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Policies should work toward better protecting the members of society. Migrant workers are part of Australia. Migration policy should ensure that the livelihood of both migrant and native members of society is protected, regardless of their nationality and type of visa. The current migration policy fails to do the job for migrant workers on temporary visas. New Zealanders and their family members in Australia are the largest group of people who have been let down throughout the last two decades. Australia and New Zealand are not only inseparable culturally but also economically, diplomatically, and environmentally. This is why trans-Tasman travel and residency have always been made easy under various arrangements. In the spirit of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement 1973, which acknowledged the extant right of citizens of the two countries to live, work, and study in either country, we need improvements to the migration policy regarding New Zealanders and their family members. We make the following policy recommendations:
- A pathway to permanent residency should be open to all New Zealanders in Australia, unlike the existing fast track that only serves New Zealand citizens who came to Australia on or before 19 February 2016.
- The New Zealand pathway program should be made available to people of all occupations, income levels, and health conditions.
- The validity of the 461 visa should be based on the family relationship instead of the arbitrary five year period. Condition 8501 should be removed from the 461 visa, and Medicare should be offered to the family members of New Zealanders.
- New Zealanders’ visa cancelation should be conservatively determined in proportion to the time they have spent in Australia.
