Full union welcomed

Press, 31 August 1989, Page 32

Full union welcomed

NZPA Sydney Expected moves towards full economic union between New Zealand and Australia have been welcomed by Queensland industry and tourism organisations. The New Zealand Prime Minister, Mr Geoffrey Palmer, has predicted negotiations on economic union will begin well before the end of the next decade. This would include harmonisation of business and trade law and the introduction of a common currency. The president of the Queensland Confederation of Industry, Mr Ash Forward, told the Brisbane

j “Courier-Mail” that economic integration i would provide a sound 1 trade bloc and open ex- - change of ideas. He was supported by the chairman of the Queensland Tourist and 1 Travel Corporation and - the Australian Tourism - Industry Association, Sir i Frank Moore, who desi cribed integration as a ; natural conclusion to 1 trans-Tasman relations. f “From our point of / view, we (in Queensland) i are closer to Auckland than Perth,” Sir Frank j said. i The Q.C.I. has supported the idea for a * considerable period and

had formed a committee to negotiate with its New Zealand counterpart, Mr Forward said. “We will do all we can,” he said. “Putting up artificial barriers is wrong. The more countries we can get ties with the better.” “We are very supportive of trade links and a move such as this would be common sense.” Within the integration proposals, the Q.C.I. supported a common currency, common accreditation for trade skills, a defence pact and the abolition of passports for use between the two countries.