South-east Asian nations should be considered as important to Australia as China, a senior ANZ banker told a lunchtime meeting of leading business figures today.

Andrew Geczy, ANZ's chief executive of International and Institutional Banking, told the Trans-Tasman Business Circle lunch that "we have a China fascination here" in Australia.

Andrew Geczy: "South-east Asia is as important to Australia and New Zealand as China is."

"Our psyche here is very China-centric," he said.

"South-east Asia is as important to Australia and New Zealand as China is," said Mr Geczy in a question-and-answer session after his speech. "I understand why China dominates because we think about them buying our homes, we think about them investing in our businesses, we see trade opportunities.