NZ Concerned About Australia Deporting Hardened Criminals

Community safety will over-ride connection to Australia as the primary consideration when deciding whether to deport people convicted of offences.
NZ Concerned About Australia Deporting Hardened Criminals
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) shakes hands with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Sydney on Dec. 20, 2023. DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
Updated:

New Zealand has expressed its “disappointment” at a decision that is likely to mean more criminals, with no connection to the country, will be deported there from Australia.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles announced he will update a ministerial directive—Direction 99—after several Administrative Appeal Tribunal (AAT) decisions cited it for allowing foreign nationals guilty of serious crimes, to avoid having their visas cancelled.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
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