2. Australia—Rights of New Zealanders Living in AustraliaANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime MinisterAustralia—Rights of New Zealanders Living in Australia2. ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition) to the Prime Minister: Why under his prime ministership has the relationship with Australia reached the point where according to him Australia is making policies that are detrimental to New Zealanders living there either without telling us or at short notice"?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH (Prime Minister): I disagree with the premise of that question. The relationship with Australia is a very close one. Issues do arise from time to time and this has happened over a number of years with different Governments. For instance it remains a fact that the biggest reduction of New Zealanders' rights in Australia occurred in 2001 in an agreement executed by the last Labour Government. We of course are talking to the Australians about the direction of our relationship our core shared interests and how these policies can be communicated in order to reduce uncertainty but I can say that the most recent decision shows the benefits of having surpluses in New Zealand. Australia has deficits—that is why it is looking to cut entitlements.Andrew Little: Moving 16 years on has he ever discussed student fees with Malcolm Turnbull before this week's announcement?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: No. I would not necessarily expect to. The Australian Government as I said has significant deficits. It is trying to manage its way to surplus and as I understand it New Zealanders in this case are caught up in policies that affect all Australian university students.Andrew Little: When he specifically discussed the rights of New Zealanders in Australia with Malcolm Turnbull a week ago did Mr Turnbull discuss the change in student fees with him at that time?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: No. At the time there was a discussion about the arrangements related to the extended time to become citizens with confirmation from Prime Minister Turnbull that the Australian policy change does not affect the deal that he entered into last year with New Zealand. I want to record my thanks to the Prime Minister for that action.Andrew Little: What representations has he personally made to Mr Turnbull on this issue this week?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: The Government's official position will be presented by the Hon Gerry Brownlee when he visits Australia tomorrow. I have had informal discussions with Mr Turnbull simply about the nature of the issues.Andrew Little: What has happened since John Key stopped being Prime Minister that means Australia no longer seems to notice that New Zealand is even here anymore?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: The Australian Prime Minister did come visiting and their rugby teams may have noticed being run over pretty regularly in the Super Rugby. As the member will I am sure appreciate the Australian Government has deficits. It has got its own political decisions and its own political dynamics. It is not at all surprising it does not consult us on every political decision that it makes—nor would we expect to consult it.Andrew Little: Will he secure a reversal of Australia's policy so that New Zealanders over there continue to pay domestic fees as Australians do in New Zealand?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: I certainly would not want to raise expectations that a decision made by the Australian Government in the context of its Budget with significant deficits is going to suddenly be turned round for a small proportion of the university population in Australia. I would not want to mislead New Zealanders in Australia or in New Zealand that that is likely.Andrew Little: When will he stick up for the rights of New Zealanders living in Australia and make sure that our reciprocal arrangements with Australia are actually reciprocal?Rt Hon BILL ENGLISH: We do advocate for the rights of New Zealanders in Australia. But the member will I am sure be aware that that does not give us veto rights over the decisions of another sovereign Government over what entitlements its citizens have or over determining who is a citizen of Australia. We do not get to decide that.David Seymour: How long has Australia been an independent self-governing country?Mr SPEAKER: No there is no prime ministerial responsibility for that question at all. [Interruption] No."