- The Hon Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Defence
Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong, will travel to Auckland, for the second Australia-New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers' Consultations (ANZMIN).
Australia and New Zealand have a uniquely close relationship. Trans-Tasman cooperation has never been stronger, with close alignment in our strategic, foreign and trade interests and deep links between our people.
ANZMIN is an important opportunity to strengthen our partnership and discuss evolving international and regional security and strategic issues.
Ministers will also meet their respective counterparts for a bilateral Defence Ministers' Meeting and Foreign Ministers' Consultations during the visit.
Quotes attributable to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP:
"I look forward to reconnecting with Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters, and again meeting with my close colleague, Defence Minister Judith Collins, in New Zealand.
"ANZMIN is a valuable opportunity to reflect on our deep and longstanding alliance while discussing ways to increase cooperation in support of a peaceful, prosperous and resilient region."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:
"Australia and New Zealand are family. Working together has never been more important as we confront the global economic and geostrategic challenges that affect both our countries.
"Our meeting will be an opportunity to discuss our joint interests in the Pacific and opportunities for greater collaboration into the future - because we are stronger when we work together with our Pacific neighbours to create a region that is peaceful, prosperous and resilient."
