Mr ALEXANDER (6:40 PM) —The unique relationship between the nations of New Zealand and Australia stretches back quite some time to before the arrival of the ANZAC, when Australian and New Zealand forces heroically fought side-by-side on the battlefields of Europe. One of the first most significant bonds between our two young nations was forged through our partnering in sporting events, where we had extraordinary international success.

Our national tennis championship at the time was the Australasian Championships, and it was played in both Australia and New Zealand until the First World War. Pre-dating New Zealand’s declaration as a dominion within the British Empire, the two nations combined to compete together in the new international tennis competition known then as the International Lawn Tennis Challenge but soon after renamed the Davis Cup. This competition began between the United States and Britain in 1900; other nations were subsequently invited to join. New Zealand partnered with Australia and played as ‘Australasia’ in the 1905 competition.

New Zealand had the greatest tennis player of the time in Anthony Wilding, a swashbuckling character who became renowned for riding around Europe on his motorbike, winning championships and befriending everyone he came in contact with, from royalty to the common sports fan. Wilding partnered Australia’s Norman Brookes, our first Wimbledon champion, who became a major figure in establishing what we now know as the Australian Open. The men’s singles trophy is named in his honour: the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. Playing all the singles and doubles rubbers, these two champions took on the world and won, delivering the Davis Cup to Australasia in 1907. The following year, we successfully defended the Davis Cup in Melbourne and, through the period to the First World War, Australasia won the Davis Cup on six occasions.

Anthony Wilding went on to win Wimbledon on four consecutive occasions from 1900 to 1913 and also won the Wimbledon doubles on four occasions. Tragically, he was killed during the First World War, in which he served as an ANZAC soldier. He was from Christchurch, and the tennis centre in Christchurch in which Australia competed in Davis Cup competitions in subsequent years is rightly named after him.

Our countries share a great deal of history, and the characteristics of both our nations and our people are remarkably similar. Much of our character has been formed on battlefields and on sports fields, in farming pursuits and, more recently, in a transition to urbanised living. The tragedy that struck Christchurch is no different to us Australians than it would be if a similar event had taken place within our own borders. Not just through proximity but also through this historic closeness, we would naturally be the first to respond with our all. Although we can be rather rugged competitors on cricket pitches and rugby fields, these competitions and their results pale into insignificance when compared to the benefits we have both enjoyed through our countries being brought even closer together. New Zealand is a home of heroes and sporting champions, and it is the character of their heroes and champions that runs through the veins of all New Zealanders. The lessons learned and characters built on those fields of endeavour are immediately evident and demonstrated with such inspiration in the way New Zealanders are confronting the devastation of Christchurch.

New Zealand so often defines itself through its toughness and determination on both the rugby field and the netball court. It also had further success in tennis, with Chris Lewis making the Wimbledon final. He was coached by another wildie left-hander, Tony Roche—the great Australian player and coach. These connections and competitions all conspired to bring our two great countries even closer together than our geographic proximity. The great benefit of such a relationship is that when one nation suffers a hardship the other is instantly there to support. That has certainly been the case with the recent earthquake in Christchurch.

As would be expected, Australia was the first there and the most willing to give assistance to our New Zealand friends. There should not be one minute’s doubt that the path that now lies in front towards rebuilding will not be walked alone. The way in which New Zealand has confronted this tragedy is an inspiration to all of those who have witnessed it. This is the same courage that has been shown in the past on battlefields and in its sporting endeavours.

The support that we will offer New Zealand does not stop at this point; it will continue long after Christchurch has rebuilt and will result in an even stronger and more meaningful relationship. The bonds formed through conflicts that we have joined in arms together, and through sporting endeavours, will be strong and will help see New Zealand through this period of trial. However, this will not stop or limit our desire to have those essential victories against each other on the cricket pitch, rugby field or netball court. But, hopefully, we will always enjoy a beer, or maybe three, afterwards.

On a personal note, I was fortunate to have played competition tennis at Wilding Park in Christchurch with friends who were friends long before those games and who remain friends to this day. The great New Zealand player and Australian Open finalist, Onny Parrun, was one of the first people to call and congratulate me after my election to the seat of Bennelong. Acceptance on the tennis circuit mandated that you had a nickname, so to Rags, Louie, The Sheep, The Big O—or better known as Brian Fairlie, Chris Lewis, Russell Simpson and Onny Parrun—I would like to send my warmest regards and prayers that you and all your loved ones are safe and well after this catastrophe, from your mate JA.