Study tit for tat breaks tradition
New Zealand appears ready to exclude Australian students from accessing free tertiary education in a tit for tat against fee hikes for expats across the Tasman.
It would be the first time a New Zealand Government took action in retaliation for the erosion of the rights of Kiwi expats across the Tasman.
Successive New Zealand governments have balked at retaliatory action out of concern it might erode the special relationship between the two countries, and the freedom of Australians to work and travel in New Zealand.
But Ardern confirmed she raised the likelihood of New Zealand acting in her first official meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney yesterday.
The Australian Government proposes removing the current subsidies for tertiary fees accessed by New Zealanders across the Tasman, affecting around 800 students.
Ardern denied that any move by New Zealand would be retaliation, but confirmed that unless Australia backed down, she would move to make the situation more “equitable” for Australians crossing to New Zealand to study.
The issue has come into sharper focus because of New Zealand’s move to free tertiary education from January.
Under the reciprocal travel arrangement, there is nothing to stop a flood of Australian students coming to New Zealand to access that entitlement.
“My view is we have a situation that is inequitable, and Australia would absolutely understand if we responded.
‘‘If we see a diminishing of access and rights for our students in tertiary education [in Australia], we would make sure we didn’t have an uneven access to tertiary education in New Zealand, particularly given the generous policy we are about to implement. ‘‘I’ve’ reiterated that.” Turnbull made it clear in a press conference after his meeting that there would be no backdown from Australia.
“We’re committed to our policies ... [We] understand the criticism we’ve seen on the other side of the Tasman. But just as we respect New Zealand’s right to manage its affairs and determine its university arrangements as it sees fit, I know New Zealand respects our right to do the same on this side of the ditch.”