Home > Our Publications > New Zealand Outlook > 2003 > November

BRITISH migrants and Kiwis living permanently in Australia are being encouraged to become "true blue Aussies".
The Australian Government is targeting Britons and New Zealanders to take up citizenship.
The two nationalities make up the majority of long-term residents who have not done so.
Citizenship Minister Gary Hardgrave said the government had in its sights 350,000 Britons and 200,000 New Zealanders.
"Take advantage of the benefits of being a part of the best country in the world," he said.
His government will spend A$4 million (NZ$4.6 million) promoting the concept to the migrants, who are mostly in New South Wales.
Immigration Department statistics showed the number of new Australian citizens had started to increase rapidly. It had risen by nearly 20 percent the previous financial year to 86,000 and a further increase was expected this year.
"People are rushing to join the Australian family in droves," Mr Hardgrave said. "They want to weld themselves to the safety and security that citizenship brings in these uncertain times."
It is not uncommon for New Zealanders to become Australian citizens, because they do not lose their New Zealand citizenship or passport.
Sydney-based New Zealand businessman, Sir Ron Brierley was one Kiwi to become an Australian citizen this year, while jockey Greg Childs has applied for citizenship. He said he had done so for his seven-year-old twins Tayla and Jordan.
They were born in Hong Kong when Childs was riding there, but Australia was the only place they knew as home, he said.