Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

The majority disagreed that the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade should give members of Parliament access to the draft text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement. Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson had proposed this.

Background to the motion

The Australian Parliament will not be able to see the final text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement until after it is signed. This is unlike the United States Congress and the Malaysian Parliament, who are allowed access to the draft text before their countries sign it.

Motion

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson moved that:

That the Senate—

(a) notes members of the:

• (i) Australian Parliament will only be allowed to see the final text of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (the Agreement) once it has been signed,
• (ii) United States of America Congress are allowed access to the Agreement draft text, and
• (iii) Malaysian Parliament will be shown the draft text prior to Malaysia signing the Agreement; and

(b) calls on the Minister for Trade and Investment and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to allow members of Parliament access to the Agreement draft text.