in which laws are made on our behalf. When processes become opaque we risk corruption of the process or poor legislation.
In my own profession, Medicine, I frequently see well intentioned Government interventions which miss the mark, misdirect resources or cause (unintended) increase the burden on patients. These mistakes are avoidable through more robust public analysis and debate of policies. It is impossible for policy officers in Canberra to understand all the implications of wide-ranging policies such as the TPP.
There needs to be open and transparent analysis before you commit this country to something so important.
We are the envy of the world with our relatively affordable healthcare system with excellent outcomes for patients. The US system is incredibly expensive with worse health outcomes and the only people profiting are the shareholders of private medicine and pharmaceutical companies. We are a long way away from this system but moves to give pharmaceutical companies more control over prices in Australia will not be good for our patients or the Governments bottom line.
Closely linked to health is our environment. We face many challenges especially around climate change which will see some industries severely curtailed by government legislation in the future - in recognition of the severe health (and environmental) impacts of their activities. It seems mad to be signing up to an international agreement which would penalise our government for making law in the best interests of the people. The minute we allow our country to be controlled by individual interests (ie: lawmaking restricted by investor-state disputes) we cast away some of our democracy.
Please allow thorough public analysis of this deal before signing our country up for something we may regret.
Sincerely,
Dr James Anderson MBBS BMedSci (Hons)
James Anderson
It is my will that the Australian Parliament reject the TPP.
494 -I do not want large corporations to be able to sue the Australian Government - thus the Australian people simply to because it hurts their profits.
- I am concerned that medications will become more expensive under the TPP as Trade Envoy Andrew Robb is telling the Australian people one thing and multinational corporations another. This kind of deceit is unacceptable.
- I wish that should Australian Parliaments pass laws that protect the environment that international interests not be able to sue the Australian Government, as funded by the people of Australia.
- I wish to remain what internet privacy and freedom I have left. Brendan Bourne
The TPP has not been given any chance of proper community (the electorate) scrutiny. I am not convinced that it won't open the door for a flood of corporate lawsuits for our government and ultimately the taxpayer. It WILL affect the affordability of medicines. Environment protections will be compromised. Internet privacy and freedoms will be affected. I see NO advantages for OUR democracy as a nation. It ultimately gives the multinational corporations a new status of nation- states. I DO NOT accept the reassurances of the LNP Govt. because of their history of out right deception and lies since elected. Please reject the TPP. Sincerely Alan Verin Palmwoods Qld Alan Verin
The Trans Pacific Partnership covers 12 countries, including Australia and the United States, that account for 800 million people and 40 per cent of the world's GDP. The TPP is now before the parliament to be rubber-stamped on a take it or leave it basis, with no opportunity for amendment or even fine tuning.
The Productivity Commission and many other authorities have warned on that the current rounds of worldwide trade deals are set to impose heavy costs on the communities of all signatories. If our parliament ratifies this agreement as it stands Australia will be committed to an agreement with proven potential to greatly reduce Australia's living standards, undermining our health, education, wage, workplace, taxation and welfare systems to increase the profits of multinational corporations. Parliament will be giving up its own own sovereignty and sacrificing the public good on the alter of corpocracy.
Among the most egregious provisions are those concerning Investor State Dispute Settlements, the notorious ISDS. These allow foreign investors to sue governments over any policy decision that they deem harmful to their interests. The public good has no standing in these provisions and states are given no reciprocal rights to sue corporations, even for initiating vexatious litigation costing taxpayers tens of millions. In 2011 the Productivity Commission warned that the government should 'seek to avoid' the inclusion of ISDS in all future trade deals. The current government has chosen to ignore this advice.
495 ISDS are not new in themselves, they are included in thousands of international agreements, including dozens that Australia has already signed. They were originally designed to protect corporations and investors from the seizure of their assets or other predation by irresponsible governments in countries with fragile or dubious institutions and legal systems.
When a corporation initiates a dispute an ad hoc quasi judicial investment tribunal is set up, usually at a place of the plaintiff's choosing. The tribunal is drawn from a small pool of experts who practice in this field as advocates or arbitrators. The state and the plaintiff appoint their own arbitrators and the third may be appointed by agreement between the parties or selected by an appointing authority. An appointing authority might be executive officials at the World Bank, the International Bureau of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, a private chamber of commerce, or some other third party.
These highly remunerated extra judicial tribunals exert enormous power. They over-ride national judicial systems, with no provisions for appeal. This raises diabolical problems of perceived or actual conflicts of interest, especially as they do not afford primary consideration to national or public interests.
What is new is that many corporations have established precedents using ISDS to unduly influence or subvert responsible public policy and over ride the judicial system in established democracies. Australia's Supreme and Federal Courts judges have expressed grave concerns about this and the Productivity Commission warns that, 'experience in other countries demonstrates that there are considerable policy and financial risks arising from ISDS provisions'.
Carefully constructed systems of checks and balances designed to ensure the integrity of our democratic institutions are being undermined. The citizens of Australia elected officials are now unable or unwilling to apply appropriate checks and balances when dealing with powerful vested interests, including overseas interests. Much public policy is already dictated by private entities to maximise their profits to the detriment of the public good. The coal industry's infamous example in actually writing Howard Government mining policies is a case in point.
Governments party to ISDS provisions are now subject to real threats by multinational corporations eager to garner huge sums of public money via litigation. The fundamental principle of democracy; government of the people, by the people, for the people is rendered a dead letter.
The Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement will hammer another nail into the coffin of democracy in signatory countries but it only one step on the road to corpocracy. The forthcoming Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) is a far more powerful instrument of the corporate usurpation of power.
The great corporations are transforming national governments into the willing satraps of a nascent global corpocracy. Australia will be sovereign in name only.
These agreements are the harbingers of a new feudal age ruled by banks, corporations and plutocracies wielding absolute power. Nations and governments will be reduced to dependent penury characterised by private affluence and public squalor. Debt serfdom, insecurity, ignorance, fear, violence, sickness and poverty already mark the dawning of the Age of Corpocracy. Phil Gorman
496
I am very concerned about this new trade agreement especially as our government will not let it be reviewed before ratifying it.
I am especially concerned that during the election debates for the US president fully half of the persons running have said that the trade agreement is not good for the public. If concerns are raised by our major trading partners surely it is in our countries benefit to have it independently reviewed before agreeing to it.
All this secrecy convinces me that this is something our government wants to hide and not something we should be proud to sign up to.
Yours,
David Bent David Bent
I wish to submit that the Parliament should reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal (TPP).
I am very concerned that multinational corporations will be in a position to sue Australia if we pass laws that protect our workers, and our environment.
This is occurring in other countries, such as Egypt being sued for raising the minimum wage, and Canada being sued for banning fracking.
I do not want to see my country dictated to by corporations.
I am also concerned about provisions in the TPP that could allow pharmaceutical companies to have monopoly rights over biologic medicines. This will make these medicines more expensive for Australians who need them.
Please reject the TPP.
Thank you,
Susan Ambler Susan Ambler
To Whom It May Concern
Hello, I am a citizen of Australia and since this is a suggestion forum I'd like to suggest that the TPP which is nothing more than a corporate power grab making the price of medicine affordable, our online privacy nothing but a sham and raising prices of everything across the board and take away our national sovereignty.
497 So I dont just suggest, I demand! that the TPP be submitted for independent review and every single word placed under maximum scrutinity. This deal would see us return to a time of peasentry not seen since medieval times.
Anything the government does it could be sued for if any corporation doesnt like it or it affects their profits. Including for raising minimum wage, environmental protection laws adding expense to pollutive practices. and it is without a judge or a jury. Egypt is right now being sued forr raising the minimum wage, and Canada is being sued for laws stopping fracking by a US Energy Company.
Anything and everything any citizen of this nation does online would be monitored and tracked, nothing would be private. I dont want my ISP knowing how many times I visit adult sites or go on roleplay forums, and I certainly dont want any calls communications I make to friends and family known to my ISP so they can pass it along so I eventually get a thousand adds for funeral homes in my inbox dduring times of suffering. I also dont want any of this in a corporate record of my online activity because of the slim chance that I would go breach copyright of something.
So thankyou for reading this email all the way to the end and thankyou for considering submitting a terrible piece of garbage that will lead to greater financial suffering for the lowest denominator of society and considered the issue of national sovereignty being a thing of the past. Samuel McVicar
Dear Joint Standing Committee on Treaties,
Thanks for the opportunity to make a submission about the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement.
I urge you to reject this deal for the following reasons:
ISDS - we should no longer enter into trade deals that contain Investor State Dispute Settlement clauses as they cause major problems for sovereign governments being able to act in the public interest.
Medicines - we should not sign onto a deal where biologic medicine patents will be extended to eights years through administrative and other procedural methods. This will increase the cost of medicines for both the public and the PBS.
I hope you take these issues into consideration, and reject this dangerous deal.
Yours sincerely, D Faddoul
I am against the Trans-Pacific Partnership and urge the Senate to reject it entirely.
Firstly, the chapter on intellectual property (IP) provides no benefit to this country, it increases costs for libraries and education with the extension of time before works enter the public domain. The
498 criminalisation of personal copyright infringement is something that is completely at odds with a rational investigation of actual harm.
I am very concerned at the prospect of American software patents being litigated here using the model which was available to patent trolls prior to the Alice Corp vs CLS Bank case. There are no benefits to
Australia in signing up to an agreement which lets patent trolls sue our governments and businesses.
Secondly, I am completely unsurprised to read allegations that the
Trade Minister has said one thing to Australia regarding Biologics, and the complete opposite to the pharmaceutical companies in the
USA. I do not accept the assertions made by the Minister regarding carve-outs for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or Medicare. With sixteen thousand pages to comb through, the ugly details of what the
Minister has signed away are yet to be fully explored.
Thirdly, the Investor-State Dispute Settlement components (even with the carve-out for tobacco) put the sovereignty of every signatory in the bin. The Chief Justices of Australia and the United States agree on this. Senators of the Australian parliament who vote to ratify this agreement are saying that they believe this nation can no longer govern itself, but must be guided by what is best for corporations. Yes, the Australian government won the Phillip Morris plain packaging case - at a cost of $55million which we could have spent on our public health system instead. The experience of twenty years of NAFTA for Canada, and other countries such as Uruguay, show that there are no benefits for the citizens of a nation which has signed up for ISDS. Nestle is suing the province of British Columbia over the price it agreed to pay for extracting groundwater. Phillip
499 Morris is suing Uruguay over their anti-smoking legislation. Why should we open ourselves up to opaque, unappealable tribunals whose members are made up of lawyers from the very companies which are suing governments?
Fourth, the aggressive rejection by the Minister of the need for any independent assessment of the benefits to the nation of the agreement. One can hardly expect that the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade would be anything except effusive in its claims about the benefits of this deal. We have the well-known economic hard-heads of the Productivity Commission willing and available to perform such an analysis - that's been rejected by the Minister. In addition, modelling by the United States Department of Agriculture comes to the staggering conclusion that the GDP benefit to Australia is *less* than 1% over ten years. The only nation in that modelling which got a GDP boost was Vietnam, so it is hardly surprising that the
Minister does not want anybody examining his handiwork at all.
The Minister claimed that calls for the Productivity Commission to fully examine the agreement prior to it being voted upon were merely a political delay tactic. What is he hiding? Why the rush? If this deal was a car purchase, or a mortgage, you and I would be expected to perform due diligence assessment of it prior to signing. Why should a massive trade agreement be subject to any less rigour? After all, it will affect more than 40% of the world's GDP. Finally, the ratchet provisions for privatisation are thoroughly
I believe the TPP should be rejected as it has clearly been negotiated and devised in secret. This is nefarious and shows that the people behind it don't want the public to really know what liberties they will lose and how bad it really is for us and our country. How Andrew Robb or anyone could stand there saying how great it will be for Our country is a pure lack of integrity and truthfulness in
500 my opinion. The deal would sell our country's rights away and be of no economic benefit either. There should be a full independent analysis and scrutiny of it, and this should be made public. If more people were aware of how damaging it will be for Australia there would be anarchy. Further to this, the details that are available describe an outrageous Partnership which would be utterly horrific for the Australian people and even the Government itself. To have corporations able to sue the Govt. for rejecting virtually anything that would hurt their bottom line is ridiculous and ex tremely dangerous. You don't have to be a Rhode scholar to see that! For big pharma to be allowed to be greedy for even longer and prevent generic alternatives is abominable. It already takes far too long for the patents to be extinguished and many of the drugs they do produce are not even developed or funded by them. People's lives are worth more than this and we all deserve better.
I think that this deal will only benefit other countries and large corporations and is a disgrace if we were to go along with it. Mark Hadden
I am 74 years old, and have seen a lot of agreements that have not been in Australia's interests, but the size, particularly the breadth of this partnership puts in in the category that AUSTRALIA CANNOT AFFORD. From what I can see no-one can spell out any gains for Australia, except some very poor gains for farmers, who are increasingly being bought out by foreign interests and/or will spend time and money fighting foreign entities who will never play by Australia's rules.
A particular major concern of mine is medicines, and medical technology. Australia's current debt problems, will pale into insignificance as we either spend more and more government and private money fighting monopolies whose budgets exceed those of many countries, or we give in and accept lower living standards and unaffordable medicines.
We don't need a Trans Pacific Partnership, we need better management of our resources at all levels of government and private enterprise to protect our UNIQUE capacity to produce clean food, water and protect our lower paid workers. If governments don't trade it away, Australia can support itself.
Whilst I do not know the details, since no ordinary public person does, I do know we are increasingly passing onto our children a world where there will be no freedom to make decisions in their, or Australia's best interests, because their parents and grandparents allowed their land to be sold to foreign owners, and restricted their freedom to make decisions by numerous long lasting/permanent contractual obligations.
Yours sincerely
Suzanne Sheridan Suzanne Sheridan
I am deeply concerned regarding the Trans Pacific Partnership , and the effects on access to affordable generic medicines.
501 The possibility that patent times could be extended , would mean that delays would be felt by patients , especially (biologics). This could mean cancer patients would NOT have access. Surely they do not deserve this.
I believe in universal health care. I believe in maintaining ones health as much as possible.
I see danger in not implementing and maintaining food labelling . We all have heard the Sugar story.
Patients need to have access to fair and affordable medicines.
Time is short for me so PLEASE help reject these proposals,
Marguerite Cullen M.M., B.A.S.(nsg), P.B.T.C. Connie Cullen
I urge all members of the Federal Parliament vote NO to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). The Senate MUST BLOCK this if the Lower house are stupid enough to pass it!!!
I don't want foreign corporations to be able to sue the Australian Government, I want medicines to stay affordable, and I want our environmental laws to be strengthened in a manner that corporations MUST abide by.
Australians like me are sick to death of the influence THE BIG LOBBY GROUPS have over the decisions made by elected officials when their main concerns always seem to revolve around PROFITS FOR WHOEVER THEY WORK FOR!!! Lesley Schoenwald
Dear Ms, Sir,
I am making this submission because the TPP should be rejected.
I want the TPP stopped because of the risk that it can reduce the ability of the Australian government to act in the public interest, to enact health, environmental and workplace protection laws.
I want the TPP stopped because corporations already have too much influence on the Australian government. Passing the TPP will only add to the difficulty landholders and communities already have when they try to protect the environment. Where would we be if, as has happened in Canada, an energy company would sue the Australian government for introducing laws intended to protect land and groundwater?
Accepting the TPP would be selling out, throwing away so much that so many people have worked and fought for over many years.
Please reject the TPP.
Kind regards, Hanneke Nooren
502
Australia does not need foreign owners dictating to us how we should live our lives. Apparently our various governments do not agree, Why? The only reason which makes sense is that we are governed by corrupt politicians who are in it for their own private advancement monetarily. Foreign influences in this country are increasing without check, the latest is the TPP, only the slightest perusal of this deal is sufficient to confirm my suspicion that we are being sold out to foreign multinationals by the very people who are supposed to be supporting us in our endeavours to live full and decent lives.
Those who tell us that we have to conform to world pressures are either extremely ignorant or liars. Australia has everything, the rest of the world could sink and still we would have no trouble in surviving.
Obviously the TPP has been designed by those who already have too much but want more. In fact they want all. In fact they would like to go back to feudal times. I would prefer to see them in gaol william mildren
If it ain't broke don't fix it. The existing pharmaceutical arrangements in play in Australia have served us well and any dilution of rights in favor of Big Pharma who let's face it want to destroy the PBS would be the work of corporate Quislings. Minister Robb and the government has been two faced on this subject. Until the full text of the TPP is scrutinized and disseminated to the Australian people any claim of a democratic mandate is an insult to every citizen. No one from the general populous asked for the the TPP so who is really behind the drive for it's implementation?. As the saying goes in any deal follow the money, who benefits. If the TPP is signed the Australian people will have been sold a pup.
Mark Blandon, Citizen Mark Blandon
I am most concerned about the proposed TPP particularly the absence of independent analysis.
There is a notable lack of debate and transparency with regard to the TPP and my concerns include the ability granted to foreign corporations to sue the Australian taxpayer in private courts over actions taken by our governments which may have damaged their profits.
With regard to medicine which is becoming increasingly expensive, it seems from my reading of the TPP, that it is possible that some provisions of the TPP may lead to increased costs for some medicines and this would seem to be in concert with the government privatising our health system by stealth at a state and federal level.
Universal health care, provided as cheaply as possible, would seem to be one of, if not the most critical services that a federal government should provide.
503 Given the absence of disclosure regarding the detail of the TPP I believe we should not engage in the TPP.
The influence of corporate organisations on the liberal and labour governments at state and federal levels is now so pervasive that it is no longer possible to trust ministers to act in the interest of the Australian people.
Do not proceed with the TPP. Shaun Luttrell
Hi
Thank you for accepting my submission against the TPP.
I am absolutely against the TPP as I currently understand it, although it is clear a lot of the text is still kept secret and that fact in itself is disturbing and scary!
As a 33 year old Australian I have been brought up with access to life saving medicine, excellent public schooling, fair access to higher education, protection from rampant greed destroying the fabric of society and environment, and respect for my private communications.
The TPP will disable all of these features of Australian life.
I resent and protest that organisations should be given monopolies over our medicines. My sister is a diabetic from age 6 and the thought that my parents would have to struggle for her daily medication is horrifying.
Cancer is prevalent in today's world and the TPP would enable the gross profiteering of people's illness. Why should a few be allowed to benefit from the illness of many? And for those few to be organisations not even based in Australia? Why should our daily lives and their tribulations be allowed to have a dollar value? There is no way allowing large pharmaceutical companies to dictate our access to and cost of medication, and for longer periods of time than they currently enjoy, could benefit the Australian society.
And is not the purpose of a government to protect the people they represent? Allowing the TPP to proceed is contradictive of the role of the government.
I resent and protest that individuals internet activity should be monitored or stored. As a person who grew up in, what now seems the last safe and anonymous era, the nineties I am shocked that spying on its people can even be considered by a government. It is tyrannical!
Doing so welcomes a time that can only be imagined as worse than that described in the classic book 1984.
This type of spying and collection of data will be corrupted and used terribly, it is of no doubt.
This type of power is unnneeded by a government. Except if that governments goals are to enable profiteering and corruption?
504 We have lost so much free speech and privacy already, please do not commit us to an era of big brother and resist the corporate dollar driving the TPP.
If not for the above reasons consider the future of Australia under the TPP whereby we could not even make laws to protect our environment for fear of litigation. You say you need to cut our healthcare and welfare budgets to save tax dollars. When large corporate organisations begin to sue the government for putting in place environmental protections there will be no money left in the Australian coffers large enough to satiate the closed door lawsuits. Case in point: what is happening in the US right now as they fight lawsuits from Canadian mining companies. The TPP is not even complete but they salivate for greed and environmental destruction so much they litigate without hesitation.
Please please show strength from corporate lobbyists, their bullies and lies, implementing the TPP would only create a vast divide between the haves and have nots in our society, enable corruption and destroy our natural environments. It's would break the fabric of Australian communities, it rewards only those greedy enough to sacrifice human life, human privacy and our environment.
We would be beholden to other countries personal interests and lose our rights as a sovereign nation. We would become beggars on the world stage to people hidden behind secret doors.
I strongly oppose everything about the TPP.
It should not be allowed to exist.
Thank you
Lenina Fanning Lenina Fanning
Do not allow Corporations control what we are able and not able to do in Australia. By signing the TTP agreement you are giving away Australia's sovereignty and the Australian rights of Australian people, without consulting the Australian public.
The consequences of signing the TTP agreement corporations can sue the Australian Government for raising the minimum wage like they did in Eqypt. Put at risk of affordable medicines that the poor will not be able to afford to pay for. Put at risk our environmental protection laws like a US company did in Quebec Canada. Enable internet service providers spy on the Australian people.
Australia belongs to the Australian people, who within a democratic society entrusts the politicians to run the country a behalf of all Australian people. In essence government is voted in for the people by the people. If you sign the TTP agreement you are letting down Australian citizens by not fulfilling your obligation to the people, by allowing the power be shifted away from the people, who voted you in, to multinational corporations. Multinational Corporations foremost obligation under Corporations Law is to make a profit for the shareholder, which is generally other corporations. In essence the Australian public do not have any rights, especially if the Corporation is a multinational company.
Please do not sign the TTP agreement, I implore you.
505 Regards,
Irene Irene Bucior
Please do not allow the Trans Pacific Partnership deal to go ahead!! It is an international corporate power grab which doesn't have proper independent analysis, and which is being done without adequate information dissemination to ordinary Australians! A deal behind our backs which will disadvantage us drastically, and lock us into a disastrous situation permanently!!
I SUFFER FROM A CHRONIC, SEVERE AND DEBILITATING ILLNESS WHICH HAS SYMPTOMS THAT ARE MADE BEARABLE ONLY BECAUSE OF MEDICATION, WHICH IS LIKELY TO BECOME UNAFFORDABLE IF THE TPP IS NOT REJECTED.
It is an unexamined, under the table deal that threatens the freedom and sovereignty of Australia (as well as other countries involved). It will give international corporations (major institutions which are concerned about profit only), even more power than they already have, by taking away the Government’s rights to protect Australians in basic ways. Such as: our accessibility to reasonably priced medicines, access to clean air and water through Government controls, internet freedom. Worst of all, the TPP will allow International corporations to sue our Government in secret courts of law. (it is already happening, with Philip Morris suing the Australian Government for plain cigarette packaging). This deal will be PERMANENT!
Even the World Bank analysis states that this deal will bring little economic benefit to Australia, despite the huge costs.
This is a huge issue for me and my family. Pleas stop the TPP going ahead in Australia. Ali Gilbert
We the people now fully understand WHY the details of the TPP had been kept so secret for so long. Secrecy is only employed on sneaky deals and extremely BAD changes for the majority of people!
There are SO MANY inclusions under the TPP that essentially take every right away from the people and hand them to corporations on a silver platter, making Banks and corporations the rulers of our countries and our WORLD. They will become more powerful than our OWN GOVTS, above OUR laws, and essentially able to write their own laws to suit themselves!
This TPP agreement is absolutely ludicrous to democracy, and more akin to a DICTATORSHIP agreement!
The bad aspects FAR outweigh the good aspects, and only a madman would sign such an agreement.
We know Gov't is being pressured, blackmailed and extorted by big pharma, the criminal US Shadow Gov't, Rothschild central Banking etc, and that they have forced Gov't to act or work for THEIR interests instead of their OWN PEOPLE'S interests.
506 There IS a tipping point, (the straw that broke the camel's back) so to speak, and it's coming very quickly and soon!
If Gov't sides with corporations and Banks over their own people, you WILL get a worldwide revolution very similar to the French revolution!
If this TPP deal goes through,...CORPORATIONS and BANKS WILL be raised to the ground, politicians, CEOs, and Bankers dragged into the streets and hung from the nearest lamp posts, by the people expressing their anger and absolute FURY, BY THE MILLIONS!
People all over the world are already VERY close to doing so through bloody revolutions, and the TPP & TTIP WILL be the spark or catalyst that ignites an inextinguishable FIRE and VIOLENT BLOODLETTING that has been brewing ever since the criminal US Gov't crime syndicate perpetrated the huge lie that was 9/11!
The people of the world have exhausted all efforts to get their Gov'ts to realize their people hold the REAL POWER, and are determined to demonstrate it to the greedy and corrupt in a way they will NEVER FORGET in the future, if they continue to cave to corporate, and Banking interests over their own people's interests!
You have been warned, tread very carefully!
CHOOSE WISELY! Steve Barsb
I urge you to reject the TPP because of the detrimental effect it would have on Australia and its people.
My understanding is a) that some medicines will be priced out of reach of people with even a moderatley high income by US pharmaceutical firms clinging to their monopolies. Our health system will not be as inclusive. b) that multinational corporations will be abale tosue Australia to benefit themsleves and their profits. I read the the USA is suing India because all of the solar cells and components being used in India's huge solar program, are being made in India.
Australia must not be put in thsi position, losing our independance and vigour in the world market.
Autralians expect that our government be free to potect our environment, particularly our water and farmland. The TPP would allow corporations to come into our country rape and pillage the land, sue the government over environmental laws which affect profitability.. This is a terrible, disastrous prospect for generations to come. Do the Australian people want this dreadful future ..NO.. why then does the government? They are elected to represent the people., but have not revealed the truth about the TPP.
I urge you to reject the TPP and keep Australia a wonderful, thriving country. Rose McMillan
507
The TPP constitutes a threat to the Australia's sovereignty by giving corporations the right to sue our government over legal changes that protect us and our environment but hurts their profits. It will drive up the price of medicines through allowing US pharmaceutical corporations to exercise the monopoly rights over biologic medicines they enjoy in their own country here in Australia. It will threaten our right to privacy by allowing or even forcing internet service providers to snoop and report on our internet activity.
For Australia,TPP stands for Trans-Pacific Patsies. Don't let US corporate power have this one way deal. We shall be the losers. Tom Gillard
I am quite distressed to see that ordinary Australians are being sold out to US pharmaceutical companies through the notorious TPP.
The cost of medicines are already high here.
We need our people to have access to the medications they need at a reasonable price therefore there should be little or no monopoly on medicinal patents.
Medicines need to be affordable for all of us.
My questions to you are:
Are other countries going to hold Australians to ransom?
How is it going to improve our services to all Australians?
Who is going to benefit from this pact?
What are we getting out of it?
I think you need to go back to the drawing board Mr Robb and think about the implications for the Australian Public (of which you are one).
I would suggest that some of the other countries which are part of the TPP have agendas and interests of their own that are not for the greater good. I wonder what ours are as I have absolutely no idea.
We don't need other countries telling us what we can or can't do. We are grown ups here and we need to start behaving like grown ups and put Australia and Australian issues first. Felicity Anderson
Dear Committee Secretary,
Would you please place my views before the Committee considering the Trans Pacific Partnership.
508 Australia is constitutionally 'The Commonwealth of Australia'. 'Common' means 'belonging to or shared alike' and 'wealth' means 'the rich abundance of property, land and those material and immaterial that lead to human flourishing and satisfaction in life for each Australian.' My reference is the Macquarie Dictionary and I have formed definitions to suit my argument. I argue that the Parliament is legally bound to uphold the Commonwealth.
The name United Kingdom, has a specific meaning. United refers to England, Scotland and Ireland. Kingdom refers to government by a Monarch. Australia could equally been called the 'Kingdom of Australia' referring to government by a monarch or simply 'Australia' and reference to government lead by a monarch. However, we are the 'Commonwealth of Australia' in the enabling Act of the British Parliament and the Constitution. I argue that just as the words United Kingdom have meaning in the United Kingdom constitution then the Commonwealth of Australia has meaning. Firstly to the landmass and the colonies that became States and also the Commonwealth that remains undefined but I argue points to a class of country to which the founding fathers hoped we would be. I argue to Parliament that this ought to be considered in this issue.
The aim of this proposed Partnership is to facilitate business across international boarders. I believe the inspiration comes from those who support the philosophies of Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. That is that business follows its own course with no government regulation.
The history of the Industrial Revolution shows the benefits and disadvantages that flowed to society and how those benefits were distributed. It took generations to end the exploitation of men, women and children and achieve national health, pension and housing schemes. Thatcher and Reagan came to power at periods of great dissatisfaction in both countries. Their economic policies lead to the closures of many industries, and hardship for the common people.
The deregulation of business has lead to the recent banking crisis and stock markets following bubbles. The private sector lead the bubbles and private banks lent money to Greece. Did they know about Greece's ability to pay. The multi-national companies in Australia that have avoided tax behaved legally. However, they don't have the common wealth of the Australian people at heart , because they are maximising their profits. I think we can say the same about the latest Commonwealth bank scandal over insurance. I believe these are the people we are dealing with under the TPP.
The East India Company was established under Queen Elizabeth I as a trading monopoly for the benefit of her supporters. It traded and made agreements with local rulers until dominant. When the company took control of Bengal’s government after the Battle of Plessey in 1757 it maximised profits: it increased taxes, replaced food crops with opium and took and sold grains needed by farmers as reserves against famine and mass starvation. Something similar happened in Ireland during the Potato Famine of 1822 when crops grown for export, mostly by absentee English landlords, were exported rather than used to feed the starving people. The Whig Government of Lord John Russel believed in Laissez-faire economics and did very little to help the starving Irish: the Whigs were the first Liberals. All the above was done by business men and the English became reviled in both India and Ireland and ultimately thrown out. I would not like to see the same in Australia towards the United States.
509 Margaret Thatcher kept her central aim to introduce an ethic of capitalism from the public in the 1979 election campaign. (p 137, Not for Turning, Robin Harris, Bantam). She feared an adverse reaction. She sets a precedent for the Thatcherites in the Liberal/National parties to hide their true intentions. To me, Mr Abbott's actions in his budget's were contrary to his assurances in the election campaign. I also recall Mr Howard, reshaping his promises as core promises and non-core promises. I ask the Committee to consider that in forming a recommendation.
Australia must be able to enact its own laws without being sued by multi-national Corporations. Australia must be free to determine and legislate for the common wealth of its people. Of immediate concern are: affordable medicines and protecting the ability of our government to enact environmental, health, workplace protection laws are key priorities. Given the behaviour of American banks and Financial Institutions in the GFC, I add finance to that list.
In closing, the Indians were sold out to the East India Company by their rulers. For those in Parliament with Irish roots, it was rapacious absentee English landlords and free enterprise politicians that let the Irish peasants starve while the was plenty of food in Ireland because the rights of profits from property were more important than people. I ask you not to let the same happen to Australia.
Laurence Mahony laurence Mahon
I am writing a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties Trans Pacific Partnership review.
I believe that the proposed TPP will have a negative impact on the wellbeing of Australians and on our environment. Under the terms of the TPP, multinational corporations will have the power to set the agenda. They will have the power to sue the Australian government, without judges or jury, over anything that gets in the way of their profits. This includes social policies such as fair work agreements and the setting of minimum wages.
Even more devastating in this time when urgent action is needed on climate change, is the ability of multinational corporations to sue our government for passing laws that strengthen environmental protections, such as those which address fracking or water pollution. We have already seen other national governments under trade agreements taken to court over these obstacles to profits.
It is vital that we look towards the Australia that our children and grandchildren will live in. We are responsible for protecting the social conditions and state of the environment for future generations.
The TPP agreement as it stands will threaten the quality of our lives and the lives of those to come. I urge you to reject it. Jane Leitinger
I can't believe that the Australian government is allowing such influence by overseas companies through the TPP.
510 For years Australian governments have been working for the good of the community, protecting us from the sort of commercial avarice that allows companies in third-world countries to trample on the rights of the poor - such as dispossessing them from land the company happens to want; on the rights of workers - kill a few here and there if it is too expensive to take serious OH&S measures; on the rights of the community - eg pollute any rivers if that is the cheapest way for the company.
Australian governments over time have done a good job in caring for their citizens, to the point where local companies have to be extremely cautious. So not only does this new situation, where Australian governments' hands are tied should any step offend a multinational, show a flippant disregard for the poor, the workers, and the Australian voter at large, but it also makes a mock of Australian companies, to allow foreign companies now to come in and trample on every rule that the wise men of our government over decades have so painstakingly set up to protect Australians, and in general give us world-class conditions.
So, before giving a carte blanche to the TPP and all those multinationals who are very likely right now looking gleefully at this smaller naive nation whose citizens and workers they will shortly be able to fleece with impunity, Please Think Very, Very Carefully!!!!!!
Thank you. Margaret Fisher
To the Standing Committee on Treaties
I would like to make a submission as a concerned citizen of this nation.
I don't believe that this treaty has had anywhere enough scrutiny of the treaty and the processes around how it came into being to be able to assess its true worth or harm to the nation.
I have concerns about numerous parts of this treaty although a key concern is the impact on PBS and general costs of medicines in our community from the parts relating to biologics and medicines.
I understand this government has needs to manage such costs and we don't have enough information in the community to debate propely on how this impacts us going forward.
Another area of concern is in the area of Information technology and the copyright issues. To assume the USA has it all just right in the area of copyright and then thrust it upon us through the TPP without proper consultation with the proper community of Scientists, academics and industry people to understand the potential negative implication of this are absurd to say the least and some of it appears to fly in the face of the net neutrality rules just recently established in the US and as such circumventing them to no benefit to Australia and not fully understanding the negatives from this.
The conditions around the environmental impacts from this seems to leave gaping holes in the protection of our environment and the IDS leaves me wondering what horrors would be wrought on the Australian environment in the name of commercial interest. I have previously lived in North Queensland and am well aware of the Reefs beauty and would not like it that a company can take the nation to court because we wouldn't allow them to do something which was deemed damaging
511 to the reef. What about water management, we already have major problems with the Murray Darling system and yet this would appear to allow corporations to block legislation that would control a companies water usage through the use of the International courts.
As it stands Not thanks No TPP as you have provided adequate information and proper analysis and debate to allow the people of this country to make an informed decision
Thank you for your time Peter McLart
I am very concerned about a number of issues in relation to the TPP deal, mostly because it is so secretive. If the deal is worth making for the Australian people, then we should know what is involved.
I am very worried to hear that:
1. There could be a huge increase in the number of corporate lawsuits brought against the Australian government which will cost Australia a lot of money and loss of control of Australian laws and regulations;
2. The TPP could allow for the increase in costs of medications available to Australians - by allowing biological medicines to remain under patent for longer. This will greatly reduce pensioner access to necessary medication and is very unfair;
3. The TPP could provide more protection to big polluting mining and other companies by making it easier for them to sue the federal government when they attempt to introduce stronger environmental protections for farmers and other landholders. How will farmers and others be able to stop gas fracking or other water polluting damage in their environment if this agreement goes ahead?
The TPP allows too much power to be transferred from Australian hands into foreign corporate hands, where greed and not need is the primary motivator. Please do not agree to sign the TPP.
Thank You for Your Time. Rosemary Elber
I have been following the issues of the proposed TPP with growing concern. As users of a variety of specialist medications I am concerned at the potential for increasing costs and monopolisation of our pharmaceuticals. The government currently subsidises many medications and the proposed TPP would add to the costs to the Government and hence to us Australian tax-payers. No doubt those costs will be passed onto us users, many of whom are retirees and pensioners who can ill afford an increase in the costs of their essential medications.
The prospect of allowing multi-national companies the right to sue future Australian Governments due to changes in policies is frightening. It is both a threat to our sovereignty as well as to the financial viability of our country, especially at a time such as now when there is already a growing deficit of 10s of billions of dollars p.a.
512 The current Liberal government is too much pro-Multi-national resources companies such as Coal Seam Gas explorers and Coal miners. They are pushing for or too readily accepting proposals without measured input from experienced scientists, environmental and others, to weigh the potential hazards to such geological features as underground aquifers, upon which many of our farms - whether Australian-owned or otherwise - depend either for crops or water for livestock.
I implore the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties to thoroughly review ALL of the implications despite the length of the TPP document as it appears that there are many detrimental side effects to its implementation as is.
Dr Phil Ronaldson PhD Philip Ronaldson
The Trans Pacific Partnership has been negotiated in secret and never allowed to be subject to independent analysis. Why? Because it will profit large multi-national corporations at the expense of ordinary Australians and Australian jobs. It will cause medicines to be more expensive and give large wealthy companies the opportunity to sue the government over laws introduced for the benefit of public health or the environment. Why would the Australian Goveenment allow such a thing? It seems crazy to me and the majority of ordinary Australians. Trade benefits to Australia are minuscule compared to the potential cost of this dangerous deal. Large corporations already have too much power over our politicians who are meant to be elected to represent ordinary Australians. Please consider the dire and long term implications of this dodgy deal and reject it outright! Sandy Pimm
Hi,
As my elected representatives I would like you to ask yourselves what the benefit of the TPP we be for Australians. Look at who is pushing for it. Is it community groups, social welfare organisations? If so go for it. I guessing the only force pushing for the TPP are large global corporations a few deluded local businesses that still believe in trickle down economics. I would suggest this is the case and by the way, the Western world has spent the last 50 years proving that trickle down economics is bollocks.
As my elected representatives I ask you to not support the TPP without a thorough analysis by the people of Australia. Ian Howard
The TPP is not what the government tells us it is.
The lies about medicine costs are enough to reject it alone.
The bullshit about corporations being able to sue for imagined loss of profits is scandalous.
513 We don't need the TPP -- we already have great trading relationships with many Pacific countries so there's no need for the TPP.
We don't want the TPP because it will give corporations unbridled power to be more bastards than they already are.
VOTE IT DOWN -- IT'S DANGEROUS.
DO whatever you can to spread the word that the TPP is unwanted, unneeded and dangerous.
Say NO to the TPP. Bruce Stockwell
I am writing to request that the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP review take serious note of the following objections to this package of deals.
1. The arrangement, if signed, would remove our Sovereign Rights to formulate laws that enhance and improve living, work and health conditions for the population of Australia, without serious interference from abroad.
2. It would remove the rights of our country to disallow activities such as mining and gas extraction, where damage to our environment are possible and that the population consider detrimental to our society and out lands.
3. Heritage conditions could be over-ruled and avoided, destroying what little we have left of our once rich history.
4. Disregard for safety conditions and restrictions written to preserve out water supply, our food growing land and our natural assets.
5. Through the TPP's ISDS provisions, multinational corporations could sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but Trans National companies consider will lower their profits.
6. The deal locks in the ability of our internet service provider to spy on us, even more than is currently legislated and it is already onerous.
7. So far International economists and financial critics have pointed out that the TPP helps no one but the big corporations, like Big Pharma.
8. Big Pharma and Big Chemical companies will be able to strengthen their hold on copyrighted preparations for even longer than they currently do - guaranteeing higher costs but also making it even more difficult for Australia to prevent destructive chemicals such as the poisonous bee colony destroying glyphosate.
9. The whole Deal has been negotiated in secrecy, not a very cheering condition for a claimed Democracy.
514 10 Through all this process we have seen a disregard for Democratic Process at all times. Enough is enough. Philip and Sarah Howe de Jong
This is an agreement that has been negotiated on the behalf of the Australian people in complete secrecy behind their backs. (Is this legal?) Now our government refuses to have the agreement vetted by the Productivity Commission or indeed any other independent organisation.
Our now former Trade Minister has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system. However Mr Robb has since told a US Publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines as they enjoy in the US. Patently one of these statements is untrue i.e. a lie.
Our current Trade Minister says that the US Secretary of of State (who is currently saying that she does not support it) has no idea at all regarding this agreement whereas he is right across it?
My local member tells me that If a Corporation sues us (which they are not likely to do) we will just pull out of the agreement, the research that I have done tells me that this is not at all possible in the short or medium term. He also tells me it's about jobs in the local area in the meat and allied trades while the UN says the increase in jobs and the terms of trade will be negligible for foreseeable future speaking in decades.
The Free Trade Agreement with China as I see it locally has already brought about the demise of some local small and micro businesses and is affecting mine quite substantially.
Trade seems to mean to this parliament and government just selling off our viable assets allowing foreign companies to damage / destroy our water, our farmland, our wildlife and our way of life.
This is not trade but madness and corruption, these people are meant to work for the benefit of the Australian people not off-shore Multi-Nationals.
Further, the Investor Settlement clauses effectively give away our sovereignty to foreign corporate interests giving them the right to sue us and thereby override environmental and workers protections if they feel that it will affect any perceived future profits they may (or may not make). This is a private court set up by the very corporations that will be the litigant, there will be no right of appeal. This basically a Kangaroo Court or Star Chamber.
Our Fathers and Grandfathers fought and died to maintain our Nations sovereignty and this parliament seems hell bent on giving it away at the same time as they give lip service and try to gain political mileage by spruiking the spirit of ANZAC. In another time this would have been named High Treason. Perhaps there is still a case to call it for what it is! peter Jaggle
515 I am calling on the Australian Government to protect myself and Australia from the devastating impacts of Trans-Pacific Partnership [TPP].
I am gravely concerned that, should the TPP be ratified, Australia's standard of living would suffer; subject to:
* Introduction of international laws that allow law suits against our government for protecting my rights and environment. Please don’t vote for a TPP that includes Investor-State Dispute Settlement clauses that threaten our laws and finances. The TPP has been signed, but the Federal Government can still negotiate out of ISDS with other countries. The text of the TPP reveals that we have already opted out of ISDS with New Zealand – so why have we agreed to ISDS with the United States, Japan and other countries? ISDS is notorious because of the Phillip Morris tobacco plain packaging case. Australia won this on a procedural issue, not the substance, and my tax dollars still helped pay the $50 million bill. If the TPP goes ahead with ISDS, we’ll open up the risk of more cases aimed at some of our most important consumer protections, like food labelling and product safety.
* Weakening of Laws that protect my safety. Relatively recently the US government was successfully sued in international courts for Country of Origin Labelling Laws. Recent events [such as Hepatitis in berries from China] highlight the importance of maintaining our ability to apply restrictions and COOL laws. The ISDS provisions in the TPP may apply a chilling affect on the Governments ability or willingness to apply further protections in fear of litigation.
* Government's Objection to Probity. The Government has rejected an offer by the Commission for Productivity to perform an independent probity of the TPP. The Government's rejection of the offer is an alarm bell. A government that is not willing to subject such an enormous trade deal to probity has lost my confidence that they are aware of the ramifications or are worried that the details may be made open to the public.
* Subject to Secrecy. I've always been taught that if one doesn't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. If the TPP truly would make my life better, why weren't government's lauding the deal from the very beginning?
* Increase in Pharmaceutical Costs. Trade Envoy Andrew Robb's recent comments on biologics to US publications have negated, from my perspective, any good will from the carve out of pharmaceuticals and tobacco.
* Privacy. The Government is prepared to pander to various agencies and sign away my rights to privacy to please high profile copyright owners. Here I feel the tail is wagging the dog and betrayed by my Government.
Given the above, I, again, reiterate my call for the government to reject the TPP. Matthew Lewis
We feel the T.P.P. deal will be detrimental to our Australian way of life.
516 We value our medical system which allows affordable medicines for all, and of course, the thought of multinational corporations suing Australia over legal changes that protect us, but hurt their profits is terrifying.
Our tobacco laws have already been challenged, and to this point, fortunately have overcome that challenge, but who knows if the T.P.P. deal proceeds.
There is so much in this T.P.P. that is worrying, also including our environmental protections and internet privacy and freedom.
We want Parliament to reject this dangerous deal. Patricia Hucker
I have several issues with the Trans Pacific Partnership. I understand that under it, multinational corporations could sue our government for protecting our rights as workers, our natural environment, and other legislation that affects their profits. I am also aware that it may compromise our access to affordable medicines, and our internet privacy. The fact that such flaws exist in the TPP shows that it was not written in the best interests of the Australian public, whom the government ought to represent. I ask that the TPP be rejected, unless it is changed to legislation for the people, rather than big business.
Sincerely,
Felix Grant Felix Grant
The Australian Parliament should reject the Trans Pacific Partnership deal because it doesn't protect Australians from the US pharmaceutical corporations who will apparently retain the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines as they enjoy in the United States of America. Having lived in the USA I can say from my own knowledge that medicines are much more expensive there than they presently are in Australia. This means that ordinary Australians will not be able to afford the medicines that they need and that they can obtain in Australia now. This would present many problems for the health of Australian citizens and is clearly not in the interests of the Australian public. Any agreement which brings such problems into Australia should not and will not be supported by Australians. John Corbett
Hi,
I'm writing to add my voice to those that are asking to reject the TPP on the basis that any benefits that it may be able to provide are outweighed by a number of cons that each individually should be sufficient for any politician acting for the benefits of the people - that they represent - to reject.
517 One specific con is the monopoly rights that it would give pharmaceutical companies. The partnership would extend the length of time that biological medicines could be patented for, costing the people that need the medicine more money. America is a prime example of how this system is used to extract money from members of the public, who are often given the scary choice between bankruptcy and receiving treatment. The inevitable outcome is completely avoidable deaths.
This treaty should not have been negotiated in secret, it should have received independent review, it should have been publicized properly considering the negative implications to the daily lives of Australians. Now that the contents are known for what they are, it should be rejected on the basis that it does not benefit the people that it should benefit.
Regards,
Simon Simon Thomsen
Please block this agreement. It's not well explained, poorly scrutinised and the public are not fully aware of the ramifications. At least allow the press to review and provide comment on it so the public can get objective opinion on it.
The provisions we do know are frightening - the ISDS provisions we've already seen can cost millions and will allow overseas interests to threaten Australian Government's ability to make its own laws. The environmental and many other aspects should by themselves be enough to kill the deal - agreements to protect our environment in our country may be challenged by overseas interest if their own commercial gain is threatened.
PLEASE do not this agreement to pass and destroy the country for generations to come!! Tony & Jenny Georgeson
I AM WORRIED THAT AUSTRALIA IS LOSING MORE AND MORE OF ITS AUTONOMY BY SIGNING THIS TREATY.
I believe that foreign companies will be able to sue us if we object to their products in any way, even when they do not meet our standards. This will open the way for many inferior products to be sold here, and our own products will be unable to compete, even though they conform to the standards that have been set by our own authorities. This is not the behaviour of a sovereign nation. It will lead to poorer products and also to much unemployment. Please do not sign this agreement.
Miriam Tonkin Miriam Tonkin
Please do not allow the Trans Pacific Partnership deal to go ahead!! It is an international corporate power grab which doesn't have proper independent analysis, and which is being done without
518 adequate information dissemination to ordinary Australians! A deal behind our backs which will disadvantage us drastically, and lock us into a disastrous situation permanently!!
MY WIFE SUFFERS FROM A CHRONIC, SEVERE AND DEBILITATING ILLNESS WHICH HAS SYMPTOMS THAT ARE MADE BEARABLE ONLY BECAUSE OF MEDICATION, WHICH IS LIKELY TO BECOME UNAFFORDABLE IF THE TPP IS NOT REJECTED.
It is an unexamined, under the table deal that threatens the freedom and sovereignty of Australia (as well as other countries involved). It will give international corporations (major institutions which are concerned about profit only), even more power than they already have, by taking away the Government’s rights to protect Australians in basic ways. Such as: our accessibility to reasonably priced medicines, access to clean air and water through Government controls, internet freedom. Worst of all, the TPP will allow International corporations to sue our Government in secret courts of law. (it is already happening, with Philip Morris suing the Australian Government for plain cigarette packaging). This deal will be PERMANENT!
Even the World Bank analysis states that this deal will bring little economic benefit to Australia, despite the huge costs.
This is a huge issue for me and my family. Pleas stop the TPP going ahead in Australia.
Regards
John Gilbert john gilbert
I am writing this, as a submission in opposition to any form of the Trans Pacific Partnership. In Article QQ.E.1: {Patents/Patent-able Subject matter}, apart from the exception of some provisions, making a party's patents available for any invention, is plain stupidity.
Please don't let us become a world where the rich can afford the latest and best medicines while the rest of us and the poor needlessly suffer or die because healthcare has become a situation of what you can afford.
There must be a point where we draw a line in the sand. There must be a point where we say STOP to the ever increasing greed for ever increasing profits, executive salaries and bonuses.
The harmony, equality and the inclusiveness of our society and the health of its people must come first.
Do Not Forget Your Oath !
It is the people of this nation you have sworn to serve. Not the lifeless corporations that are there to serve the interests of the greedy and power hungry few. Rob Burnett
519
I am greatly concerned at the apparent priority of international corporations over democratic governance; the loss of national independence, and increased costs for Australian citizens... Not to mention the major concern that this has been a secret negotiation process!
It appears that the TPP provides the opportunity for litigation by multinational companies regarding their loss of income should that be the result of our government's policy...why would anyone see that as a viable negotiating position?
It also appears that Australians will be adversely affected by increased costs of pharmaceuticals due to commitments to multinational pharmaceutical companies.
The proposed TPP also seems to providethat for ISPs to be able to gather information on individual subscribers beyond what most would consider reasonable.
It seems also that our negotiators feel it is fine for our nation to be able to be litigated by multinational companies for vitally important matters such as tightening controls of the environment.
The TTP seems to be in dire need of strengthening to preserve the rights of Australian citizens rather than making the nation and its people subservient to multinationals whose only interest is in increasing their profits. If that cannot be done the TPP should be rejected. Kevin Morgan
We refuse permission for you to sign the TPP and hand over our sovereign right to forming our own health and environment laws. We will not be party to abominable ISDS clauses and those who have attempted to forge this multinational power grab will be forever remembered.
Commentators and specialists around the world are opposed to this corporate deal and rising public awareness as to its ' purpose parallels rising anger that YOU DO NOT REPRESENT US but rather the multinational lobbyists.
Andrew Robb and all of you beside him are traitors to our once wonderful country which has been 'open for business' to its detriment. Sustainability must be led. Governments need to tax the super rich properly and cut back on spending leading this change, bringing people together and explaining to them why climate change drives this urgent energy transformation. The TPP connects these global crises. The intention to hand our power over to the multinational companies which concentrate wealth for the few and at the expense of planet earth and common citizens , see Oxfam research about wealth concentration, is abominable. Anna Harple
Dear Members of Parliament, as our representatives, we ask you to please represent the Australian people and not bow down to foreign (US and Multinational) companies. We would like you to govern Australia for us, and not be beholden to outsiders. The sovereignty of Australia will be
520 compromised if we are able to be sued by foreign countries who may not like the laws you make on our behalf. If the TPP goes ahead we envisage things like our government being bankrupted by court cases brought against us by multinationals and our government being bullied into making laws which favour these companies to the detriment of the Australian people. We have already seen the sensible law about plain packaging and warnings on cigarette packets being challenged by Philip Morris Tobacco. This company would like to see the health of thousands of its potential customers destroyed, in order that it should make more profits. If you want to hand over our rights to Biologic medicine to overseas companies, why then is there a great cut in funding to our own scientists in the CSIRO and universities? They should be put in position to invent Australian medicines to replace these foreign chemicals and to keep the patents here in Australia. There are some hard times ahead economically, and we do not want Australia to be dragged down with the rest in the crash when it comes. We are in a good position here to be self-sufficient. It makes no sense to lock us into dodgy foreign deals. Please vote against the TPP. dawn Nettheim
A few years back I nearly died. I was diagnosed with a blood condition that requires me to take blood thinners for the rest of my life (as do others in my family now we've been diagnosed). The best of these blood thinners are new and expensive, and while I am currently taking warfarin, I am discussing other options with my doctors.
The TPP *will* mean fewer options, and I may not be able to afford to medicate myself, thus increasing my risk of heart attack, stroke, death, etc. Please think twice about endangering people to benefit corporations. best regards,
Tamsyn Michael
Age 37 Tamsyn Michael
No corporation should have the right to sue a government of the country in which they trade if it goes against the democratic will of that country and its people.
Trade deals with other countries need to allow for changes in policy.
Unless an individual corporation has a specific contract with the government they should not be able to sue for changes - else where does our sovereignty begin and end?
For trade to be free it needs to be free for all - both national and international corporations - there should be no rules for one and not the other.
This is about providing new options for Australians - not profits for others. Celange Clarke
521 It's absolutely ridiculous that multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia over legal changes that hurt their profits.
Andrew Robb is reassuring our community that when it comes to affordable medicines & the TPP, we're not going to change the system, however he recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US. We've seen what the US medical system is like & don't want it here!!!
We need to make sure our government cannot be sed for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution.
We also need to ensure our internet privacy and freedom! The TPP deal locks in the ability of internet service providers to spy on customers!!!
For all these reasons & more, you should reflect the dangerous Trans Pacific partnership deal!!! megan lyall
I am totally against the TPP as it will not serve the people of Australia. It will in fact be very harmful. As a diabetic I will be stuck using drugs that may become cheaper but the price is set for longer because of the TPP.
Multinationals suing us and WINNING because our laws hurt their profits as in the cigarette plaining packaging case is not supporting the people of Australia but large corporations, how will that help US?
Our environmental laws could be under attack because some mi king company wants to crack the land causing major harm. Now hasn't that already happened in NSW? Michelle Jamieson
I have recently heard that Mr Robb told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporation would have the same monopoly rights of biological medicines that the enjoy in the United States.
This is one more avenue where Australians will be heavily disadvantaged by the TPP. I reject the TPP because:
- I do not want multinational corporations to be able to sue the Australian government for taking a courageous stand on public health issues such as smoking and gun control
- Medicine should be affordable. I do not want to emulate the American health system, it is appalling and undemocratic
- Decisions on the protection of the Australian environment should be ours to make and not subject to the influence or fear of legal action by multinational companies.
As an elected government you do not have my permission to sign the TPP.
Yours sincerely, Liz Stevens
522
Most informed commentators and economists appear to disagree with Minister Robb and other federal politicians about the benefits of the TPP to Australia and Australians. Specifically they argue that overall it is a bad thing for us.
In particular it appears that multinational corporations will be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. One well publicised example concerns a corporation that is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Also health sector groups warn that several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing.
It appeals also that our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Minister Robb has also been silent about potential problems with internet privacy and freedom: The deal locks in the ability of an internet service provider to spy on the customer and report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
Taken as a whole it appears that there are more disadvantages than advantages. You must not pass it into law by signing. David Powis
This is an agreement drawn up by corporates for the benefit of corporates which will cause hardship upon the Australian people. All agreements in the past including U.S treaties have impacted the labour market detrimentally so to say that this won't occur again is ludicrous. The fact that our sovereignty is being erased in regards to all laws whether they be environmental, work safety, etc is an absolute disgrace and anyone putting their name to this agreement is a liar and a hypocrite. The lack of genuine discussion in this country about the TPP causes me to hope that this agreement will be defeated in the U.S Congress as the majority in the U.S are discovering that this is to their detriment also. Trump and Sanders are gathering many votes in the U.S and guess what? They both oppose the TPP vehemently-it's only a matter of time before Australians revolt against the complicit officials here as well. Harry Fisher
Dear Members of Parliament, as I continue reading more about the Trans Pacific Partnership deal, I become more and more concerned about the aspect that signing this deal means handing over more and more of Australian sovereign rights (in particular the right to legislate in regards to environmental protection and industrial rights as we see fit) to the vested interest of multinational corporations, going as far as
523 giving them the right to sue the Australian government - which really is the Australian tax payer - a situation which is quite ridiculous!!
Please block this TPP nonsense. The tax payer is expected to fund to an ever increasing proportion defense and then you would sell off Australian sovereignty to the highest bidder!?!
Please stop and desist.
Kind regards,
Horst Walter (one of your many (tax paying) employers Horst Walter
Our Australian government has blocked public debate on the TPP. Andrew Robb's deception around the monopoly rights of pharmaceutical companies is one small example of the way the Australian people are being hoodwinked into believing that the TPP is a good thing for us.
It's only a good thing for big business, which will have ultimate power over governments if the ISDS clauses are accepted. The IDSD clauses are the end of democracy for all countries involved, and I cannot understand the willingness of governments to hand over their powers to the world's private sector, which puts profits above the wellbeing of people.
Conservative governments like small government, and believe that self-regulating private companies can run everything. This has been shown time and time again to have catastrophic results, as industry is regularly exposed as doing the wrong thing in the name of profit.
Governments are elected by people to protect people; to be a buffer between self-serving industry and the community.
The TPP will not benefit Australians. Reject it, particularly the ISDS clauses. Sue Bradbur
The TTP is a threat to Australian soveriegnity and a further entanglement of Austrlaias interests with the interests of American and other big business.
There are so many questions that I haven't seen answered. Could Austrlia enforce controls over the eflux from mining waste dumps if they interfere with the profitability of the mine. I understand that this is a point of dispute in South America where a country is being challenged by a miner because its trying to protect the population downstream of the tailings dams.
It makes big american pharmacy companies richer ay our expense just when the federal government is cutting back on benefits for sick people because they say we can't afford them.
How much is sectret commercial in confidence?
We allow a few polliticians to read these sections provided they promise to do nothing w2ith the information they get.
524 Is itr really going to affect australian farmers access to the US market when american politicians are promising their constituencies that it wont?
Why should we trust the politicians who have approved it to be doing the best for Austrlia when we see many cases where they have failed in the past. This is on a far greater scale than anything before and its effect is sure to be far greater.
Graham Reevill Graham REvill
I work in acute healthcare as a Registered Nurse and am studying to become a Diabetes Educator. For the life of me I cannot understand why our country's legislators would entertain an agreement which may make new and highly effective medications more expensive for longer and longer periods.
I accept that pharmaceutical companies need to make a decent return on the development of products but would point out that much of the early development work on many medications is done in publically funded universities and institutes. I would also point out that pharmaceutical companies appear to be consistently profitable.
It concerns me as a health professional that there is little work being done to develop essential medications like new antibiotics when there is a better profit margin to be had on other drugs such as anti-hypertensives. There are already plenty of effective options which are about to, or have already run out of copyright - maybe the reason for this practice.
I have just spent a week listening to lecturers talk about diabetic patients who don't get their prescriptions filled for absolutely life sustaining medications because they can't afford them. We do not need to make this situation worse. I ask, do we want taxpayers through government to pick up the tab over the longer term for the very expensive treatment of cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease (strokes, dementia), renal disease, peripheral vascular disease (chronic wounds that will never heal, amputations) and the like? Do we want to support people who cannot care for themselves in the community or work independent of most income support because of long term complications of diabetes? Many complications can be prevented, decreased in severity or eliminated as diabetics obtain and use the very effective medicines available? That's just diabetes!
Do the phrases false economy and cost benefit mean anything to the committee? Please bear them in mind when you deliberate. Marian Gedye
I deplore the TPP and think it should be rejected totally.
My reasons are as follows:
As a senior citizen who suffers from glaucoma I do not want the medications I need in the future to become more expensive and inaccessible. Like me, many of my senior friends are worried about their medicines that are absolutely necessary to enable them to lead full lives.
525 Do not allow any agreement which threatens to allow foreign corporations to profit at the expense of Australian citizens.
Do not allow foreign corporations the right to sue the Australian Government if those corporations feel their profits are inhibited by those laws which protect the Australian environment and our citizens. Note that the tobacco industry recently tried to sue the Australian Government, not in an Australian court, but in a corporate court in Singapore. OUTRAGEOUS!
Why should the profits of foreign corporations be placed before the well being of all Australians with regard to work protection laws, public health,environmental concerns and just equity? We personally know of young people who are working for less than $25 per hour with no regular hours, no penalty rates, no holiday pay and no security.
The TPP as negotiated by Andrew Robb, we were told, couldn't be made public. WHY NOT?
My family and I INSIST THAT THE TPP BE TOTALLY REJECTED! ewan cameron
I am convinced that joining the TPP will risk causing great harm to Australia and to our ability to control our own destiny.
I am concerned that provisions in the TPP will enable Multinational Corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury over legal changes that protect us but hurt their profits. This would be an egregious affront to our democratic system and an undermining of the rights of citizens to determine what they consider best for this country.
The TPP would bring grave risk of increasing the costs of medications and drugs because of proposed provisions to big Multinational Pharmaceutical Corporations.
Provisions in the TPP mean that the Australian government could be sued for enacting laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must obey in Australia.
I strongly encourage the Australian Parliament to reject the TPP Colin Apelt
The Trans Pacific Partnership is going to affect many areas of our national community, and while there may well be benefits, there are some very dangerous disadvantages - which may bring high and unfavourable costs to our nation and our lives.
We may be at the mercy of large and powerful international organisations who are profit driven and may not have our nation's best interests at heart.
Medicines and their availability, cost and affordability is a key issue of concern - can we really afford to risk having biologic medicines under monopoly patents for lengthy periods, making vital medicines more expensive and perhaps unaffordable for lower income people - whose health may then suffer and be under threat?! Does your government want to be responsible for possible deaths by lack of medicine?!
526 Under this trade partnership, our nation's governments may also be under grievous risk of being sued for all number of things that don't suit the agendas of powerful multinational and international organisations. Do we as a nation really want to be held to ransom for the profit-driven needs of these organisations - who do not have our welfare on their agendas?!
The Australian electorate has a right to be fully informed and fully consulted about this important matter - our voice should be and must be heard. The decision should be made by the national community, not just by an elected government who fail consistently to inform and consult.
Your government would be wise to pay attention to the voice of the people who will be voting soon to keep you or oust you! Caroline Cook
Dear Prime Minister and MPs
Please be upfront and honest with the public about what the TPP would actually mean for ordinary Australians and those who are poor. No one wants to pay more for medicines and you need to act in the public interest to keep medicines affordable to all Australians. This is in the National Interest. The TPP does not work in Australia's best interest, but what it does is to work in the interest of the rich pharmaceutical companies.
The government needs to be upfront and honest with the people and let us know exactly what we will be paying. In a democracy you cannot keep things from the public. Transparency is of utmost importance. Affordable medications and to work to protect Australia's environmental, health and workplace protection laws are of utmost importance.
We do not want to be sued for passing laws to protect our unique environment. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Please work for Australia's best interest and speak publicly about what the TPP actually means. It is important to be democratic and not verge on fascism to please the big profit making companies at the expense of ordinary Australians.
Thanking you
Jarvis and ffamily meera jarvis
Some reasons why I don't want Australia to be a part of the TPP -
I want to keep medicines affordable in Australia.
I want our country to be able to make/change laws to benefit our country only -
(a) It seems insane that multinational corporations would be able to sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that would protect us, but hurt their
527 profits. Why is our government not doing everything in its power to retain our unique identity and independence; and not be bullied by?
(b) Why should our government be able to be sued by another country for passing laws that strengthen our country's environmental protections, just because they may interfere with big business? That seems ludicrous.
I want my internet privacy and freedom to remain the same as it is: it appears that the deal will lock in the ability of my internet service provider to spy on me. Anne Hughes
Dear Members of Parliament,
Australia once had one of best healthcare systems in the world. but this has been eroded by following the prevopis US example Privitisation meant overworked staff, longer waiting lists and reduced patient care. Now your government is proposing a further reduction by making medicines unaffordable (as has been in the US) by agreeing to the TPP.
I do not understand why any government would put themselves under th yoke of multinational corporations who can sue them if protecting their citizens rights conflicts with profit making activities of these corporations.
Please rethink what you are doing.
Yours sincerely,
Ruth O'Reilly Ruth O'Reill
The USA is NOT the best example of how we as a people should run our country. Their antiquated beliefs regarding access to medicine for any but the most privileged is a blight on humanitarianism. We as a people need to stand firm against the TPP so that we preserve our belief in the right of all people to have access to healthcare of a standard the US can only envy. We
Also, Australians do not need to defend our right to have cigarette companies present their goods in plain packaging. The income from tobacco sales does not provide Australia,with enough revenue to provide long term health care for people who are addicted to the tobacco companies products, we certainly don't have enough income to justify a decision to stop the tobacco company presenting false or misleading images to susceptible people. Why should we need to justify that decision or pay compensation to a tobacco company for projected loss of income? Christine Valentine I would like to submit that: a) full disclosure of all details of the TPP, in particular those relating to international corporate dispute settlements, all the provisions regarding medicines, all environmental protection issues and all the matters to do with internet privacy and freedom, be made and fully discussed with input from diverse expert commentary before any 'agreement' is actually agreed upon on behalf of all Australians.
528 b) a comprehensive business case study be undertaken on the TPP as it relates to Australia with all results published and avialable for public scrutiny. c) a business case study be done on the last three trade agreements already in place - KAFTA, JAEPA and ChEPA - showing the benefits and disadvantages to Australia so far established. d) deliberations of any national agreements to occur in future in the public domain.
It seems extraordinary that in this day and age of global trade, international commercial arrangements which can have profound consequences for a country, can be made in secret, with limited consultation, with little scope for effective scrutiny and absolutely no professional and independent studies done to assess their potentially wide reaching impact.
Surely this is not how we should do business in the 21st Century! Paul Reeve
Totally unacceptable to be subjecting the public, your family, friends, neighbours and strangers to this. What kind of society and community have we become were we lose sight of humanity for the dollar and corporate short term thinking. Look to the future and make sure it is one that our children can live in freely and without fear.
One where we can afford medicines, not be sued for collecting rain water, have an environment that is still visually beautiful with clean air and water. What sort of country would sign an agreement like this to then be sued by a foreign corporation for saying no to the loss of human rights. To be told what and how to do something by foreign corporations is ludicrous.
Once done can not be undone...Think LONG and hard about our future and our children's children's future.
JUST THINK...THINK JUST! Linda Heller
To whom it may concern.
I am making this submission to voice my serious concerns for the implications of prposed transnational tade agreements TPP.
It is widely known that big pharma, big soda and big tobacco and alcohol provide significant resources and support to eachother in the face of policy change that impacts on profit.
There is a reason we have a mixed system of health care and this is to ensure comodification of health care and services are not at the expence of citizens basic rights to health embodied in our welfare system of medicare.
This i believe will be threatend by the TPP; and at great expense to the commonwealth. We face the prospect of our welfare system mechanism the PBS being bullied into listing their drugs on the PBS.
529 The legal implications for our government to refuse would be rightly based on impacting the business model b a sed on trade agreements.
We are at at risk of many of our resource pies being decimated by transnational and multimational companies including health delivery.
We know big banking is also expressing interest in the health market and Com Bank has recently demonstrated very questionable ethical conduct which flies in the face of medical ethics and evidence based practice. These mechanisms in our health system at risk.
We would be foolish to believe that private sector partners in this proposal are not in bed with eachother with the aim to reep profit. Governments hiwever have resposibilities to protect citizens rights. This dilemma is untenable as a partnership and should not be entered into.
EXTREEMLY CONCERNED!
Serene Philips SERENE Philips
This deal will be a disaster due to the harm it will cause to affordable medicines and therefore the ability of our government to act in the public`s interest especially in regard to environmental,health and work place protection laws .The fact Australia`s special trade envoy Andrew Robb spent some months telling the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we`re not going to change the system but he has recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations that they would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.That means that we Australians will pay more for the medicines that we rely on and that those medicines will be under monopoly patents for much longer, so you can clearly see that this deal wrong in a big way and must not see the light of day ,I therefore appeal to our Parliament to reject the Trans pacific Partnership . regards Paul Desmond Paul Desmond
To whom it may concern,
I am deeply concerned about the proposed TPP and a number of included measures. One of the key area of concern is the possibility of corporations suing the Australian government if their profits are impacted on my decisions and legislation that our government makes. Trade in Australia is not a right but an opportunity for business. Businesses need to operate in Australia under our laws, if the business does not find the environment profitable enough for their product they can reassess the viability of trading in Australia. They should never have the right to sue the Australian government because of loss of profit.
Australian laws are designed to protect our environment, our workers and so forth. An immigrant who arrives in Australia has to follow our laws and cant sue the government because they are no longer able to do things that they may have been able to do in their country of origin. Austrailan citizens cant sue the government because they change laws, so why should a business be able to sue our government.
530 The TPP is supposed to facilitate trade between countries, not give corporations commercial advantages, focus on what the TPP should be about and leave big corporations out of the negotiations. Kersten Tucke
The Australian Trade Minister the Hon. Andrew Robb is telling the US pharmaceutical corporations that under the TPP they would have the same monopoly right over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US. The same Australian Trade Minister the Hon. Andrew Robb has been telling the Australian public the TPP is not going to change the affordable medical system. How can the Hon. Minister tell the US one thing and the Australian public the opposite? How can this be Minister?
How many corporate lawsuits can Australia stand, there are already corporate lawsuits on foot because of previous stupid government decisions to allow clauses that negate Australian sovereignty.
Our Australian environment is already under severe stress, we do not need further pillage by non- taxpaying rapacious Multinational corporations. Who is going to pay for the repair (if possible) to our water, land and air quality after they have ripped the place apart?
Finally, our personal privacy is just that private, the TPP cannot be allowed to invade us, rip our health system apart, and sue Australia when they please or further degrade our living standards and environment.
I say enough of the TPP and damaging trade agreements. The TPP is not about Free Trade it is monopoly rights to Multinational Corporations, Corporations that do not even bother to pay tax in Australia. Suska Scobie
Free Trade Agreements have been noted time and time again by the Productivity Commission to be an ineffective way to increase net trade in Australia as opposed to unilateral reforms. Research from other countries' sources (USDA) have shown a net trade increase of 0.0% for Australia under the TPP. This alone should be reason for an independent assessment of the benefits of the TPP. Such independent assessments have been rejected by the government (independent here means done by an organisation outside of the government with clear explanations of assumptions used in any modelling).
Anyone who has researched this topic in much detail can see gaping holes in the text of the agreement in terms of protecting Australia's environment, sovereignty, public services and market prospects. We already have trade deals with the overwhelming majority of TPP signatories. If the government has nothing to hide from it's employees (the people) then they need to be transparent, as the 'impact on Australia's bargaining position' excuse has expired. Without this, a severe bypassing of democratic process has occured in the name of what can only be seen as further market monopolisation and erosion of the rights of the individual. Luke McAvo
531 I find the TPP rather alarming. A document which allows multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts with out judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us but hurts their profits.
A document that allows corporations to sue our government for strengthening environmental protections that corporations must abide by.
With a proven history of lack of regard for local environment, and now plenty of examples where a corporation has taken the liberty to sue governments to protect their profits, I feel strongly that we do not need to give more power to corporations through this trade agreement.
Please reject the TPP. dianne brown
The TPP is clearly bad news for Australia and must be rejected by the Australian parliament.
Firstly, its content has been negotiated in secret, leaving the Australian public voiceless in deciding what we are willing to sign up for.
Secondly, the TPP does not serve the interests of the Australian public at all; it is aimed squarely at helping large corporations break through the sovereignty of individual nations. As a result, corporations will be able to control many more government decisions, and sue our government over decisions made in the public interest that do not suit the business interests of the corporations. That undermines democracy.
For example, according to Andrew Robb in a US publication, the TPP hands over monopoly rights over medicines to pharmaceutical corporations. This is completely immoral, as it allows companies to deliberately force medicine prices up for profit and prevent others from making the same medicines. This will literally kill people who cannot afford to pay inflated prices for medicine.
Likewise, the government will be limited in its ability to control internet privacy for its citizens and environmental protection for its land, because the TPP will hand over some of this power to corporations whose profit-making interests will ensure that they prioritise making money over preserving the natural environment or respecting internet privacy and freedom.
The TPP is completely undemocratic and immoral. It should be torn up and forgotten about. Asher Preston
Dear Mr. Robb,
You may think you have done a wonderful with your TPP negotiations and fair enough some sector of our economy will benefit, but the monopoly on biologic medicines is not right.
Worse than this is the fact that large corporations can sue our government in CORPORATE courts if it does something the corporations do not like. How could you give away the power of our government to govern and maintain law, when this could happen?
532 Why have government at all? I guess it is to do all the lowly things in our country to keep it running.
This opens the door to those mining companies that want to destroy our fertile farming lands to wreak havoc on the countryside, ecosystems and food producing ability. Where is the sense in that I ask you?
This is the worst trade deal ever done, Mr. Minister.
Dereka Ogden
Dereka Ogden
If the TPP is signed by Australia, we will giving away not only our right to manufactured our own drugs, medicines etc, but our our trade with asia. This TPP is solely for the benefit of USA. The Japanese PM has revealed that they and the USA will make the rules. Our trade was restricted when Howard signed the FTA with Bush. Now we are importing citrus that is watered with used fracking water
(highly toxic) and affected by radiation from Fukushima
THIS TPP WILL NOT BENEFIT AUSTRALIA. Remember when we wanted to ban salmon imports from the USA west coast?. The USA controlled WTO threatened us with bans
SAY NO TO THE TPP. GLEN TOWNSEND
A government should work for its people and their interests. I cannot see how the TPP is in the interests of any everyday Australian. The benefits of the TPP so far seem to be lower trade rates for farmers selling milk or beef. The cost of groceries changing slightly will not be that much of a relief or burden on everyday Australians, however allowing big Pharma companies monopoly on the price of drugs will hugely affect us and or loved ones. Healthcare is a human right and should not be a privilege for those who can afford it. Similarly with the environment. Preserving our unique Australian landscape is not in the interests of big business as it is not profitable. It may not be profitable, but it is priceless. We need strong leadership to stand up for our native environment and to protect it. The TPP will destroy any chance of this when the government can be taken to court for impacting a company's profits.
Please reconsider supporting the TPP, it is a dangerous and terrifying prospect hanging over the heads of ordinary Australians.
Thanks Lila O'Rourke
533 I oppose the TPP. In my opinion the corporations have worked the agreement to their own advantage. Of- course they only on upholded by their shareholders.
!READ THE !!!!!!!! fine print of ( ISDS) before any of you in the committee can honestly say you accept this for our beautiful country...... These : medicines & origin of labelling.
I'm a citizen of Australian and sick and tired of the Corporations running our country ( lobbyists in abundance)
Comment below:
'But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States'
The parliament needs to find out the truth. Everyone I speak with HAS lost faith in our democracy and NEVER believe anything that comes out of politicians mouths these days.
Stand up for the country not your job...... BARBARA ZULSDORF
As an Australian citizen I am deeply concerned by the possible outcomes of the TPP and their effects on our society. I am worried that corporations may be able to take legal action against Australian government on the basis of reducing company profits or business challenges. I am worried that this may impact the government's judgement on legisaltion and regulations that are beneficial for Australian citizens, which is what the government is supposed to provide. I am worried as the TPP has not yet been independantly reviewed to identify if it will benefit Australian citizens and improve our society. I am worried that agreeing to the TPP will provide more legal power to companies than it does to better the life of Australians. Mark Bremner
I am appalled that corporations with vested interests will be able to sue governments around the world to protect their profits and evade their corporate and moral responsibilities (especially in the areas of environmental issues and public health matters).
I am rapidly losing faith in big business and our politicians. More than ever we need business ethics (and not just platitudes) and a sense of moral responsibility. It saddens me (and angers me) to see corporate greed, political lobbying and a lack of moral fibre on the part of our politicians hurting the very people they should be helping. Shame on you if you allow this dangerous deal to take effect. Jill Warner
To whom it may concern
534 I write to ask that the above proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership deal be rejected for the following reasons:
- The deal allows for multinational corporations to sue Australia in private corporate courts, without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect Australian citizens. Australia and its citizens have a right to due legal process.
- Provisions in the deal allow for the potential of price rises in medicine beyond affordable limits. Australian citizens have right to optimum health.
- The Australian Government could be sued by corporations for passing laws that strengthen compliance with environmental protections. Australia and its citizens have the right to protect the environment in which we live.
- Loss of privacy and freedom through internet service providers being compelled to report on individuals' activities. Australian citizens have a right to privacy.
Sincerely, Marice Knapman
To the Inquiry into the TPP
I feel that the proposed parameters of the TPP threaten Australia's sovereignty and it seems counter to an independent Australia.
The submission as it stands, leaves Australia wide open to litigation from foreign companies when changes to our laws may interrupt their ability to generate profit, thus putting profit in front of people.
A particular example is the possibility that drug companies may monopolise the R&D and distribution that is necessary for a healthy industry, thereby putting people at risk - profits before people.
The environmental repercussions of unfettered private industry has been shown to not be in the interests of local communities. A recent example was highlighted in Canada, where the Quebec provincial government was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
Again, it appears the TPP seems to be set-up more for the rights of the international business community, rather than the Australian people, global citizens.
All these possibilities, and more, concern me enough to prompt the writing of this letter. Please reconsider you position in light of this request, as an Australian, and global citizen.
Robin and Jennifer Sellwood
Concerned citizens of the Federal Ballarat electorate PS Remember there is an election this year. Robin Sellwood
535
Dear Parliamentary Committee,
Many polio survivors, like myself, have multiple health conditions which require both medical and allied health treatments. At present, since almost ALL of us are over 65, we are cut out of the NDIS. Now, in addition to this fact - which ALREADY faces us with INCREDIBLE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS paying for our own care - your actions, in signing the TPP, will mean that we have to PAY MORE for our medications.
If you were in this position, yourself, would YOU think that this was FAIR?
And, would you think it was fair if you, personally, had your human rights (to say nothing of the Australian Budget situation) negatively affected by the rights of international corporations to sue your - and MY - government? I WANT OUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO RUN THIS COUNTRY, not CEOs of multi-national companies!
Thankyou for your attention, Barbary Calrke Barbary Clarke
I would like to have my say on this deal with the Tpp, I have seen what pharmaceutical companies can charge when they have the patents longer, we have a very fair PBS system and if it is not protected we will be going down the American System where only the rich and insured patients can afford treatment, my late husband had cancer and it was hard enough with us been able to afford his treatment, it would have been dreadful with that worry as well. Please make sure that this is protected by the Australian Parliament while we can Yours faithfull Lorraine Prior Lorraine Prior
Please reject the dangerous Trans Pacific Partnership deal. I am very concerned that provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing. I am also worried that the government is leaving themselves open to legal action and will be sued for laws passed to strengthen environmental protections that corporations must abide by eg fracking or water pollution. This could reduce the already minimalistic efforts our Government makes to protect our environment and the lives of Australians.
The TPP deal also enables internet providers to spy on internet users which is wrong.
Our democracy and values are at risk. I urge you not to allow the TPP deal and to minimise the ruthless transfer of wealth to multinational corporations. Isabel Carmo Carmo
This treaty has less to do with Trade than it has to do with passing many areas of national sovereignty to foreign corporations. The ISDS provisions should be completely removed from the Treaty as Howard and Costello did in the AUSTFA Agreement of 10 years ago.
536 It is offensive to any nation to have its authority in medicine, the environment and other important areas decided on by foreign corporations. To give any foreign mining company the right to sue the Australian Government over potential disastrous Coal seam gas Fracking moratoriums is repulsive at the very least.
This Treaty was advanced by multinational corporations who have spun a web of elaborate and compelling myths and promises to win over unintelligent government officials and politicians. They have just not been of an intelligence nor had the perception necessary to deal with the enormous financial, marketing and sales nous of these corporations.
As the ISDS provisions have not been deleted from the Treaty as promoted by many of us, then the whole Treaty must be rejected. Greg Smith B.Ec B.Acc CPA Greg Smith
Dear Sir / Madam
I wish to raise my concern about the apparent lack of transparency in relation to the process for the development and finalisation of the TPP.
I have been advised that the Federal Government has not provided a draft copy of the agreement nor allowed independent review of the draft proposal. Can you please confirm if this is the case?
It is not possible for the general public to have faith in the outcome of such a significant agreement if the process lacks transparency, independent review and engagement with the public about the actual benefits to Australians.
I would like the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties - TPP review to comment on whether the TPP has been the subject of independent review and if so recommend that the outcomes be made public.
Yours sincerely
Mike Heath Mike Heath
Our Parliament should be aware, based on actual overseas court cases , that the Australian Government can be sued for its decisions that protect us BUT hurt the profits of multinational corporations, ( eg. Egyptian Government sued for raising the minimum wage, Canadian provincial government sued for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land).
Mr Robb cannot have it both ways in that he told US pharmaceutical corporations would have that same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the US and at the same time reassuring Australian that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we are not going to change the system Brian Cotter
537 If the Trans Pacific Partnership will make the Australian Healthcare System similar to that of the United States, (as said by Australia's special trade envoy to a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines as in the US), then we should reject the TPP. But putting biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, (meaning everyday Australians pay more for medicines they rely on) is NOT the only thing that will negatively affect us if Parliament accepts the TPP.
What else will happen? Well, multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. In one example, a corporation is suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Furthermore, our government could be sued for passing laws that strengthen the environmental protections that corporations must abide by, such as fracking or water pollution. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land.
The TPP will degrade the quality of life for the citizens of Australia, therefore the Australian Parliament, as representatives of the people, must reject the Trans Pacific Partnership. Eloise Cuthbert
We need clarity and honesty within our government so the taxpayer gets a clearer understanding of what is happening. Lobbyists need to step back and allow our government representatives to do just that, represent the people of Australia.
We already are paying way too much for day to day living whilst the large corporations are sitting pretty. We need to protect our already frail country. We need to stand up to the bullies that just want our money and to control what they deem as important and necessary without looking at the long term implications it will have on our country. Teresa Fallace
Most importantly, a TPP deal wih the USA wil effect Australia's soverenty. Large USA corporations have been heavily involved in this so called Trade deal. I have read that ther will be very little value to Australia but a lot of risk. From what I understand our Australin company's can and will be highly damaged. Secrecy has surrounded this trade deal our parliment ministers have. Been kept in the dark whilst the opposite is true for the USA parliment. As Australians we don't want American corporations running our country, we want our Government and Parliment to do that. The We are a lucky and a free country but we risk loosing that, if the general population was better informed, the TPP would never pass. Secrecy has ensured most Australians are ignorant on the TPP, most of our press doesn't report the bad details that they are aware of. Why is this?
Why is our Ausralian government treating Australians like fools? Rod Crellin
538 I am surprised and dismayed that the TPP deal is under consideration for one minute by the present Australian government when it would mean that corporations would have the power to sue that government without judges or jury when their interests are threatened.
Australian laws designed to protect our ground water or other aspects of the environment could be rendered invalid as a result of corporations' powers to sue.
Vulnerable sections of the population needing medicines may have to pay more for them, for the profit of corporations. Biologic medicines should not be under monopoly patents for longer than they are at present.
And it is shocking to discover that the government is considering allowing my service provider to have the power to report possible copyright infringement to enforcement agencies.
I urge you to reject the dangerous TPP. Robyn Donald
Its your decision, but it's the younger generations who will have to deal with the consequences. Think about what signing this deal will mean in the future... Government will become privatised. There won't be a fraction of rationality regarding decisions made surrounding health and environmental issues. Multinational corporations will only get richer and the local population will become poorer in health, finance and spirit. It's a crime against humanity to sign this deal that will only bring benefit to a small majority of elitists. P.s I guarantee the entire country would be in uproar if they found about this... So props to you for keeping it so damn secret. laura harland
Dear TPP Inquiry, I am absolutely against the Government of Australia allowing foreign corporations the right to sue, under the TPP, for lost profits where our laws protecting our environmental limit that corporation from damaging the environment in order to profit. For example, the Quebec provincial government in Canada was sued by a US energy company for laws stopping fracking as part of protecting groundwater and land. All around the world we are seeing societal disruption, extensive damage to our agricultural land, and water pollution from activities such as fracking, tight oil extraction, and coal mines.
In addition, the several provisions of the TPP allow big pharmaceutical companies to control health sector IP and restrict Australians from access to cheaper alternative drugs to ensure their profits. Our health sector groups warn that this will undoubtedly increase medicine pricing. For example, Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
There is no way that I want my internet service provider to spy on me, and report my internet activities to foreign companies and enforcement agencies just so that those companies can protect their profits against possible copyright infringement.
Please take these draconian clauses out of the TPP if it must be passed by Parliament.
539 Yours sincerely,
Professor David A Hood AM HonFIEAust CPEng
Prof David A Hood AM
It appears the TPP will be very bad for the Australian people financially and otherwise.
Lawsuits against Australia are bad news.
All of the sudden foreign companies are dictating to the Australian people what they can and can't do.
Increased medicine prices cannot be seen as good for our general health.
Threats to our envirenment by companies that don't care.
Threats against our interent privacy and freedom.
Our basic human rights are being threatened by the TPP.
When corporations and especially foreign corporations are given the power to dictate to us how to live our lives, its time to say NO!. M Plato
Dear Members of Parliament,
Australia needs freedom. Freedom to determine its own future regarding trade, environmental issues, quality of life and a whole host of issues that effect all of us.
Our Country is indeed a lucky country and we must not become a slave to BIG BUSINESS and controlling powers from other countries. Each decision made, in conjunction with other parties, should be made on an individual consideration and particular merits. We should not have our hands tied in a blanket agreement such as the TPP.
Australians do not want this and as a government you must respect our wishes. So don't sell us out to benefit greedy monopolies who are only interested in share prices and the almighty dollar.
Affordable medicines isjust the tip of the iceberg, and we know it. Our very freedom to determine our country's future is at stake here. Please do not sign this agreement.
Suzanne Burris
Fryerstown,
Victoria Suzanne Burris
540 To Whom it May Concern,
I have been worried about the TPP since I heard about it a year ago - and still there has been no public debate on it in this democracy of ours.
Why have the many issues that will affect Australians if it's signed not been made public by this government?
Why has there not been any independent scrutiny of the effect of the TPP on the price of life saving medicines or our ability to create our own laws (without being sued) and retain our internet freedoms?
As our elected representatives you should be looking after the interests of ordinary people, not the interests of big business. Get it right!
Regards, Linda Linda Marr
I am opposed to the TPP as it does nothing for the Australian economy and st the same time gives significant power to corporations to influence hoverent policies to the detriment of the people. It is biased to the wishes of large corporations to not be hampered by government regulations or legislation when it affects their profit. It is just a mechanism to increase the gap between the haves and the nots. In my mind it hands over the economy and the future of this planet to corporations that are only focused on increasing their own wealth. Those corporations are run by people who are focused on the short term to increase their individual wealth which is already obscene. The is no social value in this agreement. It is just another money grab. Peter McGinnes
To the Parliament of Australia:
The Trans Pacific Partnership is a deal that is not only not beneficial to Australia, but it is downright dangerous. Every country that was once under colonial rule celebrates their independence and right to rule themselves, but now we are trading that right away.
If the TPP goes through, the independence and power of the Australian government will be undermined as it will be liable to industries for 'potenial future profits'. This, surely, is a ridiculous state of affairs; that corporations will have the power to call the government to account instead of the other way around.
Healthcare is also a fundamental right for all people, and allowing patents to last longer will just allow pharmaceutical companies a monopoly for longer; increasing prices of medication and subsequently inequality. This is in exact opposition to the good of the majority.
I ask you, for the sake of your country and the duty to it that you have, to reverse all agreement to the TPP. Secondly, I ask that the full text of the TPP, as it currently exists, be released for perusal and analysis by the public and independent authorities. We understand that further discussion may be
541 necessary and that the TPP can change; in fact this is what we hope for; but no good decisions can be made in the dark and the TPP must be brought into the light.
If you truly believe that the TPP will be good for the nation and it's people, then why not let them see the agreement for themselves? And if you have doubts, then scrap the TPP so that Australia can retain it's own sovereignty. We are the 'lucky country', a land of the 'young and free': let's not give away our freedom.
Earnestly,
Miss Jessica D. Jessica Donker
I live in a country where I'd like to think the Government acts generally in the best interest of it's people as a whole. The TPP puts this dangerously at risk.
Australians deserve the right to affordable life-saving medicines but monopoly patents under the TPP will put this at risk, whether Andrew Robb admits it or not.
I do not want a Government that can be sued by huge corporations when they are trying to act in the interest of the greater population. One would suspect that the Government would then be forced to keep corporations happy even if it is not in the best interest of the majority of Australians.
Our Environment may also suffer under the new TPP agreement, with the Government again afraid of limiting big company interests and instead put the environment at risk to appease them.
Please reject this dangerous TPP deal as it will only place more power in the hands of large companies and reduce the Government's ability to effectively serve the people of Australia.
Sincerely
Shannon Le Lievre Shannon Le Lievre
Hi,
The TPP deal should be rejected by Australia. Simple.
Any deal that makes it possible for corporations to sue governments for making laws that affect their profits needs to be stopped.
Any deal that unnecessarily increases the price of medicines in Australia should be stopped.
Furthermore, the whole process of the TPP deal, it's negotiations and it's contents have been held in secrecy from us, the people it will affect, and who our governments are meant to be representing.
So for this lack of transparency the deal should be stopped. If it is beneficial for the people of Australia we should have had access to the contents of the deal from the beginning.
542 Regards,
Dave Johnston dave johnston
TTP INQUIRY
To all those given the serious duty of leaving Australia as the best place for future generations.
Australia should be able to have confidence in regard to health care.
Not beholden to any other administration anywhere else in the world.
We are entitled to our privacy in using the internet.
Australia should not be placed in a position where there could be a possibility of litigation from private enterprise when our land is protected from degradation by our own laws.
Short term gain for long term pain is
NOT what I want for my descendants.
Hoping for the best outcome for all now, and in the future.
C L Costa Carmel Costa
I want to object to the TPP. It has been negotiated in secret (albeit US corporate interests get to see drafts), and the Australian government has done so in bad faith.
The Minister Robb and others have been deceptive and dismissive of real concerns.
Of particular concern are ISDS provisions, which are not needed in Australia because of a mature legal system. They are not needed in Vietnam (as the country that may be on paper the worst for investment) simply because foreign investment has skyrocketed there, proving there is no need for ISDS provisions. They are just now an avenue for corporate profiteering.
I remain concerned about medicine, because the Minister has given mixed messages. There is no reason to change anything. At best we will stay the same, rather than get ahead at very best and it is galling that the government claims that 'staying the same' is a win.
I am extremely concerned for social and environmental aspects. I am also concerned for privacy and copyright, particularly as it applies to the Internet.
The government has shown itself to be a tool of the so-called content holders and thus there is a danger that they will sell out on effective control of the Internet.
543 Given the corporate rapacity, it is inevitable we will be done. The US Free Trade Agreement was going to make us rich, but we went backwards.
There is simply no need for the extent of the TPP.
It is being advertised in the USA as being 'Made in America', which says it all! They are selling it as a benefit to them, thus a loss to us.
I understand the US has also calculated the net benefit to Australia on agricultural produce as 0%! Far from the politicking and BS from the Australian government. Nick Wilson
I am deeply concerned that Mr Robb, Australia's special trade envoy, has recently told a US publication that under the TPP US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines in Australia as they do in America. These medicines under monopoly patents will mean we will pay more for medicines we rely on.
But this is not the only concern with the TPP.
It means that multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts over legal changes which may protect us, but hurt their profits. An example is a corporation suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage. Is this what we want for Australian workers?
Passing laws to protect our environment may be subject to the same challenge.
I am deeply concerned that the TPP will give unwarranted power to multinational corporations who have no concern for the well being of Australia and its citizens, but only for their own profit. Please do not let this happen. Janet Dawson
The secrecy surrounding the development of the TPP is a fairly telling sign that there was going to be opposition to what is contained in it. Now that the public have finally been allowed to view the proposal there has indeed been an eruption of vocal dissent.
I along with many other Australian's do not want Australia to be liable to corporate lawsuits for protecting our own citizens against things like tobacco or for basic workers rights. We do not want to pay more for medicine that is patented not to protect the rights of innovators but to line the pockets of investors.
It seems laughable that our politicians would ever consider such a horrendous deal, locking future generations into a system that is out of our control. It seems laughable until you realise it might happen, then it is terrifying.
Please stop this undemocratic and dangerous deal, please reject the TPP. Kris Gesling
544 Honourable Members of Parliament
I don't believe there has been transparency with the effects of the TPP on our national sovereignty as it applies to our ability to control the price of vital medicines, I am a cancer sufferer and rely on the PBS. New drugs are being developed that may greatly benefit my treatment and potentially a cure. Pharmaceutical corporations manipulation of patents and legal ability to promote their interests over the public good as made possible by the terms of this TPP is extremely worrying and no-one from the government has come out and given a cast iron guarantee that this won't happen and the following are the legal measures that will prevent it. Why?
Equally there has been little detail provided of any benefits that will accrue from this TPP. How will it have any more than a marginal improvement on our GDP? Who will actually benefit from this lengthy and costly process?
The possibility of the Australian Government being able to be sued by corporations greatly imperils our ability to legislate and regulate for the national interest and is prejudicial to our sovereignty.
There seem to be equally alarming ramifications for our ability to protect our environment and our agricultural lands and industries.
Equally I note that there seems to be similar concerns in other partner countries to this TPP.
Who are the real beneficiaries of this deal? Why the secrecy?
Please, I urge you to do the right thing by your constituents, defend the communities in which you live, defend our quality of life, our hard won rights, so that our children and future generations may enjoy the opportunities this lucky country provides free from the fetters of poorly designed, poorly negotiated treaties.
Have courage and stand up for us for once!
Paul Blackwell Paul Blackwell
Dear Parliament
I am very concerned that this government is going to sign our country up to something that isn't in our best interests.
How can it be a benefit to us if US pharma corporations have monopoly rights that will push the price of medicines out of reach of most Australians. Where is the benefit to us?
This whole partnership is more about the government saying we did a trade deal and not about protecting the average Australian.
Unless you can show real benefits to the people of Australia then we shouldn't be signing these agreements or selling our country to foreign ownership.
545 Regards David Cosgrove
Hi,
I don't think the TPP is a good idea. Currently there are lots of large companies minimizing the tax they pay to nearly nothing, and on top of that if the TPP gets up- the same companies can sue the Australian government if it legislates in a way that hurts company profits! These companies take their fair share of money out of Australia and don't have to contribute anything back. How's that going to give the government enough money to run social services and keep hospitals open? How does not contributing back (in the form of tax revenue) help the Australian economy to thrive since digging stuff out of the ground isn't going so well anymore? How's the TPP going to help the government tackle issues for the public good ever again- for example in forcing tobacco companies to put warnings or plain packaging on their packs? Unless the government wants to allow companies to become as powerful as countries in their own right, don't accept the TPP. I would prefer to be a cit izen of a country, where things like democracy and freedom of speech are rights, instead of being a corporate slave. Tiffany Burleigh
As a pensioner I am most concerned that the TPP may affect future costs of medicines and restrict the rights of Australians to take action over environmental /labour/national issues where these rights have been negotiated away to the benefit of overseas multinationals.
In the absence of information re the above to allay my fears I wish to make it clear that I would regard any TPP which exposes this country to any of the above concerns to be an absolute dereliction of duty to the Australian people by those who have negotiated the TPP.
No amount of advantage gained by any sector of our economy in the negotiations could justify such loss off our sovereign rights. Laurie Mason
I would like the TPP to be blocked by Parliament and then torn up and burnt!
It is purely about corporate profits outweighing the interests of Australia and Australians.
If it is going to be a win win deal for all of us, then why has it been shrouded in secrecy the whole time?
This is deceitful at best, criminal at worst.
The TPP will erode our standard of living not improve it.
The TPP will leave us open to an onslaught of litigation which will inevitably mean it has a higher priority than the people of this country.
Can the government guarantee medicine prices won't skyrocket?
546 Can the government guarantee that environmental protections will be a higher priority than a corporations bottom line?
Can the government guarantee our privacy?
Stop Americanising us! Kevin Lark
I believe that there has not been enough public discussion about the TPP and that what has been disclosed has raised concerns with me about the possibility that:
1. The TPP will give non-Australian companies rights such as relating to pharmaceuticals that they do not currently have;
2. The TPP will facilitate foreign companies to continue to avoid paying taxes on Australian earned income; and generally my concern is that under this veil of secrecy the Australian public will be no better off, and perhaps worse off, especially when it comes to essential goods and services for the less well to do. Neil Hughes
I wish to convey my alarm and hence my objection to two aspects of the proposed TPP agreement.
!. The proposed agreement that will enable the same generous monopoly rights over biological medicines as those that exist in the USA. to operate in Australia. This will undoubtedly result in a huge or prohibitive price rise for Australian consumers.
Longer monopoly patents will also be to our disadvantage as well as other participating countries.
2.The possibility of multinational corporation law suits overriding the sovereignty of our nation is reprehensible .This must never be allowed to happen where power and wealth can take precedence over the good and lawful legislation of our country. Russell Revell
My family and everyone I know are against the TPP when we think of the disastorous consequents of this deal.
1. I cant afford medicines now even on the current PBS so the TPP will make them more expensive and unaffordable, resulting in more poverty and poor health outcomes for Australians like myself and thousands of others. This will put an even heavier burden on the current cash strapped run down health system we currently have.
547 2. We need to protect our environment which is not out there, but part of who we are and how we live and survive. We need stronger environmental protection laws, not weaker ones that help large corporations which will destroy our country and livelihood.
3. Who wants unneccesary corporate lawsuits that are all about profits for an multinational corporation and not for Australian's interests.
4.No one wants an internet service provider to become Big Brother and spy on them.
Please our elected politicians, look after your country and its people first not large overseas companies that dont care about us but just their profits.
Do not vote for a damaging TPP ever for Australia. g woolf
There are so many reasons why if Australia is to retain sovereignty it needs to reject the TPP. It will not be good for Australia, from the point of affordable medicines. Why shouldn't Australian patent rights rather than US ones apply. If Australia stood up for itself we could do so much better. it will not be good for our environment, for the quality of our water, both ocean and fresh, for our air and its load of green house gases. Big corporations need to be prevented from destroying our planet. We need to be returning to more localised production and methods in tune with the life support systems of the planet. We need to retain local controls if we are to truly tackle climate change. We need to cooperate with other governments to change the paradigm, not be behest to greedy corporations whose God is money. Don't forget the King Midas story. It is a farce the controls that operate. To accept that the greatest good is the capacity to make the most money whether it is inj urious or not is madness. We will lose the capacity to determine quarantine and other significant health and agricultural conditions for our people and our Australian home. Ruth Haig
I have lived in the US and experienced first hand the result of letting industry dictate the so called 'free trade' narrative as has clearly been the case with the TPP.
History shows there is little benefit from free trade agreements, to the citizenry and every benefit to the bloated multinational industry that is relentless in squeezing every cent they can out of the tax paying population.
As international modelling has shown over and over again there are so few rewards and so many penalties in these non transparent deals.
It only make sense to be part of one if we are happy to reduce our wages and standard of living to that of Vietnam Malaysia Chile or Peru.
We need to be smarter than that.
We do not want to give away our bargaining rights on pharmaceuticals and compromise the benefits we get from our world envied PBS.
548 We do not want to be subjected to copy right bullying by music and media companies that charge us 50% more for services and products and treat us like second rate citizens with their release times.
We would like our sovereign rights in tact, so we can make laws to protect our people from unscrupulous companies that expose us to toxic substances, without being forced to reward those same companies that are poisoning us through rigged inter state dispute settlement tribunals. Steven Botes
This particular deal the general public where never given any information of what could be in the contract that would affect the national interest of of the country.The Trade Minister is an elected person of the people of Australia,but this trade deal was done in secret and why was this to get a better deal or think that peopie are so naive at what is going on around them and sign something you would'nt put on your worst enemy.So now Australia has been sold out to multi national companies that can do what they like such as sue the Government and who pays for that the tax payer not the person who sighed the deal.So i would reject this deal outright due to the secret manner it was carried out. William Smith
The right of corporations to sue our government for decisions that could affect their profits is contrary to the interests and wellbeing of the Australian people. One example is that a cigarette company is suing us for introducing plain packaging of cigarettes. Other health, environmental and labour laws that are in our best interests but could affect the profits of corporations are similarly at risk. I don't want our country to be dictated to by corporations - they are interested only in their profits and have no regard for our heath, the environment or our wellbeing. It is also outrageous that our government could even consider signing an agreement that could give corporations such power. Let us reject this handing over of our sovereignty to corporations and the distopian type of society that would result. Jan Jones
I am very concerned on a number of levels with the TPP but 2 following areas are my greatest.
1. Multinational corporations can sue Australia in private corporate courts without judges or jury, over legal changes that protect us, but hurts their profits. For instance, similar to the corporation suing the Egyptian government for raising the minimum wage.
Governments who strengthened environmental laws could also be sued in these corporate courts set up solely to protect the profits of corporates. This is not the taxpayers or the governments role!
2. Several provisions of the TPP means that biologic medicines under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
The link between the above issues I raise is the TPP allows corporate hands directly into treasury coffers. This is unacceptable. Lisa Anderson
549
Australia's special trade envoy Andrew Robb has spent the last few months reassuring the community that when it comes to affordable medicines and the TPP we're not going to change the system.
But Mr Robb recently told a US publication that US pharmaceutical corporations would have the same monopoly rights over biologic medicines that they enjoy in the United States.
This means that biological medicines stay under monopoly patents for longer, which means we pay more for the medicines we rely on.
Please do not support a TPP that means ordinary Australians have to pay more for our medical needs. Jonathan Sturman
There are so many problems with the TPP. For a start it opens Australian tax payers up to lawsuits by powerful and wealthy multinational corporations. Then there is every possibility that many medicines could be priced beyond the reach of vulnerable citizens. And then there is the likelihood that the Australian Government can be sued for passing legislation endeavouring to protect our environment. Of course the tax payers (not the corporations) will have to pick up the tab for such litigation and where does that leave our national sovereignty. The TPP represents the primacy of the interests multinational corporations over national sovereignty and the rights of citizens. robyn tychsen
Dear Madam/Sir
I have been watching in horror as the TPP has been negotiated in pseudo secrecy over the last few years. It is truly abhorrent that our government develops a deal with other countries that allows for corporate engagement without the text being transparent to citizens. There is no justifiable reason that these international agreements should be developed in such a way.
I am extremely concerned about the likely impacts of the TPP should it come into force. The list is long - ISDS is an outrageous practice that should never be entered into, the PBS is under threat from US pharmaceutical companies who will do everything they can to undermine it, we risk our environmental protections and internet privacy and freedom is at risk. This is totally unacceptable for Australians.
Although I am a voting citizen in Australia, I live in California and I do not recommend the life that rampant capitalism realises. The TPP and other corporation-influenced deals and directions lead to a decreased quality of life.
550 We have to look at previous free trade agreements and they really do not bring a lot of good to Australia or, arguably, anyone other than corporations. The Aus-USA FTA was not at all beneficial to Australians.
For the sake of democracy and protecting our progress as a nation, please do not sign this deal.
Yours sincerely
Sally Kingsland Sally Kingsland
Dear senators,
I feel that the TTP deal will have some very bad side effects for Australia such as the abilities of Multinational corporations and businesses to sue the government over laws that may lead to a reduction in their profits. I here that the tobacco company Phillip Morris is already trying this one on over the plain packaging laws. I thought our Government was ours but apparently we belong to the Multinationals!
My husband and I use some medications that this law will enable Pharmaceutical companies to tie up in monopoly patents for longer thus making them more expensive. We may soon be on a pension and this could break many older Australians like us.
Please check the fine print of this agreement before you endorse a policy that will probably lead to this country's downfall rather than development. Check what has happened to the Egyptians and Canadians after they agreed to an agreement like this. This is NOT free trade this is open slather and it is dangerous. DO NOT ENACT THIS Agreement.
Yours Truly,
Mrs Christine Ford. Christine Ford
I wish to make a submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties TPP Review.
I am a proud 82 year-old citizen of Australia who has had the opportunity to visit many of most beautiful places with which this country has been endowed. I have witnessed the gradual improvement in the recognition of the value these places offer to our people and our economy. I do not want to see these values or the quality of these spaces destroyed. I can not understand how our Government acting the National Interest could consider signing a Treaty that would enable non- Australian companies to bring legislation in Non-Australian courts or tribunals that could result in the wishes of the Australian people being overruled. Our governments, State and Commonwealth, must be able to decide on the appropriate legislation to protect our environment - it's air, water and natural ecosystems without fear of external threats.
551 I have also lived through the evolution to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which has been a vehicle for delivering medicines to all Australians at more reasonable prices. I do not wish to see the dilution of the effectiveness of the PBS by powerful external Pharmaceutical Companies.
I urge you to use your power to reject the Trans Pacific Partnership Jack Hoadle
There are too many vague and dubious clauses which practically invite exploitation without any justification for their existence. And this is for the few parts of the TPP which the public has seen. Unless someone is willing to let it become publicly available we can only assume this is representative of the TPP as a whole, which leads to the conclusion that essentially the TPP is far too convenient for corporate entities without providing any benefits to the public. Governments don't exist to leverage corporate agenda on the public, they exist to look after their nation and its future. The TPP, as is currently visible to the general public, has no part in any of this. Alex Griesser
Recently President Obama was talking about the TPP as an instrument of geo political blocking or shepherding. Part of the game between China and America for domination, okay if that's what they want to do then be upfront about it and don't make us pay for their game in everyday consumables, jobs and national sovereignty.
I note these from a recent post by the Australian Medical Associations website https://ama.com.au/ausmed/looming-trade-deal-could-be-health-hazard-ama
Which says in part the AMA has voiced fears the proposed trade deal is out of balance and advances commercial interests at the expense of patient health. and the proposed TPP could be used to attack key health policies and measures including the PBS and the cost of medicine, food labeling and tobacco control laws, restrictions on alcohol marketing, the operation of public hospitals and the regulation of environmental hazards.. We are currently being told that this issue has been ameliorated but without the document being properly examined its just Trust me, and i absolutely don't trust them.
It also points out The Howard, Rudd and Gillard governments all resisted pressure to include ISDS provisions in trade agreements, it seems Mr Robbs desperation to get a deal may cost the Australian Public for years.
Choice consumer group //www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/money/shopping-and- legal/legal/trans-pacific-partnership-secretly-trading-away-rights.aspx
'Associate Professor Kimberlee Weatherall of the Faculty of Law at Sydney University says the WikiLeaks draft of the IP chapter of the TPP would lock in provisions that have been repeatedly criticised by Australian politicians, including most recently in the Joint IT Pricing Inquiry.
Google (and other internet companies) - regarding a harsher copyright regime (as promoted by the large US media companies in the TPP (according to wikileaks as the only available text)) state:
552 We believe there is significant, credible evidence emerging that online piracy is primarily an availability and pricing problem.
..... We would be disappointed if the Government decided to go down the route of overly harsh regulation to combat piracy without considering the evidence from around the world that this would likely be costly for businesses to implement and with little effect,
I note (Recent Developments in investoR- state Dispute settlement (isDs)) that Australia in 2011 resolved not to allow ISDS provisions in agreements, but then I also note Mr Tehan and Mr Robb saying they will be negotiated under a 'case by case' basis. And that the last two agreements with Korea (KAFTA) and China have included ISDS provision.
Multinationals can and will base their operations wherever best suits their business; if even one ISDS provision exists and it is in their business interests to do so - what is to prevent those corporations from basing in that jurisdiction and suing us from there (aka Hong Kong/Philip Morris).
As regards ISDS and climate change; and the Coalitions, 'Direct Action' and its direct payments to corporations would that be regarded as subsidy or 'favourable treatment by our international partners? Or if we pursue a carbon price or any other scheme we come up with to protect our environment (or food safety or mining rights or medicine prices or copyright laws or any domestic law which threatens to decrease corporate profits) ; can it be challenged in the commercial courts?
Despite Minister Robb saying ‘these hardly ever happen’ I point out the attached Recent Developments in investoR- state Dispute settlement (isDs) which highlights the significant rise in new cases.
As regards pre existing studies of the long term benefit of Trade agreements I point your attention to the following: The post-NAFTA era has been marked by growing inequality, declining job security and new leverage for corporations to attack government regulations enacted in the public interest. http://billmoyers.com/2014/01/09/fool-me-once-20-years-of-nafta-show-why-the-trans-pacific- partnership-must-be-stopped/
And from a 20 year study of the effects of NAFTA on America (a precursor to the TPP): 'After two decades of NAFTA, the evidence is clear: the vaunted deal failed at its promises of job creation and better living standards while contributing to mass job losses, soaring income inequality, agricultural instability, corporate attacks on domestic health and environmental safeguards, and mass displacement and volatility in Mexico.
I have written to my local member Mr Tehan and his response was polite but not very useful as it amounted to trust Me However he advised me of the procedural information about how the TPP text will be tabled before final signing and we the un trained public will have 20 sitting days to read, digest and discuss a document reported to be 100s of pages long and full of highly technical legalistic discussions which trained trade negotiators have been engaged with for several years - which is frankly very unbalanced..
And to quote Meredith Wilensky from Columbia Law School: 'Once the full text of the agreement is released, it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to amend the text to address all vulnerabilities.'
553 (https://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/microsites/climate- change/files/Publications/Fellows/wilenskypotentialliabilitytpp.pdf )
The Trans Pacific Partnership is said to be possibly the most influential and transformative trade agreement EVER contemplated? So when will it be available in full, to read and discuss, (outside its narrow and partisan current guest list)? And, how will we, the citizens of Australia be enabled to make any meaningful comment on it?
Minister Robb has said on previous occasions. These (my concerns above) are just scare mongering by people who don’t know anything about it. Please help us stop this scare mongering by making transparent the contents of this treaty.
20 sitting days is laughably insufficient to consider this dense and complicated Treaty that may:
Adversely effect our national sovereignty
Have a significant impact on life in Australia, its terms of trade and quality of life for 10, 20 or 50 years into the future and,
Bind us into laws and regulations that have not been discussed, or even made public, to the broader civil community of Australia.
Yours sincerely Brett Houghton Brett Houghton
I think it's time everyone came to their senses on this matter and block this grossly unfair anti Australian so-called deal.
The only ones who benefit are the big multi-national corporations who do not even pay their fair share of tax on the enormous profits they rip off Australians.
Then to have the right to sue Australia (the taxpayer) without a proper court is ludicrous and cannot be permitted under any circumstances.
Once again you intend to increase medicine pricing under this snide deal as the health sector has already warned. We cannot be dictated to by greedy pharmaceutical companies who already gouge the public and who once again do not pay their fair share of tax.
Internet privacy and freedom are being interfered with and cannot be allowed.
Environmental protections we have could also be affected. In fact we do not have enough and much more control must be exerted on Coal Seam Gas fracking. We must Lock the Gates even more as this practice cannot continue on arable land which is the food bowl for Australians and even Asia.
As for the so-called trade benefits Andrew Robb also failed the sugar industry.
It's Time! This nefarious deal undertaken in secrecy and without the permission of the Australian people must be re-negotiated or better still, scrapped altogether.
554 James James Buchanan
I'm writing to object to the Investor State provisions of the TPP on the grounds that they are unconstitutional.
The constitutions was written so that government could act in the interests of this sovereign nation, Australia. Any action that divests the government of responsibility to act in our sovereign interests undermines democracy and the very foundation of this society.
Investor State provisions allow the interests of foreign powers (multinationals being some of the most powerful foreign entities around) to override existential sovereign interests, such as protection of local livelihoods, biosecurity and the viability of the soil, water and biodiversity. Signing away our self-determination in this way is, by definition, no less than treason.
I strongly condemn any government that is so willfully negligent.
Regards,
Peter Conigrave peter Conigrave
Hi,
I hope I'm not too late to make a submission.
I really hope that Parliament will see reason and block the TPP. If passed into law, it will be an unprecedented abandonment of Australia's sovereignty in favour of the soon-to-be-enacted rights of foreign companies to make money in any way they see fit regardless of the laws of democratically elected countries around the world.
I know most submissions will probably talk about specific examples of allowing foreign companies to sue our government whenever our laws don't suit them,
555 such as laws that raise minimum wages, or increase superannuation contributions, or require environmental protections, or require safety standards on products, but it's the very fact that such lawsuits will become possible that is the real problem.
Why is Australia's very sovereignty being put at such risk? Modelling shows almost no economic benefit to Australia in signing the TPP. There is no case for the TPP.
What do we get out of this?
The price is our democracy itself.
I'm sure someone must be getting something out of it, but it isn't the
Australian people or its institutions.
Regards, Robert Fabian
Dear Sir/Madam, I am beyond understanding how such an agreement as the TPP is even being considered. Surely the facts that Australia's sovereignty is jeopardised by its vulnerablitiy to the whims of big foreign enterprises is reason enough to abandon taking on such an arrangement, but there are other reasons as well, not least of which is the threat of monopoly rights by US pharmaceutical companies to call the shots. I have yet to hear anything but politicised arguments in the favour of the TPP. Where is the vision of this our country's leadership. Surely we can do better than one based only on a 4 year term. Respectfully, Ingrid Horton Ingrid Horton
Dear Sir / Madam
I have been reading information about the negotiations of the TPP and I have to say it disturbs me greatly.
While there are factors of the TPP that will help boost our economy and help trade negotiations, there are many red flags in the agreement that concern me.
556 Under no circumstance do I believe that the rights of a COMPANY have more rights than a Government to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its people. Opening up an agreement which allows a company to sue governments for putting in place laws and safeguards for our country's assets - being land, minerals and most importantly our people, is simply a NO.
Like our Fair Work legislation no trade agreement should leave any industry worse off and I believe that this agreement will leave Australians worse off.
The Australian spirit will continue to battle on and make our own way to economic growth again. This deal is not necessary.
Please consider showing Australia's confidence by saying no to this agreement and making our way in the world with our independence fitting our true spirit.
Regards
Samantha Tetley Samantha Tetle
To those elected to represent Australians,
Please, keep medicine affordable. The PBS is not an bottomless pit, so what is going to happen to people who can't afford hundreds of thousands of dollars for *new, unsubsidised, patented* life saving or prolonging drugs? Please, have a heart. Not everybody enjoys the privilege and wealth you have come to take for granted. Being 'poor' does not mean less entitled to life.
Don't give away our sovereignity for money. No sum could ever reflect the value of being able to pass laws that protect Australians, and Australia's environment, without being sued by some greedy FOREIGN corporation, that could really not give a shit about us or anything but profits. What legacy will this leave? Something awful, that's what. Please, don't sell Australia's soul, not now, not ever.
Reject the TPP, until these conditions are removed.
Yours sincerely,
Belinda Clarey Belinda Clare
It really time that the government cared about its people first and foremost and any trade deal should be secondary to this and in helping business and corporations is imperative in meeting that first goal. When dealing with foreign investment you must ask is this really taking care of our nation, and by nation I mean the people as a whole rather than board members and shareholders. Our nation is not made up of board members and shareholders. So before signing of on any TPP ask yourself is what your doing the best for the people as a whole? If it is not then you should not do it. This deal can only hurt the people and should not take place. Dean Hoath
557 Any intelligent person can see that the TPP gives corporations control over our market with government bending over and allowing the corprorations to run our markets and economy. Supporting the TPP is selling-out our country. No goverment has the right to sign this agreement on behalf of our citizens. This is not the sort of agreement our government should be signing at all, especially BEHIND OUR BACK.
We have everything we need here in Australia, stop giving it all away. Stop giving legal control to corporations. It makes you look like you are 'on the take'. This is corruption, pure and simple. Please stop this nonsense - the people demand it. regards
Matt Matt Dunn
TPP is not a free trade agreement. The secrecy surrounding it, is unprecedented and extremely disturbing. The TPP was written by a number of major US multinational corporations such as Coca Cola, Citigroup, etc. to override a nation's sovereignty. TPP needs to be rejected and banned. Our laws are not to be modified to suit the rapacious greed and rapacious power of the multinationals. Neither should they be allowed to take our country or any other country to an international court if they feel their markets or profits or sales compromised by our laws and court decisions. Again, this is not a free trade agreement. The TPP is to override a nation's sovereignty and laws for the benefit for these multi national corporations. Australia, nor any other country, should be used as a pawn for the waning US - Anglo imperialist empire, who are jealous of the rising power of China and Russia, now that these two are in closer collaboration.
Ban the TPP forever and make it illegal. People and residents of Ausralia are not pawns and we want our laws protected from such monsters. And that is exactly what they are. Please reject and ban the TPP. Tania Kanavas
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing to urge you to refuse to pass the TPP legislation. Although the government is claiming that it will benefit Australia, in reality it gives large , multinational companies unprecedented power to sue governments over actions they take to protect their own people and national interests.
I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and am on a disability support pension. My medical costs are already very high, but if the TPP came through and pharmaceutical companies could sue the government to increase their profits people like me everywhere would not be able to afford the medicines they need. I personally find it terrifying that pharmaceutical companies could force our government to dismantle the PBS system, stop generic drugs being made and hold the health of our country in their hands.
Their are many other ways in which companies could sue the government for laws that protect our citizens. For this reason, I once again urge you to reject this dangerous legislation.
558 Yours sincerely,
Linda Linda Bennett
The TPP is a bad idea for man6 reasons. Firstly it helps corporations snuff out small businesses and unethical companies snuff out ethical companies who pay living wages and use safety measures equipment for employees. Secondly the TPP brings our unaffordable medical prices to other countries. This is horrible! Even more people will suffer and die because they can't afford medical treatment. These are hardworking families who are choosing food and housing over medicine already. Affordable medical care should be a human right. No matter how poor the people or nation. Thirdly, the TPP is dangerous for the American people because these other countries have less health and safety regulations on their products (including food). Misleading labeling can lead consumers to believe that the product is Alaskan Cod Co. Or American Beef co. Karen Hatlestad
Dear Minister Robb,
I am gravely concerned about the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, which failed to meet the deadline for completion in 2014 because governments have responded to community opposition in many negotiating countries. The TPP is not just a trade agreement and could impact on many important areas of Australian public policy.
The TPP could mean higher prices for medicines. Please reject US proposals for stronger patents and data protection for medicines, which would delay cheaper generic medicines and mean higher prices for new medicines for longer both in Australia and our region. Please also reject proposals for changes to our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which would allow pharmaceutical companies more say over medicine prices, increasing costs to government and leading to pressure for higher prices at the chemist.
The TPP could allow foreign investors to sue Australian governments. Investor-state dispute settlement proposals (ISDS) allow foreign corporations to sue governments in international tribunals if a change in policy or regulation is seen to harm their investment. The US Philip Morris tobacco company is using ISDS in an Australia- Hong-Kong investment agreement to sue the Government over our plain packaging law, despite the decision of the Australian High Court that they were not entitiled to damages under Australian law. If ISDS is included in the TPP, corporations based in any TPP country, including the US, would be able to sue our governments for millions of dollars.
Attempts to safeguard health and environmental legislation from ISDS clauses have not been effective in other agreements and do not attempt to safeguard other areas such as industrial relations and tax policy. Recent Senate Inquiry reports, European studies and Australian High Court Chief Justice French have revealed additional evidence that ISDS is a threat to democratic legislation and national court decisions, undermining democracy and sovereignty.
I ask that you do not agree to any ISDS provisions in the TPP or any other agreement.
559 The TPP process is secret and undemocratic
The level of secrecy in the TPP negotiations means that the public and the Parliament must rely largely on leaks for detailed information about the agreement.
The TPP text will only become public after it is signed, and cannot be changed. Parliament will only vote on the implementing legislation. Any changes which do not require implementing legislation, such as ISDS clauses or administrative changes to the PBS, do not require legislative change and will not be debated by Parliament.
This process is undemocratic. I ask you to release the text of the TPP and other agreements for full public and Parliamentary discussion before Cabinet authorises it to be signed.
Yours sincerely,
Jessica Inman Jessica Inman
I don't think the TPP is in the best interest of Australians. It has largely been negotiated in secret and their has been little public involvement on no transparency on the details.
It seems to be giving away huge amounts of power to international corporations at the expense of regular Australians. Aspects of the TPP that cause me concern include:
- the right of international corporations to sue the Australian government if they don't like laws we put in place. Things like the protection of environment, workplace laws, and health and safety laws can result in us being sued for reducing profits. This is rediculous and also scary especially if you look at what has happened elsewhere. Our top priority should be governing Australia for Australians and not making sure we put large corporate profits first.
- increased medical patents which will threaten affordable medicine and shift us into the terrible medical situation faced in USA.
- reduced environmental protection as we won't be able to legislate if it may impact foreign corporate profits.
This is crazy and I can't believe we are seriously considering the TPP. What madness.
Regards,
Emma Sandery
(Just an ordinary mum who is worried what we are setting our kids up for) Emma Williams
Hi there, basically why would the TPP be good for Australia? if an overseas corporation can sue the Australian government because we are causing them to lose profit (ie. raising the minimum wage or labelling GMO products), this is madness. You the representatives of the PEOPLE (public servants
560 remember) are voted in to protect Australia and it's peoples interests not those of wealthy overseas companies.
If you sign the TPP in you are literally selling Australia away to the highest bidder, you are selling out to faceless corporate interests who by their very nature do not have our wellbeing at the for front of their business, you are selling Australia's future away and those of your children.
Be it on your conscience.
Future generations are looking at you.
Stephen Ives Stephen Ives
Once again government was set up by the people for the people, this was to protect the people against multi national company's or fat cats ,who don't give a shit about working people or the planet we all live on ,they put there profit first ,if you polotishons sing this tpp in my eyes its treson against the people ,this document has not been disclosed to us the people as far as i am concerned its a sham and there is a lot more to this tpp crap deal . Ps don't forget you are voted in by the people for the people not big bissness.
Cheers concerned voter James Thompson
I'am a pensioner I get less than $900 a fortnight I think it is so unfair for this present government to keep hitting the people on the bottom line the TPP needs to be gone straight out i believe that if the Tpp is introduced into the Australian culture it will all end up a bit like the rabbit plagues we had in the middle of the last century,dont see many of them now,but if we intrduce the Tpp.I reckon it will all end up going to the rabbits and i did'nt even mention the TOADS.Please do not vote yes,VOTE NO TO THIS BILL. sbane Fraser
I have many concerns about the TPP:
1. If pharmaceutical companies have monopoly rights it will lead to higher prices for our medicines as generic equivalents will be delayed
2. Lawsuits by corporations. Corporations will be able to sue governments to protect their profits e.g. in the Netherlands (I think) the government was being sued by tobacco corporations over plain packaging for cigarettes. The Egyptian government is being sued for raising the minimum wage! These are examples of the TPP favouring businesses over common sense. These lawsuits waste millions of taxpayer $.
561 3. Governments can be sued for passing legislation to protect the environment e.g. if we legislate to disallow fracking due to its environmental impacts, can we be sued by companies that would profit from the fracking? Kitty Muntz
I am writting to you to say I dont trust how big business is taking over our rights you have to have australias best interests first. Australia is been bought and sold by smarter people .We the avgerage person are going in to a poor place .We dont want monoplies over all our business We are a very small country dont forget that .please fight for australins to own australia .Even if we are worst off its at our hand not some rich i dont care CEO .The TPP is SECRET therefore is in its nature unfair .Any thing good and fair is in the open regards barbara deans barbara deans
I ask you to reject the TPP. It's bad for our country and its people.
There are many problems with the TPP:
- It's been dealt with in secrecy and thus can NEVER have the legitimacy of the people.
- It's so secret that not even our MPs know what it is about. Consequently, they can't seriously vote on it.
- Corporations will get the right to sue the Australian government if the government or parliament decides something that the corporations don't like. That's nothing less than the end of democracy as we know it.
- It increases costs for medicine, making Australians (especially the hard-working everyday Australians) less like to afford their life-saving drugs.
- It reduces privacy by enabling Internet service providers to spy on their own customers.
For all of the above reasons, the TPP most be rejected.
Regards
Dr Felix Rauch Valenti Felix Rauch Valenti
The most well known problems with the TPP are the Investor State Dispute mechanism and the monopoly patents on life saving medicines. The first may mean we get taken to a non-elected tribunal that can award whatever damages they wish if we pass laws to protect our health, environment or workforce and a multinational thinks it will affect their profits. This will make it much less likely that we will pass these laws which is a terrible thing. For example would we have
562 had the courage to enforce plain packaging in cigarettes if we had already signed up for the TPP? Would the tobacco companies have won?
The second big issue is the monopoly on medical patents. There are so many lives lost because big Pharma keeps the price on essential drugs artificially high, even after they've paid off their R&D and have earned huge profits. Sometimes they patent things that they haven't invented and get away with monopoly rights when they haven't earned them. At the moment there is some justice possible through the legal system - for example when they try and patent someone's genes, but after the TPP who knows?
There are a lot of other issues such as the USA still managing to subsidise their own farmers while somehow stopping smaller countries from protecting their own. Look at Mexico where cheap (and subsidised) GMO corn flooded the country and put a million people out of work.
And of course the effects on the internet. It's one thing to want to stop piracy and charge for every byte of content but after signing the TPP we will turn our ISPs into an extension of the police force, spying on their customers and reporting possible copyright breaches.
Please ditch this terrible agreement that supports big business profits at the expense of individuals and the environment. Jack Claff
Please - the US medical system is nothing short of dysfunctional. Corporations and businesses are able to exploit the most basic needs of the people who are compelled to use their services. Medications are unnecessarily expensive, and for many people, an illness will cost them their home, whatever savings they have and any prospect of financial security in their old age.
In the end, people stripped of their savings and other resources become a burden on the public purse. Even in the USA, their is a reluctance to allow people made destitute by medical expenses to starve publicly.
The short, and logical, answer is to regulate the cost of life saving medical treatments. Those organisations who develop them and the businesses that run private hospitals are entitled to a reasonable profit, They are not entitled to an extortionate one.
Rejecting the TPP as it stands is an important step to preserving a functional Public Health System. Please do all that is possible to bring this about. Brenda Ford
Foreign businesses and foreign nationals should not be able to stop our government passing laws to protect our health, industry or environment. Allowing foreign corporations to sue countries that they see as reducing their profit is abhorrent. Who is this government representing, Australia or overseas interests? It is there to protect us not to protect a multinationals profit margin.
563 We are not the United States and although they are a great country in many ways, I am sure the majority of people in Australia do not want our country to become the same as there. What works for the US does not work here.
The government has a responsibility to ensure that Australia has freedom to protect our country which may include laws that impact on multinationals but if they want to trade here they should accept that we are not the US and our laws are different. The government also has a responsibility to ensure our people are safe.
We have good systems in place to protect the disadvantaged but the US does not and we do not want to become more like them.
Regards
Lynne Lynne Dace
Several provisions of the TPP could increase medicine pricing, and this makes me worried as I already fall below the poverty line most fortnights, and paying too much for my regular medication would be harmful.
Corporate lawsuits is not a good idea when the impinge on basic rights.
Environmental laws must be upheld, not degraded, a basic necessity is clean air, clean water, clean food, and, people before profits: how will Conservation Values be held in balance with this draconian potential measure.
Internet privacy is needed to get the whole system to work fairly, without this privacy and freedom we are little more than trained rats. Joe Greal
I am a 73 year old self-funded retiree.
I suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder which means that I have severely restricted breathing. I am currently taking the following prescription medicines Montelukast, Sebri Breez, Symbicort, and Ventolin.
These prescription medicines cost me over $100 per month on top of the usual living costs. I often suffer with chest infections which exacerbate my condition and require antibiotics and prednisolone to combat such infections.
Any increase in the costs of these medications would make life more difficult for me. I need access to generic medicines to keep the cost down. eg Montelukast is a generic medicine. It costs me $27 for a 28 day supply. If I was forced to purchase the non-generic Singulair (same medicine) it would cost about $80 instead.
I need these medicines to stay healthy, and to stay alive.
564 Please be very cautious about the details of the TPP. Graham Noonan
I don’t want to be governed by corporations. I elected a government not series of corporations. I don’t want pharmaceutical companies to have card blanche on pricing. I have seen much suffering in the community and I am always very proud to see that in our country Australia we enjoy affordable medications. We are the envy of other countries who struggle to help their citizens.
I say no, a big NO to TTP (Trans Pacific Partnership deals)
Government must always retain control over big corporations otherwise we will end up ruled by monopolies, and that can never be a good thing.
We don't want law suits by big corporations when their profits decrease because we stand to protect our natural environment already in danger. And we certainly do not want internet service providers to enjoy full protection to continue looking over our shoulders.
But!... isn't this obvious! I cannot understand why we need a petition! Claudia Lloyd-West
Here's the thing. First and foremost, the TPP is not a trade agreement... it's a constitution for a corporate one world government. If vested financial interests could be trusted with the good of the people, we would have world-wide free healthcare and education. We would have a world already operating on renewable energy and many other things for the public good.
Instead hundreds of thousands are dying in wars orchestrated so weapons manufacturers can make money. We have school children on speed(Ritalin) so big pharma can make money. We have almost every country in crippling debt so banksters(Bank for International Settlements) can make money. I could list pages of examples of the disastrous consequences of unfettered greed.
Do you think we the people are too stupid to see that our 'elected' officials are in the pockets of the multi-nationals. The TPP and it's ilk are the final move towards irreversible disaster.
Please. Prove me wrong... represent the people and put this evil document in the trash-can of history. Daryl White
565