Trade, copyright probed in TPP hearing

DETAILS of trade and copyright in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) will be examined by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties at a hearing in Canberra on Monday.

Committee Chair, Stuart Robert MP, says the Committee will hear about a range of issues, reflecting the broad scope of the TPP.

“The TPP should create a level playing field for trade and investment across the Asia Pacific, including major Australian trading partners like the United States, Japan and Singapore,” Mr Robert says.

“The diversity of witnesses appearing on Monday speaks to the TPP’s range of potential benefits.  The Committee will hear from experts in Intellectual Property, copyright, and the information technology industry. 

“In addition, the Committee will talk to the peak bodies of the mining industry, trade unions, food and grocery producers, the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, grain growers, and legal professionals.

“This will be the Committee’s penultimate hearing into the TPP, with a final hearing involving Government witnesses to be held on 7 November.”

During the hearing, the Committee will also be taking evidence from trade unions on the Paris Agreement.

Mr Robert says people interested in the Committee’s inquiries can visit the Treaties Committee’s website for further information.

 

Public Hearing: Monday 17 October 2016, Committee Room 1R1, Parliament House, Canberra

8:15am: Australian Council of Trade Unions, Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

9:00am: Associate Professor Kimberlee Weatherall

9:30am: Copyright Advisory Group, COAG Education Council

10:00am: Minerals Council of Australia

10:30am: Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

11:00am: Australian Council of Trade Unions

11:30am: Food and Grocery Council

12:00pm: Law Council of Australia

12:30pm: GrainGrowers

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live.

Further information about the inquiry can be accessed via the Committee’s website. 

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