New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the election victory of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signalled a “reset” to Trans-Tasman relations.
Albanese and Ardern met on Thursday evening for an informal dinner before holding bilateral meetings on Friday.
“I do see this as an opportunity for a reset because there were obviously some points of friction,” Ardern said, referring to its relationship with the previous government.
Australia’s visa cancellation policy under section 501 of the migration act has seen countless people deported to New Zealand after failing a “character test” for being involved in criminal activity.
Ardern said her government was not asking Australia to remove its deportation policy but reconsider the deportation of people with no connection to New Zealand and Kiwis who have stayed in Australia for so long that they were “essentially Australians.”
“That’s the place that we’re asking for that consideration to be given,” she said. “So anyone who claims that it is somehow going to make Australia less safe, that is not true. And it is not fair.”
The New Zealand prime minister accused the Australian media and the previous government of often mischaracterising New Zealand’s request around deportations “I imagine for domestic political reasons.”
Albanese said he had discussed this issue with Ardern back when he was the opposition leader that and her concerns had been made very clear in Friday’s meeting. However, he did not outline any specific changes that would be considered.
“We’ll work them through in an orderly way. I’ve said that section 501 would be maintained,” Albanese said. “But there were also concerns that have been raised that need to be taken into consideration as friends.”
The two leaders also discussed China’s increasing influence in the Pacific after the Chinese foreign minister signed a string of security and economic deals with several Islander nations.
“We’re in lockstep on the Pacific. And I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbours,” Albanese said.
The Australian prime minister said the government’s plan included over half a billion dollars in foreign aid and the further development of climate and infrastructure partnerships.
“The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat,” Ardern said. “Right now, we already see the considerable effects of coastal erosion, or severe weather events and of displacement in our backyard.”
“This study has found that the expansion of islands through sediment generation under conditions of sea-level rise is possible,” said Murray Ford, a coastal geomorphologist at the University of Auckland.
“The coral reefs which surround these islands is the engine room of island growth, producing sediment which is washed up on the island shoreline. Healthy coral reefs are essential for this process to continue into the future.”
Ardern is the first foreign leader received on Australian soil by Albanese since winning office.
“It is both humbling but also very fitting to be the first foreign head of government to be here in Australia meeting with you in your new role, and I think it is indicative of the relationship that New Zealand and Australia share,” Ardern said.
