The government's plans to further tighten the character test to make it easier to deport criminals, even if they haven't served jail time, is likely to deepen a rift between Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has already described Australia's deportation policy as "corrosive" after rule changes in 2014 led to a spike in Kiwis being sent back, even if they had lived in Australia for most of their lives.
La Trobe University Law Professor Patrick Keyzer says doubling down on very harsh policies that Australia is implementing is dismissing New Zealand’s concerns and driving a wedge between the relationship of the two countries.