Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is meeting with her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese and his family in Sydney this evening.
Photo: Supplied / Office of the Prime Minister
Albanese is hosting Ardern and High Commissioner Annette King for dinner and tweeted that he was looking forward to welcoming "my good friend" the New Zealand prime minister to Australia.
So pleased to welcome my good friend New Zealand PM @jacindaardern to Australia. I’m looking forward to catching up over dinner. pic.twitter.com/Wilve6Gqn7
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) June 9, 2022
It's understood Albanese plans to take Ardern on a walk through the grounds of the prime minister's residence, Kirribilli House, later this evening.
Ardern will appear on Australian breakfast media tomorrow to promote the upcoming ski season before attending formal talks with Albanese.
Ardern is the first foreign leader to head to Australia since the change of government.
Photo: Supplied / Office of the Prime Minister
It is expected she will raise the thorny issue of 501 deportations as well as New Zealanders' dissatisfaction over their rights in Australia when she sits down with Albanese tomorrow.
"Deportation, citizenship issues, have been on the table throughout my time in office, and will continue to be an issue that we raise, because... it does mean New Zealanders who contribute a significant amount to Australia ... find themselves sometimes in a disadvantaged position when it comes to education for their kids," as well as other distressing situations, Ardern said in her post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday.
She expects their meeting will also include discussions on climate change, the Indo Pacific Economic Framework, AUKUS, and the upcoming Pacific Island Forum.
Ardern has been accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson who will meet with Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers to discuss economic challenges such as higher inflation, supply chain constraints, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
