Australia and New Zealand Expand Joint Standards by 30% in Single-Market Push

Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell and New Zealand Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay concluded the annual Closer Economic Relations meeting in Auckland. They launched a business-government collaboration programme covering regulatory coherence, common standards, supply chains, climate adaptation, space, innovation and technology. New Zealand said joint trans-Tasman standards have increased by 30% under a new agreement between Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand. The ministers also announced a New Zealand trade mission to pursue procurement tied to Brisbane’s A$15 billion 2032 Olympic and Paralympic investment programme.