New Zealand’s opposition calls for transparency around the TPP
Davic Cunliffe, New Zealand's Leader of the Opposition, is taking a stand against secrecy in the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
David Cunliffe is calling for TPP texts to be made public - but Prime Minister John Key says that won't be possible. Instead, during the final analysis, the deal will become public and then will be ratified through Parliament. Learn more about the ultra-secretive TPP at http://OurFairDeal.org.
Article by Simon Wong for 3 News:
As one of his first acts as leader of the Opposition, David Cunliffe has called on the Government to make public the draft of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.
In his first full press conference, Mr Cunliffe challenged the Government to "have the courage of its convictions" and put the negotiating draft into the public domain so it can make up its own mind.
But Prime Minister John Key says that won't happen.
"We've given people a broad indication of the mandate and the Government is sticking to that mandate.
"I'm never going to sign New Zealand up to a deal unless I believe it's in the New Zealand's best interest to do that," he says.
Instead, during the final analysis the deal will become public and then will be ratified through Parliament.
Mr Key says the negotiation so far is "pretty positive", but more work is needed.
The TPP is a proposed free trade agreement between a number of countries, including New Zealand, Australia, the US, Japan, Singapore, Chile and Vietnam.
While Mr Cunliffe says he still needs a "detailed briefing" on the negotiations and the party has not seen the draft, he understood the concept of what the partnership could bring.
Read more at 3 News.
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