New Zealand sent a "very, very powerful message" in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attack, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said today after a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was held.
Ms Ardern thanked Mr Morrison for the level of support from Australia after 50 people were killed in two mosque attacks on March 15.
"You contacted me almost immediately, your offer of support was genuine and as you know we've taken that up. I think these are moments where family really does come together," she told Mr Morrison.
"While it didn't happen on our soil it very much felt like it did," he replied.
After the meeting Mr Morrison spoke to media and said attending the National Remembrance Service was a "privilege".
"To stand together as Australians, to stand with New Zealanders, to stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters here, the first responders, all those who have been directly and more broadly impacted."
He called today's service in Christchurch "a thing of absolute beauty".
"New Zealand has responded to hate with love, they've responded to violence with peace, and I think that is a very, very powerful message."
"To hear the names of the 50 souls that were lost, particularly the last name spoken by his daughter, was overwhelming."
"Out of this has come a great hope, and this has been expressed so beautifully by the people of New Zealand."
SHARE ME