Clayton Mitchell New Zealand First MP

It is more than ironic that National have determined to sign the international trade agreement that strips away New Zealand's sovereignty just before Waitangi Day.

The current Prime Minister clearly stated that the TPPA would come to Parliament before being signed. Yet he has now organised to sign it before bringing it to Parliament. This is disingenuous.

This PR signing exercise is also wholly unnecessary, because the TPPA is currently in a holding pattern until the United States and Japan pass the legislation. But the TPPA is really unpopular with both leading Democrat and Republican Presidential candidates and as a result, it is increasingly unlikely that this toxic multi-national trade agreement will be passed into US Law.

In the meantime, the Japanese government has just increased subsidies to its farmers, increasing the unsuitability of signing off on this bill.

New Zealand First List MP Fletcher Tabuteau introduced a Private Members Bill that would have given New Zealanders the chance to ban our government from signing any treaty, like the TPPA, giving foreign corporates the right to seek compensation if they believe our laws adversely impact their profits. Unfortunately, the Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill was shot down in the House last March.

Mr Tabuteau has since introduced a new bill giving either Parliament or select committee the right to examine and review the terms of any international treaty before or during negotiation. This would ensure a higher level of transparency and accountability in international agreements.

Unfortunately, efforts to fast track the Transparent Treaties Bill was shot down by National's senior whip Tim Macindoe and ACT leader David Seymour.

Despite this, New Zealand First will continue to challenge this Government to adopt the right common sense policies that are in the best interest of all New Zealanders.