What Jonathan J. Ariel (JJA) and most other conspiracy theorists ignore when posting alarmist articles like this is that the TPP is something that the US is trying to push, and so far is being ignored by the rest of the 12 countries it hopes to include.

The document so far thus only includes items that the US wants on the agenda with none of the compromises, deletions or concessions that a negotiated document would include, and unsurprisingly is biased towards the US. It is also extremely unlikely to bear much resemblance to the final document if it ever gets up.

According to the government's website :

" Australia's decision to participate in the TPP in 2008 followed an extensive public consultation process. Overall, there was widespread interest in and support for Australia's participation in the TPP. Input received through the consultation process is being used to inform the Government's priorities and objectives for Australia's ongoing work on the TPP."

Now, you would think that you would remember that extensive public consultation wouldn't you ?

Yes Wantok, it is very true, they only say there was consultation.
I would like to see someone with access to ask when and where was the
consultation ?
I would suggest that they asked everybody in the Minister's office.

This is typical as I indicated in an earlier post on this thread that
very serious matters are agreed upon by treaty and goes through the
parliament in the middle of the night.

There is nothing more certain that one or other of our banks will get
into serious financial trouble.
Where are you going to hide your money before the Financial Stability Board comes for your money ?

The active hiding of the ABIRE's report 117 only got out because a
journalist in Paris downloaded it during the night our time before
the PMs office saw it the next morning and panicked.
This is typical of what is happening in government. I had hoped the
new government would be different but it looks like the Financial
Stability Board will go ahead in Brisbane this month at the G20.
Labour signed us up for it, and the Libs look like confirming it.

Hi Bazz and Wantok

If you want info from the Government as to the state of TPP negotiations the relevant Minister is:

The Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, Minister Trade and Investment

His Office Phone is: (02) 6277 7420

Just call and provide a Comment on this thread regarding how you went - especially if his office staffers try to flick you to the DFAT address already mentioned.

The info above was on the open Internet at http://trademinister.gov.au/releases/2013/ar_mr_131211.html

Another handy holiday public consultation suggestion.

Pete

Plantagenet, I have actually read part of the draft that someone had
accessed but it was unreadable. By making reference to other documents
and to unreleased parts of the draft it was meaningless.

Also it needs someone who has experience in decyphering the bureaucratese.

Of more immediate interest and haven't they been quiet about the G20
this month in Brisbane approving and appointing the Financial Stability Board.
They will then be ready to seize YOUR money if your bank gets into
financial trouble so the bank can pay its creditors.
I have read the documents setting up the board and as an IMF/G20
document it is easy to read and understand.
GOOGLE produces a number of references to the FSB.

Hi Bazz

I agree its hard to get a handle on the TPP and our Government's approach to the ongoing negotiations is a disservice to Australians.

I can't claim to understand the financial system-banking changes involved with the TPP.

One crack of light in the intentionally opaque process occurred in Nov 2013 concerned patents and our PBS medications scheme http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/medicine-prices-could-rise-under-transpacific-partnership-deal-20131113-2xh0r.html:

"Australians are likely to face price rises for their medicines in coming years if intellectual property proposals contained in the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement go ahead.

The leaked treaty reveals a range of measures that would enhance the ability of drug companies to extend and widen patents on drugs."

Looks like the public will have to continue to rely on leaks...

Pete