Commerce Minister Simon Power leaves today for talks on single economic market issues with Australian Ministers, MPs, and business leaders.

He will meet Attorney-General Robert McClelland, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer David Bradbury, and MPs Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull.

“This trip follows up on my trip in September last year where I had talks with members of the new Australian Government,” Mr Power said.

New Zealand’s Acting Minister of Energy and Resources, Hekia Parata, and Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, met in Auckland on 8 April to collaborate on energy efficiency measures for households and businesses.

The discussions covered the development of legislation for consistent energy standards and labelling for household appliances across both countries. These labels make it easier for shoppers to identify which appliances would lead to the biggest savings on their electricity and gas bills.

On 25 and 26 March, Foreign Minister Murray McCully hosted his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd, in Christchurch for their twice-yearly meeting.

The Australian Foreign Minister arrived in Christchurch and spent time meeting with Australian personnel assisting with earthquake recovery and marking his respect for the victims of the earthquake.

The two foreign ministers then held formal talks in Christchurch.

18 March 2011
Prime Minister John Key's Speech to the Christchurch Earthquake National Memorial Service

North Hagley Park

We are here today to remember the people we have lost, to express our grief and sorrow, and to re-affirm our commitment to this city and to each other.

On the 22nd of February Christchurch experienced an earthquake of such violence that it stole from us the lives of dozens of people, and dramatically altered the lives of tens of thousands more.