The Treaty
Final version
9 September 2003
Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand for the establishment of a joint scheme for the regulation of therapeutic products
The Government of Australia and the Government of New Zealand (referred to in this Agreement as "the Parties"):
CONSCIOUS of their geographic proximity, long-standing friendship, and close historic, political, and economic relationship;
RECOGNISING the development of that relationship through the Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement done at Canberra on 28 March 1983, and subsequent arrangements and agreements developed within that framework;
NOTING in particular the Arrangement relating to Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition signed by the Australian Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers on 14 June 1996 and by the New Zealand Prime Minister on 9 July 1996, and the cooperation programme in relation to regulatory requirements for therapeutic products pursued under the auspices of that Arrangement;
AWARE that this relationship will be significantly strengthened and that both countries will benefit through the development of a joint Trans-Tasman scheme for the regulation of therapeutic products;
ACKNOWLEDGING their commitment to securing trade liberalisation and an outward-looking approach to trade;
CONSCIOUS of their obligations under the Agreement establishing the World Trade Organization done at Marrakesh on 15 April 1994;
AFFIRMING their shared commitment to safeguarding public health and safety through a regulatory regime consistent with international best practice for the regulation of the quality, safety, and efficacy or performance of therapeutic products; and
DESIRING therefore to establish a joint scheme for the regulation of therapeutic products in both Australia and New Zealand, to be administered by a single world-class agency responsible to both Parties;
HAVE agreed as follows: