I warmly welcome Mrs Shipley's announcement today that she has
approved the design for a New Zealand Memorial to be built
at the intersection of ANZAC Parade and Constitution Avenue in Canberra.
A gift from New Zealand to Australia, the memorial will honour the
strong bonds between our two countries, forged first and most famously
at Gallipoli and renewed on many occasions since.
The memorial will stand on either side of ANZAC Parade and represent
in bronze the handles of a traditional Maori kete basket. The memorial
will be a solemn tribute to the important place that the original
ANZACs have in the history of both countries.
It will symbolise the shared sacrifices both nations have made in
defence of the common principles and values their people hold dear.
It will also be a constant reminder of the continuing commitment by
us both to those values.