A free trade deal with the United States offers us nothing but more shameless exploitation at the hands of their powerful multinational corporations that everywhere rape and pillage the world. Australia went down the slippery slope of 'troops for trade' by sending their soldiers in the illegal and unethical attack on Iraq and the net result was a free trade deal that opened up their economy and society to merciless corporate and state power intent on smashing unions, environmental regulations and consumer protections.

What is happening over the Tasman is a frightening indication of where the USNZ Partnership Forum will lead us. The US-Australia free trade agreement (FTA) has significantly eroded Australians ability to control their public services as the deal now means,

"Australia will accord substantial market access across its entire services regime, offering access in sectors such as telecommunications, express delivery, computer and related services, tourism, energy, construction and engineering, financial services, insurance, audio/visual and entertainment, professional, environmental, education and training, and other services sectors."

This means that in these areas, US companies can demand "market access" to bid for public services currently supplied by the government. The US government can challenge any regulation of any of these services as a "barrier to trade" under the FTA. For example, in the area of "environmental services", requirements that national parks be run by government agencies may be a "barrier to trade" which could be challenged, opening national parks to be run by US corporations.
Source: Global Trade Watch

Unsurprisingly the participants at the USNZ Partnership Forum have much experience in attacking humanity in their quest for new markets to rip off, new eco-systems to ravage and new workers to exploit. Mike Moore and Jim Bolger, two leaders of the attacks on social welfare, education, health care, housing, Maori and the environment during the 1980s and 1990s, will be batting for New Zealand during the Forum. On the other side representing the US, is Clayton Yeutter, a US Trade representative who during the negotiations of the Canada–United States Free Trade Agreement, said about the deal, "The Canadians don't know what they've signed. In 20 years they'll be sucked into the U.S. economy."

Well, at least they tell the truth.

Today and tomorrow there can be no compromise in defending our communities, ending US imperialism, stopping colonial control, saving our environment and fighting for our rights as workers and citizens of this country. Wherever they go, and whatever they do as part of their assault on freedom, democracy and social justice, they must be resisted in the streets and in our communities.

We are everywhere, the resistance to the USNZ Partnership Forum is just another battle in the fight for global justice that rages from Palestine to Tonga, and from the Phillipines to Mexico. Last year activists swamped Te Papa in Wellington and turned the annual weapons industry conference into a battlefield between protestors and police. We won that battle and never again will the weapons industry return to Te Papa. The industry now conducts its annual forum with the utmost secrecy lest they be hunted down by the multitude of peacemongers. The weekend before the Partnership Forum, thousands of Australians will converge in Sydney to resist the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference. Workers in Aotearoa are winning industrial victories through militant picket line action and grassroots solidarity. During the hospital workers lockout just passed I helped turn away scabs outside Waitakere Hospital with locked out cleaners. At 5am in the dark and the rain we showed corporate power that when people are actively resisting in the streets, organising together and building solidarity between ourselves, we are unstoppable.

That's why we need you to come to Auckland in September between the 9th and the 11th. The left in Aotearoa has a well established tradition of anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist direct action resistance. We want to continue this tradtions and build on it. Our ability to disrupt this Partnership Forum and show the government, each other and the world what we are capable of doing, depends on us being irrepressibly large, militant and woven tightly together with solidarity and hope, during the march on Monday September 10 at 12noon from Aotea Square to the Museum.

We will find accommodation for all those who want to participate in this resistance during September as well as making your stay as joyful, exciting and productive as possible. We'll even be catering meals to make sure there is enough fire in our bellies when we rise in resistance to the politicians, bosses and assorted hangers on who'll be up on the hill trying to sell our world away.

Register your interest, your commitment or let us know what help you require to get to Auckland in September, plus queries, feedback and suggestions to Omar on 021 150 3597 or omarhamed123@gmail.com

Our World Is Not For Sale Campaign


*NB: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are not representative of the views of other individuals & groups involved in organising against the USNZ Partnership Forum.