Hands across the Tasman – and the table – as Shorten dines with NZ PM
Opposition leader Bill Shorten may change his parliamentary seat. Photo: AAP
Labor leader Bill Shorten will discuss concerns raised by Kiwis living in Australia when he meets New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in Auckland.
The pair are dining together at the Sky City Hotel on Saturday night.
“Great to catch up with New Zealand Prime Minister @jacindaardern for a steak,” Shorten tweeted.
Mr Shorten says there are some anomalies in the way in which Australian law
Table for two: Kiwi PM Jacinda Adern will focus on trans-Tasman issues at her first meeting with Bill Shorten.
treats New Zealanders, especially long-time residents of Australia and visa holders after 2001.
He says developments in higher education costs in Australia penalised New Zealand permanent residents.
“I want to hear Jacinda’s views but I think there is at the end of the day real merit in reviewing the way in which New Zealand permanent residents in Australia are getting penalised in terms of higher education costs,” he said at a media conference before the dinner.
Earlier this year Australia blindsided New Zealand with a plan to charge Kiwi students full university fees.
New Zealand’s ongoing offer to resettle 150 refugees from Manus Island – rejected by the Turnbull government but supported by the federal opposition – was also expected to be a conversation topic on Saturday.