Albanese heads to New Zealand to deepen economic, security and Pacific ties

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to New Zealand from 9 to 10 August to join his counterpart, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, for the annual Australia–New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting.

Calling the two nations “neighbours, friends and family”, Albanese said the bonds between Australia and New Zealand’s “countries, economies, and communities are unmatched.”

Australia and New Zealand share a deep and enduring partnership as friends, neighbours and allies, with both nations committed to strongly backing Pacific-led solutions to the region’s challenges.

“I am delighted to visit New Zealand to meet with Prime Minister Luxon for our Annual Leaders’ Meeting,” Albanese said.

“I look forward to discussing how we can work together to build on our Single Economic Market, modernise the rules-based trading system, deepen our alliance, and back our Pacific partners.”

Leaders are expected to explore opportunities to further develop the Single Economic Market, strengthen defence and security cooperation, shape the international environment and enhance their partnership in the Pacific.

New Zealand and Australia are more than just friends, we're family.

It was a pleasure to meet with my closest counterpart, Prime Minister @AlboMP in Sydney.

We look forward to energetic and ambitious engagement between our Governments, and a healthy dose of competition too. pic.twitter.com/xFlRaW9JjQ

— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) December 20, 2023

This visit follows the 2024 Australia–New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting, which Albanese hosted in Canberra last August.

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