Hi folks!

One can only advance at the expense of the other. Last November, the United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural Committee passed a ‘General Comment’ that declared water to be a basic human right, and not to be treated primarily as an economic good. What steps has the New Zealand Labour Government taken to incorporate water as a human right into NZ domestic law?

The General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) seeks to extend corporate rights, by making it easier for multinational corporations to privatize and commodify water services, through Public-Private-Partnerships.

European-based water multinationals are already in New Zealand, at Papakura. United Water (a consortium made up of Vivendi and RWE, two of the three biggest water multinationals in the world) operate and manage for private profit the water services which are still owned by the Papakura District Council, under a Public-Private-partnership - otherwise known as a ‘franchise’ or ‘contracting out’.

It is noted that not one Labour MP has put in writing that they agree that the Papakura PPP with United water, is in fact, a form of privatization.

It is noted that despite its claims to be opposed to water privatization, this Labour Government did nothing that prevented United Water extending their multinational tentacles to the Ruapehu District Council.

It appears to be the old ‘Rogernomics’ technique of ‘BLITZKREIG’ yet again.

WHERE IS THE PUBLIC DEBATE?

I demand that the NZ Government stop GATS negotiations forthwith, and advises the WTO that it is unable to meet their 31 March 2003 deadline, because there has been insufficient public consultation and debate.

I demand that the New Zealand Labour Government put the interests of the New Zealand public ahead of big business, and fully incorporate water as a human right within domestic New Zealand law.

To back this submission, I pledge that if you do not put human rights ahead of corporate rights, and stop GATS negotiations forthwith, that I will actively campaign against your re-election.

To further back up this submission, I pledge that I intend to take direct action to support water as a human right, by refusing to pay my Metrowater bill. Water is a basic human right - under international human rights law - it should be affordable, under Metrowater it isn’t.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

Yours sincerely,