14 August 2008
Crean to Hold Closer Economic Relations Ministerial Talks with New Zealand
Minister for Trade Simon Crean will meet his New Zealand counterpart, Minister for Trade Phil Goff, in Melbourne on Friday 15 August for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Ministerial Meeting.
The New Zealand Minister of Commerce, Ms Lianne Dalziel, and Minister of Agriculture, Mr Jim Anderton, will accompany Mr Goff to the high level talks.
Australian Agricultural Minister Tony Burke, Industry and Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and Superannuation and Corporate Law Minister Senator Nick Sherry will also participate in the discussions being held on Friday.
2008 marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark CER agreement between Australia and New Zealand, which was finalised and signed by the Hawke Labor Government in 1983.
Trade between the two countries has grown by nine per cent per annum over the life of the CER agreement, taking two-way trade to A$21.5 billion in 2007.
“CER has been a highly successful agreement, underpinning a mutually-beneficial expansion and deepening of trans-Tasman economic links,” Mr Crean said.
“I am delighted to welcome Phil Goff and the New Zealand delegation of Ministers to Melbourne to discuss ways in which we can further enhance this agreement.”
“I will also seek to intensify cooperative efforts by Australia and New Zealand to advance our shared multilateral and regional trade agendas.”
Ministers will discuss in detail our common interests in securing progress in the WTO Doha Round, and how to build on efforts made in Geneva last month.
“The Ministerial Meeting will also focus on further strengthening to the trans-Tasman trade and economic relationship, including the Single Economic Market agenda.”
Media Inquiries: Mr Crean's office 02 6277 7420 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555