A 15-year-old boy has been deported back to New Zealand by the Australian Government and it is understood that this is the first instance when a minor has been sent back across the Tasman Sea. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was not aware of this situation until call from the media originated a query.
Last week’s flight from Brisbane to Auckland has re-started a dispute over Australia’s forceful implementation of a general immigration policy that has disturbed diplomatic relations since 2014. The deportation of the teenager intensified tensions and an Australian lawyer has claimed that Morrison’s government has breached international laws.
A spokesman for Oranga Tamariki said in a statement: “Oranga Tamariki has been working extensively with the relevant authorities in both Australia and New Zealand to support this young person’s arrival into New Zealand. “ He is currently in a managed isolation facility and receiving support while undertaking quarantine. “Due to this young person’s age and privacy considerations it would be inappropriate to comment further.” Speaking at a post-Cabinet news conference on Monday, Ardern said she was unaware of the deportation until earlier that day.
The Australian Border Forces usually share details with the New Zealand counterparts in Police and Corrections of the deportees two weeks prior to deportation. This information includes their histories viz-a-viz criminal and any gang related links. It has not been asserted if this process happened in this case.
PM Ardern has asked officials for a briefing and wants to look at the circumstances of the deportation. “At this point, those who need to know do,” Ardern said. Morrison “knows my position” on the policy, she said.
Last week Peter Dutton, the Australian Home Affairs Minister, said, “It’s taking out the trash, then we can make Australia a safer place. New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta said Dutton’s comments “only serve to trash his own reputation.” Although the tendency for deportations has reduced during the pandemic, more than 2000 citizens have been deported back to New Zealand.
In 2018, the Australian Government indicated that they are ready to make the changes to the law wherein deporting can commence for anyone who is under the age of 18. Legally, minors cannot be subject to adult supervision. Officials, led by Oranga Tamariki, began working on an “inter departmental plan” to handle this new problem. It’s not clear if that was ever finalized.
