Schools

Community orgs condemn trade talks

By Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network Ltd

"The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, labelling of genetically engineered food and Australian content rules in film and television are all targets in the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement negotiations starting on Monday March 17," Dr Patricia Ranald, Principal Policy Officer at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre said.

"These are important social policies for Australians,
but the US sees them as barriers to trade," she added.

Dr Ranald convenes the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network of 62 community organisations. Members of the network today expressed concern that the negotiations are proceeding despite an independent economic study by ACIL consultants showing that an FTA could have negative effects leading to job losses for Australia.

Doug Cameron, National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union said "Manufacturing jobs will be put at risk if Australian enters into a free trade agreement with the US. The Australian economy is so small compared to the US that we have very little negotiating power, and this will result in many of our
industries being threatened."

The Rev Dr Ann Wansbrough from UnitingCareNSW.ACT said, "The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme enables the government to make medicines affordable to low income Australians, but US pharmaceutical companies want higher prices. This would make medicines unaffordable for many Australians. "

Greenpeace spokesperson Shane Rattenbury said "Consumers have a right to know whether their food is genetically engineered, The US government wants Australia to remove our labeling requirements so American companies can sell GE food in Australia. Their demands fly in the face of the 92% of Australians who want "comprehensive" labeling of GE food, as shown by a Taylor Nelson Sofres survey."

Dr Ranald added: "The US wants an even larger share of the
Australian market by removing local content rules. These rules ensure that Australian stories are told, and that we maintain Australia's cultural identity and diversity".

"We call on Trade Minister Vaile to reject the US agenda. These issues should be publicly debated and decided by parliaments in Australia, not secretly signed away in a trade agreement which will bring no benefits to Australians, said Dr Ranald"

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/schools/20030317_trade.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005