17 April 2001 Media Statement
No Change to Trans Tasman Travel Arrangement
New Zealand's Trans-Tasman travel arrangement with Australia remains secure despite initial concerns that it could be
affected by the Government's Transitional Policy for well-settled overstayers, Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said
today.
The Minister today released information outlining advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade regarding the
Government's then proposed regularisation policy affecting well-settled overstayers in New Zealand.
The previously withheld information was additional to information released earlier this year, prior to the signing of
the Social Security Agreement between Australia and New Zealand.
"Now that that agreement has been finalised, and the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement remains intact, this additional
advice can now be released.
"As Prime Minister Helen Clark said when the new Social Security Agreement was announced in February, both countries had
been dissatisfied with the arrangements for some time.
"The papers released today indicate some concern that the Transitional Policy, which offered well-settled overstayers
the opportunity to regularise their status, could impact negatively on the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement.
"This has in fact proven not to be the case, as the travel arrangements between both countries remain the same.
ENDS