501 deportees will be a hot topic when Chris Hipkins visits Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese.

Today's one day trip to Canberra will be his first trip overseas as Prime Minister, the two have already spoken over the phone.

There have been notable changes to 501s under Albanese, with time spent living in Australia now a big factor when cancelling a visa.

Newstalk ZB political editor Jason Walls told Mike Hosking Australia hasn't publicised the issue, even under Scott Morrison.

He says Australia has dealt with it in a quiet and roundabout way, because it's not very palatable on a political level.

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