Media release by Australian Conservation Foundation - March 3 1998 - & Where to send letters
Australian Democrats MAI Site - includes email on-line petition & petitions to download
Have a look at - the Globalisation & Corporate Rule Index
Australian Film Industry Wakes Up to Treaties & MAI Implications -Film Wars - Australia vs New Zealand-SMH May 2 1998
& The Age May 3 1998
State of play: results achieved and further
work
Scope of the MAI
The MAI is to be a comprehensive agreement covering all forms
of investment coming from MAI investors, including the
establishment of enterprises and the activities of established
foreign-owned or controlled enterprises. Its aim is to apply MAI
disciplines to all sectors and at all levels of government. It
extends beyond traditional foreign direct investment to encompass
portfolio investment and intangible assets. Further work is
focusing on intellectual property rights, indirect investment,
concessions, public debt and real estate.
From the 1997 progress report presented by the MAI
Negotiating Group to the OECD Council meeting at Ministerial
level in May 1997.
The OECD multilateral agreement on investment (MAI) has been described as a charter of rights and freedoms for
transnational corporations (TNCs) and international investors, which they will have the right to enforce against governments. It
imposes no corresponding responsibilities on investors.....
Trade unions will be calling on governments : to establish as a priority an International Commission to develop a new financial architecture which is required to govern international capital markets; & to develop the social and democratic dimensions to globalisation and move decisively to ensure that core labour standards are guaranteed in the global trade and investment system.....
There has been considerable interest recently in the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. The MAI has the potential to touch every one of our lives. If Australia signs the agreement the political future of our country will no longer be driven soley by Australian interests, but we will be part of a global economy. Many people oppose this threat to our national sovereignty while others look forward to entering the potential new markets of an integrated global economy.
Main Substantive Provisions of the MAI by W.A. Dymond, Chief Negotiator for Canada, MAI briefing for non-OECD countries 7 September 1997 - Paris, France
Business & Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD BIAC
Economic Reform Australia [ERA] - sustainable development & economic/financial reform. ERA's long term goal is to achieve a socially, environmentally and financially sustainable economic system.
Stinging attack on anti-MAI groups by Australian Financial Review AFR - February 5 1998...What do redneck populist Ms Pauline Hanson, the Australian Democrats and assorted left-wing greenies have in common?
Money, foreign investment and the new world order...." January 19 1998
Australian backs away from OECD foreign investment plan...." January 1998
Exposing hypocrisy - John Stone's article "Foreign banks should pay the price for debt crisis...January 1998
OECD exemption sought...television content rules ...." February 1998
MAI will harm our interests....Your letter accusing me of a scare campaign on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment reflects the same arrogant policies...." February 1998
Support for global investment pact on the wane April 27 1998
December 1997 - "NZ Voters are wary of Free-Trade Treaty"...Most political parties favour the Multilateral Agreement on Investment, but the feeling is not mutual at grass roots Jim Anderton, leader of New Zealand's left wing Alliance, is adamant about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment: "We sign away our...
January 1998 - "A Conspiracy Theory worth worrying about"....An OECD treaty on foreign direct investment seems to put corporations beyond the law of nations. Critics are alarmed by the secrecy surrounding the plan....
January 26 1998 - "How the world may end up paying for the allure of globalisation..."
February 16 1998 - "Tax rates and the new world order..."
February 23 1998 - "In money markets, the some of the parts is greater than all of us ...as the participants in global markets move closer together, the system becomes much more vulnerable to uncertainty...."
March 9 1998 - Letter - "Do we really want a free market world?"
March 23 1998 - "Multinationals rule, so governments must take their chances..."
March 30 1998 - "In Backward Australia, let the debate begin....Anyone with the temerity to argue against the trend to a "global economy" is likely to find their credentials questioned..."
April 6 1998 - "Playing the Global Game...." & "Global ambitions start a US market stampede..."
April 13 1998 - "Big shocks ahead for our businesses....the Australian services sector will go from being highly protected to being exposed to free trade."
Alexander Downer releases a White Paper on Foreign Policy August 29 1997.
BACKGROUND to MAI