Fears TPP could derail alcohol reform

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Fears TPP could derail alcohol reform

3News NZ

The TPP could leave the Govt unable to pass laws under threat of legal action

The TPP could leave the Govt unable to pass laws under threat of legal action

The National Addiction Centre says it's written to the Government seeking reassurance that a free trade deal won't work against tougher alcohol laws.

New Zealand is taking part in negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

It has been reported that leaked documents suggest New Zealand has agreed to a condition that would allow foreign companies to prosecute the Government if they believed the agreement had been violated.

The National Addiction Centre says it's concerned that could allow international alcohol companies to fight any attempts to change New Zealand's laws on drinking.

Auckland University law professor Jane Kelsey talks to Firstline's Rachel Smalley - watch the video.

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Comments

17/08/2012 6:57:22 p.m.

Steve wrote:

Mike the exact same laws that Australia is fighting against big Tobacco are not just limited packaging ,costing the taxpayer too Mike. They threaten in the exact same way to derail future alcohol law changes here if the legislation is not carefully scrutinised. For instance if a limit of 5% was put on RTD's initially why did Collins up it to 6%. Pressure from big alcohol or threats of a court case?

15/06/2012 3:14:41 p.m.

Chargone wrote:

seeking assurances is kind of pointless with this government. they'll happily give them to you. then take actions entirely contrary to them and claim they never made any such assurances. or that they couldn't have predicted the (blatantly obvious) outcome. or any number of other blatantly dishonest tactics to deflect attention and criticism away from themselves until it is too late to do anything about it.

15/06/2012 7:51:05 a.m.

Mike wrote:

On what grounds is the National Addiction making this claim?

Now with the tabacco where they are suggesting plain white packaging being forced on businesses, they may have a point, but we dont see any such moves with imported alcohol. I disagree with such a move myself. But a change to taxes on tabacco like the 10% more tax per year isn't something those same tabacco companies could challenge. Neither is the smoke free areas already legislated for health reasons.

So what is proposed in the alcohol reform? I dont see any brand removal?

So what we have isn't a real concern, it is a political move against the government by pro-left people at the national addiction centre. If the national government said 'Water is wet', they would be voicing concern too!