There are calls for Australia and New Zealand to become one country
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There are calls for the unification of Australia and New Zealand.
Now that the two countries have hosted the FIFA’s Women’s World Cup, some are saying it’s time to make it official and put a label on it.
Finally, after all those years of going steady.
Jamie Strange, Labour’s outgoing Hamilton East MP, is on board with the idea.
“Every time I visit Australia I often ponder the thought, ‘Will we ever become one country, Australia and New Zealand?’” he said, as per The Guardian.
“My personal view – and it’s only a personal view – is that New Zealanders shouldn’t rule that out.
“There would certainly be economic benefits, economies of scale in the private and public sector, opening Aldi stores on our shores.
He added that New Zealand could still technically join under the Australian constitution.
“The main problem I foresee though is: how do we integrate the Australian cricket team? But we conquered Everest, so you never know,” the MP added.
I mean, New Zealand already regifted Russel Crowe? So why not share a State of Origin team, currency and a flag?
9News even posted a poll about whether the two nations should merge, dividing many users.
One person wrote: “I reckon so. There are so many Kiwis living here, so why not? Plus it’s quicker to fly from Brisbane to Auckland versus flying Brisbane to Perth!”
Another said: “Would be an awesome rugby team.”
A third commented: “Will it settle the debate about who invented the Pavlova?”
However, many didn’t seem particularly fond of the idea.
One person penned: “We're brothers, it works, leave it alone.”
Another said: “We don't even want Tasmania. What makes you think we want New Zealand?”
Whereas a third simply wrote: “Noooooo.”
The former deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce echoed a similar sentiment as Mr Strange, citing significant economic advantages to this union, adding it would expand military forces.
The Nationals MP, who was forced to reveal to parliament that he was a Kiwi citizen in 2017, said that while he didn’t think New Zealand would be for it, Australia should consider.
According to News.com.au, Joyce said: “Logically, why do we have two defence Forces and two different monetary policies?
“It should be a single policy.
“It was supposed to happen. We can bring them in without a referendum. It is part of the constitution.”
Featured Image Credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images. Ian Waldie/Getty Images
Topics: News, Australia, Politics, World News
