The Minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee leaves for Australia today for the annual Australia-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting, and to participate in the Albany Convoy Commemorative Event.

The event marks the 100^th anniversary of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force troopships meeting then departing together to sail for Egypt.  Many of the soldiers on that voyage would be sent to Turkey to fight in the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.

Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today extended his deepest sympathies to the family of Mark Ford. 

“Mark was an exceptional New Zealander who was only too willing to use his considerable talents, both organisationally and personally, in contributing to projects of national significance.

“Following his very successful work leading the amalgamation of the Auckland councils he was a logical choice to chair the Stronger Christchurch Infrastructure Rebuild Team (SCIRT).