Also a reminder for the protests this week, some new events, and a correction to a couple of What’s On items from Part 1.
TWO MORE DAYS FOR SIGN-ONS TO AVAAZ PETITION TO STOP THE TPP – NEED 25,000 FOR 3/4 MILLION
We are after a final push to at least get to 3/4 million when we present this petition on Saturday. Please send it around your networks and urge them to add it. Just that extra few thousand will make a big rhetorical difference. Thanks, Jane Kelsey (NZ campaign)
What can you do to help sink the TPPA? Sign the Avaaz petition and get us to the 1 million mark before 8 December 2012 – the National Day of Action for the Auckland round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Currently it stands at 722,000. Presenting the petition will be the centrepiece for the Auckland action on Saturday 8 December.
Sign One Million to Stop the Corporate Death Star at :http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_the_corporate_death_star/?vc
The petition reads: To all the governments negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement: As concerned global citizens, we call on you to make the TPP process transparent and accountable to all, and to reject any plans that limit our governments’ power to regulate in the public interest. The TPP is a threat to democracy, undermining national sovereignty, workers’ rights, environmental protections and Internet freedom. We urge you to reject this corporate takeover.
TPPA ACTION: UPCOMING EVENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY, MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
- A mobile billboard featuring one of the winning cartoons and advertising the Dec 8 rally will be driving around Auckland from 4-12 December. The billboard will incorporate a scroll for public comment, which will be displayed outside the media briefing on 12 December. Details tba, contact Stephen Parry 021 039 0284.
- to 8 Dec Auckland. ‘Having fun with TPP’ Cartoon exhibition, BizDojo.Co.Space, Karangahape Road, Auckland.
- 7 December Auckland. Aotearoa Is Not For Sale: The Big Push. March against Asset Sales, meeting 6pm at Britomart. http://www.facebook.com/events/304092823039121/
- 7 December. The TPPA and labour relations: overseas and NZ unionists talk on the TPPA. 6Pm, venue TBA
- DEC 8 – NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION – WHAT IS YOUR COMMUNITY GOING TO DO?
- Auckland: Aotearoa Is Not For Sale: Shut Down the TPPA. Direct Action: http://www.facebook.com/events/421123814617113/
- Major rally and presentation of Avaaz petition on TPP as a threat to democracy, meeting at Aotea Square at 2pm, marching to entrance of Skycity casino, Federal St.
- TPPA? No way! Awareness raising concert at St Kevin’s arcade, 6-9pm. Featuring bands Steve Abel, Tono and the Finance Company, and Luckless. Speakers: New Zealand and international activists against theTPPA
- Nelson. March up the main street on 8 December, followed by speeches and maybe even a picnic! Contact Mary Ellen O’Connor at oconstance Meet at Noon: Trafalgar Street from I-Site by the Maitai River. Speakers including at least one Member of Parliament.
- 10 Dec Auckland “Trading away our future: TPPA and the Environment”, featuring: Sanya Reid Smith (Third World Network), Gareth Hughes MP, and Nathan Argent (Greenpeace). Refreshments provided. 5.30 at Green Party offices, 17 Mercury Lane, Newton. http://www.facebook.com/events/562836617066132/
- 12 Dec Wellington. Aotearoa Is Not For Sale demonstration at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Details to be announced (AINFS meet at Trades Hall each Wednesday at 5.30).
Please share TPPA activities or good articles: Contact Stephen Parry stephenparry1985; Facebook page ItsOurFutureNZ; and website www.itsourfuture.org.nz
NGO FORUMS: ABOLISHING NUCLEAR WEAPONS
From nuclear-weapons free Aotearoa New Zealand to a nuclear-weapons free world. Come along to the NGO Forum in Wellington or Auckland (see details below) for a report on the Australian Red Cross conference ‘Towards Eliminating Nuclear Weapons’, and an update and discussion on: · the Red Cross ‘Make Nuclear Weapons the target’ campaign; · the government conference on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons that will be hosted by Norway next year; · the International Campaign for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons (iCAN), the Norwegian government’s civil society partner for the conference, and iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand; and · the New Zealand government’s position on a global ban on nuclear weapons, and what we can do about it.
Wellington: Thursday, 6 December 2012 – Presenters: Gabrielle Emery, Advocacy and Policy Manager, NZ Red Cross, and Edwina Hughes, Coordinator, Peace Movement Aotearoa. At 12.30pm, Room 2, First Floor, St Andrew’s Conference Centre, 30 The Terrace (entry via the pathway on the north side of the church)
Auckland: Tuesday, 11 December 2012 – Presenter: Edwina Hughes, Coordinator, Peace Movement Aotearoa. At 5pm, The Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland City. |
Organised by iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand, please RSVP by email to icanz or at https://www.facebook.com/events/354906011271266/ The A4 poster for the NGO Forums is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/ican-anz,forums.pdf
Thursday, December 6, 7.30pm, Unite Union, 6a Western Springs Rd, Morningside, Auckland
Come and hear American worker-organiser Erik Forman talk about Occupy, the rebirth of the IWW (a grassroots anti-capitalist union) and class struggle in the US of A. Unite union presents: “From Precarity to Power: Class Struggle in the USA and the Return of the IWW”. The global economic crisis of 2007 has increased the misery of life under capitalism for workers around the world, particularly the already poor and precarious. However, amidst the tragedy of increased exploitation and poverty, new struggles have erupted, each with their own potentials for human liberation as well as limitations. In this talk, US labor organizer Erik Forman will discuss his experiences rebuilding the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) at Starbucks and in the the US fast food industry, IWW participation in the grassroots workers’ movement in Wisconsin and in the Occupy protests, and the potential for revolutionary unionism in the United States of America. See: https://www.facebook.com/events/519371654759313/
More on the IWW: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iww
http://www.iww.org/
http://www.starbucksunion.org/
Monday, December 10, 6.30pm-9pm, Freeman’s Bay Community Hall, 52 Hepburn St, Auckland
My ‘Voice’ Counts – Join us to celebrate Human Rights Day! All Welcome! The Human Rights Commission and EventX are hosting a free concert to celebrate our ‘voices’! Featuring Sam RB, Phillip Patston, Jodi Pringle, Panther and the Zoo, Johnny Matteson & Friends, Tommy Hamilton and Paul Gibson (Disability Rights Commisioner)
Tuesday, December 11, 12noon to 2pm, across the street from the Onehunga Work and Income.
Auckland Action Against Poverty Recession Buster Rally. More info at www.aaap.org.nz
Wednesday, December 12, 2-4pm, Mangere Budget Advisory Service, 59B Mahunga Drive (next to KUMFS Shoes), Mangere Bridge, Auckland
An open meeting will be held for all organisations involved in the Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand.
Thursday, December 13, 6pm to 7.30pm, The University of Auckland Business School, Case Room 1, Level 0 Owen G Glenn building, 12 Grafton Road Auckland
Roger Fowler from Kia Ora Gaza speaks. In November 2012, Roger Fowler was sent to Gaza and Cairo on behalf of Kia Ora Gaza’s website to investigate progress towards opening the besieged Palestinian enclave to the world in the wake of Egypt’s democracy revolution. He also delivered grants and aid to community organisations in Gaza and reported on Israel’s military blitz from inside the enclave. In this presentatiom, Roger will speak of his experiences. He will be joined by fellow KOG convoyers from the June convoy, Tali Williams and Hone Fowler.
BEST ON THE WEB
NEW ZEALAND
GPJA congratulates government on Palestinian vote http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1211/S00444/gpja-congratulates-government-on-palestinian-vote.htm
West Papua: Break the Silence http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1211/S00398/west-papua-break-the-silence.htm
Photos: West Papua Flag Raising at NZ Parliament http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1211/S00442/photos-west-papua-flag-raising-at-nz-parliament.htm
Peace Researcher Issue # 44 November 2012 Online http://www.converge.org.nz/abc/prcont44.htm
Sea Shepherd Vessel The Bob Barker In Wellington, December 6 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00049/sea-shepherd-vessel-the-bob-barker-in-wellington-december-6.htm
Kaitiaki reveal the extent of seafood’s decline http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00028/kaitiaki-reveal-the-extent-of-seafoods-decline.htm
‘100% Pure’ dissenter pays heavy price http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/dave-armstrong/8026779/100-Pure-dissenter-pays-heavy-price
Mike Treen, life-long socialist and national director of the Unite Union, describes what a socialist society might look like. http://links.org.au/node/3125
Aotearoa Is Not For Sale Wellington fights for democracy http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00026/aotearoa-is-not-for-sale-wellington-fights-for-democracy.htm
Spy use ‘alarming’ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10851391
TV man pleads case for gay marriage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10850682
Axed post-graduate allowances ‘threat to research’ http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8021765/Axed-post-graduate-allowances-threat-to-research
Maori, Pacific offenders high on three-strikes watch http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10851550
Report seeks action on disabled rights http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/8030254/Report-seeks-action-on-disabled-rights
‘Economic abuse’ to be put on par with domestic violence http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10851760
Robin Duff: Educational equity key to success http://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=10850846
2012 Roger Award Finalists named http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/526
Marchers seek democracy for Christchurch http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8024230/Marchers-seek-democracy-for-Christchurch
HOBBIT
Helen Kelly: How the Hobbit dispute was used to justify curbs to the actors’ union – The New Zealand government colluded with Warner Bros to give the impression that unionised actors threatened the film http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/nov/30/hobbit-actor-union-dispute
The Politics of The Hobbit – images http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2012/12/the-politics-of-the-hobbit-images.html
Lest We Forget: Warner Brothers Won 2010 Roger Award For “Hobbit” Affair http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/511
POVERTY & WELFARE DEBATE
Poverty action group aims to help beneficiaries get full due http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8024562/Poverty-action-group-aims-to-help-beneficiaries-get-full-due
CPAG: Safety net whipped away when families need it most http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00029/safety-net-whipped-away-when-families-need-it-most.htm
Punitive Approach to Beneficiaries Misguided http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00055/punitive-approach-to-beneficiaries-misguided.htm
Charles Waldegrave and Bob Stephens: Counting the true costs of poverty trap http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10850597
‘Open your eyes’ Caritas tells Committee considering welfare changes http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1211/S00451/open-your-eyes-caritas-tells-select-committee.htm
Safety net whipped away when families need it most http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00029/safety-net-whipped-away-when-families-need-it-most.htm
WORKRIGHTS NZ
INSECURITY: fightback against bully bosses at security companies. http://unitenews.wordpress.com/2012/12/03/insecurity-fightback-against-bully-bosses-at-security-companies/
Suitable employment http://spiderandme.blogspot.co.nz/2012/12/suitable-employment.html
Invest in young people, don’t cut their wages http://www.voxy.co.nz/politics/invest-young-people-dont-cut-their-wages-ctu/5/142548
New forestry standards show nothing learned from Pike River http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00053/new-forestry-standards-show-nothing-learned-from-pike-river.htm
Why no-one blew the whistle on Pike River http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/8032044/Why-no-one-blew-the-whistle-on-Pike-River
Lisa Beech: Our working children deserve better http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10851710
Cafe worker awarded $12,000 for sudden firing http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10850376
YWCA Campaign keeps Pay Equity on the Agenda http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1211/S01097/ywca-pay-equity-campaign-timely.htm
From Now until the End of the Year, Women Work for Free http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1211/S00422/from-now-until-the-end-of-the-year-women-work-for-free.htm
Interislander Strike Notice Lifted http://newsroom.co.nz/stories/interislander-strike-notice-lifted
NZ ECONOMY
Monthly Economic Review http://www.parliament.nz/NR/rdonlyres/F6541BF4-AB1C-4B8A-BEFD-36D03D83D53D/254342/Dec13.pdf
Facebook NZ’s $14k tax bill ‘a rort’ – Labour http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10850796
Taking on our local tax cheats http://norightturn.blogspot.de/2012/11/taking-on-our-local-tax-cheats.html
TPP PROTESTS
Free trade talks meet protests http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/free-trade-talks-met-protest-video-5257807
TPPA cartoon competition winners announced http://www.itsourfuture.org.nz/tppa-cartoon-competition-winners-announced/
Bill Rosenberg: The TPPA and New Zealand’s experience https://dl.dropbox.com/u/18076151/Chapman%20Tripp-Auckland%20Univ%20TPPA%20seminar%20%281%29.pdf
Werewolf Edition #36 – Trans Pacific Partnership Special http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1211/S00190/werewolf-edition-36-trans-pacific-partnership-special.htm
Auckland TPP trade talks spark protest http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/claims-secrecy-auckland-tpp-trade-talks-5254222
Protests outside TPP talks http://www.3news.co.nz/Protests-outside-TPP-talks/tabid/369/articleID/278982/Default.aspx
Trans-Pacific Partnership secrecy draws critics http://www.3news.co.nz/Trans-Pacific-Partnership-secrecy-draws-critics/tabid/370/articleID/278886/Default.aspx
Citizen A With Martyn Bomber Bradbury, Jane Kelsey & Lori Wallach on the TPPA Negotiations
War of words in TPP public perception battle http://www.3news.co.nz/War-of-words-in-TPP-public-perception-battle/tabid/421/articleID/278907/Default.aspx#ixzz2E9BMXltJ
Jane Kelsey: Pacific deal masks bigger plan http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10851517
Unprecedented lockout of stakeholders from TPP negotiating venue http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1212/S00002/lockout-of-stakeholders-from-tpp-negotiating-venue.htm
TPP secrecy raises concerns http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/8008154/TPP-secrecy-raises-concerns
TPPA = Giving Away Sovereignty for Pie in the Sky http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00007/tppa-giving-away-sovereignty-for-pie-in-the-sky.htm
Nicky Hagar: US free-trade deal suspect http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4474502/US-free-trade-deal-suspect
Poll shows most New Zealanders want government to end secrecy of TPPA negotiations http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00004/poll-shows-most-nzers-want-to-end-secret-tppa-negotiations.htm
Jane Kelsey: ‘Treaty-making 101’ for Ministers, bloggers and corporate lobbyists http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00035/treaty-making-101-for-ministers-bloggers-and-lobbyists.htm
Gordon Campbell on Tim Groser’s ‘political projectile vomiting’ about the TPPA http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/12/04/gordon-campbell-on-tim-grosers-political-projectile-vomiting-about-the-tppa/
War of words in TPP public perception battle http://www.3news.co.nz/War-of-words-in-TPP-public-perception-battle/tabid/369/articleID/278907/Default.aspx
PM’s claim of $3b benefits from TPPA completely without evidence http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00047/pms-claim-of-3b-benefits-from-tppa-without-evidence.htm
Maritime Union Links To Building “Trans–Pacific Opposition” http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00051/maritime-union-links-to-building-trans-pacific-opposition.htm
Here’s the interview I did for Auckland radio station 95bFM on Monday about the healthcare transparency annex and PHARMAC: Deborah Gleeson MPH PhD, Lecturer, School of Public Health and Human Biosciences, La Trobe University http://95bfm.com/default,209012,the-wires-big-thing-the-tpp-free-trade-agreement.sm
TPPA gains: $1.7 billion, $3 billion – pick a number, any number …. http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00046/tppa-gains-17-billion-3-billion-pick-a-number.htm
Gordon Campbell on the NZ Herald’s attack on Jane Kelsey http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2012/11/29/gordon-campbell-on-the-nz-heralds-attack-on-jane-kelsey/
TPPWatch Bulletin #24 4 December 2012 http://www.indymedia.org.nz/articles/534
Brian Fallow: Pharmac vulnerable in trade talks http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10850603
GPJA 