November 18, 2004

Time to stock up on drugs

The Free trade deal with the US has been settled.


Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, in Santiago, Chile for the APEC meeting, said Australia had agreed to what he said were some minor changes at the request of the US.


But that won't affect the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, he said.

And if you believe that, I have a very profitable and mutually advantageous deal with a Nigerian bank manager in which you might be interested/

Posted by jquiggin at November 18, 2004 08:28 AM | TrackBack
Comments

In the interest of civil discussion, and without making any judgements as to rights and wrongs, I've deleted all the comments on this post so far.

I'll restart by asking if anyone knows whether the letters that are supposed to be exchanged at this point are public documents, and if so, where they can be found.

Posted by: John Quiggin at November 18, 2004 11:41 AM

Have I missed something?

Posted by: Katz at November 18, 2004 11:46 AM

Not really, Katz.

I still don't understand how this treaty is a net plus for Australia, and if it is not, why it was signed by Howard. Any pointers?

Posted by: Tom DC/VA at November 18, 2004 12:06 PM

I believe it (that there will be no effect on PBS, not the Nigerian letters).

The debate about the benefits is on the public record. If you disagree with the analysis, state your reasons (as JQ has). If you haven't read the analysis... then... well... just jump to whatever conclusion is the most convenient.

Posted by: John Humphreys at November 18, 2004 01:33 PM

http://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/negotiations/us_fta/final-text/index.html

But because I posted that link... you probably shouldn't trust it.

Posted by: John Humphreys at November 18, 2004 01:36 PM

The link is to the final text of the agreement (from June) rather than to the exchange of letters.

Those interested in my views can search the site for "FTA".

Posted by: John Quiggin at November 18, 2004 01:49 PM

Hmm on the radio Costello said that the changes were about copyright matters.

Posted by: Factory at November 18, 2004 06:39 PM

A mate suggested that the best part of the FTA for howard was his personal opportunities apres retirement for making deals in the US.
I tend to agree.

Posted by: marklatham at November 18, 2004 08:51 PM

Thanks for the link to the text of the agreement - I hadn't seen it before. Flipping through Chapter 17 (Intellectual Property), it seems that we agreed to implementing the Digital Millenium Copyright Act here in Australia. Oh joy.

Posted by: Alan Green at November 18, 2004 08:57 PM

Some people just never get it...
Property rights, investments flows, property bubbles and speculation are all the epitome of business' justifications for this FTA: mo'business' mo'business, The more, the betta. The sooner, the betta!

Issues of Sovereignty, Intellectual Property and Copyrights, Sustainability, New Technology, GMO's and other abstracts, are just beyond their intellect... They don't even try to understand them.

Moral and Intellectual Propriety are well beyond their grasp!

Posted by: Carlos at November 18, 2004 10:56 PM