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Govt dismisses TPP criticisms

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Fri, 6 Nov 2015, 8:09AM
TPP opponent Jane Kelsey (Supplied)

Govt dismisses TPP criticisms

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Fri, 6 Nov 2015, 8:09AM

UPDATED 2.30pm: The Government is dismissing criticism of the TPP trade deal following the release of the agreement's text. 

LISTEN: Jane Kelsey speaks to Jack Tame on the Mike Hosking Breakfast

MORE: Full TPP text released

Six thousand pages of highly technical detail were released late last night, and TPP opponent Jane Kelsey argues it's clear her concerns over the deal were spot on.

Kelsey said it shows foreign investors, particularly from the US and Japan, gain special rights not available to New Zealand investors.

"The special rights to foreign investors and their ability to sue governments, and offshore tribunals. Some issues around medicine remain a real concern."

But Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce doesn't make much of her arguments.

"She hasn't come up with any new examples or any information -  I think what we're seeing is the spectacle of Jane Kelsey climbing slowly off the horse." 

Kelsey has a grant for a team to analyse the text and will feed out those results as they're sifted through.

MORE: Obama sees TPP as counter to China

She said the government's already conceded they didn't get much on dairy, but that aspect of the agreement is very technical and will take some trawling through.

"But we know that some of the key areas that they claimed victory in are actually about 30 years off getting in any case, so I don't think anyone should expect a bonanza."

Jane Kelsey said there are also weak protections for public health, and state-owned enterprises.

The Government has already released a number of fact sheets outlining the content of the TPP.

Also released yesterday is additional information on the estimated economic benefits of TPP on the New Zealand economy, and details on how potential costs associated with copyright and administrative provisions relating to PHARMAC have been arrived at.

In the coming days, the Government will also release a legal summary of the Agreement.

Six thousand pages of highly technical detail were released late last night, and TPP opponent Jane Kelsey argues it's clear her concerns over the deal were spot on.
Six thousand pages of highly technical detail were released late last night, and TPP opponent Jane Kelsey argues it's clear her concerns over the deal were spot on.

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