In order to commemorate their citizenship agreement, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his New Zealand counterpart Chris Hipkins in Brisbane.
After the Australian government announced a relaxation of regulations that will allow an estimated 400,000 Kiwis to apply for Australian citizenship this year, the two leaders went to a citizenship ceremony today.
Albanese declared the accord was “win-win” for citizens of both countries in his remarks following the ceremony.
He claimed that the citizenship agreement recognized Kiwis who were living in Australia and had supported the economy by paying taxes.
“I think this is a common-sense approach and also consistent with the rules are there for Australians in New Zealand – it’s different there, only five years, but we might talk about making a small change to that period of time,” the author said.
You know what real friends do, right? That is their partner, with whom NZ and Australia have equal connections.
Along with Albanese, Hipkins claimed that “these people are already living in Australia” and that “this is simply a question of fairness” for New Zealanders.
Later today, the two presidents will undertake additional discussions on national security issues, including possible New Zealand participation in AUKUS that might result in the sharing of military technologies, and economic challenges.
Albanese welcomed New Zealand’s contribution to upholding the strategic importance of the Pacific Island forum earlier today.
Hipkins stated that despite the “challenging security situation” in the Indo-Pacific area, both New Zealand and Australia were dedicated to upholding fundamental values.
