Five reasons why Kiwis should care about the Aus election

Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten visits a Labor campaign office as part of the 2016 election campaign (AAP)
Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten visits a Labor campaign office as part of the 2016 election campaign (AAP)

Polls have Labor slightly ahead in Australia's fast-approaching July 2 election. So why should Kiwis care? Here are five reasons:

1. An estimated 600,000 New Zealanders live and work in Australia. While they can't vote in the election, they will be affected by government policies.

2. The future of the political relationship between Australia and New Zealand -- there has long been anger among New Zealanders at being treated like second-class citizens in Australia and there are calls for Prime Minister John Key to lobby the Government on behalf of Kiwis. It is estimated New Zealanders contribute $5 billion in tax annually. But they cannot vote or claim welfare. A clamp down on immigration law has also seen Kiwis deported without warning, arrest or criminal convictions.

3. An estimated 60,000 Australians live in New Zealand. They get to vote after only one year of residency and become citizens after five years. For New Zealanders in Australia, there is no automatic right to vote.

4. The revolving political door -- Australia has seen five Prime Ministers come and go in six years. How long will this PM last?

5. Australian Prime Ministers and political leaders are guilty of some of the best gaffes, selfies and stuff-ups. Remember Tony Abbott's reaction to his insensitive comments caught on camera about the death of an Australian soldier?

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