Jacinda Ardern will visit Australia later this week to meet the new prime minister, Anthony Albanese, when she plans to again raise the issue of “501” deportations of New Zealanders.
The New Zealand PM will visit Sydney on Thursday – the first foreign leader hosted by the new Labor government.
Ardern described the trans-Tasman neighbours as being “like family” with many shared values, but admitted aspects of the relationship had been “difficult” in recent years. Top of her agenda will be Australia’s controversial 501 deportation policy and the rights of New Zealanders in Australia.
“This is also an opportunity for new conversations to be had on aspects of the bilateral relationship that have been difficult for a number of years,” she told a press conference on Tuesday.
“We’re clear with the incoming prime minister that these issues remain for us. Regardless of who’s in office, we want to make progress.”
Australian visa cancellations under section 501 of the Migration Act – which can be due to a substantial criminal record or on character grounds – have been a long-running flashpoint with New Zealand.
The policy of deporting New Zealand citizens, even if they have lived their entire life in Australia, caused friction between the two countries under former PM Scott Morrison. It included an infamous 2020 incident where Ardern lashed out at their annual bilateral summit, saying the “unfair” policy was “testing” the friendship between the two nations, and accusing Australia of deporting “your people and your problems”.
During the election, Albanese indicated a Labor government would continue deportations under section 501. But it’s understood Labor may adjust the ministerial direction to ensure decisions give more consideration to the time a person has lived in Australia.
On Tuesday, Ardern said she would visit Sydney on Thursday for a dinner with Albanese, ahead of bilateral meetings on Friday, with geostrategic developments in the region and climate change also up for discussion.
Speaking while on an official visit to Indonesia, Albanese said he looked forward to the meeting, and noted Ardern had been the first world leader to call him after Morrison conceded the election – with the pair sharing a phone call as the Labor leader’s car drove to his victory party in Sydney.
“I look forward to prime minister Ardern’s visit,” he said.
In a written statement from Albanese’s office, the Australian PM spoke warmly of links with New Zealand.
“Prime Minister Ardern’s visit will be an opportunity to build on Trans-Tasman cooperation, including economic recovery after COVID-19, the role of Indigenous peoples in the identity of both countries, climate change, support for the Pacific, and global trade and security.”
A spokesperson for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said on Tuesday that Australia had “the sovereign right to determine what level of offending by non-citizens is unacceptable”.
“However, New Zealand has consistently raised its concerns with Australia about the deportation of people with little or no connection to New Zealand,” the spokesperson said.
“As Prime Minister Ardern said on acknowledging Prime Minister Albanese’s election, Australia is our most important partner, our only official ally and single economic market relationship, and it is important that we work together as closely as possible in these tumultuous times.”
Ardern said she had known Albanese for several years, and praised him for showing an “appreciation” for New Zealand’s concerns on the 501 issue during the election, but refused to speculate on what may come out of the meeting.
“This is an issue for New Zealand that reaches beyond political parties, that reaches beyond how long either side has known one another. We’ve got to make sure that, particularly when it’s those we consider family, they understand the strength of feeling that we have,” Ardern said.
She noted “extreme examples” of people being deported who have “little to no connection to New Zealand”. Ardern admitted this was one of the “obvious areas” of “friction” between the two nations in recent years, but spoke optimistically about a refreshed trans-Tasman relationship under the new Labor government.
“We are fortunate to be close neighbours who share common values, history, personal connections, and business relationships,” she said.
“This meeting also comes at an important moment in our reconnecting program, as for New Zealanders and New Zealand businesses alike, Australia is a source of prosperity, labour, tourism, innovation, science and knowledge.”
