Defence and trade top of the agenda for Anthony Albanese’s meeting in Queenstown

Defence and trade are expected to be at the centre of discussions between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his Kiwi counterpart Christopher Luxon when the pair meet in Queenstown on Saturday. How the two nations continue to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the question of recognising a Palestinian state are also likely to be discussed, after both leaders spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron about the issue this week. Neither Australia nor New Zealand have set a timeline for recognising a Palestinian state, despite other like-minded countries including France, Canada and the United Kingdom all signalling they…