/ 25 March 2022

Refugees to become Kiwi cuzzie bros

Image source: Getty
Image source: Getty

If you’re after a blast from the political past, it was 9 years ago that PMs Julia Gillard and John Key agreed that refugees in Oz’s offshore detention system would be resettled in New Zealand. It’s taken until now for the deal to be signed. It will see 150 asylum seekers transferred every year for 3 years and applies to refugees already in detention – not to anyone in that situation in the future. Our officials were hesitant to finalise the agreement because of concerns that those transferred could make their way to Oz and settle here. After lengthy negotiations, Australia let that go and there are no caveats along those lines in the final deal. Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said Australia’s offshore detention policy remains unchanged. “Anyone who attempts to breach our borders will be turned back or sent to Nauru,” she said yesterday. Kiwi Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said the deal reflected his nation’s humanitarian spirit.

Know someone who'd be interested in this story? Click to share...

The Squiz Today

Your shortcut to being informed, we've got your news needs covered.

Get the Squiz Today newsletter

Quick, agenda-free news that doesn't take itself too seriously. Get on it.