June 28, 2021: Professor Rachel Thrasher from Boston University Law School argues that, while the US is supporting a rule change for COVID vaccines, the US and other WTO members should also support the waiver of intellectual property rights on COVID treatments and equipment.
The Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET) is a network of community groups and individuals that campaigns for fair trade based on human rights, labour rights and environmental sustainability.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced graduate passionate about global justice. The position is for 28 hours per week for one year, renewable. Remuneration, including 10% superannuation, is $75,130 per year.
June 21, 2021: Avima Iron Ore Limited, an Australian-owned mining company, launched a US$27 billion claim against the Republic of Congo (RoC) in the International Chamber of Commerce on June 4, 2021.
MEDIA RELEASE
June 18, 2021
“We welcome the fact that the Australian and UK governments have responded to community concerns about secrecy and yesterday published the Agreement in-Principle (AIP) for the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement,” Dr Patricia Ranald, AFTINET Convenor, said today.
June 17, 2021: In an oped in The Conversation, AFTINET Convenor Dr Patricia Ranald sets out the big dangers and the continuing undemocratic process in the in-principle agreement for an Australia-UK Free Trade agreement announced overnight on June 15, 2021.
MEDIA RELEASE
June 15, 2021
“The announcement of ‘in-principle’ agreement for an Australia-UK free trade agreement continues the unacceptable government secrecy about the details of the agreement,” Dr Patricia Ranald, AFTINET Convenor said today.
June 14, 2021: The European Parliament passed a resolution on June 10, 2021, that supported negotiations for a temporary waiver of some WTO rules on patents to improve global access to affordable COVID-19-related medical products and to address global production constraints and supply shortages.
June 10, 2021: Médecins sans Frontières has welcomed the opening of text-based negotiation at the World Trade Organisation as a major breakthrough for South Africa, India and 63 sponsoring low- and middle-income countries, supported by over 100 countries in total. The revised proposal seeks suspension of patent monopoly rights for COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and equipment during the pandemic.
June 9, 2021: The Morrison Coalition government has been urged by 156 Australian lawyers and legal academics to support the proposed suspension of patents on COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and equipment, as the Prime Minister takes part in the G7 deliberations on this issue.
MEDIA RELEASE
June 8, 2021
“As the World Trade Organisation TRIPS Council meets today, the European Union has put forward a tiny clarification of existing WTO rules, that would not remove the obstacles and delays in those rules,” Dr Patricia Ranald, Convenor of the Australian Fair Trade & Investment Network said today.