New National Party leader John Key is heading across the Tasman to talk carbon trading with the Australians.
He is pushing for a market-based solution to the problem of climate change saying the only way New Zealand could meet carbon neutrality, as proposed by the prime minister, would be to close all factories, turn off the lights and scrap all our cars.
The Australian government is already looking at carbon trading systems.
Key said a trading system would be a way of ensuring non-Kyoto protocol countries are part of the global emission reduction effort.
In a speech in Queenstown on Wednesday, he said National has always favoured an emissions trading system, and it may make sense for this to include Australia.
"It's possible that by aligning our emissions markets, both Australia and New Zealand interests would be served," he said. "Furthermore, this is the kind of initiative we have to encourage to ensure that non-Kyoto countries are part of the global emissions reduction effort."
Key will visit Canberra next week, and will be putting this issue on the agenda in meetings with senior federal ministers.
Key reaffirms Nats tax policy
Key also reaffirmed in the speech National's commitment to cutting personal and company tax rates, and says in New Zealand's current financial situation they can happen without reducing social spending.
"As we have made clear many times, National's policy on tax has been, and remains, to reduce personal and company taxes across the board. We are committed to lowering the tax burden New Zealanders face.
"We need to have 2020 vision, not 1970 vision."
Key is also promising tax cuts would not happen in isolation and other measures would be introduced simultaneously to help stimulate growth.
He says there has to be more investment in infrastructure, literacy, bringing skilled Kiwis home, and attracting highly skilled migrants.
