Turnbull salutes ‘selfless’ NZ pilot

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to helicopter pilot Steve Askin, who died fighting the fires near Christchurch, soon after touching down for a two-day visit to New Zealand.

Speaking after a wreath-laying ceremony in Arrowtown yesterday, Turnbull expressed his sadness at the loss of Askin, who served with the armed forces in Afghanistan.

‘‘He was doing what he was doing in Afghanistan – selflessly serving, courageously serving his country and we know, both of our countries know the cruelty of nature, the cruelty of fire,’’ he said.

‘‘We face them – there are big fires burning in New South Wales at the moment. But we learn, we co-operate, we support each other and we learn a lot from each other in firefighting.’’

Invoking the Anzac spirit, Turnbull said Australia and New Zealand were ‘‘the closest of families’’. The Anzac tradition of mateship, solidarity and selflessness was part of our DNA.

‘‘We best honour the diggers of a century ago by supporting the men and women of our defence forces today, the veterans and their families. That’s how we best honour them and that is my commitment,’’ he said.

Speaking to Australian media ahead of his departure, Turnbull also expressed enthusiasm for learning from New Zealand’s economic story during talks with Prime Minister Bill English.

English said Australia was New Zealand’s closest security partner and the friendship was never closer than in times of need.

New Zealand was very appreciative of the understanding shown to those in Christchurch this week during the Port Hills fires.

He said Australia was New Zealand’s biggest goods and services export market and the biggest source of capital - as well as tourists.

English and Turnbull confirmed their commitment to work together on the future of the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal.

In a joint statement they said that in light of the United States decision not to ratify the TPP, Australia and New Zealand will work together as they engage with other TPP members on the way forward for the agreement.

The ongoing work towards a single economic market was also on today’s agenda with a strong commitment expressed from both sides to continue to find ways to make it easier to operate across the trans-Tasman market.

English said he welcomed Turnbull’s announcement of greater flexibilities in the implementation of the pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders who are long-term residents in Australia. — Fairfax NZ