Sunday, February 05, 2012
   
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Trans-Tasman Integration

Australia remains our biggest trading partner, and we can do considerably more to increase wealth by making things easier for those doing business across Australasian markets. Over the years we have harmonised or brought in mutual recognition regimes as to many rules and regulations, but in addition I have some specific proposals to reduce common administrative burdens. These will give New Zealanders and Australians more certainty at less cost.

Given the extent to which we have a common market between the two countries, I would like to see all judgments in New Zealand courts enforceable in Australian courts, and vice versa. Currently, this is the case for courts between the different Australian States and Territories, but not yet as between New Zealand and Australia.

Given our shared legal history, we have very similar rules for the taking of affidavits. With very little work we could further harmonise these to ensure that in most cases an affidavit taken before any authorised officer in an Australian jurisdiction is admissible in a New Zealand court.

Both of these measures have significant potential to reduce trans-Tasman red tape, and I am at present advocating their swift implementation. New Zealand and Australia are considering the necessary treaty provisions at the moment.

Looking further into the future, I can see potential for harmonising and integrating our border control and immigration regulations, to smooth the passage of people and goods into our part of the world. For example, potential visitors and prospective immigrants might find it useful to apply for immigration pre-clearance to both countries at the same time, reducing the visa application burden. This would allow them to move more easily between the two jurisdictions for work and leisure. And there could be substantial benefits in maintaining a ‘common border’ in the manner of the Schengen Agreement between many EU states.

We need to keep thinking of ways in which the common market between the two countries can sensibly be broadened and deepened.
Labour Spokesperson for Justice
Labour Spokesperson for the Environment

Labour List MP Based in Ohariu
Authorised by Charles Chauvel, 103 Johnsonville Road, Johnsonville