January 26, 2016
TPPA bad fit for Maori economy
A leading critic of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement says the reforms proposed in the 12-country trade pact are at odds with where the Maori economy is heading.
The Government has turned up the rhetoric on the deal over the past few days, saying it offers increased earnings for Maori exporters and jobs for Maori workers.
But Professor Jane Kelsey told Radio Waatea host Willie Jackson any tariff reductions will take years to kick in, and that’s not the area where the Maori economy is growing.
" It is growing by relationship trading. It's building networks, it's not about, you reduce your tariffs and our economy will grow. It's a very kaupapa Maori based approach, although I know there is a debate within Maori about that. So it's not the kind of model that's the growth model for the Maori economy, even if you are going to be looking at that narrow part of it," she says.
Jane Kelsey says the Waitangi Tribunal claim to be heard in March will cover other likely effects of the TPPA such a making it harder for Maori to access affordable medicines and the obstacles put up on protecting the environment.
Professor Kelsey and former United States trade lawyer Lori Wallach will speak about the TPPA at a public meeting at the Auckland Town Hall at 7 tonight, tomorrow in Wellington at St Andrews Church on the Terrace, on Thursday at the Pop Up Cathedral in Christchurch and at Dunedin’s Burns Hall on Friday.
PROFESSOR JANE KELSEY INTERVIEW
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