Anthony Albanese says Australia and NZ have agreed to disagree on criminal deportations

ABC NEWS (Australia)

On the question of criminal deportations, Australia and New Zealand have agreed to disagree. Nevertheless, both countries pledged to tighten defence ties and are working out the best way to tackle growing strategic challenges.

Transcript

00:00Facing an uncertain future together.

00:05Anthony Albanese and Christopher Luxon want to refashion a long-standing alliance.

00:12Ours is more than a bond of old affection, it is a partnership driven by a new determination.

00:19We are working hand in hand with Australia and it's more important that we do so than ever before.

00:24But a persistent bilateral resentment is back on the agenda.

00:29How do you justify contributing to New Zealand's crime and gang problem with what are effectively Aussie grown criminals?

00:37New Zealand's unhappy Australia has reversed course and once again toughened deportation laws,

00:44which could see more Kiwis who commit crimes here sent across the ditch.

00:49Mr Albanese holding firm, saying both countries have agreed to disagree.

00:54Whilst we have a common purpose we don't have a uniform position, but we respect each other's position.

01:02The deportations dispute is a real irritant in the relationship, but it's not going to seriously disrupt it.

01:08Both countries are instinctively drawing much more closer together as the strategic environment worsens.

01:15Like Australia, New Zealand is horrified by Russia's invasion of Ukraine,

01:19anxious about China's growing military power and determined to stop Beijing from getting a military foothold in the Pacific.

01:28And while New Zealand's military might not be in great shape, Mr Luxon is promising to make new investments.

01:36We want to be fully interoperable with Australia's defence forces, we want to be a force multiplier for Australia.

01:42There are enormous benefits to gain, just inefficiencies.

01:46Closing ranks as the horizon darkens.

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