Australia and New Zealand’s special relationship has been under strain, as the government of New Zealand and other political parties have expressed concerns on the way Kiwis are being treated while staying in Australia under the new laws of Australian Immigration.
Over 200 citizens of New Zealand have been reportedly held in many
detention centres of Australia, waiting as they soon be deported back to New Zealand. On Sunday, the suicide of one New Zealander due to extreme frustration has further highlighted the importance of this issue.
According to the new law of Australia Immigration, which is effective since last year month of December, anybody who has been served a jail sentence for one year and who is not a citizen of Australia could be deported.
Meanwhile, John Key, New Zealand Prime Minister said that the new policy is too harsh and that he was planning to meet up with his Australian counterpart Mr. Malcolm Turnbull. He also said his government is waiting for more information on the deportees.
The political parties in New Zealand, Labour, the Greens and United Future are blaming on government’s weak stand on this issue. Spokesman of the Labour Party’s Foreign Affairs, David Shearer said that the situation is not acceptable. He also said that the Australia is putting some laws on New Zealand for satisfying their domestic constituency and that the New Zealand is carrying the burden of it.
Justice Ministers of both the sides have reportedly been working on the MoU for improved sharing of information related to immigration issues.
