On the 1st of March a community group called Ohariu People’s Power established a Citizens’ Select Committee. This committee wants to hear the opinions of the New Zealand public on the asset sales debate and the international trade agreement called the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
This was established because of the slim majority with which the government can pass legislation allowing the partial privatisation of state assets. A Bill paving the way for partial privatisation passed its first reading at Parliament last Thursday by just one vote, that of Ohariu MP Peter Dunne. With this being the case the community group and select committee are formed around voters within Peter Dunne’s electorate. His constituency. However, whilst this is being run by voters within his electorate the committee is asking for the opinions of everyone, as we all have an interest in the outcome of the asset sales debate and the negotiations of a very influential trade agreement.
The TPPA could have potential impacts on the relations between New Zealand and foreign owned companies. This is particularly disturbing because of the agreement’s potential to make state sovereignty subservient to company interests. This could affect the level of state control over partially privatised assets.
If you would like to have your say on these important issues please email or post the Committee a 200 word message, including your name and address (this information will be kept private), explaining your feelings.
The email address is save.our.soes(at)hotmail.co.nz
The postal address is Ohariu Citizens’ Select Committee
P O Box 13 367, Johnsonville, Wellington
You can also present your opinions to the Committee in person at 7:30pm on Thursday the 22nd of March,
at the Johnsonville Community Centre. Please email save.our.soes(at)hotmail.co.nz if you wish to present to the Committee in person.
To find out more about the Citizens’ Select Committee please visit our blog at peoplespowernz.wordpress.com.
Below is a link to a video from the public meeting, which formed the Citizens’ Select Committee, and a video of Bill Rosenberg’s presentation on the TPPA.
Select Committee
TPPA
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