Global IssuesInternational OrganisationsAfricaAntarcticaAsiaAustraliaCERSEMDefenceEuropeLatin AmericaMiddle EastNorth AmericaPacific
Ministers, senior business representatives, academics and public sector and other community leaders from Australia and New Zealand met in Auckland for the third Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum on 5 and 6 May. The Forum, which commenced in 2004, sustains and enhances the important relationship that exists between our two nations through networking and dialogue on issues of common concern.
The meeting commended the major contribution made to the Forum by outgoing Australian co-chair Margaret Jackson and the Forum warmly welcomed new co-chair James Strong.
The Forum expressed strong support for the Australia-New Zealand relationship, welcoming the leadership which both Prime Ministers, and their Ministerial colleagues, provide it. Mr Peters and Mr Downer provided outlines of government perspectives on the importance of the relationship. The participation of a wide number of key Ministers in the Forum was greatly appreciated. This is an essential element in such a significant, diverse and extensive relationship.
The Forum welcomed developments in relations between the two countries following last year’s meeting in Melbourne, and was encouraged by the substantial progress made by both Governments since then in enhancing the trade and economic relationship including in areas of securities and business law, banking, accountancy and competition policy.
The Forum heard from Ministers and expert speakers on the relevant issues facing the two countries and their relationship – the political, the economic, the strategic and the social issues of importance to trans-Tasman relations.
Discussions highlighted that the relationship needed to be viewed through not only a bilateral perspective, but in the context of an increasingly competitive international economic environment and new challenges to security, especially in our own region.
In discussing the competitiveness of the two economies, the Forum saw China’s economic trajectory as a compelling rationale for governments to press ahead with their ‘Single Economic Market’ (SEM) agenda. At the same time, it was noted that the SEM had a long way to go, including on some big issues, such as in the areas of capital markets and taxation.
Forum working groups discussed key issues relating to competition, the barriers to trans-Tasman travel and trade, demographics and labour market issues, education, R and D, cultural, and social issues. The groups outlined their achievements to date, for example, work on a single track model for company mergers and the introduction of common A/NZ immigration lanes in eastern Australian international airports. They continue to identify and prioritise important issues such as in the areas of taxation, the mobility of business people, and identifying flagship areas for research and education cooperation.
The Forum focused on its role as a catalyst for accelerated progress in A/NZ economic integration, bearing in mind major changes in the global environment and the success to date of more integrated markets in the world.
The Forum will meet in Australia in 2007. In the meantime, Forum working groups will continue to work on a list of issues of particular significance to the Forum.
| Kerry McDonald New Zealand co-Chair (+64) 21 433350 |
James Strong AO Australian co-Chair (+61) 2 92928406 |
