A New Zealand political leader has claimed 'the Aussie government played Hipkins liked a didgeridoo' amid changes to citizenship rules across the Tasman that have sparked concerns of a brain drain.
ACT Party leader David Seymour on Monday said the Chris Hipkins Labour government"got played by the Aussies" after the streamlined pathway was unveiled at the weekend.
"We just got played by the Aussies. The Aussie government played Hipkins like a didgeridoo. They have just done a raid on New Zealand talent... and Hipkins is over there smiling, saying how wonderful it all is," he told New Zealand's AM program. "What's more, it wasn't even his decision, it was the Australian government's decision. We should have a Prime Minister who's saying, 'Look we understand the Australians are doing this but here's how we're going to boost productivity with some policies in New Zealand'.From July 1, New Zealanders living in Australia on a special category visa will no longer have to become a permanent resident before applying for citizenship.
Mr Hipkins said the move restored most of the rights New Zealanders had in Australia prior to changes being made by the then Howard government in 2001. New Zealand has long argued for a"fair go" and for"arrangements that are reciprocal to what is offered to Australians living in New Zealand".
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