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Media Release

March 22 2007

The unification of Australia and NZ

Could Australia and NZ ever become one?Australia and New Zealand share a unique history and have a strong relationship today - but will they ever become one?

In 1901, the New Zealand Government decided against joining the Australian Federation. Fast forward to 2007: the Constitutional Committee of the Australian Federal Parliament would like to revisit the issue. In response to this, New Zealand’s Prime Minister recently stated that New Zealand has no intention to review the decision of whether to join Australia’s constitution.

Could Australia-New Zealand unification actually get off the ground? If it did happen, what are the political, social, and economic issues that could arise?

In the public lecture, Another waltz with Matilda, to be chaired by Professor Gerry Griffin, Pro Vice Chancellor, Division of Business, University of South Australia, distinguished New Zealander John Collinge draws from his extensive political, international relations and legal background to cover the potential impacts that could arise from the political unification of Australia and New Zealand, covering in particular issues such as Closer Economic Relations, harmonisation effects and the political and economic consequences of a shift to a single trans-Tasman economic market.

Date: Tuesday March 27
Time: 5.45 pm, for 6pm start
Venue: Level 7, Room 27, Playford Building, City East campus
To attend: email Belinda Spagnoletti or call 8302 0510

John Collinge is a Visiting Business and Law Scholar in the Centre for Regulation and Market Analysis in the School of Commerce.

Currently a Patron of the British New Zealand Trade Council and a prominent barrister and solicitor based in Auckland, John Collinge has had many decades of experience in the New Zealand political, economic, and legal scene. He was President of The National Party of New Zealand from 1989 to 1994, and High Commissioner for New Zealand to the United Kingdom from 1994 to 1997. He has held several high-ranking public service positions, including Chairman of the Commerce Commission (New Zealand’s competition authority) from 1984 to 1989, and has acted as Chairman of the Auckland Electric Power Board, amongst other community service positions.

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