Richard Marles: Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister ahead of planned meeting with New Zealand - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Australia's Deputy Prime Minister - and Defence Minister - says it's time to strengthen the relationship with New Zealand. 

The Foreign and Defence Ministers of New Zealand and Australia are meeting tomorrow. 

Australia's Richard Marles says in terms of relationships - his country's had more dialogue with China and reinstated trade, but there are also significant security anxieties. 

"This is a time to be doubling down with friends - so many other countries in the region face the same challenges, but for Australia and New Zealand, there are no two countries as close to each other."

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