AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND: a common future in the ASIA-Pacific region.

• Author: Downer, Alexander

Alexander Downer reflects on the ties that bind the trans-Tasman relationship.

It has become something of a cliche that we talk about trans-Tasman relations with a bit of trepidation because there is that rivalry between us on the sports field -- and I would like to feel that the rivalry between us remains very much on the sports field. I look at what my department suggests I say and it is things like -- typical of the Department of Foreign Affairs -- occasionally we win and occasionally we win. This is, of course, complete nonsense. You won a cricket competition in Kenya in which we participated and I think it was in South Africa that New Zealand won a netball game quite convincingly against Australia -- so I congratulate you for winning that if in return you congratulate us for winning the world cup and the cricket. But in any case we have what can only be described as a charming and healthy rivalry. None of us take it too seriously and all of us enjoy it very much.

It is worth reflecting that the largest crowd ever at an Australian sports event before the recent Olympic Games in Sydney was for a Bledisloe Cup game at Stadium Australia, where there were 110,000 people present. Win or lose these games, the spirit that emanates from this competition is, on balance, a pretty positive thing.

We also talk a lot about the different expressions we use. My department came up with a couple of good ones -- something we call an Esky you call a chilly bin. And what we call a thong you call a jandal. It means different things to us. There are those kinds of differences. Then there is the competition over who owns whom -- whether the Bee Gees are Australian and whether Russell Crowe is a New Zealander. And who invented the pavlova is another one.

Out of this great rivalry comes a great bond. In these modern and very cynical times we often overlook the things that are truly the most lasting and most valuable in the search for the new and the different. The fact is we should be proud of and celebrate our unique relationship with our shared historical experience, our common values and beliefs, our similar systems of governance and our countless personal bonds.

Whenever an Australian or New Zealander starts talking about bilateral relationships, they always refer to the Anzacs. I am not going to be one who breaks that mould. The Anzac tradition is very much alive and well today. Those of us who may think it to be the stuff of old men's memories should see, as I have, the co-operation between Australian and New Zealand defence personnel in East Timor.

As they work alongside each other in UNTAET, our troops do continue to renew the spirit of their great-grandfathers at Gallipoli. They shoulder a heavy burden of responsibility along the front line of East Timor's western border. The tragic deaths on duty of three New Zealand soldiers, and one from Australia, graphically illustrate the sacrifice that our countries are still willing to make in the cause of peace and freedom. Australia is very grateful for New Zealand's continuing commitment to East Timor until at least May 2002.

It is that continuing willingness to stand up and be counted that has kept the Anzac spirit alive. Our two Prime Ministers are planning to meet to dedicate a New Zealand memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra. It will be a memorial to historic friendships and almost mythical exploits, but it will be equally symbolic of our present and our future bonds.

Against this background of strong friendship and cultural affinity -- an affinity that is somehow strengthened by our good-natured rivalry...