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Australia and New Zealand Sign Pact in Noosa to Deepen Economic and Defence Ties

The agreement signals closer coordination to protect both economies by strengthening Pacific security and boosting science and trade links.

Overview

  • The leaders' meeting, which concluded Saturday, produced a joint statement and an eight‑point agreement designed to lift trans‑Tasman productivity and deepen cooperation on defence and science.
  • Christopher Luxon used his visit to promote New Zealand firms for major Brisbane 2032 construction and infrastructure contracts after meeting the Games organising committee.
  • Tension over Australia’s May removal of a 50% capital gains tax discount surfaced when New Zealand ministers urged businesses to consider relocating, a remark Anthony Albanese dismissed as 'cheeky' to cool public rows.
  • The two prime ministers raised concerns about a Chinese travel ban on four New Zealand MPs who visited Taiwan, with Luxon thanking Australia for publicly backing New Zealand on the issue.
  • The summit highlighted the scale of trans‑Tasman economic links — about $38 billion in two‑way trade and $308 billion in two‑way investment in 2025 — and kept the focus on Pacific resilience and practical cooperation rather than new domestic policy announcements.