Government House
CANBERRA ACT 2600
18 July 2017
The Governor-General is pleased to announce the following honorary appointment within the General Division of the Order of Australia:
ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Honorary Companion (AC) in the General Division
The Right Honourable Sir John Phillip KEY GNZM
New Zealand
For eminent service to Australia-New Zealand relations.
By His Excellency’s Command
Paul Singer MVO
Acting Official Secretary to the Governor-General
APPOINTED AN HONORARY COMPANION (AC)
IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
The Right Honourable Sir John Phillip KEY GNZM, New Zealand
For eminent service to Australia-New Zealand relations.
As Prime Minister of New Zealand from November 2008 to December 2016, Sir John Key raised the trans-Tasman relationship to new heights of cooperation and mutual confidence.
During his term, Sir John helped catalyse significant economic growth across the Tasman, increasing two-way trade, and was instrumental in reinvigorating the agenda of the Single Economic Market to further liberalise the trans-Tasman economy, with benefits for both Australian and New Zealand businesses and consumers.
Sir John promoted close collaboration with Australia in the region and globally. In 2016 his government announced a significant upgrade of New Zealand’s defence and intelligence capabilities, contributing to regional and global stability.
Under his government, Australia and New Zealand collaborated on a number of international issues, including the continuation of support to the government of Afghanistan and joint training of Iraqi security forces to counter ISIL.
He has been an outstanding proponent of regional trade liberalisation initiatives and an active supporter of close collaboration with Australia in our relations with Pacific Island countries.
Sir John has been an exemplary champion of the bilateral relationship between Australia and New Zealand, facilitating an even closer relationship between our two countries and furthering economic, people to people, and defence ties.