10 Jun 2022

Ardern meets with Australian PM: A 'significant shift in the language' on deportations

4:26 pm on 10 June 2022

Recently-elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese might not be committing to any change to his country's deportation policies, but New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern says significant steps are being taken.

Ardern has met officially with her Australian equivalent today, before speaking to media.

Watch her media stand-up here:

Speaking about the 501s issue, Albanese said he had committed to "work through" New Zealand's frustrations with its deportation policy.

"We'll be maintaining section 501, but we've heard the very clear message from the prime minister today, as we've heard before and there could be no argument that the prime minsiter's been very forceful in her views.

"We have listened to those views. We will work through some of those issues between now and we'll have a ministerial meeting - a leaders' meeting - coming next month."

This meeting would include various ministers from both countries, he said, and would work through the implementation of the way section 501 had been dealt with.

"But we've listened to the concerns, and there's more work to do."

"The comments that I made as opposition leader, I stand by them - that section 501 should be maintained but there is also concerns that've been raised that need to be taken into consideration as friends. We deal with each other in a mature way which deals as well with common sense."

While Albanese only went as far as saying the issue would be looked into, Ardern said that in itself was significant.

"A significant shift in the language that we have had from previous Australian governments, in fact never have I seen anyone even willing to take a look before.

"We have been utterly consistent, we are not expecting Australia to stop deportations in the same way that New Zealand will not stop deporting those who fall outside our laws. What we're asking for is actually, to stop deporting Australians."

She said she was "heartened" by the acknowledgement of New Zealand's concerns regarding the treatment of New Zealanders in Australia.

"Our long-standing expectation that Australia not deport individuals who have lived in Australia for a long time and are essentially Australians, but also ensuring there is a realistic and secure pathway to permanent residence and citizenship for those who need it in Australia as well.

Ardern said New Zealand had maintained the same levels and access for Australians all the way through, and hoped Australia would return to an equivalent approach.

"We didn't want to lessen our expectations so we've maintained a consistent approach and sought for Australia to come back. Here I'd say again, just reflect back on the Prime Minister's statement themselves, there was an acknowledgement of that issue.

Albanese was only three weeks into his new government, so it would take time, she said.

"These are not new issues in the relationship but this is a new government, so of course we want to allow time to work through those ... I've never seen a time where it is more important to have friends, than it is now."

"You heard a view that there is some work to be done, and that's more of an open door than we've had for years."

Climate action

Albanese confirmed the new Australian government would soon submit a nationally determined contribution to the UN framework convention on climate change, marking another shift in rhetoric compared to the previous administration.

"Recognising that the challenge of climate change is also a national security challenge ... but also an opportunity for us to grow jobs and increase economic activity."

Ardern said she welcomed the climate ambitions expressed by Australia's new government.

"The Pacific Region has listed climate change as its number one threat and that is not out of symbolism, that is out of the reality that right now we already see the considerable effects of coastal erosion, of severe weather events, and of displacement in our backyard.

Albanese said his conversations with international leaders on climate reflected a feeling that Australia was now "out of the naughty corner".

"We've been in the naughty corner for nine years and the consequences of that we are feeling right now with the energy crisis that is here in this country with the failure to invest in renewables, the failure to deliver on the change that is required."

Next year would also mark 80 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, he said, and 40 years since the signing of the New Zealand Australia Closer Economic Relations agreement, a trade deal he described as "one of the first and indeed still the best".

After meeting with Australia's Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson told media the anniversary would be a moment to talk about building on that deal.

He said if the CER was signed today, climate would likely be included as one of the main aspects - not just as an environmental issue, but an economic one.

Regional security

Their meeting also covered economic headwinds, and strategic competition in the region - with China's increasing interest in the Pacific an unspoken presence.

"We're determined to work together on global security but also on the economic security that people need," Albanese said.

"We're in lockstep on the Pacific, and I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbours."

Ardern said New Zealand also wanted to see Pacific Island voices elevated.

"We've heard a lot of dialogue about the Pacific, not much of a chance for the Pacific to speak for themselves on these issues."

The changing geopolitical landscape has seen the United States also stepping up Pacific diplomatic efforts, but new pacts like the AUKUS and the Quad security groupings have excluded New Zealand - a fellow Five Eyes member.

Ardern said there was no question the region was becoming increasingly contested, but did not seem concerned.

"New Zealand's perspective is simple, as long as these arrangements follow the values that we hold dear, are transparent, and have at their core peace and stability then we see those as welcome."

AUKUS will see Australia obtaining nuclear submarines. Ardern said New Zealand's ban on such vessels would not change, but it was not a point tension at all between the two countries.

"None of our policies with regard to nucelar issues are changing but nor was there any sense that it's something Australia expects us to [change]."

'Our friend'

Ardern said the relationship with Albanese did not begin from a standing start when he was elected PM.

"Although of course no matter what political party is in office, I will always advocate for New Zealand in the same way and always build a strong relationship. Undoubtedly it does help when your starting point is very similar areas of focus."

Albanese said he was "delighted" to welcome Ardern.

"I can't think of anything better than the first foreign leader to welcome to Australia's shores being our friend from New Zealand and my personal friend from New Zealand as well."

She responded in kind.

"There are no two countries that I can think of that have a closer relationship than ours," she said.

"I'm happy to go for the fast elevation to friend status ... we've met before, we've spoken before, we have in many ways shared values and what I really appreciate is a real understanding of the pressure points that have existed in the relationship."

Heading into the talks, Ardern and Albanese had spoken about the closeness of the trans-Tasman relationship.

"We are great friends and I want to build on that," Albanese said. "It's probably more important than it's ever been given what we see happening with strategic competition in the Pacific, that New Zealand and Australia stand side by side."

Ardern took a similarly collegial tone.

"There is much more that unites us than will ever divide us because we are first and foremost family, but I am delighted to have the opportunity to talk in a cooperative sphere about some of those things that have caused tension in the past and welcome the opportunity to walk through those with a fresh eye."

The two leaders attended an informal dinner in Sydney last night and Ardern appeared on Australian breakfast shows this morning, before the official bilateral meeting this afternoon.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs