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Jacinda Ardern Slams Scott Morrison For Cancelling Alleged Terrorist's Aussie Citizenship

Jacinda Ardern Slams Scott Morrison For Cancelling Alleged Terrorist's Aussie Citizenship

The accused ISIS member spent most of her life in Australia but is now New Zealand's problem as she had dual nationality.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

New Zealand's Prime Minister has not minced her words when discussing the actions of her Australian counterpart.

Jacinda Ardern has taken issue with Scott Morrison's government's decision to cancel the Australian citizenship of an alleged ISIS terrorist.

The alleged terror suspect was born in New Zealand but lived in Australia since she was just six years old and built her life there.

The dual citizen allegedly travelled to Syria on her Australian passport and has since been detained in Turkey with her two children.

When news of her arrest reached Australia, the government wasted no time in cancelling her passport, meaning she is now New Zealand's problem.

Jacinda Ardern and Scott Morrison have previously clashed over the idea of deporting criminals across the Tasman even though they might have spent their whole adult life in the other country.

The 26-year-old alleged ISIS member was arrested at the Turkish border.
7News

But the New Zealand PM couldn't hide her frustration over this recent case.

She said during a press conference: "I never believe that the right response was to simply have a race to revoke people's citizenship...We will put our hands up when we need to own the situation, we expected the same of Australia. They did not act in good faith.

"It is wrong that New Zealand should shoulder the responsibility for a situation involving a woman who has not lived in New Zealand since she was six, has resided in Australia since that time, has her family in Australia and left for Syria from Australia on her Australian passport.

"Any fair minded person would consider this person an Australian and that is my view too."

She added that if the woman's two children are brought back to New Zealand, they will be in a tough situation as they have no immediate family links.

Ms Ardern has accused the Morrison government of abdicating 'its responsibilities in relation to this person'.

PA

"These children were born in a conflict zone through no fault of their own," Ms Ardern said.

"We will be engaging with the Turkish authorities, and given there are children involved, their welfare will be top of mind in our response."

When Scott Morrison was questioned about the icy words from one of his closest allies, he insisted that Australia was doing what it thought was necessary to keep its citizens safe.

"There is still a lot more unknown about this case and where it sits and where it may go next," Mr Morrison added.

According to TVNZ, the pair held 'constructive' talks about the issue last night and both have committed to 'work through those issues in the spirit of our relationship'.

Featured Image Credit: TVNZ

Topics: Australia