Details of Trans-Pacific Partnership text finally released
by Gareth Hutchens
The final text of a huge 12-country trade agreement has confirmed the
"worst nightmares" of environmental groups, with no mention of climate
change in its lone environment chapter and weak enforcement mechanisms,
Australian academics say.
The text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement was finally
released on Thursday, with Trade Minister Andrew Robb saying the deal
will deliver "substantial benefits for Australia" in the rapidly growing
Asia Pacific.
The TPP is the biggest global trade deal in 20 years, involving 12
countries in the Pacific region which collectively represent over 40 per
cent of world GDP.
Last month, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the deal "a
gigantic foundation stone" for the economy which will deliver jobs and
growth while avoiding aspects that would have seen increased costs to
the taxpayer for medicines.
But this is the first time Australians have had a chance to see what
the federal government has been negotiating on their behalf for over
five years.
Matthew Rimmer, Professor of Intellectual Property and Innovation Law
at the Queensland University of Technology, told Fairfax Media it looks
like US trade officials have been "green-washing" the agreement.
"The environment chapter confirms some of the worst nightmares of environmental groups and climate activists," Dr Rimmer said.
