Inquiry spotlight on Australia ties

By BRIAN FALLOW

WELLINGTON - A parliamentary select committee will conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into economic and trade relationships with Australia.

The foreign affairs, defence and trade committee is seeking submissions on a list of issues including:

* The future of Closer Economic Relations and its role as a platform for other free-trade agreements.

* A single currency.

* Matching tax, customs and business law.

* Government assistance for industry.

* Freedom of transtasman travel.

* Music, television, films and art.

And for good measure, it will look at "the implications, advantages and disadvantages" of the two countries merging.

Chairman Graham Kelly said the committee did not have any particular barrow to push about currency union or any other issue on the list.

He said the committee wanted to talk to people who traded regularly with Australia about the difficulties that could occur.

Submissions close on June 16, though the committee may start hearing them before then.

"If we can finish it this year, that would be better than dragging it out," Mr Kelly said. "But we don't want to rush it."