Australia, New Zealand ‘Rock Solid’ Despite Citizenship Drama

Cabinet Minister Arthur Sinodinos says Australia’s relationship with New Zealand is “rock solid” despite the Government’s recent attack over citizenship.

Last week Foreign Minister Julie Bishop suggested some members of the New Zealand Labour Party worked with the ALP to orchestrate Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s citizenship woes. Ms Bishop went as far as to suggest it would be difficult to trust the country’s Labour Party if it wins government. Speaking on Insiders, Senator Sinodinos played the tensions down.

“We are the closest of friends and allies for a lot of cultural and heritage reasons, it’ll be fine.”

New Zealand Labour MP Chris Hipkins lodged questions about citizenship in his country’s parliament after a conversation with the chief of staff to Australia’s Shadow Foreign Minister, Penny Wong. A short time later Mr Joyce was informed he was a dual citizen. Mr Joyce has since renounced his New Zealand citizenship, but the validity of his election will be determined by the High Court. “The point Julie Bishop was making was we need to get to the bot- tom of who knew what [and] when, and this was casting a bit of a cloud over the relationship,” Senator Sinodinos said.

New Zealand Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has labelled the actions of Mr Hipkins unacceptable and inappropriate. Senator Sinodinos said Ms Arden had clarified the situation for the Australian Government.