Even the closest of relationships require advocacy.  That applies equally to Australia – our greatest friend. That’s the job of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF), whose Steering Committee met in Sydney last week.  The ANZLF has come a long way from its uncertain beginnings twenty years ago. Today it is the key business-led bilateral player in the trans-Tasman relationship. The ANZLF has fostered this partnership to ensure a healthy and vibrant trans-Tasman constituency, which contributes to New Zealand’s economic success.

It wasn’t always like this…

In the early 2000s, the relationship suffered from a benign neglect and was widely seen as heading in different directions. In May 2004, seventy-four delegates across public and private sectors met at Government House in Wellington to inject some new momentum.  The track-two formula worked and the ANZLF has met regularly ever since. Through intersessional activities and the headline Leadership Forum event, the ANZLF has brought together political and community leadership from both countries to discuss and debate not only economic but also environmental, political, regional, security and social matters.

Success!

The ANZLF’s major contribution has been in the support it has given to the development of the Single Economic Market agenda through a raft of initiatives ranging from border control to business regulation.  

More recently the ANZLF has been behind moves to improve the travel experience across the Tasman and sowing the seed for a more seamless border (including digital declarations at airports).  New initiatives have been launched in defence and aerospace industry collaboration as well as climate action, digital economy, and trade cooperation – watch this space. The ANZLF now incorporates an Indigenous Business Sector Group and Emerging Leaders Programme to provide more inclusivity, fresh thinking, and even wider collaboration. The socialisation that occurs has helped safeguard a trans-Tasman sense of community, build a better understanding of each other’s perspectives and develop a greater depth of trust.

What’s next?                                                    

Over the years the ANZLF has provided a platform for open dialogue on wide ranging themes. Discussions have gone beyond two countries forging deeper economic integration to collectively positioning us in third markets.  Discussions are happening now on issues like extending CER to other like-minded partners such as Singapore.

The next Leadership Forum will be held in mid-2025.  In the meantime, an intersessional work programme is directed by a steering committee of twenty handpicked CEOs led by the ANZLF co-Chairs Greg Lowe for New Zealand and John Paitaridis for Australia. In 2024, the Committee has overseen two high-level dialogues between trans-Tasman business leaders and Ministers – one on finance and climate and another on trade and investment.  Further dialogues and industry roundtables are planned for next year.

The trans-Tasman relationship is now so inter-connected and complex that governments cannot hope to manage the relationship effectively alone. Careful management of both high-level political issues and everyday challenges requires a lively cross-section of leaders to actively shape government responses to our shared challenges. To that end, the ANZLF serves the trans-Tasman relationship on several fronts. As our societies evolve and the global environment changes, the ANZLF ensures this vital partnership keeps pace.

Visit the ANZLF website to learn more about upcoming events and initiatives.

This post was prepared by Simon Le Quesne – New Zealand ANZLF Associate Director.