PM met by Waihi TPPA protest

Protesters concerned about the mining aspects of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement greeted Prime Minister John Key as he visited Waihi College today.

And according to Green Party MP and protestor Catherine Delahunty, much of their gripe is aimed at mining company OceanaGold, who bought the Waihi gold mine in July for $US101 million.


TPPA protestors greet the Prime Minister in Waihi. Photo: Catherine Croft.

OceanaGold is currently suing the government of El Salvador for $US301 million after they were refused a mining permit following the Central American country's decision to halt the activity within its borders.

Later in the day, Key was once again met by a crowd of TPPA protestors as he visited Katikati for a private meeting in the town hall.

'I've been talking to the young people here and they understand what the TPPA means,” says Catherine, speaking from the scene of the protest.

'They understand that the mining company OceanaGold, which is buying Waihi mine, is involved with free trade agreements around the world, and is suing the government of El Salvador under their free trade agreement.

'Oceana are going to control Waihi soon, and these people are understandably worried that if the TPPA goes through with what they call the ‘investor dispute process', that means companies like this can sue our government if we choose to stand up to the mining industry.

'Oceana is doing it to other countries, and they are doing it to countries with no money at all.”

'We know this deal is bad for the whole country. It's bad for health and for things like intellectual property, but it's particularly bad for a place when a foreign, multi-national company can potentially sue the government if they are not allowed to wreak havoc.”

The case will be heard on September 15 at the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes of the World Bank in Washington DC.


Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty. Photo: File.

El Salvador's main reason for refusing the permit relates to the company's failure to comply with minimum legal requirements. There are also concerns about the social and environmental impacts of mining in a country that is sitting on top of an estimated 1.4 million ounces of gold.

Around 50 people were outside the college gates when the PM arrived this morning.

Catherine continues: 'Many of them are young people who have come to protest against the TPPA because they don't want our sovereignty stripped away and they don't want secret deals being done in their name.

'It's awesome to see young people as well as older citizens stepping up on this issue, because it's an issue the government has tried to suppress.

'These companies now have more rights than we do, and they can sue governments for sums they can't afford to make sure they get their way.

'Oceana are doing this right now, and now they are taking over this town. It's a very serious issue for Waihi and Aotearoa.”

'John Key has never shown much respect for the alternative view on the TPPA, and the government doesn't like talking about it.

'But he will get a strong clear message from the residents here that this is not what they want.

'This is a really good turn out for a small town on a quiet morning. The message for the Prime Minister is ‘you are not going to get away with this and we are going to hold you to account'.”

Communications maanger for OceanaGold Andrea Atell says: "On the El Salvador issue, the arbitration process referred to does not rely on a free trade agreement and is in fact proceeding based on El Salvador's own Investment Law. Therefore, it is incorrect to link this case to the TPPA.

"While the acquisition of the Waihi Operation is still subject to regulatory approval from the Overseas Investment Office, we do have a proud history of almost 25 years of safe and sustainable operation on the South Island where we have contributed to the economy and worked in partnership with local communities. Upon the completion of the acquisition process we will seek to work closely with all stakeholders in Waihi with the same objective of building strong relationships and contributing to community."

SunLive contacted OceanaGold in regard to the above comments from Catherine Delahunty, but have not yet received a reply from the mining company.

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8 comments

Overit

Posted on 02-09-2015 17:50 | By overit

Good on them. Stick it to him. That is scarey whats happening in El Salvador.


Too Busy

Posted on 02-09-2015 21:26 | By Merlin

john Key will not answer the hard questions because he is to busy getting the media and anyone else he thinks will promote the flag issue even perhaps our rugby captain with all the photo ops with him


DUE AUTHORITY

Posted on 03-09-2015 10:03 | By Corwen

Once the flag is changed and the Union Jack removed, the Government can do what they like with TPPA. Check it out "DUE AUTHORITY"


Due Authority

Posted on 03-09-2015 11:37 | By karlpenlington

is not tied to the flag. most of the other counties with the queen as head of state do not even have the Union Jack on it. changing the flag will not change anything in regards to the legal powers of the crown. point of note I think the TTPA is a bad idea it will not befit NZ in its current form


protest

Posted on 03-09-2015 12:29 | By dumbkof2

i see all the renta protester group are out in force again i wonder how many of them are on a benifit


Green Dishonesty-again

Posted on 03-09-2015 13:31 | By Ron

It is a pity that Delahunty is misleading those young people. If you read the article all the way through you see that OceanaGold is taking legal action under domestic law. In the same way that the big multinational Greenpeace organisation which Delahunty supports is suing the British Government regarding fishing- Wait! That is under international law: The Green hypocrisy is astounding.


Twenty people

Posted on 03-09-2015 13:39 | By How about this view!

Is not a protest worth commenting on... Rather a herbal tea meeting arranged in a car-park by people that THINK they know what is going to happen in the future and believe that they know best.


where is it

Posted on 03-09-2015 17:09 | By dumbkof2

W here is this place called outer roa where they are going to have a serious issue


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