Prime Minister Chris Luxon says he holds "grave concerns" about Australia's changes to deporting 501s.
Luxon raised the issue in a call to Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese just hours before delivering his first Budget on Thursday. He was reassured by the Australian leader they will still take a "common sense" approach when it comes to deporting kiwis, Luxon said.
"We'll be advocating very strongly," he said.
"We understand Australia is a sovereign nation and it can make its own decisions, but we have great concern about that decision because we don't think that people who have very little attachment to this country - but with strong connections to Australia - should be deported here."
Luxon was reminded since Albanese came into power in 2022, he's done two good things for New Zealand - including making an easier pathway to citizenship for Kiwis and throwing a lifeline to New Zealand-born criminals to stay in Australia.
However, that gesture of goodwill is what has backfired. Australia's Immigration Minister has drawn up what's known as Ministerial Direction 99 - allowing deportees to appeal and claim they have "close ties" with Australia. It meant those with little to no connection to New Zealand were able to stay.
But the government has come under fire and widely criticised for allowing other foreigners who are rapists and murderers to use direction 99 to stay in Australia.
Another twist came on Thursday afternoon when Jacinda Ardern was dragged into the immigration saga.
Australia opposition leader Peter Dutton accused Albanese of being weak while trying to please Ardern instead of keeping Australians safe.
During question time in Canberra on Thursday, Coalition leader Dutton asked: "Why did this weak and incompetent Prime Minister put his close and sick sycophantic relationships with Jacinda Ardern ahead of the safety of Australians?"
Luxon told Albanese he regrets the Australia government's decision.
"I have raised our concerns and have articulated why that is a problem for us and why we have concerns about that. He has reassured me there will continue to be a common-sense approach to how deportations are managed.
"We will monitor that very closely and will continue to raise that."
