Key, Turnbull agree on NZ citizen deal
Malcolm Turnbull and John Key after touching down in Paris. (AAP) AAP
New Zealanders who have lived and worked in Australia for five years or more will get easier access to citizenship under a new deal.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met with his NZ counterpart John Key in Sydney on Friday.
"What we are announcing today is a new pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders," Mr Turnbull told reporters.
Mr Key told reporters he had been concerned for some time about the plight of New Zealanders in Australia who had been in a particular visa category that prevented them from becoming Australian citizens.
"This step today will help tens of thousands of those New Zealanders to one day potentially become Australian citizens," Mr Key said.
The changes will enable those who have resided in Australia for five years or more and during that time earned income in excess of the temporary skills migration income threshold, which is about $54,000 a year.
"I think this is a very important recognition of the very close ties between Australia and New Zealand," Mr Turnbull said following this talks with Mr Key.
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