Prime Minister Chasing Global Rainbows

Prime Minister Helen Clark's failure to heed the friendly warning from Australian High Commissioner Allan Hawke, on the deterioration of the Trans-Tasman relationship, is disconcerting in the extreme, ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader Ken Shirley said today.

"With the collapse of the World Trade Organisation Cancun trade talks, the way forward on multi-lateral global trade agreements is in question," Mr Shirley said.

"It is obvious that bi-lateral and regional free trade agreements will progressively have a growing significance. New Zealand is in grave peril of being cut adrift in the South Pacific, and Ms Clark's failure to recognise the significance of an Australia/US FTA without New Zealand cannot be overstated.

"The risk of CER being abandoned is very real. While it might titillate the Prime Minister's ego to engage in UN and other multi-lateral agendas, the harsh reality is that New Zealand is insignificant in a global sense.

"We must pursue achievable trade opportunities, and it is becoming clearer that New Zealand's anti-nuclear policies have become a millstone around our neck. It is time for the Prime Minister to end the rhetoric, and bring home the bacon," Mr Shirley said.

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