New Zealand Speaker David Carter has made an official visit to Australia, reinforcing the strong cross-Tasman partnership between the two national parliaments.

During two days of meetings in Canberra, the New Zealand Speaker held talks with Senate President John Hogg, Speaker Bronwyn Bishop and parliamentary whips. The agenda included discussions on parliamentary procedures and services, including broadcasting and community outreach, enabling the parliamentary leaders to share information about the latest developments in each other’s parliaments.

The meetings also provided an opportunity to discuss further regional cooperation between the two parliaments, with Australia and New Zealand both contributing to capacity building of Pacific Island parliaments.

In a mark of respect to the shared sacrifices of Australian and New Zealand service men and women, Mr Carter visited the Australian War Memorial where he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.

The NZ Speaker also held talks at the ACT Legislative Assembly and the NSW Parliament, where he and the Clerk of the NZ House of Representatives Mary Harris made a presentation to parliamentarians and staff on parliamentary privilege.