Defence

Global Reach

Celebrating the ANZAC Spirit

By Justine O'Brien

Rubbing noses in East Timor

Working together in Aceh

Haka

The history of the ANZAC spirit is well known to all of us - we fought together on the beaches of Gallipoli as the Australian New Zealand Army Corps at the turn of the last century, and 90 years on we continue to work closely together.

In the context of ANZAC Day, it is time to reflect on one of our closest neighbours and friends, our traditional ally - New Zealand.

Over the past few years we have worked on Operations in East Timor, Bougainville and the Solomon Islands to help bring security and stability to the region. More recently we worked together under the 'ANZAC' banner to assist the Indonesians with relief work in Aceh following the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.

Some 30 New Zealand personnel from the 2nd Health Support Battalion (NZDF) worked alongside 120 Australian medical personnel from 1st Health Support Battalion (ADF) at the ANZAC hospital based in Aceh.

The New Zealand Defence Force also had a C130 Hercules and a Boeing 757 aircraft, an aeromedical evacuation team, logistics specialists and communication specialists working with ADF assets and personnel to provide humanitarian relief.

Our ability to work well together comes from a robust, collaborative relationship. At any one time, we have many Defence personnel on exchange between the two countries, participating in training, and participating in extensive combined exercises. We also share information and collaborate on capability and procurement development.

In 2003, our respective Defence Ministers agreed to a revised Joint Statement on Closer Defence Relations to reflect the changing global Defence environment.

The statement emphasises maximising the interoperability of our Defence Forces so that we are in a good position to work closely together in our immediate region.

Indeed, the Australia-New Zealand Joint Statement on Closer Defence Relations states, "there is no strategic partnership in our region closer than that between Australia and New Zealand. Bound together by geography and history, by shared values, beliefs and interests, and by the close relationships between our peoples, we have a tradition of mutual commitment to each other's security."

Australian and New Zealand Senior Officers and officials, including Ministers, meet regularly in a number of forums throughout the year to discuss, review and progress our alliance.

The Aussie/Kiwi alliance is bound by our special relationship; a relationship that is unique, constant and enduring.

On ANZAC Day each year we remember our fellow Australians who have fallen in war. We also remember our New Zealand friends who fell alongside them.

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