FED: NZ to reimburse Australia $A260 million for welfare

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-1999
FED: NZ to reimburse Australia $A260 million for welfare

New Zealand is to reimburse Australia $A260 million over the next two years for welfare
payments paid to its citizens who live in Australia.

Parents who cross the Tasman to escape their child support responsibilities will also be
caught, under new legislation to operate in both countries.

The welfare agreement removes a long standing sore point between the two nations caused by
the vastly greater number of New Zealanders who settle here than Australians who cross the
Tasman.

New Zealand has in the past partially reimbursed Australia for the imbalance, which exceeds
$A60 million a year.

Prime Minister JOHN HOWARD and New Zealand Prime Minister JENNY SHIPLEY say there'll be a
full review of cross-Tasman social security arrangements.

AAP RTV ss/sc/kbw/jn

KEYWORD: WELFARE (CANBERRA)

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