Tag: Local Government

Stop-TPP Movement renews call for Binding Referendum

Posted by | May 2, 2016 | , |

Press Release – TPP Free Wellington TPP-Free-Wellington will mark the Select Committees reporting day with a Binding Referendum Rally at Parliament.Stop-TPP Movement renews call for Binding Referendum TPP-Free-Wellington will mark the Select Committee’s reporting day with a “Binding Referendum Rally” at Parliament. The 4th of May is the expected “tabling” of the Select Committee’s Report on TPP in Parliament. The nation-wide “It’s Our Future” movement (which includes the local Wellington group) told the Select Committee that, “any decision to proceed with the ratification process must include a binding referendum”. Barry Coates, one of the movement’s leaders, emphasizes, “There is concern over the TPP from a majority of the public across New Zealand, according to public opinion polls (TV3/Reid Research, November 2015).” TPP-Free-Wellington calls for supporters to rally this Wednesday 4 May, at 12 noon at Parliament, to support this call for a binding referendum. “We’ll find out that day whether the Select Committee has been listening to the public’s views which overwhelmingly oppose TPP”, says Ariana Paretutanganui-Tamati from the local group. “We want to mark this occasion with a rally for democracy.” “We’re calling for a binding referendum because TPP would significantly undermine our elected representatives’ ability and freedom to work for us, only to give more power to foreign “investors” to secure their “property” and profits, and to offshore tribunals to enforce the new regime.” “Of course our...

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Urgent inquiry into issues relating to the TPPA

Posted by | Mar 7, 2016 | |

Press Release – Waitangi Tribunal The Waitangi Tribunal will convene an urgent hearing into claims relating to the Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) from 14 to 18 March 2016 at the Waitangi Tribunal Offices in Wellington.Waitangi Tribunal urgent inquiry into issues relating to the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement The Waitangi Tribunal will convene an urgent hearing into claims relating to the Trans- Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) from 14 to 18 March 2016 at the Waitangi Tribunal Offices in Wellington. In December 2015, the Tribunal confirmed that the issues for urgent inquiry are; whether or not the provisions in the TPPA relating to the Treaty of Waitangi provide effective protection of Maori interests, and what Maori engagement and input is now required for the ratification of the TPPA to be compliant with the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi. The Tribunal will hear from the claimants and the Crown including the evidence of three expert witnesses commissioned by the claimants, the Crown and the Tribunal respectively. The inquiry is presided over by Judge Michael Doogan and the Tribunal Panel consists of Emeritus Professor Sir Tamati Reedy, the Honourable Sir Douglas Kidd, David Cochrane and Tania Simpson. ENDS Content Sourced from scoop.co.nz Original...

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Government must reassure local authorities over TPPA

Posted by | Feb 26, 2016 | , |

Press Release – New Zealand Labour Party Upper Hutt City Councils controversial move to establish a TPPA Free Zone policy reflects the concern many local authorities have over the deal and the Government must now provide assurances to our representatives, says Labours Local Government … 26 February 2016 Government must reassure local authorities over TPPA Upper Hutt City Council’s controversial move to establish a “TPPA Free Zone” policy reflects the concern many local authorities have over the deal and the Government must now provide assurances to our representatives, says Labour’s Local Government spokesperson Meka Whaitiri. “I am hearing the real concern out there about the implications of the TPPA at local government level. “While not going to the lengths of Upper Hutt City Council,12 other local authorities have adopted a TPPA resolution calling on the Government to safeguard their decision-making abilities. “This shows the tensions placed on local authorities by the TPPA. “A recent peer-reviewed expert paper supported by the NZ Law Foundation confirms the potential for TPPA countries to legally challenge local government decisions that damage their commercial interests. “It’s important that the Government provides assurances to our elected local bodies that their ability to meet community expectations around responsible local governance will be protected. “If a local authority finds itself forced into mounting a legal defence, will the Government make provisions to support this? “This is a...

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Upper Hutt Council TPP resolution very disappointing

Posted by | Feb 26, 2016 | , , , |

Press Release – New Zealand National Party The decision by the Upper Hutt Council to declare itself a TPP Free Zone is very disappointing, says Chris Bishop, National List MP based in the Hutt Valley.Chris Bishop National List MP based in the Hutt Valley Media statement 26 February 2016 Upper Hutt Council TPP resolution very disappointing “The decision by the Upper Hutt Council to declare itself a ‘TPP Free Zone’ is very disappointing,” says Chris Bishop, National List MP based in the Hutt Valley. “While the resolution is of course legally meaningless – it sends totally the wrong message about Upper Hutt being ‘open for business’ and its desire to grow its economy to provide higher wages and jobs for Upper Hutt families. “The reality is that TPP will be good for Upper Hutt, opening up a market of 800 million consumers to Hutt exporters. In particular, the agreement will be great for awesome Upper Hutt craft beer brewers like Panhead and Kereru.” The TPP will eliminate all tariffs on beer in the following four markets (tariffs are already zero in the other TPP countries): Mexico: 20 per cent tariff eliminated immediately. Malaysia: 5 Malaysian Ringgit/litre (NZD$1.80/litre) tariff eliminated by Year 16. Peru: 9 per cent tariff eliminated by Year 6. Viet Nam: 23 per cent tariff eliminated by Year 11. “New Zealand has almost no beer exports at...

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Christchurch City Council met today

Posted by | Feb 25, 2016 | |

Press Release – Christchurch City Council Councillors received an update on the New Central Library project, which was recently put out for tender. The Council has received a number of excellent tenders and a decision will be made in the coming weeks. Ground-works for the library began on …Christchurch City Council met today and made the following key decisions: New Central Library Councillors received an update on the New Central Library project, which was recently put out for tender. The Council has received a number of excellent tenders and a decision will be made in the coming weeks. Ground-works for the library began on Monday 22 February on the site of the old Camelot Hotel, which means construction of the facility – which will be the largest public library in the South Island – can begin later in 2016. Council supports voluntary smokefree outdoor dining trial The Council resolved to support Smokefree Canterbury’s ‘Voluntary Smokefree Outdoor Dining Trial’. Smokefree Canterbury will receive economic data on the hospitality sector within Christchurch; help with survey methodology and analysis of findings; and contact details for café and restaurant owners with outdoor dining lease agreements. Council to organise TPP workshop Councillors and the public will have an opportunity to hear from experts, such as university lecturers, about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at a workshop to be organised by the Council. After the workshop...

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