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John Key to question Malcolm Turnbull over deporting New Zealanders
Posted On Oct 16 2015
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Now the communication app has another group of users reportedly lined up: Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his Cabinet.
“By repairing Australian aid, we’re working alongside our neighbours to build a more prosperous future for Australians, our region and a world free from poverty”, said Mr Milne.
Around 200 Kiwis are being held in detention centres – including 40 in the notorious Christmas Island facility – as they wait to be sent back to New Zealand.
Mr Key says the fact Mr Turnbull has made a decision to come to New Zealand is testament to how much he values the trans-Tasman relationship. His official visit will begin on Saturday with formal talks with both Key and Labour leader Andrew Little.
The Australian government amended the Migration act in December last year to allow for the deportation of long-term residents who had been jailed for one year or more, leading to a spike in the number of New Zealanders who had their visas cancelled.
He was not confident there would be any change to Australia’s position following the meeting. A few of these “New Zealanders” have been in Australia since childhood and have nearly no links here.
A report in The Australian reveals that Prime Minister Turnbull brought the app to Cabinet as a new way to communicate about “confidential matters”.
He had pushed the issue with former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, whose government set the policy, and Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, he told TV3’s Paul Henry show on Monday.
“Australia’s new policy of deporting low-level criminals, who despite being born in New Zealand have no connections with the country, is a recipe for disaster”.
His comments indicated that perhaps the Government’s stance on the issue had hardened towards Australia.
Kiwis moving to Australia since 2001 are not entitled to social support in a case where New Zealanders were singled out from other nationalities.
He thought Turnbull was a “reasonable, sensitive guy” who would consider all issues.
