Bill English National Party Leader Spokesperson

5 December 2001

Bill English has good meeting with Australian Prime Minister

National Party Leader Bill English today had a very cordial two-hour meeting with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Mr English says the relationship with Australia is very important to New Zealand given the steadily increasing amount of business New Zealanders are doing in Australia.

"One of the priorities as the new Leader of the National Party was to meet with the newly re- elected Prime Minister.

" The discussions I had today canvassed a range of issues, including where the Australian Government is headed on domestic issues and other issues around the Pacific region in which New Zealand has an interest.

" We also talked about the changing nature of political campaigns and I was happy to take advice from a successful political leader such as Mr Howard.

"Earlier I met with Senator Hill the new Minister of Defence and discussed our defence relationship with Australia.

"While in Australia I will also be meeting with Treasurer Peter Costello, Finance Minister Nick Minchin and Deputy Prime Minister John Anderson," says Mr English.

Ends

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