𝕁𝕒𝕔𝕚𝕟𝕕𝕒 𝔸𝕣𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕟, 𝔸𝕟𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕟𝕪 𝔸𝕝𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕖 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕒𝕝 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕚𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕠𝕧𝕖 𝕂𝕚𝕨𝕚𝕤' 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕚𝕟 𝔸𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕒

𝕆𝕡𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕒𝕥𝕙𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕠 𝕔𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕫𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕡 𝕗𝕠𝕣 ℕ𝕖𝕨 ℤ𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕤 𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕚𝕟 𝔸𝕦𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕒 𝕨𝕚𝕝𝕝 𝕓𝕖 𝕕𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕡𝕖𝕕 𝕓𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕨𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕤' 𝕘𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕟𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤 𝕓𝕪 𝔸𝕟𝕫𝕒𝕔 𝔻𝕒𝕪 𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕥 𝕪𝕖𝕒𝕣, 𝕨𝕚𝕥𝕙 𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕧𝕠𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕂𝕚𝕨𝕚𝕤 𝕒𝕝𝕤𝕠 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕥𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖.

S

peaking after formal talks in Sydney on Friday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there are "no closer friends than Australia and New Zealand" and the two nations want to streamline processes to citizenship.

"We'll work on ways of a pathway to citizenship with a timeline of Anzac Day 2023," he said.

A joint statement released by both countries says the two leaders "agreed that no New Zealander or Australian should be rendered permanently 'temporary' when it comes to residence in either country, and agreed to ensure viable pathways to citizenship".

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at the press conference that was a "step change in the ways that we've previously seen New Zealanders treated here" and an "acknowledgement of the role New Zealanders play here in Australia".

.

.

In his remarks, the Australian Prime Minister said there have been "issues raised relating to citizenship".

One such challenge has been around Section 501 of the country's Migration Act. It allows people without citizenship in Australia to be deported back to their home country if they commit crimes.

Political Poll Result:

Right wing support tanks and falls, while Left is rising

New Zealand has raised concerns about the policy as it's meant some people who have spent essentially their whole lives in Australia, but never become citizens, are being deported to Aotearoa with few ties here. Streamlining the citizenship process could help address the issue.

Albanese said Section 501 will continue, but "common sense" would be applied in how it's implemented.

"Where you have a circumstance where someone has lived their entire life effectively in Australia with no connection whatsoever to New Zealand, then common sense should apply and we will act as friends and we'll work through those issues in a common-sense way."

Ardern said that's "exactly what we have asked of Australia".

"We acknowledge that Australia will continue to deport, as New Zealand currently does have provision and does deport those who don't have long-term connection to New Zealand.

Jacinda Ardern, Anthony Albanese reveal plans to improve Kiwis' rights in Australia https://t.co/ABk975dcTF

— Elephant in the room (@LetsGetPfizered) July 8, 2022

"What we've been seeking is common sense and the spirit of friendship and that's what Prime Minister Albanese [has] spoken to today."

Ardern referred to New Zealanders as "Australia's best migrants", saying that is borne out in what they contribute as taxpayers. However, when looking at census data, Ardern said New Zealanders "tend to translate into citizenship at a rate of about 30 percent", but for other nationalities, it is closer to 60 percent.

Albanese is also keen to look at voting rights for New Zealanders who have been residents in Australia for more than a year, just like how Australians who have been residents in New Zealand for more than 12 months can vote.

"We won't preempt those processes, but it is, I think, a really common sense position to at least examine over the coming months."

.

.

Another announcement Albanese and Ardern made was that economic and foreign affairs ministers, including those in the Climate Change and Defence portfolios, will now meet annually.

The pair's joint statement also addresses their desire for a "peaceful, stable, prosperous and resilient Pacific" with the Pacific Islands Forum at the centre, as well as agreement to deepen economic integration between the two countries.

It condemns the "illegal invasion of Ukraine", highlights the countries' support for an international rules-based order and raises concern about human rights violations in Xinjiang, China, the erosion of rights in Hong Kong, and developments in the South China Sea.

.