Audio: Oz Heavy Post-Cabinet Question Session

After giving the media a brief overview of what occurred at today's cabinet meeting Prime Minister Helen Clark then handed over to Trade Minister Phil Goff and Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton who explained that the Government will initiate World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement proceedings against Australia to resolve the long-standing apples dispute.

After Mr Goff and Mr Anderton had explained NZ's WTO salvo aimed at getting our apples into Australia the Prime Minister took a number of Australian related questions. Initially the PM expressed some surprise and annoyance at actions taken by Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Mr Downer had called in NZ 's High Commissioner after the NZ Government had expressed anger that New Zealand's national carrier Air NZ had been ferrying Australian troops to the Middle East and Iraq in particular.

Mr Downer's displeasure at the NZ Government's reaction to the Australian Troop ferrying lead to the PM expressing displeasure with Mr Downer's reaction in a likely never ending cycle of displeasure.

The PM avoided making any explicit statement regarding news reports regarding Australian Labour Party Leader Kevin Rudd's visit to a strip club some years ago. The PM did however point out she had her in personal views on strip clubs and their treatment of women namely that she didn't consider it "appropriate entertainment."

Listen to the Prime Minister explain what decisions were made at Cabinet

Listen to the Prime Minister take questions from the media

ENDS