PMs may change Kiwi lives
New Zealanders in Australia could soon find themselves with more rights and a faster pathway to citizenship thanks to a ‘‘reset’’ in trans-Tasman relations.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and new Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met in Sydney where they discussed changes to the situation of New Zealanders in Australia including ways to ‘‘streamline’’ New Zealanders’ access to Australian citizenship.
Why it matters
New Zealanders in Australia don’t get automatic permanent residency or citizenship in Australia.
Instead, they are issued a nonprotected special category visa on arrival, which is essentially a temporary visa, meaning they can’t vote in an election or referendum, and have limited or no access to social security or student loans.
They also can’t join the Australian Defence Force or undertake ongoing work with the Australian Government.
In contrast, on entering New Zealand, all Australian citizens and permanent residents are automatically granted residence visas, and may apply for permanent residence after having held a residence visa continuously for two years.
Key players
Ardern has long campaigned for better support for New Zealanders in Australia but made little progress on the issue with former Australian prime minster Scott Morrison. New Zealand and Australia relations have dramatically improved since Albanese, leader of Australia’s centre left Labor Party, took over as prime minister in May.
The breakdown
Both leaders agreed that no New Zealander or Australian should be rendered permanently ‘‘temporary’’ when it comes to residence in either country and agreed to ensure viable pathways to citizenship.
They agreed to identify options to provide the citizens of both countries better access to opportunities and benefits, and to enable more enduring social and economic integration outcomes.
The history
Prior to 2001, New Zealanders in Australia on special category visas could access social security and obtain Australian citizenship.
However, in 2001 Australia amended citizenship laws for New Zealanders, making it harder for New Zealanders living in Australia to become dual nationals.
In other news
Albanese also signalled that Australia planned to adopt a ‘‘commonsense approach’’ to 501 deportees, particularly those with little or no connection to New Zealand.
While Australia would continue to deport people ‘‘where appropriate’’, Albanese signalled a significant shift in how the policy would be applied.
By the numbers
As at September 2019, there were an estimated 685,000 New Zealand citizens in Australia on special category visas.