October 06, 2015
TPPA a loss of sovereignty says Harawira
Mana leader Hone Harawira says John Key's Government has signed away New Zealand's sovereignty by agreeing to the Trans Partnership
The deal to manage trade and services across 12 Pacific rim counties was concluded in Atlanta, Georgia yesterday after last-chance negotiations were extended by several days.
Mr Harawira says there is no valid reason for New Zealand to sign up beyond giving a couple of its biggest companies better access to some markets.
He says there are huge downsides, because the government will lose its ability to regulate against the damage caused by overseas companies.
"We will lose and it won't just be about tobacco, it'll be about food, it'll be about rongoa, it'll be about the safety of our seas , it'll be about the safety of our land in terms of goldmining et cetara et cetara. The door will now be open to companies right throughout the world and we won't be able to stop it" says Hone Harawira.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Maori Authorities says the TPPA creates new opportunities for Maori businesses through the removal of tariffs.
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