The government's plans to further tighten the character test to make it easier to deport criminals, even if they haven't served jail time, is likely to deepen a rift between Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already described Australia's deportation policy as "corrosive" after rule changes in 2014 led to a spike in Kiwis being sent back, even if they had lived in Australia for most of their lives.
Under existing laws, visa holders who are sentenced to at least 12 months' jail time face mandatory deportation.
Rather than heeding New Zealand's complaints, the government is now preparing to extend the crackdown to migrants who have committed a crime that carries a maximum sentence of at least two years, even if no jail time is imposed.
Immigration Minister David Coleman reintroduced the legislation to strengthen the character test last month after the government failed to debate it before the May federal election.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern told her Australian counterpart deportations of Kiwis was having a "corrosive" impact on their relationship. Source: AAP
Law Professor at La Trobe University Patrick Keyzer told SBS News the proposed legislation will have ramifications for the two countries' relationship.
“Doubling down on the arguably very harsh policies that Australia has developed and is implementing is basically saying ‘look we don’t care about your concerns and in fact we are going to drive a deeper wedge in our relationship’ and I’m not sure that’s a sensible approach,” he told SBS News.
While the laws do not deliberately target New Zealanders, they have a disproportionate effect on Kiwis who make up the largest group of non-citizens living in Australia on temporary visas.
Devastating impact
Figures from the Home Affairs Department show that 886 people had their visas cancelled in 2018 - nearly half of which were sent back to New Zealand.
The most common charges resulting in deportation were drug offences, followed by assault and child sex offences.
Professor Keyzer, who has researched the impact of the 2014 changes, said the implementation of the policy was having a devastating impact on many families.
"It’s often depriving these families of breadwinners and certainly depriving these families of fathers and often times these men have lived in Australia for many, many years, some arriving as children of tender age."
The government is capping permanent visas to 160,000 for the next four years Source: AAP
A spokesperson for the New Zealand Prime Minister said they had raised similar concerns about the latest bill, which is currently being examined by a Senate inquiry, as they frequently raise about Australia's deportation policy.
A submission from the NZ High Commission to the original Bill said it would "make a bad situation worse for New Zealanders".
“Australia has the right to make its own immigration rules, but we’ve been very clear that New Zealanders should be able to expect a fair process and consideration of their connections to Australia," Ms Ardern's spokesperson added.
“The impact the bill will have on the number of New Zealand deportees is not clear, as Australia’s existing legislation already includes broad discretion to cancel visas.
“The vast majority of New Zealanders who live in Australia abide by the law.”
The legislation would cover crimes such as common assault, which rarely carries a jail sentence, violating an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order), as well as, child sex offences and drug offences.
Immigration Minister David Coleman wants to further tighten the character test. Source: AAP
Immigration Minister David Coleman has argued the bill would send a clear message to all non-citizens that the Australian community has no tolerance for foreign nationals who have been convicted of crimes.
He said entry and stay in Australia was a privilege, not a right, and anyone who breaks the law should expect to lose that privilege.
