Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting 2026

1. The Prime Minister of Australia, the Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, welcomed the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, to Noosa, Australia on 6 June for their third Annual Leaders' Meeting.
   
2. Prime Ministers acknowledged the Gubbi Gubbi people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands of the meeting and recognised any other people or families with connection to the lands of the Sunshine Coast and region. They acknowledged and respected their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of the region.

Supporting Growth

1. Australia and New Zealand share two of the most closely integrated economies in the world, underpinned by our Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (CER) and the Single Economic Market (SEM). Prime Ministers acknowledged that the deep integration of our economies continues to deliver tangible benefits for our economies, business communities and our peoples.
   
2. Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the objective of a single economic market in which there are no significant barriers in the Australian and New Zealand markets arising from differences in the policies, standards and regulations of both countries. Prime Ministers recognised that net trans-Tasman benefits associated with deeper regulatory integration will improve the environment for doing business on both sides of the Tasman, foster international competitiveness, increase national productivity, and maintain and drive job creation.
   
3. Looking to the next phase of trans-Tasman economic reform collaboration, Prime Ministers welcomed the regular and close coordination between governments on respective productivity, growth and reform priorities. They welcomed New Zealand involvement in Australia's forward-looking productivity and economic reform agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to explore how expanding the SEM could deepen economic ties, support diversification and provide greater resilience to the region.
   
4. Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a seamless business operating environment across the Tasman. Prior to their Leaders' Meeting, Prime Ministers had the opportunity to meet with trans-Tasman business leaders to discuss ways to enhance resilience, productivity and growth. Prime Ministers acknowledged the important leadership role of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) in bringing the business community together to effectively engage with government.
   
5. Prime Ministers welcomed the ANZLF's proposals to strengthen the trans-Tasman economic security and business environment in areas including regulatory coherence and common standards, supply chains, climate adaptation, defence industry collaboration, space, and science, innovation and technology. They noted that agencies would jointly continue to engage the ANZLF, drawing on its recommendations to implement practical measures to ease the costs of business and support growth.
   
6. Prime Ministers welcomed ongoing efforts to further align our regulatory systems and align our approaches as our economies navigate the energy transition. They also welcomed proposed refinements to capital frameworks to support lending, investment and productivity. Prime Ministers noted continued trans-Tasman cooperation on financial regulation, including work on loss-absorbing capacity (LAC) settings and insurance market developments. They also acknowledged the close cooperation between financial regulators, noting that the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand are jointly conducting a 2026 trans-Tasman stress test involving major banking institutions across both jurisdictions. Prime Ministers discussed exploring mechanisms to enable greater business investment and growth in small and medium enterprises.
   
7. Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing cooperation through the exchange of information on regulatory frameworks governing space activities.
   
8. Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of a renewed access agreement between the New Zealand Synchrotron Group and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, which operates the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne, reinforcing a unique and enduring trans-Tasman partnership in shared scientific infrastructure.

Strengthening our shared resilience

1. Prime Ministers discussed the impact of global energy disruptions on their respective economies, including the implications for cost of living, and the steps being taken to strengthen resilience through national fuel strategies. They noted the close and practical trans-Tasman cooperation already underway, including the closely coordinated trans-Tasman approaches to fuel specifications, such as New Zealand's temporary acceptance of fuel meeting Australian standards, and other practical measures to strengthen our shared fuel security. They welcomed Australia and New Zealand's joint participation in the International Energy Agency's largest emergency collective fuel release in its history in March 2026.
   
2. Prime Ministers committed to deepen trans-Tasman collaboration on our respective supply measures, demand management and crisis planning. They noted efforts to secure critical supplies, expand strategic reserves, and strengthen supply chains. They emphasised that reliable and affordable energy is fundamental to economic security and reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhancing energy resilience across the Tasman.
   
3. Prime Ministers discussed the importance of maintaining open and connected trade to facilitate the flow of energy products, including fuels and other essential goods. As founding members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, they reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating to strengthen regional supply chain resilience against disruptions. They reaffirmed their commitment to the rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, and acknowledged that respect for trade commitments, including international trade standards and norms, underpins our prosperity and resilience, and that of our region. They committed to working together and with other trade partners to modernise and strengthen the WTO through comprehensive, inclusive and meaningful WTO reform and to ensure trade continues to flow unimpeded.
   
4. Prime Ministers acknowledged Pacific island countries are acutely exposed to supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs, and affirmed the importance of Australia and New Zealand working together to support the Pacific in responding to these pressures. As founding members of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), they expressed their continued commitment to stand with the Pacific family, and to respond in ways that are practical, reliable, and guided by Pacific priorities. Prime Ministers committed to continue advocating for stable, reliable, and secure energy supply for the Pacific, to support national response planning and Pacific-led efforts to respond to global shocks and strengthen regional resilience.

Responding to strategic challenges together

Defence and security cooperation

1. Prime Ministers acknowledged the 75th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty, the foundation of our Alliance and our defence and security partnership. They reaffirmed that our Alliance was critical to safeguard our collective security and support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific region.
   
2. Prime Ministers endorsed the Anzac 2035: Operationalising the Alliance Joint Statement, issued by Defence Ministers on 17 March 2026, setting out the vision for our Alliance over the next ten years. Prime Ministers welcomed the focus on force posture, combined operations and exercises, force preparedness, resilience, defence industry integration and Pacific security.
   
3. Prime Ministers commended progress over the last year to intensify defence cooperation, enabled through strong alignment between Australia's 2026 National Defence Strategy and New Zealand's 2025 Defence Capability Plan (DCP). Prime Ministers discussed collaboration to support New Zealand's DCP goal of enhanced strike capabilities for the New Zealand Defence Force, recognised the value of New Zealand's first-ever participation as part of the Australian contingent for Exercise BALIKATAN, and welcomed ongoing engagement between our Navies to inform the next stage of New Zealand's frigate replacement. Prime Ministers welcomed the focus on strengthening integration to collectively deter actions contrary to the security and stability of our region.
   
4. Prime Ministers reaffirmed the AUKUS capability and technology sharing partnership strengthens regional security and stability.
   
5. Prime Ministers recognised the importance of a close trans-Tasman relationship on artificial intelligence (AI) to create opportunities to embed targeted and proportionate security and safety measures, support AI adoption across the economy, and promote a shared vision of responsible AI practices globally.
   
6. Prime Ministers welcomed the closeness of the security and intelligence partnership between Australia and New Zealand in the face of an increasingly uncertain and contested geostrategic environment.

Partnering in the Pacific

1. Prime Ministers recognised that the peace, stability and prosperity of all countries and territories in the Pacific is interconnected. As founding members of the PIF, they reaffirmed their commitment to working in partnership with fellow Pacific countries and supporting Pacific-led regionalism, with the PIF at the apex of Pacific-led regional architecture. Prime Ministers committed to support Palau's hosting of the 55th PIF Leaders' Meeting in 2026, and Prime Minister Albanese welcomed New Zealand's hosting in 2027.
   
2. Prime Minister Luxon welcomed Australia's leadership to amplify Pacific voices on the impacts of climate change through its role as COP31 President of Negotiations, and by partnering with Fiji and Tuvalu to deliver the Pacific Pre-COP and Leaders' Event in October. Prime Minister Albanese thanked Prime Minister Luxon for New Zealand's partnership in support of the Leaders' Event.
   
3. Prime Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Pacific's priorities set out in the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent and its Implementation Plan, as well as to the Blue Pacific being an Ocean of Peace. They called on the international community to engage in the Pacific in ways that respect and strengthen regional norms and institutions, and respond to Pacific-led approaches to peace and security.
   
4. Reflecting on Prime Minister Luxon's visit to the Pacific Policing Initiative's (PPI) Hub in Pinkenba on 5 June, Prime Ministers acknowledged the important role of the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police and the PPI in enhancing strategic collaboration and policing capabilities in the region, and the Pacific Police Support Group (PPSG) in providing a Pacific-led response to regional challenges. Prime Minister Albanese welcomed New Zealand's invitation to host PPSG observers when it holds the PIF Leaders' Meeting in 2027.
   
5. Prime Ministers commended the establishment of the Pacific Response Group (PRG) as a regional asset bringing together regional militaries to strengthen Pacific-led responses to Pacific humanitarian crises and disasters. Prime Minister Albanese welcomed New Zealand taking over from Australia as host of the PRG headquarters on 1 July 2026. Prime Ministers noted regional efforts to enhance Pacific-led responses including through Pacific security officials' recent endorsement at the Joint Heads of Pacific Security meeting of a Regional Operations Deployment Framework for PIF Leaders' consideration.
   
6. Prime Ministers acknowledged the impact of transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) on Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, and confirmed that combatting TSOC, including drug trafficking to and through the Pacific, is a shared challenge and an urgent priority. They supported the call from fellow PIF Leaders' for a coordinated regional response to TSOC, and progress made by the region at the inaugural Pacific Police Ministers' Meeting and Transnational Crime Summit in Fiji.
   
7. Prime Ministers acknowledged the value of our close coordination to maintain shared awareness of our maritime areas of interest and counter the risk posed both by concerning military vessel activity and the shipment of illicit drugs by sea.
   
8. Prime Minister Albanese welcomed the Niue-New Zealand Political Declaration, as well as the Cook Islands and New Zealand Declaration on Defence and Security. Prime Minister Luxon welcomed Australia's Pukpuk Treaty with Papua New Guinea and continuing work to elevate Australia's partnership arrangements with Vanuatu, Fiji, Tonga and Solomon Islands.

Global challenges

1. Prime Ministers confirmed the trans-Tasman relationship was more important than ever given the fundamental shifts in the global geopolitical and geoeconomic environments and the risks posed to our shared national interests. They reaffirmed their enduring commitment to the United Nations, multilateralism and international law.
   
2. Prime Ministers welcomed the recent dialogue between the United States and China and emphasised the importance of responsibly managing strategic competition and reducing trade tensions. They reaffirmed our collective agency and shared responsibility for the stability of our region and the need to promote open channels of communication, transparency and practical measures to reduce risks of misunderstanding, miscalculation, escalation and conflict.
   
3. Prime Ministers expressed concerns about the intensification of destabilising activities in the South China Sea, including the militarisation of disputed features and instances of unsafe and unprofessional behaviour. They reiterated that all countries must adhere to international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and maritime disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law. They recalled the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award is final and binding on the parties to the dispute. Prime Ministers also reiterated their concern about the situation in the East China Sea and unsafe and unprofessional conduct in the sea and air.
   
4. Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, opposing any unilateral action to change the status quo and encouraging dialogue rather than coercion or the use of force.
   
5. Prime Ministers reiterated their grave concerns about the political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and its impact on the region. They reaffirmed their strong support for ASEAN-led efforts to resolve the crisis in line with the ASEAN Five Point Consensus.
   
6. Prime Ministers reiterated their support for diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in the Middle East. They affirmed the need for an enduring agreement that restores maritime safety and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and provides assurance that Iran cannot develop a nuclear weapon. Prime Ministers reiterated the expectation that all parties fully respect and uphold the US-brokered ceasefire agreed by Israel and Lebanon. Prime Ministers also called for all parties to allow unhindered humanitarian assistance into, and throughout, Gaza. They urged all parties to uphold the terms of the ceasefire and work towards implementing the Gaza Peace plan in full. Prime Ministers reiterated their commitment to a two-state solution, where both Israeli and Palestinian people can live in peace and safety within secure and internationally recognised borders.
   
7. Prime Ministers unequivocally condemned Russia's unjustified and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine and urged Russia to end its war of aggression and engage in good faith with Ukraine on a ceasefire and peace deal.
   
8. Prime Ministers expressed concern at the risks posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Prime Ministers noted their shared commitment to realising a world without nuclear weapons, including as States Parties to the Treaty of Rarotonga, and called for urgent progress on nuclear non-proliferation and strengthening global disarmament and arms control regimes. They committed to cooperate to enhance practical efforts to deny those seeking weapons of mass destruction from accessing the sensitive goods and technology needed for their development.
   
9. Prime Ministers agreed that as part of our immediate geography, a peaceful and protected Antarctica is integral to our shared interests and committed to working together to strengthen the Antarctic Treaty System.
   
10. Prime Ministers reaffirmed the importance of upholding human rights, gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion through collaborative action in the face of growing multilateral disruption, including advancing inclusive trade and women's economic empowerment, ending all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, and the Pacific Leaders Gender Equality Declaration.

Our peoples

1. Prime Ministers acknowledged the close and enduring partnership between Australia and New Zealand, built on generations of friendship and exchanges between our peoples. Australians and New Zealanders cross the Tasman to visit, live, work and study, facilitated by the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement. Australia and New Zealand remain each other's largest tourism markets. Prime Ministers celebrated the diversity of our communities, and acknowledged the inextricable links between Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and New Zealand's Māori peoples, including as founding participants of the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement.
2. Prime Minister Albanese thanked Prime Minister Luxon for the outpouring of support shown by the Government and people of New Zealand in the wake of the Bondi terrorist attack. He reflected the Australian Government's response to the recommendations of the Interim Report of Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion as part of actions being taken by the Australian Government to stamp out antisemitism, racism and discrimination in all its forms. Prime Ministers acknowledged the vital role social cohesion plays in the safety, wellbeing and happiness of our diverse communities, and committed to continuing to exchange experiences, lessons and reflections on efforts to enhance social cohesion domestically and across the Tasman