Pacific ties to counter China influence on cards as Albo flies across the ditch

“Seamless” travel between Australia and New Zealand will make hopping across the ditch even faster, PM Anthony Albanese says following a key agreement with his Kiwi counterpart.

“Seamless” travel between Australia and New Zealand will make hopping across the ditch even faster, but don’t throw away your passport just yet.

As early as the second half of next year, upgrades to smartgates at airports could see Australians swipe their passports when they leave, and walk through the gate in New Zealand with less hassle.

It is one of the key agreements between Prime Ministers Anthony Albanese and Chris Hipkins during the annual leaders’ meeting in Wellington on Wednesday.

Mr Albanese said they were not yet looking at a single trans-Tasman passport, but were looking at ways to make it a “seamless experience” when going from country to country.

Anthony Albanese is greeted by Prime Minister of New Zealand Chris Hipkins during a Maori welcome ceremony at Parliament in Wellington. Picture: Marty Melville/ AFP

“That might look at, for example, how smart gates can operate and be complementary as systems so that before you get on a plane in either country, it’s already recognised that you’re okay to come in,” he said.

“Therefore you can just go through smart gates in a seamless way and in a timely way as well.”

The two countries have estimated a working group to finalise the details on how the seamless travel will work, which will report back by June 30 next year or sooner.

The two leaders also spoke about increasing their engagement with the Pacific Island nations, countering China’s growing influence in the region.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavareh recently indicated he would consider a security partnership with Beijing.

But Mr Albanese said Australia had reconfirmed with the Solomons that Australia remains its security partner of choice.

He said Australia and New Zealand shared the same view about the strategic challenges being faced in the Pacific.

“We’ll continue to work constructively. That work is aided if we work together,” he said.

While that will not include NZ signing up to AUKUS, he said there will be information and technology sharing.

Trade, countering China’s influence in the region and a 10-year road map for closer ties – as well as the FIFA Women’s World Cup – will also be on the agenda.

Pomp and ceremony was on full display as Mr Albanese arrived this morning, greeted at the New Zealand Parliament with a guard of honour made up by members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, before he faced a ceremonial Maori challenge.

He was then met by New Zealand’s principal adviser Maori to parliament Kura Moeahu and his wife Alishia where he was presented with a ritual paddle, known as a hoe, then taking part in a hongi, the ceremonial touching of noses.

Anthony Albanese is greeted with a hongi by Kaik’rero Kura Moeahu during a Ceremony of Welcome at Parliament in Wellington. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

This was followed by a traditional welcome, where singers in traditional Maori dress performed the ritual of Rongo, a sign of respect.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will also touch down in Wellington later on Wednesday, but is not expected to meet with Mr Albanese until he heads to the AUSMIN US-Australia defence talks in Brisbane later this week.

Ahead of his meeting with Mr Hipkins, Mr Albanese stressed the importance of the role both nations played in the Pacific.

“Co-operation, particularly in the Pacific … is critical,” he said.

“We’re taking action on climate change. We can do much more together in terms of our economic relationship, in terms of our defence and security relationships, but also our people to people links.”

Mr Albanese said more than 10,000 New Zealanders living in Australia had become Australian citizens since the process was fast-tracked on July 1.

In a reference to recent actions, including Australia making it harder to deport New Zealand criminals, Mr Hipkins said progress had been made in improving the longstanding relationship.

“There are a lot of future opportunities for us, including in areas like climate change where we can continue working closely together “ he said.

The meeting coincides with Police Federation of Australia boss Ian Leavers urging Mr Albanese to reverse his decision to make it harder to cancel the visas of Kiwi crooks, saying foreign criminals should be deported “even if they came to Australia as toddlers”.

But the relationship between the two countries has warmed up since Mr Albanese ruled authorities had to consider how long a convicted criminal had lived in Australia when deciding whether or not to cancel their visa, while separately making it easier for New Zealanders living in Australia to become citizens.

Australia and New Zealand working closely together to improve relations with Pacific Island nations, promoting a “family first” policy, is expected to be a key talking point during today’s talks.

It will be seen as a way of countering China’s growing influence in the region, particularly as Solomon Island Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavareh signals he is willing to consider a closer security relationship with Beijing.

The AUKUS defence deal with the US and UK, the potential risk of conflict over Taiwan and doubling down on the “family first” approach to relations with the Pacific Island nations are also likely to be discussed.

Improving tourism and trade relations is also on the cards, as the two nations celebrate 40 years of closer economic relations.

Originally published as Pacific ties to counter China influence on cards as Albo flies across the ditch