Gillard praises strong 'mateship' between NZ and Oz
The strong "mateship" between New Zealand and Australia has been highlighted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the first visit to these shores by an Australian leader since 2007.
The strong "mateship" between New Zealand and Australia has been highlighted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the first visit to these shores by an Australian leader since 2007.
She paid a special tribute to New Zealanders for their "overwhelming support during Australia's summer of hardship".
"You brought mateship, you brought comfort and your work won't be forgotten," she told more than 1000 people at a trans-Tasman business lunch in Auckland.
"We, too, will not forget the 29 men who never came home from the Pike River mine.
"They live on in our hearts and our memories. And at a time of hardship and grief, Australia will always be there to help," she said.
Ms Gillard made particular mention of the New Zealand Civil Defence team who helped out during the Queensland floods.
In her speech she mainly focused on the strong business relationship between New Zealand and Australia, and spoke about the continued integration of the economies of the two countries.
Australia and New Zealand were very close friends and would build on strategic economic growth, she said today.
In a brief media session before she went to lunch, Ms Gillard said the two countries shared a strategic outlook, common goals and a long-standing Anzac tradition.
She said the countries also shared "a partnership based on our economic integration".
Ms Gillard, who was met on her arrival at Auckland International Airport by Prime Minister John Key, said the economic partnership between Australia and New Zealand was the closest in the world.
"And we are seeking to build on it."
Ms Gillard, a former Australian minister of education, later visited to visit an Auckland primary school with Mr Key in the suburb of Glendowie.
She said education and the creation of opportunity was very dear to her heart.
Yesterday the Green Party objected to Ms Gillard addressing a formal session of Parliament, but she said she was looking forward to speaking to members of Parliament in an informal session of the house.
NZPA
Tue, 15 Feb 2011
Tue, 15 Feb 2011
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Gillard praises strong 'mateship' between NZ and Oz
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