Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Our party is proud and I know the 6,000 Kiwis living in Hasluck are happy that the Albanese government has improved our ties with our New Zealand cousins by giving them a direct path to citizenship. So it was deeply disappointing to hear the words uttered by the member for Riverina on Monday. Apart from trying to link millions of innocent Kiwis with criminal gangs and somehow suggesting that New Zealanders aren't highly skilled in the same way as Australians, he was so churlish as to state that the purpose of the policy—and these are his words—was to 'put more people on welfare', people who will 'never contribute to Australian society'. I'm ashamed and I am so sorry that such foolish words were said in this parliament. I want every New Zealander, living here and over there, to know that we value them and we see them as part of our family.

What will happen now? Will the member seek leave to make a personal explanation? Will the National Party distance itself from these rank statements? Will the opposition leader assure the parliament and the country that these deplorable dog whistles do not represent the coalition's attitudes? What will the member for Riverina do the next time he is at a citizenship ceremony: will he remember to apologise to each and every New Zealander who has chosen to join the Australian family or will he continue to treat good people who have been living and working here as second-class citizens? (Time expired)

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In accordance with standing order 43, the time for members' statements has concluded.