- Original Message -
From: "nick crouch" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]
*PLEASE POST AND FORWARD WIDELY*
Australia: Say No to a US-Australia Free Trade
Agreement
Vote now at http://www.nofta.org
The Australian Government is negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
with the USA that threatens many fundamental parts
of Australian society, and that will be almost irreversible once signed.
Now a new site gives you the chance to make your voice heard in
opposition to this agreement. Visit http://www.nofta.org and cast a vote
against this secretive, undemocratic and very destructive agreement.
How will the FTA affect you? An FTA would:
Diminish Democracy - The US wants new rights in the FTA for corporations
to sue the Australian government for compensation if environmental or
health laws reduce their profits.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/democracy.html
Erode public services - The FTA could lead to post, health, water and
other public services being privatised. US drug companies are also using
the FTA to make changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which
would increase the cost of medicines.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/services.html
Harm Australia's Economy - Modelling by the International Monetary Fund
shows that a FTA would actually shrink the Australian economy by 0.03%
per year and increase US imports by $5.25 billion.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/economy.html
Destroy Family Farms - Trade liberalisation is the main cause of the low
commodity prices which are sending Australian farmers broke: since the
1960s, the number of Australian farms has almost halved. An FTA would
continue this trend. The US also wants to dismantle single-desk export
boards which primarily help small farmers.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/farmers.html
Threaten Australian Culture - The US is demanding that the government
give up the right regulate new media to ensure that Australian culture
survives.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/culture.html
Eliminate More Jobs - Since 1987, almost 200,000 jobs have been lost
from tariff reductions. The FTA will reduce tariffs further, endangering
the jobs of millions of Australians. Even Toyota says an FTA could
destroy our car industry.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/jobs.html
Threaten Australia's Environment - An FTA would increase production of
Australia's most environmentally damaging crops, increasing water use by
up to 1.3 TRILLION litres - almost equal to our total domestic water
use! The US also wants changes to our quarantine laws, making it easier
for US pests to enter Australia.
More:
http://www.nofta.org/impacts/environment.html
Visit http://www.nofta.organd register a vote FOR affordable medicines,
a healthy Australian society and culture and a strong democracy, and
AGAINST to a free trade agreement with America!
Increasing numbers of Australians have already raised their voices in
opposition to this potentially devastating agreement which has been
negotiated in secret and will not be voted on by parliament. Pressure
from civil society groups and farmers has meant that negotiations have
continued into 2004, but the government needs to conclude them by the
end of January. If this agreement is signed, it will be almost
impossible to "un-sign"
So in this election year, take this opportunity to show the Howard
government that you're ready to VOTE against this trade agreement. Make
your voice heard against this dangerous agreement, but remember to get
your vote in by the end of January.
YOU can help STOP the FTA: Vote today at http://www.nofta.org
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