Albo packs his bags for another OS trip

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is heading overseas again.

Mr Albanese will fly to New Zealand on Wednesday morning to meet with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins for the annual meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

Surprisingly, it’s Mr Albanese’s first official visit to New Zealand as Prime Minister since winning the federal election in May last year.

But it will be the third time he has met with Mr Hipkins, who succeeded Jacinda Ardern as NZ Prime Minister in late January.

The two leaders’ latest meeting was at the beginning of the month when they both attended

the NATO summit in Lithuania.

Global security, the economy and trade, and the relationship with Pacific nations are expected to figure on the agenda for the meeting.

“I am delighted to visit New Zealand to meet with Prime Minister Hipkins for our third bilateral meeting this year,” Mr Albanese said.

“Australia and New Zealand share close ties and will mark important milestones this year in our trans-Tasman relationship.

“I look forward to continuing to work with Prime Minister Hipkins on ways to strengthen the special relationship Australia and New Zealand share.”

This year Australia and New Zealand are celebrating 80 years of diplomatic relations, 50 years of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, and 40 years of our Closer Economic Relations Free Trade Agreement.

The visit will take place during the FIFA Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Albanese will return to Australia on Thursday.