From the Assistant Minister for Social Services response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights: Based on analysis of passenger card data, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection estimates that around 40 per cent of New Zealand citizens living in Australia would appear to have a permanent visa pathway available. This should put paid to the frequent claims made by politicians that New Zealanders should just apply for a permanent visa. The simple fact is that, based on the Department of Immigrations own figures, most do not qualify. There is clearly a problem when 60% of settler migrants from one country can never gain full rights in Australia, including the right to vote and the ability to access basic government services. This is a problem the Australian Government must address. Indeed, it is in its own interest to resolve this issue now. We respect the right of the Australian Government to set reasonable conditions for new arrivals, limiting their access to certain services and payments for a specified period. However, we cannot respect policies that permanently limit the rights of resident taxpayers. There is a better way. We have made proposals for change in the past and will continue to push them in the future. The Australian and New Zealand governments need to make a formal agreement to make trans-Tasman free movement arrangements sustainable. This must give governments some freedom to set their own rules and control their spending on new arrivals. However, it must also give reasonable protections to trans-Tasman migrants, guaranteeing that they will enjoy full rights after no more than five years of residence. This would be a clear policy and one that would be fair to governments and individuals. It would be better for all parties involved than the illogical, unclear, and unreasonable policy mess than exists at the moment.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Jun 2014 06:00:01 +0000
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