Foreign Minister Winston Peters with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop. (Photo/File)

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters calls for fair go for Kiwis in Australia

22 Augusy 2018

Lucy Bennett – Political Reporter, NZ Herald

Speaking to the National Press Club in Canberra this afternoon following talks with his Australian counterpart Julie Bishop, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the two countries enjoyed a close relationship but that did not always mean they agreed.

“While we understand and respect your Government’s right to set its own policies on foreign criminals, many New Zealanders question the deportation of Kiwi passport-holders to a country they may never really have known because they left at such a young age.

“And our attention cannot but be drawn by the deportation of people who have not yet been found guilty of crimes in an Australian court of law,” Peters said in his speech.

“The case for giving them a fair go or, as Australians sometimes put it, giving us a fair suck of the sav, is very strong indeed.”

Peters and Justice Minister Andrew Little have criticised Australia’s deportation policies, which would-be leadership contender and former immigration minister Peter Dutton has been unapologetic for.

Dutton has resigned as a minister and former Immigration Minister Scott Morrison is acting in the role.

[Read the full  NZ Herald article].