STOP MAI

MEDIA RELEASE -for immediate release, 19 June, 1998 Authorised by the STOP-MAI Campaign Coalition (WA) Website http://members.iinet.net.au/~jenks/fair.html Affiliated with the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTInet) and with the World Social Forum (WSF)

ANOTHER PUBLIC RALLY AGAINST MAI

The "Stop MAI"coalition group campaigning against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment will hold its second public rally at Leederville on 30^th June.

The MAI, a controversial treaty to advantage overseas investors, was stalled last month because of overwhelming worldwide protest, but its initiators including Australia intend to proceed with it in October.

In an article in The West Australian on 23^rd May, writer Mark Thornton said:

"It will cede to foreign investors some of our most fundamental democratic rights and will put at risk international United Nations treaties on climate change and fishing. It will threaten workplace and environmental legislation which the multinationals believe restricts their free hand."

The public meeting, at 7.30 pm, will be at the sports hall of the WA Deaf Society, 16 Brentham Street, Leederville.

Guest speakers will be barrister Bevan Lawrence, TLC secretary Tony Cooke, journalist and broadcaster Liam Bartlett, and former WA senator Jean Jenkins.

A previous meeting at Fremantle in April attracted a capacity audience, reflecting the very high level of public concern thoughout Australia on the issue..

Detailed information kits will be distributed at the Leederville meeting.

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PHONE CONTACTS: Brian Jenkins +61 8 9528 1864; Dion Giles 0411 745 538