Tomorrow I will meet with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Helen Clark in Canberra.
Australia and New Zealand enjoy a strong and robust bilateral relationship founded on a unique shared history and international outlook. Probably no two societies in the world are as similar as New Zealand and Australia.
This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement, one of the world's earliest free trade agreements and one of its most successful.
New Zealand is Australia's sixth largest trading partner and our largest for manufactures. It is our third largest destination for investment overseas.
I look forward to discussing with Prime Minister Clark ways we can continue to grow trans-Tasman relations.
Our close cooperation on regional and international issues, including climate change and the Pacific, will also be important matters for discussion.
I welcome this opportunity to meet Prime Minister Clark so soon after our last meeting in December. A close cooperative relationship between Australia and New Zealand makes each of us stronger.