On 17 June 2020, members of the Monash International Affairs Society had the honour of speaking with Her Excellency Dame Annette King, High Commissioner of New Zealand to Australia, and Consul General and Trade Commissioner Vanessa O’Neill.
Her Excellency and the Consul General spoke on the importance of the New Zealand-Australian relation, one of the closest relationships between two sovereign states anywhere in the world. This included the ties that our countries share, along with the current efforts between the Australian and New Zealand Governments on COVID-19. This included the potential for a travel bubble between the two countries, along with work on treatments and vaccinations.
Both Her Excellency and the Consul General also answered questions about their experience. Her Excellency discussed her political background and experience in the New Zealand Parliament while the Consul General recounted her experiences in private industry. Both also reflected on their positions as women in diplomacy and how the treatment of women has changed, in private sector, politics and diplomacy.
MIAS is grateful to the New Zealand High Commission, the Consulate, and the Monash New Zealand Students Association for collaborating on this event, especially under such unprecedented circumstances caused by COVID-19.