Australia views New Zealand as a "neutral" partner

[Dave Homewood]

Aug 29, 2024 19:15:40 GMT 12 chrisr said:

"Australia’s great strength with the PICs is a natural, friendly connection – think of rugby, religion, relatives and remittances as ways we can build ties where Beijing cannot."

Sobering reading, If you ask the average Kiwi about the NZDF they would say we pride ourselves on the ability to provide humanitarian response. Not what the Australian's think and maybe a reality we haven't yet embraced.

If you ask the average Kiwi about rugby they'd say the Australians cannot play it properly.

If you ask the average Kiwi about religion they'd ask what is that, because the bulk of Kiwis do not follow a religion.

If you ask me about the NZDF's ability to provide humanitarian response, I'd say like every other area of the NZDF's responsibilities we no longer do so properly or fully. Said with no criticism of the members of the NZDF who do their best, they have to do so with the total disregard of funding and equipping by several successive governments.

[johnnyfalcon]

I don't see the word "neutral" anywhere in that article. I do see "natural"

[Mustang51]

Chrisr....please do not take what the Australian Institute of Public Affairs states as what all "Australians" think. Ask Australian mlitary personnel who they would like standing next to them and the answer would be, in the main, a Kiwi.

[30sqnatc]

They have to have someone to aim their sheep jokes at