Let us, the people, decide whether we want a Trans Pacific Partnership Treaty

I thought it necessary to raise the topic of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership Treaty, or TPP as it is most commonly referred to.

Little is known about its intentions or how it will affect us, the average Aussie citizen, for the discussions have taken place behind closed doors in secrecy.

From what little I understand, it is a trade agreement between Pacific Nations, similar to that of the EU, allowing a free flow of labour and business between the countries involved. This includes, Australia, America, New Zealand, Vietnam, Indonesia and 6 or 7 other countries, and said to be 40 per cent of the global population.

Mr Ruddock was questioned on the subject during last week’s Q and A programme and his answers have raised great fears within me, his knowledge concerning the issue was limited, and then when he acknowledged that the issue would not be discussed in open parliament, alarm bells rang. Despite him admitting he had limited knowledge on the issue he stated that it would be great for the economy.

My point is this, whether it is good or bad for Australia, we the citizens of this country have the right to decide on whether we enter into an agreement that has the potential to destroy our way of life.

We supposedly live in a democracy, Governance of the Country, for the people, by the people, the government of the time does not have the right to enter into an arrangement of such magnitude without consulting us, and it is morally and ethically wrong.

Part of the definition of the word ‘treaty’ is “that a country was bound by treaty to keep open to foreign trade”, Wikileaks has revealed that part of the content of the agreement will allow companies to sue governments if their policies change and inhibit their trade. Big business has been involved in the secret discussions but not the most important people, us, the people that populate this country and own the country’s resources.
This is just another example of how our rights are being eroded and the contempt that our government is treating us with. This is not just an LNP thing because the previous Labour party was also involved in this issue, and probably the reason they have not spoken out about it. The American Trade Union movement is totally against the TPP, claiming it will cost jobs with the influx of cheap labour.

As I said before, my understanding is limited, but my concerns are not. What preventions are to be put in place to protect our jobs, our environment, our resources, are we going to be inundated with imports, unhealthy food products, how will that effect our Ag-industry, the questions are endless.

I have no faith in a government that hides behind closed doors, that believes renewable energy is cutting down our forest and burning the trees, that wind farms damage our air and solar energy risks burning out the sun.

For the sake of our future, wake up, speak up Australia, for things are getting way out of control and the future of the lucky country is looking grim.

~Brian Jarvis ~
Founder, Growing The Burnett Inc