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Peter Dutton has rejected suggestions by Jacinda Ardern that Australia’s policy to deport criminals — including New Zealanders — after they have served jail time is “corrosive”.
The New Zealand Prime Minister last night told reporters she will confront Prime Minister Scott Morrison when the pair meet today about the visa cancellation issue.
Australia has deported 4000 people, including more than 1500 New Zealanders, since changing laws in 2014. The laws stipulate that any migrant can be deported on “character grounds” if they spend more than 12 months in an Australian jail cell.
Ms Ardern said the blanket rule is too far-reaching and it is hurting relations between the two countries.
“We have seen cases where there is also almost no connection of an individual to New Zealand who have been deported,” she said.
