The direct pathway for New Zealand residents to realize Australian citizenship will come into impact from July 1, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced this morning.
The landmark change comes after laws made it harder for New Zealanders in Australia to realize citizenship again in 2001.
“This is a fair change for New Zealanders living in Australia, and brings their rights more in line with Australians living in New Zealand,” a press release from Albanese reads.
“This is consistent with our ambition to build a fairer, better managed and more inclusive migration system.”
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has advised Today the announcement marks “a really important day of friendship between Australia and New Zealand”.
“When Australians go to New Zealand, they’re allowed to go to New Zealand, work in New Zealand and have a pathway to becoming a Kiwi if that’s what they want to do. But it doesn’t flow in the other direction. We’re treating Kiwis much worse than Australians living in New Zealand. We’re establishing reciprocity and fair treatment between the two countries.”
All Special Category Visa holders will be capable of apply instantly for citizenship with out changing into everlasting residents first, so long as they meet a four-year residence and different eligibility necessities.
The rule change will probably be retrospective, which means New Zealand residents who’ve lived in Australia since 2001 will be capable of apply instantly for citizenship with out gaining everlasting residence first.
It can even additionally Kiwi kids born in Australia to turn into residents at delivery, fairly than ready until they flip 10, as they do below present legal guidelines.
It’s estimated greater than 670,000 New Zealand residents name Australia house and 350,000 can already profit from this rule change.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has welcomed the change as bringing New Zealand and Australia nearer collectively.
“This is the biggest improvement in the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia in a generation and restores most of the rights Kiwis had in Australia before they were revoked in 2001,” Hipkins stated in a press release.
“These changes will make a real and meaningful difference to the lives of many New Zealanders and their children by giving those who decide to take up Australian citizenship similar rights to Australians living in New Zealand.
Source: www.9news.com.au
