PM Ardern and PM Albanese address the media. Video / Thomas Coughlan
Australia will continue with its controversial 501 deportation system, despite "forceful" feedback from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a joint news conference he had listened to Ardern - but the practice of deporting criminals to their birth country would continue.
"We'll be maintaining Section 501,but we've heard the very clear message from the Prime Minister, as we've heard before," the new Australian PM said.
Albanese said Ardern had argued forcefully for New Zealand's interests and raised concerns about the 501s.
He expressed some empathy for New Zealand's position, saying if he were in Ardern's position, he would make similar arguments.
The relevant law is Section 501 of Australia's Migration Act, which gives Australia's immigration minister some discretion to cancel visas.
Albanese struck an upbeat tone, suggesting his country was popular again in the international community after nine years of malaise under his Liberal Party predecessors.
"It's like Australia has gone out of the naughty corner."
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met in Sydney. Photo / Thomas Coughlan
He voiced enthusiasm for renewable energy targets and addressing the challenges of global warming.
Apart from deportations, a major issue in bilateral and regional relations has been surging Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Albanese was asked about China's presence in the Pacific, and how closely his views aligned with Ardern's.
"We're in lockstep on the Pacific," he responded.
Defending national sovereignty and supporting sustainable development were key priorities in Australia's Pacific outlook, Albanese said.
He said Pacific nations, with some justification, had felt Australia in recent years had not engaged with sufficient levels of respect.
'Reset' moment
And in a thinly-veiled repudiation of the relationship under previous Australian PM Scott Morrison, Ardern referred to her meeting with Albanese as a chance for a "reset".
The PM also urged Australians to cross the Tasman this ski season and encouraged skilled Aussies - such as those with construction or IT qualifications - to consider emigrating.
Albanese today described New Zealand and Australia's relationship as "family".
The new PM said he and Ardern were determined to take transtasman relations to a new level.
"What that means is new jobs, new growth, new opportunities to co-operate," he said.
Albanese said shared bilateral concerns included climate change and regional geopolitical competition.
"Our approach is based upon respect, transparency and engagement with Pacific institutions."
Before today's meeting, both sides alluded to possible changes to deportations.
Albanese described Ardern as a "very good friend" heading into the meeting and said they enjoyed a wonderful dinner last night.
"We are great friends and I want to build on that. It is probably more important than it has ever been," he said.
"Our people-to-people relations are so strong," the new PM added.
"And I'm sure we can work through those issues much more cooperatively and with win-win outcomes."
He said the Anzac nations would "work through" bilateral issues heading into a leadership dialogue next month where they would be discussed in more detail.
