Global volatility and economic turbulence have dominated annual talks between the leaders of Australia and New Zealand.
Handshakes, back slaps and rugby banter were part of the annual catch up between prime ministers Anthony Albanese and Christopher Luxon at Noosa, in Queensland.
Aside from taking cheeky jabs at each other, the leaders acknowledged the most pressing issue for both countries was the “volatile and changing world”.
Both leaders committed to continued collaboration and cooperation across business, trade and defence in both Australia and New Zealand. (ABC News: Olivia Sanders)
Mr Albanese noted the friendship between Australia and New Zealand could help the countries face those growing challenges.
“I think there’s a new element, which is that we’re living in a world which is really volatile, where there is a great deal of turbulence and some of the old certainties that commanded global trade and global activity has disappeared,” Mr Albanese said.
Neither leader named China in the press conference, but there are ongoing concerns about the country’s expanding influence in the region.
Australia and New Zealand have also been impacted by the trade war instigated by the United States President Donald Trump.
Mr Albanese spoke to the important of collaboration and cooperation across business, trade and defence.
“At a time like this, Australia and New Zealand working together is more important than ever and there are also more opportunities than ever,”
he said.
There were no new announcements made in Saturday’s press conference, but Mr Luxon attempted to provide a positive message about the path forward.
“We are going to control what we can control in Australia and New Zealand, and that is to build kick-arse countries,” he said.
“We are moving definitely from a world from rules to power, from economics to security, and increasingly from efficiency into resilience.”
About $38 billion of goods and services move between Australia and New Zealand each year.
Mr Luxon said there was room for further growth in that space.
“That alignment in our economies just continues to play a really big strength as we think about how we build more financial security as part of our broader national securities in the context of that volatile and changing world,” he said.
Support acknowledged
During the press conference, Mr Luxon also thanked Australia for raising concerns about a travel ban imposed on some politicians.
“We appreciate the support,” he said.
Last month, four MPS from New Zealand travelled to Taiwan as part of a cross-parliamentary group.
They were later told by Chinese diplomats they would be denied entry to China, Hong Kong and Macau for a year.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government voiced its concerns about the decision.
Mr Luxon said he did not agree with Beijing’s ban and New Zealand has also raised concerns.
“We think it’s inappropriate that bans are put on these four MPs from New Zealand that have gone,” he said.
“They’ve simply just exercised their right to travel and they’re free to see who they want to see.”
