Māori Party welcomes Australian citizenship announcement

Māori Party welcomes Australian citizenship announcement

The Australian Government’s announcement to make it easier for New Zealanders to gain citizenship across the Tasman has been heralded as a step in the right direction by the Māori Party.

Up to 100,000 New Zealanders, who moved across the ditch and earn a salary of about $58,000 (NZD), could be eligible to get a Special Category Visa.

“It is about time the Australian Government made a move. We appreciate it is a step ahead, but we still have concerns that the salary threshold will continue to alienate many New Zealanders who earn less - from being eligible,” says Māori Party Co-leader, Marama Fox.

“We also worry that some New Zealanders will not be able to afford to pay for the special visa. This visa doesn’t provide security for our people living there to access government support services, until they obtain permanent residency a year later,” says Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Māori Party has lobbied for change to immigration rules in Australia for many years, with Mrs Fox and Māori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell both making separate trips at different times to meet with Māori living there to see how the Māori Party could help them.

Mr Flavell’s trip to Australia in 2014 prompted him to appeal to the Prime Minister John Key and echo the message he received from Māori living in Australia to change immigration laws in Aotearoa to match those of Australia.

“We are pleased our efforts have helped Australia to instigate change. We commend Australia for moving forward, and we are happy some whānau there will have an opportunity to gain permanent residency through this new pathway. We look forward to New Zealanders, who have been affected by the 2001 immigration laws, being able to access government support services after many years of paying tax and contributing to Australia,” says Te Ururoa Flavell.

The Māori Party says it will be keeping a close eye on the changes to immigration laws in Australia.

“We will continue to apply pressure to both Governments because until we can be assured that this new move by the Australian Government will help all ex-pat New Zealander living there,” says Marama Fox.

ENDS

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