13 Jun 2016

Accused NZer faces deportation from Australia

5:35 pm on 13 June 2016

A New Zealander accused of involvement in a car chase and shootout in Geelong, Victoria, is now facing deportation to New Zealand after his visa was cancelled on character grounds.

The Geelong Magistrates' Court has been told Bruce Savage, 39, has been given a notice from the Immigration Minister that his visa has been cancelled.

Non-citizens' visas for Australia are automatically cancelled if they serve a jail term of a year or more under tough new laws introduced in 2014.

An Australian Immigration Department spokesman has said visa holders "must continue to meet the character requirements".