McClay insists TPPA to be publicly debated

MP Todd McClay said trade agreements helped open up markets for exporters all over New Zealand, including the Bay of Plenty. Photo / File

Rotorua MP Todd McClay has denied claims by Rotorua-based New Zealand First list MP Fletcher Tabuteau that the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is "likely to sail through without scrutiny".

"The Government has no intention of allowing the controversial TPPA treaty to be debated in Parliament before it is signed," Mr Tabuteau said yesterday.

"This trade agreement has the potential to become a cyst that will release cancer into the lifeblood of our country.

"The TPPA will give foreign corporations an unfair advantage in New Zealand and it undermines our entire New Zealand legal system.

"Mr McClay told Parliament New Zealand would cope 'extremely well' should a multinational [company] pursue a billion-dollar lawsuit. He is living in la-la land," he said.

"Other countries are pulling out or working to remove investor state dispute clauses from their free trade agreements to avoid these types of lawsuits.

"But this Government continues to play murder ball with our economy in the blind hope that these clauses won't get used when we try to raise our minimum wage, protect our environment or provide quality, affordable healthcare.

"New Zealand First is all for trade with other countries, but we shouldn't be secretly selling our soul inside trade agreements."

Mr McClay, who is Associate Minister of Trade, and Foreign Affairs, said Mr Tabuteau's comparison of trade agreements to a life-threatening disease was silly. "Parliament will have a chance to debate and vote on TPP, as the public will be able to put in submissions to a bill, should the agreement be completed," Mr McClay said.

"The process will be the same as with other trade agreements negotiated by New Zealand governments.

"The Government has been clear that it will only sign up to TPP where it is in the best interests of New Zealand."

Mr McClay said trade agreements helped open up markets for exporters all over New Zealand, including the Bay of Plenty. "For instance, the recently concluded Korean agreement will reduce tariff rates on 99 per cent of wood products, including processed timber, to zero within a short timeframe. Helping our exporters means creating jobs for people in Rotorua and New Zealand.

"Mr Tabuteau should be very mindful of that if he intends to continue his criticism of free trade agreements."