Kiwis seek Russell Crowe’s backing in fight against ‘unfair’ Australian visa laws

A New Zealand lobby group is seeking the backing of Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe as they set out to launch a legal fight against what they describe as “discriminatory” citizenship laws imposed on them by the Australian government.

The ‘Kiwis in Australia’ group, which has established a strong presence on social media, is planning to launch a class action against the government in an attempt to overturn strict immigration laws, which would make it easier for New Zealanders living in Australia to become citizens and gain access to healthcare and social security.

Prior to February 26 2001, New Zealanders living in Australia were automatically recognised as permanent residents for citizenship purposes. However the law was then changed in 2001 under the Howard government.

Currently New Zealanders who arrive in Australia are automatically given a Special Category Visa (SCV) – provided they meet character and health requirements. While this visa allows them to stay and work indefinitely, it does not provide a route to citizenship after the usual four years of residence.

This is the law that the lobby group is aiming to nullify – and they are hoping that Russell Crowe, who has previously been rejected for Australian citizenship himself, will back their efforts.

“If Russell Crowe were to become actively involved (and that’s a big if), it could be a game changer as the Government would be under considerably more pressure to change the law to make it all go away,” a spokesperson for the group said.

“One of the reasons for a class action is it prevents them offering to ‘do a deal’ with some people and not others.”

Many New Zealanders came out in support of the bid and shared their own views or personal experiences on Facebook.

One person commented: “I have always stated that this is discriminatory. Time for kiwis to stand up and fight back. They are keen to recognise politicians as dual citizens and unable to reside in the upper house when it suits them under section 44 yet NZ is not a foreign power. NZ is governed under the Commonwealth. With the same Queen. Perhaps a letter to Her Majesty is needed as well.”

Another wrote: “I have two boys 10 & 12 born here yet can’t become Australian citizens because their parents are kiwis. I’d love to become a citizen of Australia. I love this country where I’ve now lived for over 20 years paid taxes obviously like everyone else and I’ve worked full time since arriving in this great country.”

And another commented: “This is the only way our plight will get traction. We are valuable, contributing members of Australian society. Yet we have no voice due to not being voters; why would politicians focus on helping us when there are a million other things their voters would rather they address. The average Australian has no idea about the SCV situation.”

While the Gladiator star has not yet responded to the campaign, he has previously opened up about his own struggles with becoming an Australian citizen. The 55-year-old has lived in Australia for the majority of his life, despite being born in New Zealand, and has two sons born here, however in 2015 he revealed that his bid to become a citizen had been rejected twice.

Speaking at the time, he said: “No matter how long you’d been in the country, if you weren’t in Australia for the majority of 2000 to 2002 – when I was particularly busy filming overseas – you can’t become a citizen.”

Australians living in New Zealand have access to welfare support, tertiary education and comprehensive free healthcare.