While he waded the city’s lake-like north, enduring tirades from people forced out of homes for the fourth time in two years, the New Zealand Prime Minister – more popular in Australia, it seems, than Aotearoa – was feted by Sydney fashionistas, scored a prime-time television interview with the national broadcaster and was rhapsodised in the Australian and Sydney Morning Herald.
Her visit culminated in a joint press conference with Albanese, where he offered Ardern all that she wanted – and more – for the 650,000 New Zealanders across the Tasman. Australia, he said, finally recognises that New Zealand-born criminals with little connection to their birthplace should not be deported there. Kiwis in Australia will likely get a pathway to citizenship and, possibly, the right to vote without becoming Australian citizens.
Sweet as, bro? Careful what you wish for, New Zealand.
Australia plays a hard, crafty game. In this new era of crippling skills and labour shortages, exacerbated by bare-knuckle competition for productive migrants, Australia will fill its own shortages from wherever it can.
This story is from the July 23 - 29, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
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This story is from the July 23 - 29, 2022 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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