KEY POINTS:
- Australia deports hundreds of people to New Zealand annually on the basis of character.
- It's a policy that has been labelled "corrosive" to the trans-Tasman relationship.
- But now, the Albanese government has flagged changes that have drawn criticism from the Opposition.
Australia has softened its controversial approach to deporting New Zealanders on character grounds, with authorities to consider how long they've been in the country before cancelling their visas.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insists the "common sense" decision won't threaten national security, despite the Coalition accusing his government of "going soft on criminals".
Mr Albanese said he had discussed the deportation of New Zealanders who had spent the majority of their life in Australia - a key friction point between Canberra and Wellington - with former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern last year.
"We said we would apply some common sense (that) needs to be applied here between Australia and New Zealand," Mr Albanese told reporters in Perth on Wednesday.
"But we retain, of course, our right to take action on the basis that it is appropriate action."
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has welcomed the decision. Source: AAP
Her successor, Chris Hipkins, on Wednesday described the development as a "welcome first step", saying New Zealand had been working with Australia to make it possible "for quite some time".
"The acknowledgement on the Australian side that actually some of the people that we are talking about have had a long history in Australia - some of them have been there since they were very young children - and sending them to New Zealand when they have no connections here other than a very historic one isn't really a fair or just outcome," he told reporters.
"I think the acknowledgement of that by the Australians is very, very welcome."
An Australian government representative said a "common sense approach", which come into effect on March 3, was being taken to deportations after a shift was flagged when Labor took power last year.
That will include making long-term residence "one of the primary consideration" in character-related assessments, with decision makers also required to consider the impact deportation could have on dependant children in Australia.
"The Australian Government remains committed to the protection of the Australian community and is not stepping away from the current character cancellation framework," a home affairs spokesperson said.
"Where individuals pose a risk to the community, the Australian Government will continue to cancel their visas and remove them."
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (left) and former Australian prime minister Scott Morrison during a heated press conference in February 2020. Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE
She said the Coalition had cancelled and refused more than 10,000 visas of serious criminals while in office.
"Non-citizens convicted of offences like child abuse, rape, breaching apprehended violence orders and possessing illegal weapons do not belong in our community," she said in a statement.
"Labor should protect Australian citizens and the people who live here and abide by our laws - instead of prioritising foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes who fail the character test."
Australia deports hundreds of people to New Zealand annually using a power under the Migration Act that allows the immigration minister to evict on the basis of character rather than criminal convictions.
New Zealand sees it as an abrogation of the trans-Tasman friendship, as many of those deported have little to no connection to Australia's near-neighbour.
Standing alongside Mr Morrison at Kirribilli House in 2019, Ms Ardern launched a public attack on Australia's approach.
“Australia is well within its rights to deport individuals who break your laws. New Zealand does the same. But we have a simple request: Send back Kiwis, genuine Kiwis. Do not deport your people and your problems," she said.
With AAP.
