The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – the dirtiest deal too many people haven't heard of – is inching ever closer to becoming law. The US is bulldozing ahead with TPP 'fast track' legislation, which means the final text of the agreement – which could allow foreign companies to sue Australia for laws that protect our health and environment – might be a matter of weeks away. Fortunately, the US doesn't speak for us, and our Senate will cast a critical vote on whether the TPP is implemented. The governing Liberal Party has signalled its support for the TPP, but they don't have the numbers on their own. The opposition ALP will be critical in determining whether our government is ultimately able to put the interests of foreign corporations ahead of Australian families.
We know two things about the TPP: 1) Most people haven't heard about it, but 2) When they do, they get mad.1
That's why we've an audacious plan to get information about the TPP
into the hands of the critical marginal seat voters who Labor cares
about most – and the plan is powered by GetUp members.
First, GetUp members pitch in the funds to print thousands of 'door
hanger' info pamphlets (pictured) that spell out what the TPP could mean for access
to medicine, food safety, environmental protections and more. Then,
GetUp members in critical electorates will go door-to-door,
neighbour-to-neighbour, taking that information right to people's
doorstep (or doorknobs, as it were).
The TPP agenda is being primarily driven by Big Business, Big
Pharmaceuticals, and Big Tobacco – but its impacts will affect everyday
Australians. Public health measures, environmental protections, access
to medicine, and Internet freedoms are all in the firing line. This is
why high-paid lobbyists of multinationals are hard at work trying to
ensure the passage of this colossal trade deal in secrecy.2
And to make matters worse, there have been leaks to suggest that some
corporations have seen the draft text while everyday citizens are left
in the dark.3
And their efforts are paying off, with predictions that delegates
from the 12 countries – including our very own Trade Minister Andrew
Robb – may sign onto the deal as soon as late July.4
The next few weeks are critical. Not only is the next round of TPP
negotiations taking place, but the Labor National Conference on 24 July
will see the ALP debate and vote upon its national policy platform.
GetUp members in electorates with razor-thin margins are stepping
up by the dozen to distribute door hangers in their electorate. But
to make this happen, we need the funds to cover the cost of printing
and delivery. Together, we can bring enormous pressure to bear on Labor
MPs to take a stronger stance against this dirty deal. Can you help fund the effort?
Click here to see the door hanger design, a list of the target marginal seats and then pitch in to help make this happen.
With the ALP National Conference just two weeks away, this is the
prime time to catch the ear of Labor MPs in important battleground
electorates listening out for the issues that matter to their
constituents. Together, we can show Labor that Australians don't want any part of this dirty deal.
https://www.getup.org.au/tpp-chip-in
Thanks for putting people over profits,
Alycia, Mark, Daney and Nat, for the GetUp team
PS - Yet to sign the petition? Join over 91,000 Australians
calling on Parliament to stop the TPP.
PPS - The designers are still putting finishing touches on the door
hangers, but above is a sneak preview of what they'll look like.