8 December 2000 Media Statement

NZPA report recklessly irresponsible

Prime Minister Helen Clark said tonight that a New Zealand Press Association report alleging that New Zealanders will no longer get automatic residency in Australia is completely and utterly false.

Helen Clark said that there is no threat whatsoever to the ability of New Zealanders to move to, and work in, Australia.

"What the New Zealand and Australian governments have been discussing for some time is access to social security arrangements in each other's countries, for each other's nationals.

"These discussions have no relevance whatsoever to the ongoing entitlements of New Zealanders and Australians to move to, and work in, each other's countries.

"New Zealand will continue to accept responsibility for superannuation entitlements and invalids benefit entitlements for its nationals in Australia on a shared basis.

"It is already Australian government policy not to grant New Zealanders social security for two years after their arrival in Australia.

"This policy, implemented this year, will already be influencing New Zealanders' migration intentions.

"The NZPA report is recklessly irresponsible in suggesting that the right of New Zealanders to shift to Australia is about to be curtailed," Helen Clark said.

ENDS

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