Australia, Canada and NZ warn Israel against catastrophic Rafah ground offensive

Original article by Daniel Hurst
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 16-Feb-24

The prime ministers of Australia, Canada and New Zealand have said a joint statement that Israel must "listen to its friends" and not mount a ground offensive on Rafah. Anthony Albanese, Justin Trudeau and Christopher Luxon stated such an offensive would be "catastrophic" and "devastating", with there being "simply nowhere else for civilians to go". Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to an offensive on Rafah in order to destroy Hamas and rescue hostages, but only after civilians are allowed to leave the "battle zone". However, he has not yet stated where they would be permitted to go, and what safeguards, if any, would be put in place to protect them.

CORPORATES

Australia will miss Jacinda Ardern but trans-Tasman ties likely to stay strong

Original article by Josh Butler
The Guardian Australia – Page: Online : 20-Jan-23

Former Australian diplomat Allan Behm does not expect the sudden resignation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to have much impact on the relationship between the two nations. He says this relationship is very close and will remain so regardless of who is prime minister. However, Behm adds that it makes the relationship much more effective if the two PMs get on really well, as is the case with Anthony Albanese and Ardern. Robert Ayson from the Victoria University of Wellington says Ardern’s Labour Party would most likely have lost the upcoming election in October even if she had stayed on. He adds that the growing prospect of a change in government in NZ is unlikely to have much impact on trans-Tasman relations.

CORPORATES
NEW ZEALAND. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, LABOUR PARTY (NEW ZEALAND), VICTORIA UNIVERSITY OF WELLINGTON

NZ shock: losers take power

Original article by Ean Higgins, Primrose Riordan
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 20-Oct-17

Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten have congratulated incoming New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. The Labour Party leader will form a coalition government with the support of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, who has been offered the role of deputy prime minister. Labour won 46 seats in the recent election, while New Zealand First won nine. The Greens, with eight seats, may also become part of the new coalition government, ensuring it of a two-seat majority in parliament. The National Party won 56 seats and won seven per cent more of the popular vote than Labour.

CORPORATES
LABOUR PARTY (NEW ZEALAND), NEW ZEALAND FIRST PARTY, GREEN PARTY OF AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND, NATIONAL PARTY OF NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE

English tipped to lead NZ after Key quits

Original article by Luke Malpass, Aaron Patrick
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 8 : 6-Dec-16

New Zealand’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bill English is likely to become the country’s next prime minister. Commentators say that his political views are close to those of outgoing Prime Minister John Key, who has resigned. Other possible candidates include Economic Development Minster Steven Joyce, Minister of State Services Paula Bennett and Police Minster Judith Collins.

CORPORATES
NEW ZEALAND. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NEW ZEALAND. DEPT OF POLICE, NEW ZEALAND. DEPT OF STATE SERVICES, NEW ZEALAND. DEPT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, NATIONAL PARTY OF NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NEW ZEALAND. TREASURY, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, MOODY’S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED