New Zealand's prime minister says he regrets the Albanese government's decision to overhaul a controversial immigration directive, adding he was frustrated by the move.
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Changes to the measure known as Direction 99 will be signed into effect by Friday after multiple tribunal decisions used it to reinstate the visas of foreigners found guilty of serious crimes.
The direction was brought into effect following concerns from New Zealand about the mass deportation of Kiwis who had closer ties to Australia than across the Tasman.
While the previous direction prioritised a foreigner's ties with Australia among other factors, the updated directive will put greater emphasis on community safety.
Following a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his government would be closely watching the changes.
"I appreciate Australia's a sovereign state, and they can make their own laws, but you know, we definitely regret that decision," he said in a New Zealand radio interview.
"We've actually got to monitor it and see what actually does happen from here.
"It was important to register (with Mr Albanese) our frustration."
It makes no sense for people without a connection to New Zealand to be sent back from Australia, Mr Luxon added.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said community safety would be the priority as part of the direction.
"It is clear that the AAT's (Administrative Appeals Tribunal) decision to reinstate these visas did not meet community expectations, and ministerial direction 99 has not been working as the government intended," he said in a statement on Monday.
"The government is on track to overhaul this regime and put in place a new direction before the end of the week."
Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said the direction needed to be enforced to protect Australians.
"What we hope it looks like is that it goes back to the approach that was being used before they made this change to make your ties to Australia the primary reason that the AAT had to take into consideration," he told Sky News on Tuesday.
"We've seen time and time again this minister fail at (keeping the community safe) and throw either his own department or the AAT under the bus."
Mr Giles had also been under fire after backtracking claims drones were being used to monitor detainees freed from immigration detention after a High Court ruling.
The minister said he had been relying on information provided by the federal department that had since been clarified.
But Mr Tehan said the walking-back was further proof the minister was not across the issue.
"We have a serious, serious breakdown between the minister and his department," he said.
"He now needs to front up and answer questions properly."
Australian Associated Press
