Australia and New Zealand Defence Ministers’ talks

Australia and New Zealand Defence Ministers’ talks

The Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Hill, will meet with his New Zealand counterpart, Mark Burton, next week for the annual Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

The meeting will take place in Wellington, New Zealand, on Tuesday 3 September.

The talks are an opportunity for frank discussions on the global and regional security outlook and the bilateral defence relationship between Australia and New Zealand.

Senator Hill said it was important for the two nations to maintain regular contact to ensure their defence forces could continue to operate together effectively, particularly in regional contingencies.

"The Australian Defence Force and the New Zealand Defence Force have demonstrated, including in East Timor and Bougainville, that they have been able to operate together to promote regional stability," Senator Hill said.

"Our strategic goals are similar.

"However, as two separate countries we naturally have different approaches to defence issues from time to time.

"These talks will be an opportunity to canvass defence policy developments in both countries, regional and global security issues, operational commitments and defence relations between the two countries.

"Coalition operations are becoming increasingly important. Ensuring our forces remain able to operate together, particularly in our region, will be a key focus for Australia."

ENDS

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