Australia-New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne

Today I welcome my New Zealand counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters, to Sydney for the Australia-New Zealand Foreign Minister Consultations.

The trans-Tasman relationship is a special one, built on our shared values and history, and a strong sense of family – including a keen rivalry on the sporting field.

These twice-yearly consultations allow us to discuss the full range of priorities in our relationship, from our close community links to collaboration on regional and global issues, including our support for the promotion of the rules-based order and a liberalised trading system.

Trans-Tasman collaboration in the Pacific is a strong mutual priority. We share a firm commitment to the security, prosperity and stability of our Pacific region through Australia’s Pacific Step-Up and New Zealand’s Pacific Reset policies.

Australia is committed to working with our Pacific neighbours to deliver strong economic outcomes. We are bridging the digital divide through the Coral Sea Cable System, and the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific is open for business to boost regional infrastructure.

These consultations will strengthen the close and enduring relationship between Australia and New Zealand.

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