AFTINET Bulletin No. 46, 7 November 2002
In an unprecedented move to link local
and global regulation, Marrickville, Waverly and Leichhardt Councils and the
NSW Local Government Association Conference recently passed resolutions asking
for the Federal Government to consult about the implications for local government
of the WTO negotiations on Trade in Services (GATS). Similar resolutions have been
passed by the Melbourne City Council and by the Moreland Council in Victoria.
The resolution is also being submitted to the National Local Government
Council.
A recent study by the Canadian Environmental
Law Association (found at www.policyalternatives.ca)
identified areas of local government services and regulation which could be
affected by the GATS negotiations. The services identified included water and
sewerage services, waste management, zoning regulations, library services and
community services like childcare.
The resolutions passed by local Councils
and the NSW Local Government Association Conference stressed that public policy
regarding the regulation, funding and provision of essential services should be
made democratically by governments at the national, state and local level, and that
such services should not be included in trade agreements. They called for full
transparency and consultation on GATS with state and local government. See www.aftinet.org.au
for a copy of the resolution.
The ALP shadow Minister Craig Emerson
this week released a new policy on GATS which contains some of the points
raised by AFTINET. While confirming its in principle support for liberalization
of trade in services the paper says that Labor will not support governmental
services which are provided on a non-competitive and non-commercial basis being
included in the GATS.
It also opposes any undermining of access
to essential services of restriction on the right to operate universal service obligations
deemed necessary on social, regional and other policy grounds. It opposes any proposals
that undermine the public provision of health and education services. It will
not support any offers under GATS that would require the privatization of
public assets. The ALP would also oppose any restriction on the right of
governments to regulate and to introduce new regulations on the supply of
services. Finally the ALP supports community involvement in Australia’s
position on the GATS negotiations, and insists that the Australian Governments’
requests and offers in the present GAT negotiations be made public, allowing
ample time for consultation and debate. Further information from CraigEmerson.mp@aph.gov.au
This means that there is some common ground on GATS between all opposition parties, thanks in part to the work done by AFTINET.