Australia is making no apologies for pushing ahead with changing deportation rules.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has signed a direction, making the safety of the Australian community the main concern in deportation decisions.
It’s replaced “direction 99”, which previously drew fire after about 30 non-citizens used it to escape deportation, and Giles has since re-cancelled the visas of 35 non-citizens whose cancellations were overturned under the direction.
It revokes an earlier requirement to consider a person's ties to Australia, which aimed to stop Kiwi-born people with little other connection to New Zealand being sent here.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has expressed concerns because it could mean Kiwi-born criminals with little other connection to New Zealand will again get sent here.
Giles says he's made it clear to New Zealand his concern is his country's national interest and telephoned Winston Peters to tell him.
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