Labour leader Helen Clark today applauded Australian Prime Minister John Howard's initiative in ringing President Clinton to make strong representations on behalf of his country's lamb exporters.

"Mr Howard has gone the extra mile for the Australian farmer. Will Mrs Shipley go the extra mile today?" Helen Clark asked.

"No one expects prime ministerial phone calls to work miracles. It is in the end, however, a prime ministerial duty to make representations to other countries in matters affecting the national interest.

"The impending decision by the United States on moves to cut back imports of Australasian lamb certainly fits into that category.

"If Mrs Shipley has not already made the call she should pick up the phone now," Helen Clark said.

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