Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Gillard will meet NZ PM more often



Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced she will hold talks with her New Zealand counterpart more often, in a landmark speech to the nation's parliament.

Ms Gillard on Wednesday became the first overseas leader to address the NZ parliament in its Wellington debating chamber.

She had been due to speak to MPs during sitting time but the New Zealand government's plan was vetoed by the Green Party which claimed the move would compromise the country's sovereignty.

 Ms Gillard  and NZ Prime Minister John Key had agreed to restore the pattern of regular prime ministerial exchanges that had occurred in the past.

She will host Mr Key in Australia next year, and will travel again to New Zealand for the talks in 2013.

Ms Gillard said it was an honour to speak to the parliament.

"Yours is one of the oldest democratic legislatures in the world," she said.

Ms Gillard confirmed Australia would soon begin importing apples from New Zealand, ending a 90-year trade battle between the two nations.

It came to a head late in 2010 when the World Trade Organisation issued a final ruling forcing Australia to open its doors to NZ apples.

Ms Gillard said a promise to accept the ruling made by Trade Minister Craig Emerson would be delivered.

"Australia accepts the verdict of the global umpire and will implement the World Trade Organisation rulings on the importation of New Zealand apples to Australia," she said to loud applause.

Talks on borderless travel project SmartGate were progressing well, with Ms Gillard flagging a joint study to create a "domestic-like aviation experience" between Australia and New Zealand would begin this month.

She and Mr Key also would sign a Closer Economic Relations (CER) investment protocol.

"The protocol will make investment simpler and cheaper, creating employment and opportunity on both sides of the Tasman," Ms Gillard said.

"For New Zealand this agreement provides the most liberalised access to the Australian investment market.

"For Australia, it makes CER our most liberal and comprehensive trade agreement. But as family, that is how it should be."

Talks on borderless travel project SmartGate were progressing well, with Ms Gillard flagging a joint study to create a "domestic-like aviation experience" between Australia and New Zealand would begin this month.

She and Mr Key also would sign a Closer Economic Relations (CER) investment protocol.

"The protocol will make investment simpler and cheaper, creating employment and opportunity on both sides of the Tasman," Ms Gillard said.

"For New Zealand this agreement provides the most liberalised access to the Australian investment market.

"For Australia, it makes CER our most liberal and comprehensive trade agreement. But as family, that is how it should be."



By

NEHA JAIN

      

   

     



            
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