Today I am pleased to announce the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, will visit Australia as a guest of the Gillard Government from 27 to 29 January 2012 for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leaders' Meeting.
Australia and New Zealand have built up an enduring friendship over generations, serving side by side in war, cooperating to strengthen our economies in peace, and supporting each other through very tough times during recent natural disasters.
New Zealand is a major trade and investment destination for Australia. Our Closer Economic Relations agreement is among the most advanced in the world and has built deep economic integration between our two countries.
Prime Minister Key's visit will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen this friendship even further and to work together on the challenges and opportunities before us.
Prime Minister Key will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and six other ministers and will hold formal meetings with Prime Minister Gillard, myself and other ministers.
We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Key, Deputy Prime Minister English and their colleagues to Australia in 2012.