PM Wong visits Australia, NZ to mark 60 years of diplomatic ties

He is making his first official visit to both countries as head of government

- Anjali Raguraman Correspondent

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is making his first official visit to Australia and New Zealand as head of government from Oct 6 to 11, as the Republic commemorates 60 years of diplomatic relations with both countries.

The six-day visit will reaffirm the excellent state of bilateral ties with both nations, said the Prime Minister's Office in a statement on Oct 6.

PM Wong will be in Sydney and Canberra from Oct 6 to 9, and in Auckland from Oct 9 to 11.

In Canberra, PM Wong and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will hold the 10th Singapore-Australia Leaders' Meeting.

The two leaders will then sign a joint declaration to launch an upgraded Singapore-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), or CSP 2.0.

Singapore and Australia stepped up relations in 2015 with the city-state's first CSP a high-level and broad-ranging diplomatic relationship that Singapore has with only a few countries.

While in Australia's capital, PM Wong will also call on Governor General Sam Mostyn and meet Leader of the Opposition Sussan Ley.

In Sydney, PM Wong will meet New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and senior business leaders, and have a dialogue at the Lowy Institute, an independent think-tank.

In Auckland, PM Wong and his delegation will have a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. This will be followed by the signing of a joint statement to launch the Singapore-New Zealand CSP.

This CSP is a step up from the two countries' enhanced partnership, or EP, which was signed in May 2019 during then New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's official visit to Singapore to formally upgrade bilateral relations.

During his trip, PM Wong will lay wreaths at the Australian War Memorial and the Auckland War Memorial Museum.