Ardern not happy with migration policy
WELLINGTON - New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wants Australia to reconsider a blanket rule on deportations that she says is having a “corrosive” effect on relationships between the two countries.
Speaking after a speech at Melbourne Town Hall on Thursday night ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday, Ms Ardern raised the issue of visa cancellations for people who commit crimes that result in a jail term longer than 12 months.
The changes came into effect in 2014 when Mr Morrison was Immigration Minister and impact migrants from all countries.
More than 4000 people — many from New Zealand — have been deported since the laws were changed.
Ms Ardern said she thinks the blanket rule is too broad.
“We have seen cases where there is also almost no connection of an individual to New Zealand who have been deported,” she said.
“I consider that to be a corrosive part of that policy. And it’s having a corrosive effect on our relationship.”
She said she planned to raise the matter with the PM when the two meet in Melbourne later today.
It will be the first time the two leaders come face-toface since Mr Morrison was re-elected. They last met after the Christchurch massacre in March where 51 people died at the hands of an Australian terrorist.
“Last time I saw Jacinda was under the most difficult of circumstances when we were in Christchurch for the memorial service which was a heart-wrenching exercise,” the Australian leader told reporters.
Ms Ardern last night met with Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Governor Linda Dessau.