Federal Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten is visiting Wellington to discuss Australia’s important strategic and people to people links with New Zealand, and how they can be strengthened.

 

In his first visit to New Zealand as Leader of the Opposition, Mr Shorten will receive a number of briefings including from the Australian High Commission in Wellington.

 

In discussions with both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in New Zealand, a number of areas for improved cooperation and stronger relations with Australia have been raised for further work.

 

Mr Shorten took a deep interest in relations with New Zealand as Minister for Superannuation, progressing the portability of superannuation agenda significantly and will meet with the New Zealand Institute for Economic Reform.

 

Australia and New Zealand have sustained close and longstanding defence relations. Mr Shorten will visit the Joint Forces Headquarters New Zealand in Trentham and receive a briefing from the senior officer on operations in our region.

 

As we head towards the centenary of ANZAC it is timely for us to reflect on this special relationship and how it may be even further enhanced to deal with the range of environmental, economic and security challenges that face us in the coming years.

 

Mr Shorten has also addressed the New Zealand Labour Congress in Wellington.

 

SUNDAY, 6 JULY 2014

 

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