By COLIN JAMES
The Australian election features large in New Zealand thinking - but, judging by the Labor Party's foreign policy, New Zealand is not big in the Australian election.
In a long and detailed 145-page document, foreign affairs shadow minister Kevin Rudd mentions New Zealand 25 times.
That sounds good until you
examine what he says: Half a page is devoted to New Zealand, the same as Papua New Guinea - or one two-hundred-and-ninetieth of the policy.
No policy planks are proposed or commitments made, even to developing the closer economic relationship, which is mainly treated in the context of the Asean-CER free-trade talks, likely to be kicked along at a meeting of leaders next month.
Most references to New Zealand are in the context of shoring up the Pacific island states, noted as "a region of enduring strategic importance". All other references are in international contexts.
Even Helen Clark's name is spelled "Clarke".
That is a fascinating indicator of relations between the two transtasman Labour parties.
* Greg Ansley's monthly column on the Australian election will run tomorrow in Dialogue.
Herald Feature: Australian Election
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