Aussies detain Kiwi man

A Kiwi was illegally detained by the Australian Border Force earlier this year after a mixup over his citizenship.

The man, a dual New Zealand/ Australian citizen, was illegally detained at around the same time as another dual Australian citizen.

One of the men was sent to Christmas Island, but Australian Border Control will not confirm whether this was the Kiwi or not.

The men were detained under a rule which allows for deportation or detention if a visitor fails the ‘‘character test’’ - usually because of a past criminal offence.

However both of the men held dual Australian citizenship.

A spokesman from the Australian Department of Border and Immigration refused to comment on how long the men were held.

‘‘Two individuals were detained after their visas were cancelled mandatorily under section 501 of the Migration Act 1958,’’ a spokesperson for the office said in a statement.

‘‘After it was identified that each individual held dual Australian citizenship, arrangements were immediately made for their release from immigration detention.

‘‘The circumstances surrounding their detention have been reviewed and appropriate safeguards have been implemented.’’

New Zealanders are the largest group of people filling up immigration detention centres.

As of July 2016, 199 Kiwis who are not Australian citizens are held in Australian immigration detention centres.

Many refuse to be deported because they have little support or background in New Zealand after living in Australia for decades.