Phil
GOFF
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson

6 October 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

Discrimination against Kiwi Aussie residents unnecessary and unfair

Discrimination against New Zealanders living permanently in Australia is unnecessary and unfair, says Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Phil Goff. And he says it’s time for the New Zealand Government to engage more actively with their Australian counterparts to seek a review of the discriminatory provisions.

“Since Australia changed the rules unilaterally in 2001, most of the quarter of a million Kiwis who have crossed the Tasman to live in Australia permanently don’t have the same rights as other permanent residents.

“The rule changes stopped New Zealanders becoming permanent residents. Unlike Aussies living permanently in New Zealand, Kiwis moving to Australia - on what are called Special Category Visas - can’t move automatically to becoming citizens after a period of time. They cannot vote and their children born in Australia don’t achieve citizenship o birth.

“And if, after working hard and paying taxes for years they fall on hard times, there is no support for them.

“I am aware of instances where Kiwis have been treated in a way that Aussies and Kiwis alike would not regard as being a fair go.

“One Kiwi who has suffered brain tumour has no access to income support or even an emergency benefit to support his family.

“Another, a woman with a young child was forced to leave her home because of domestic violence, is not eligible for housing help or income support and can’t go back to New Zealand with her child because of the Hague Convention.

“Then there’s the Kiwi couple who have worked in Australia for ten years and have four Australian born kids, but can’t get help for a child with a disability because they’re not classed as permanent residents.

“All have paid their taxes, worked and contributed to Australia but have been left without help when faced with serious difficulties which are no fault of their own.

“Aussies who permanently reside in New Zealand in the same situations are entitled to the full range of New Zealand benefits.

“If you are living permanently in a country and contributing to it, you should be eligible to the same help as anyone else.

“I have taken up these issues with Australia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand who agrees that the issue needs to be addressed at the political level.

“Labour is prepared to work with the National Government to ensure that happens”, Phil Goff said.

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