Trans-Tasman senior leaders gather to identify opportunities to emerge stronger together amidst global disruption

Over the next two days Australia’s top business and government leaders will meet with their Aotearoa New Zealand counterparts in Sydney for the 14th Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum.

The Forum is the centrepiece for the ANZLF, a business-led initiative steered by the Australian and New Zealand Co-Chairs, Pip Marlow (CEO ANZ and ASEAN Salesforce) and Greg Lowe ONZM (CEO Beca Group).

ANZLF Co-chair Pip Marlow said “The ANZLF is proud to once again bring together exceptional leaders who are committed to strengthening the economic and trade relationship between Australia and New Zealand. The challenges we face today mean it is even more critical we discuss how our two countries can be stronger together.”

“Importantly, we have a very strong delegation of Indigenous Australian and Māori business, science and innovation leaders attending this year’s Forum. I am looking forward to new conversations about how Australia and New Zealand can collaborate to combat climate change, deepen our digital connections and strengthen relations with our neighbours in the South Pacific.”

Forum Co-chair Greg Lowe said “Australia and New Zealand enjoy a special relationship. We should not take it for granted. We must push forward to capture opportunities to improve the trans-Tasman flow of people, trade, data and capital. Businesses on both sides have been under tremendous pressure for the last few years and we face similar challenges around labour and skills shortages and economic productivity.”

“We look forward to sharing key trans-Tasman business priorities with the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand, ten of their Cabinet Ministers as well as the Deputy Leaders of the Opposition on both sides and the ACT Chief Minister. We will also celebrate the winners of the Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Awards at the Forum Dinner”

The ANZLF 2022 meeting will be held on two half-days, with a mix of plenary discussions and breakout sessions which will explore a wide range of themes with a view to identifying opportunities for trans-Tasman action and collaboration. This Forum will consider ANZLF recommendations across a range of work streams including Indigenous business, tourism, innovation, health technology; infrastructure; and from the ANZLF Emerging Leaders Group.

Key attendees:

This year trans-Tasman senior business leaders will be joined by the Australian Prime Minister, The Hon Anthony Albanese MP and the New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern. The Prime Ministers are joined by numerous Ministers including:

For Australia:

• The Hon. Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer
• Senator the Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism
• The Hon. Chris Bowen, Minister for Climate Change and Energy
• The Hon. Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science
• Senator The Hon Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians
• The Hon. Catherine King MP, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
• The Hon Ged Kearney MP Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care
• The Hon. Tim Watts, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs

For Aotearoa New Zealand:

• Hon Grant Robertson, Deputy Prime Minister
• Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister for Trade and Export Growth
• Hon Stuart Nash, Minister for Economic and Regional Development, and Tourism and Small Business
• Hon Willie Jackson, Minister for Māori Development
• Hon Michael Wood, Minister of Immigration, Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety
• Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall, Minister of Research, Science & Innovation and Associate Health Minister
• Hon James Shaw, Minister of Climate Change.

Other distinguished guests:

• Andrew Barr MLA, Chief Minister ACT
• Sussan Ley MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Australia
• Nicola Willis, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, New Zealand