Australia: FTAs Threaten Cigarette Packaging: Greens  

Source from:  AAP (Australian Associated Press) (au)  10/12/2013

TOBACCO companies will have the green light to sue Australia over plain packaging if the government fast-tracks free trade agreements, Greens leader Christine Milne says. 
 
Senator Milne has warned Prime Minister Tony Abbott not to rush into the mooted Trans-Pacific Partnership with 12 regional countries.

Mr Abbott also wants to overcome years of stalemate to secure an Australia-China free trade agreement within 12 months.

But Tasmanian Senator Milne says Australia should not accept a weakened dispute resolution process she believes would lead to tobacco companies seeking to recoup lost profits.

The Greens leader said food multinationals like Monsanto could also challenge Tasmania's genetically modified crop free status.

"Tony Abbott is considering allowing cigarette companies to sue the Australian government because we have plain packaging legislation," Senator Milne told reporters in Hobart.

"It would mean that Monsanto could sue the Australian government because Tasmania is GMO-free."

Senator Milne said rushed agreements could mean greater foreign ownership of agricultural land and water.

"Everybody knows the Chinese say absolutely they won't tolerate any kind of strengthening of our foreign investment laws," she said.

"So what's it to be - Monsanto, cigarette companies, selling out the farm in Australia simply to fast-track these free-trade agreements or are we going to get what we would regard as fair trade?"

Senator Milne said environmental care costs and labour standards should be built into any FTA. Enditem