NZ-Australian Relations: Canberra Sends A Clear Signal on Single Market Ambitions
December 10th, 2009
One of the clearest signals out of Canberra so far the Rudd Govt wants to accelerate work on the trans-Tasman single economic market came last week when Aust awarded its highest honour, the Order of Australia, to Hugh Templeton, the NZ Trade Minister who negotiated the Closer Economic Relations pact with Australia’s Doug Anthony. The citation conferring the award as an honorary officer (AO) in the Order for Australia read “for service to Australia-NZ economic relations particularly through the establishment of the Australia NZ Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement.” Analysts note the timing of the award is pointed, coming just months after the two PMs agreed to aim at creating a seamless economic market between the two countries by 2015.
In marking the importance of Templeton’s work with CER (he had to overcome the resistance not only of powerful lobbies in NZ but also the reluctance of Muldoon) Canberra is sending a message it wants to build on those foundations. A low-cost, innovative, seamless operating environment for business in the trans-Tasman community is a vital building block for the Key Govt’s economic growth agenda. Last week Justice Minister Simon Power and Aust Attorney-General Robert McClelland opened a new era of co-operation in dealing with trans-Tasman legal disputes. Each Minister in the respective Parliaments has introduced Bills which set up a co-operative scheme to make trans-Tasman litigation simpler, cheaper and more efficient. The Bills will, among other things, allow the enforcement of regulatory regimes supporting trans-Tasman markets. This week John Key is opening a “smart gate” at Auckland Airport, one of the steps needed to simplify travel between Aust and NZ.
Copyright © Trans Tasman Media Ltd
Duncan Cotterill