TPP: Wikileaks crowdfunds bounty for trade deal secrets of Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership
Wikileaks is seeking to get hold of confidential information about the major free trade deal being negotiated between the US and Asia – by crowdfunding a $100,000 reward.
The whistleblowing organisation has already raised a third of the money it needs to put up as a bounty for information about the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) from supporters.
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, who remains holed up at the Ecuadorian embassy in London, said: "The transparency clock has run out on the TPP. No more secrecy. No more excuses. Let’s open the TPP once and for all."
The group has already published three draft chapters of the 26-chapter deal, which has not been made public and is seeking to publish the rest of the documents with the campaign. The economic deal, along with a similar one between the US and Europe (the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, or TTIP), has faced criticism over its secrecy.
"The remaining 26 chapters of the deal are closely held by negotiators and the big corporations that have been given privileged access. Today, WikiLeaks is taking steps to bring about the public’s rightful access to the missing chapters of this monster trade pact," Wikileaks said.
There are 11 countries involved in negotiating the ambitious TPP agreement with president Obama, including Australia and Japan and the deal will cover two-fifths of the world's trade. It's also seen as a starting point for further agreements between another 53 countries.
The campaign is the first of Wikileaks crowdfunding efforts and the organisation is seeking further pledges towards rewards for the "most wanted leaks".