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Govt. launching TPP sales pitch roadshows

Author
Frances Cook ,
Publish Date
Mon, 7 Mar 2016, 5:08am
Trade Minister Todd McClay at the signing of the TPP (Newspix)
Trade Minister Todd McClay at the signing of the TPP (Newspix)

Govt. launching TPP sales pitch roadshows

Author
Frances Cook ,
Publish Date
Mon, 7 Mar 2016, 5:08am

The Government is hoping to finally make its case for the TPP, when roadshows get underway today.

Auckland is hosting the first of several workshops being held around the country this month, with anyone able to register and ask questions about the trade deal.

It is billed as a chance to explain the pros and cons of the TPP from those on the inside, and there's a promise that all questions will be answered.

Trade Minister Todd McClay said even those who've strongly protested the deal are welcome to attend.

"To those who are most concerned and who have protested before, I would say leave your protest and your placards outside, come and sit around the table in these rooms, and we will have a very open and frank conversation."

Labour leader Andrew Little said the Government has its work cut out to win people over.

"Saying nothing meaningful to the public for the seven years it was being negotiated, then dumping a huge agreement on people and then saying 'right now tell us how good it is', people just don't go for that."

Little said those involved need to make sure the workshops are balanced.

"Members of the public would be pretty cynical if all they are hearing is spin about how good it is, and aren't hearing a balanced view about the downsides as well as the upsides."

But Todd McClay insists it's not an attempt at political spin.

"We always go out and talk to businesses and industries so they understand that agreement and they can see how they can benefit from it."

Green Party co-leader James Shaw said there's a lot of confusion on important subjects, and it needs clearing up.

"They've said previously that they expect the cost of some medicines to go up as a result of this, but that they'll increase Pharmac's funding to cover the costs. They haven't said how much, or where that money's coning from."

"I do think that this is a real opportunity for people who are feeling uneasy about aspects of the deal to go along with those questions and ask them of the Government."

 

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