<
https://theconversation.com/corporations-prepare-to-sue-over-action-to-save-lives-as-pandemic-reveals-trade-flaws-136604>
"Global companies are positioning themselves to use little-known rules
in trade agreements such as the Comprehensive Progressive Trans-Pacific
Partnership (CPTPP) to claim millions of dollars in compensation for
restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
They and other companies have successfully lobbied for rules in the
CPTPP and other bilateral and regional agreements that give them rights
to bypass courts including Australia’s High Court and sue governments in
extraterritorial tribunals for income they claim restrictions have cost
them, using so-called Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) procedures.
Such provisions do not exist in the rules of the World Trade
Organisation iteslf, which is the body formally charged with regulating
global trade.
The Philip Morris tobacco company used such rules in a Hong
Kong-Australia agreement to claim billions of dollars in compensation
from Australian for plain packaging legislation.
Defeating this claim took Australia seven years and A$12 million in
legal costs.
There have been increasing numbers of such cases against governments
regulating to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change."
Via Muse, who wrote "sigh."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://www.xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
http://www.glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
http://www.sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
