New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has accused Australia of “abdicating its responsibilities” amid a row over a woman accused of having links to the Islamic State (IS).
The woman is facing deportation to New Zealand after being caught entering Turkey from Syria with two children.
But Arden says the dual national should be sent to Australia.
The woman, 26, held both Australian and New Zealand citizenship until Canberra revoked it last year.
However, Arden pointed out that the woman – who the Turkish Ministry of National Defence has identified as a member of IS – had not lived in New Zealand since she was a child.
“They left New Zealand at the age of six, were resident in Australia from that time, became an Australian citizen, left from Australia to Syria, and travelled on an Australian passport,” she said.
She added by saying: “New Zealand frankly, is tired of having Australia exporting its problems.”
Morrison responded by saying his job was to protect “Australia’s interests”.
He added that legislation passed in parliament automatically cancels the citizenship of a dual accused of being engaged in terrorist activities.
Morrison said he was scheduled to speak with Arden today.
