Australia’s new PM Scott Morrison could be great for kiwi’s moving to and living in Australia but he could make it worse too.

New Zealanders living in Australia want equality – to be treated the same as other Visa holders in Australia. Be able to get student loans, unemployment benefits, parenting payments, youth allowances, disability support, access to public housing and be included in student concessionary travel in Victoria.

So is Scott Morrison pro or against our trans-Tasmin relationship and New Zealanders living in Australia?

This is what the media’s saying:

Ardern hopeful of strong relationship with new Australian PM Scott Morrison

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says she looks forward to building a strong relationship with new Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison…

…”He’s been involved proactively in promoting New Zealand to the world. He acknowledged his warmth for this country. I look forward to building a really strong relationship with him,” Ardern said.

Asked whether the change in leadership could result in some better outcomes for New Zealanders in Australia, Ardern said regardless who was in charge, the Government would continue to advocate for New Zealanders in Australia.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said Morrison was hitting the ground running where New Zealand was concerned because of his previous familiarity.

“He’s known to New Zealanders, he’s worked in New Zealand, he’ll be more familiar with New Zealand’s political mores, so to speak, so in that sense it’s a very positive outcome.”

Peters said the prospect of a dialogue over the rights of New Zealanders in Australia and the issue of deportations was more likely today than it was yesterday as a result.

Full article: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12113096

Jacinda Ardern must lead rebuild of strong ties with Australia

…He is at home with New Zealanders, as was obvious at the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum in Sydney this year, where he mixed easily with politicians and businesspeople alike, knowing many of them by their first names…

…But New Zealand should not expect Morrison to do us any favours.

He will have to mollify the Liberal Party’s conservative wing, which is solidly behind policies such as deporting “Kiwis” who have served prison sentences and refusing New Zealanders adequate social benefits in Australia even when they have contributed to the tax base.

New Zealand has, however, escaped a hospital pass with the failure of Peter Dutton to win the prime ministership.

Full article: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12113064

Jacinda Ardern congratulates Australia’s new Prime Minister Scott Morrison who’s previously promoted NZ to the world

…Before entering the House of Representatives in 2007, Mr Morrison spent the majority of his career in tourism, working as Director of the New Zealand Office of Tourism and Sport from 1998 to 2000. He later became Managing Director of Tourism Australia from 2004 to 2006…

…”He’s been involved proactively in promoting New Zealand to the world. And he acknowledged his warmth for this country. I look forward to building a really strong relationship with him,” Ms Ardern said.

New Zealand has recently hit sticking points in the trans-Tasman relationship, including the impact on New Zealanders of Australia’s policy of deporting foreigners who’ve served 12 months or more in prison or are deemed a threat to Australia. Other issues are a lack of access to welfare benefits and citizenship for New Zealanders living in Australia.

Asked does she think dealing with sticking points might be easier with Mr Morrison in office, Ms Ardern said: “Oh look, you know regardless of who’s in charge we’ll keep advocating in the same way on behalf of New Zealand. Certainly, I’ll make an assumption here based on the role he’s had in the past that he’ll know New Zealand and its fine attributes really well.”…

Full article: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/jacinda-ardern-congratulates-australias-new-prime-minister-scott-morrison-whos-previously-promoted-nz-world

So what’s the verdict? Is Australia PM Scott Morrison good or bad for New Zealanders?

Unfortunately, it’s too early to make a call – only time will tell. But it is good for us that he has spent such a long period of his career advocating for NZ, as he, therefore, knows how awesome we are.

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