The agreement reached last month between the New Zealand and Australian governments aims to provide certainty with careers and for children in schools.
It means New Zealanders who have been living and working in Australia for a period of four years can apply to become Australian citizens.
New Zealand-born Carol and Doug Binnie, who are Echuca business owners, have lived in Australia for more than two decades.
“The process of gaining Australian citizenship is a challenge, but now been made easier with the new agreement,” Carol said.
The couple arrived in Australia with four young children, Mark, Leanne, Rachael and Emma.
“I’m happy to have an opportunity to (obtain) Australian citizenship, we’ve made Australia home and raised our kids here,” Doug said.
“Our four children have great jobs here.”
The Binnies own and operate Echuca cafe Savoury Bite on Hare St.
In addition to their in-store and takeaway service, Savoury Bite prepares home-cooked meals for elderly residents in Echuca, Lockington, Moama, Rochester and Tongala.
“When our clients receive the meals, for some of them it’s the highlight of their week,” Doug said.
Oz Kiwi chair Joanne Cox shared her thoughts on the citizenship pathway now offered to New Zealanders working in Australia.
“We are immensely grateful to them for their support and advocacy for Kiwis and to the New Zealand prime minister, and Australian prime minister for the same,” she said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed last month on the formal process for New Zealanders to become Australian citizens.
The program will be available to all New Zealanders who have lived in Australia for four years and are currently on the temporary, special category visa.
It allows all New Zealanders in Australia a path to citizenship without the need of permanent residency.
The changes come into effect on July 1, 2023.
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