'Certainly plumbed new levels': Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Christopher Luxon united on Gaza ceasefire
Both leaders expressed a united stance, emphasising their countries' ongoing push for peace, with a shared commitment for an immediate ceasefire and the return of hostages.
Mr Albanese said Australians overwhelmingly want two things - a ceasefire in Gaza and the prevention of conflict reaching the nation's shores.
'I think overwhelmingly Australians want to see two things. One is they want to see a ceasefire. They want to see the killings stop. They want to see hostages released, they want to see peace in the region,' Mr Albanese said on Saturday at a joint press conference in Queenstown.
'The second thing they want is they don't want conflict brought to Australia either. And so, we, for a long period of time, there's been a bipartisan position in Australia of support for two-states and that of course was the vision that was envisaged when in 1947 the United Nations made the decision that they did. It wasn't a question of one side. And so, we'll continue to play a role.'
Mr Luxon echoed Mr Albanese's sentiments, adding New Zealanders also want to see an immediate ceasefire and a long-term solution through a two-state system.
'We want to see hostages released, we want to see unfettered humanitarian aid flooding into Gaza, and we want a ceasefire,' Mr Luxon said.
'The military action that we've seen is not the way to solve this problem. It requires diplomacy, it requires dialogue.
'I think all New Zealanders, all Australians will be horrified by what they see on the news. And it's certainly plumbed new levels.'
Mr Albanese has travelled over the Tasman Sea for the Australia–New Zealand Leaders' Meeting.
The press conference followed a statement from Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who joined a five-nation coalition to 'strongly reject' Israel's plans for further military action in Gaza.
The statement, issued by ministers from New Zealand, Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom, expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of Israel's military actions.
'It will aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation, endanger the lives of the hostages, and further risk the mass displacement of civilians,' the statement read.
'The plans that the Government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law. Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.
'We urge the parties and the international community to make all efforts to finally bring this terrible conflict to an end now, through an immediate and permanent ceasefire that enables the provision of a massive, immediate and unimpeded humanitarian assistance, as the worst-case scenario of a famine is unfolding in Gaza.'
The statement also called for Hamas to release all hostages without delay or precondition, ensuring they are treated humanely and not subjected to cruelty and humiliation.
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