According to New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, this is the third formal bilateral encounter between the two leaders. Matt Doran.
Passport-free travel between Australia and New Zealand is still at least a year away, according to negotiations in Wellington between Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Chris Hipkins.
The annual leaders' meeting in New Zealand coincided with the 50th anniversary of the trans-Tasman travel agreement, which allows inhabitants of both nations to travel between them freely.
Despite the leaders' commitment to streamline the travel procedure, abolishing all restrictions is a long way off.
"We have not considered a trans-Tasman passport." "What we're looking at is creating a seamless experience of traveling from country to country," Mr Albanese explained.
"So, for example, we could look at how smart gates could operate and complement our systems so that before you get on a plane in either country, it's already recognized that you're OK to come in, and you can just seamlessly go through smart gates."
"There have already been thousands of applications—more than 10,000—and I expect many thousands more," Australia's prime minister remarked.
"This is very much in line with what New Zealand does for Australians."
'A member of the Pacific clan'
While focusing on the trans-Tasman connection, the two presidents also cast their gaze over the Pacific, attempting to steer small island states away from China's overtures.
"There are no strings attached when Australia provides aid and support to our neighbors," Mr. Albanese said.
"We do it because we are part of the Pacific family, and that is significant."
"As a result, we'll keep working constructively." And that effort is facilitated if we work together in the region, which we will continue to do, and I believe in a more concerted manner than in the past.
The two leaders reviewed the AUKUS defense and security deal signed by Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, which allows Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.
The question of whether the New Zealand government will join the pact in any way, shape, or form in the future remains open.
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"However, in terms of military engagement, we were open to discussions with AUKUS partners about what New Zealand's involvement in some of those things might look like."
The Prime Minister of New Zealand weighs in on Voice to Parliament.
While he hesitated to discuss Australian internal politics, Mr. Hipkins provided some thoughts on New Zealand's First Nations recognition and respect, suggesting that it could be educational for Australia as the Voice to Parliament discussion continues.
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"The debates in New Zealand and Australia begin from very different places." And I absolutely accept that the Australian referendum is a matter for the Australian people, and I have no intention of commenting on it," Mr Hipkins added.
"Certainly, I can speak to the New Zealand experience."
"I am firmly convinced that the reconciliation process that New Zealand has been undergoing for several decades has been overwhelmingly positive for New Zealand."