Christopher Luxon, Anthony Albanese trade ‘tongue-in-cheek’ barbs after leaders’ meeting

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Australia respects New Zealand’s nuclear-free position and will work with that, “whilst respecting New Zealand sovereignty”, when the country secures its nuclear-propelled submarines.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says there has been no change to New Zealand’s position - and will never change, while he’s prime minister - but Defence Minister Chris Penk last week said it would be “helpful” for the country to have “a conversation”, given Australia was expected to acquire three nuclear-propelled submarines as part of the AUKUS deal.

Albanese also described the trans-Tasman relationship as “a bit tongue in cheek”, as he and his counterpart joked about statements made in regards to domestic issues.

The Australian and New Zealand prime ministers have concluded their leaders’ meeting in Noosa, Queensland, which came at a “pivotal” time, according to Luxon.

Working together was more important than ever, according to Albanese, and there were “more opportunities than ever”.

“Despite the choppiness, despite the volatility, there’s no reason why we can’t do extremely well for ourselves,” Luxon said.

They issued a joint statement re-affirming various strategic positions and outlining priorities for the next year, especially in the areas of shared economic resilience and defence co-operations.

The statement acknowledged the difficulties of fuel supply chain disruptions, and efforts to dampen those impacts.

As well, the pair noted the “peace, stability and prosperity of all countries and territories in the Pacific” was interconnected.

Globally, they welcomed the dialogue between the United States and China, and emphasised the importance of managing strategic competition and reducing trade tensions.

They expressed concerns about the “intensification of destabilising activities in the South China Sea” and re-affirmed the importance of “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.

They re-iterated support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East, and the need for an “enduring agreement that restores maritime safety and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz”.

“Prime ministers re-iterated the expectation that all parties fully respect and uphold the US-brokered ceasefire agreed by Israel and Lebanon.”

After the meeting, Luxon said the “big takeaways for us is this relationship’s in as good a heart as it’s ever been”.

Albanese said Australia had “no closer partner than New Zealand”.

“We are family and we share values, we share history, and we’re two of the world’s most integrated economies.”

The discussions didn’t come without “cheekiness” though, as the leaders were questioned about domestic issues.

Tax and ‘cheekiness’

Albanese was asked about Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ suggestion Australians “come over” to New Zealand, because there was no capital gains tax and the inflation rate was lower.

Also, in May, Willis took a party-political dig at Labour by pointing to the Albanese government’s broken promise to expand its capital gains tax. She said this was what New Zealanders could face under a Labour government.

Luxon said Willis’ comments were in the context of a long-running domestic debate in New Zealand.

Albanese played down the issue, saying the Warriors signed Australian players and there were a “few Kiwis in Australia too”. He suggested he would fast-track any applications from All Blacks players to live in Australia.

Asked if it was appropriate for Willis to make those comments as the government’s finance minister, Albanese said he was “very relaxed about what people say tongue-in-cheek overseas”, but he did think it was a “bit cheeky”, given 638,000 New Zealanders were living in Australia.

“I don’t think there’s 638,000 Australians living in New Zealand.”

Luxon pointed out there were 90,000 Australians living there and Albanese joked they were “quality”, before adding the New Zealanders in Australia were also quality.

It was the nature of banter, Albanese said.

“Occasionally, there’s a bit of cheekiness to the relationship. Long may that continue.”

New Zealand’s nuclear-free stance

Albanese was asked whether Australia ever expected New Zealand to change its stance to allow nuclear propelled submarines into its waters, to which he replied he expected New Zealand to remain a “sovereign state and we respect the decisions that New Zealand makes”.

Luxon emphasised New Zealand’s position was a “Kiwi thing”.

“It’s a matter of principle for us and there is no appetite for change, and it won’t be changing while I’m prime minister.

“Australia and all of our partners have been very good at understanding our position, and working with us around that.”

Speaking to reporters after the joint media conference, Luxon was asked his reaction to Albanese’s comments and said there was “no real change”.

“You heard him [Albanese] acknowledge that there are sovereign nations, that we’re different sovereign nations, and we act in our own national interests and we collaborate as much as we possibly can.”

He said it wouldn’t disadvantage New Zealand in the future.

The rise of the minor party

The pair were asked about the rise of minor parties, such as New Zealand First and One Nation in Australia.

Last week, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said she had the ability to lead Australia, following a poll that suggested her party had pulled ahead of Labor.

New Zealand First also enjoyed increasing support in the polls.

The pair were asked about the rise of the immigration debate in both countries. Luxon said he acknowledged that the “populists” wanted to talk about immigration, “but the reality is we have a system that is about legal immigration”.

“I just think it’s easy and lazy politics doing so.”

Albanese added he would never “draw a distinction between Australians and migrants, because to do that is to seek to divide”.

The Taiwan ban

Luxon said the pair had spoken about China’s ban on four New Zealand MPs “informally” and they were asked about it during the press conference.

Albanese said his country would make diplomatic representations all the time, “when it’s appropriate”.

“Australia’s position on Taiwan has not changed. We support a one China policy.”

Luxon said he appreciated the support and pointed to where New Zealand had supported the Australian call to sanction “three more extremist settlers” on the West Bank, “entirely appropriately sanctioned as well”.

“That’s a good example, where we do come together in that,” Luxon said, but added New Zealand would work through it directly with China.

Luxon said there had not been any indication yet that China would reverse the ban.

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