Recitals
Purpose
A. The purpose of the Arrangement is to give effect to a scheme implementing mutual recognition principles between the Parties relating to the sale of Goods and the Registration of Occupations, consistent with the protection of public health and safety and the environment.
Objectives
B. The objective of the Arrangement is to remove regulatory barriers to the movement of Goods and service providers between Australia and New Zealand, and to thereby facilitate trade between the two countries. This is intended to enhance the international competitiveness of Australian and New Zealand enterprises, increase the level of transparency in trading arrangements, encourage innovation and reduce compliance costs for business.
Understandings
C. This Arrangement records the understandings reached by the Parties. These understandings are confined to matters within the Jurisdiction of each Party.
D. In entering into this Arrangement, the Parties recognise the mutually beneficial economic and trade framework which has developed under the 1983 Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement and believe that trans-Tasman mutual recognition is a logical extension of this relationship. In particular, the Parties believe that a Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Arrangement will enhance the international competitiveness of Australian and New Zealand enterprises.
E. It is also intended that this Arrangement will contribute to the development of the Asia Pacific region by providing a possible model of cooperation with other economies, including those in the South Pacific and APEC.
F. The Parties recognise that this Arrangement builds on, and is a natural extension of, the 1992 Mutual Recognition Agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories of Australia. It is intended that, as far as possible, the mutual recognition scheme established by this-Arrangement should be consistent with the scheme established by the Mutual Recognition Agreement.
Principles
G. Subject to the provisions of this Arrangement, two basic principles relating to Goods and Occupations respectively, underpin the Arrangement.
1. Goods
The basic principle in respect of Goods is that a Good that may legally be sold in the Jurisdiction of any Australian Party may be sold in New Zealand, and a Good that may legally be sold in New Zealand may be sold in the Jurisdiction of any Australian Party.
2. Occupations
The basic principle in respect of Occupations is that a person Registered to practise an Occupation in the Jurisdiction of any Australian Party is entitled to practise an Equivalent occupation in New Zealand, and a person Registered to practise an Occupation in New Zealand is entitled to practise an Equivalent occupation in the jurisdiction of any Australian Party.
Consistent with the principles in paragraph G, it is the intention of the Parties minimise exemptions and exclusions to the Arrangement.
The Parties Acknowledge That
1. subject to certain exemptions for the protection of public health and safety and the environment, the Arrangement is intended only to take precedence over such Laws of Participating Parties in respect of Goods as would effectively prevent or restrict the sale in the Jurisdiction of that Party of a Good that can legally be sold in the Jurisdiction of another Participating Party;
2. the scheme does not seek to affect regulation by the Parties of initial requirements for the registration of Occupations, such as requirements relating to qualifications, conduct or the practise of Occupations.
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