Government will not pay dole to Kiwis in Australia

3:00 PM

The Prime Minister says New Zealanders crossing the Tasman cannot expect the Government to follow them with welfare cheques.

Helen Clark and and her Australian counterpart John Howard met for two hours this morning to discuss defence and trade, ahead of the formal release of a new residency and welfare package tomorrow.

Miss Clark says New Zealand will still pay for Kiwi superannuitants and people on disability benefits in Australia.

But she says neither country should have to pay dole to New Zealander who have chosen to cross the Tasman.

Helen Clark says there are so few Australians on benefits in New Zealand that there are no plans to change the system here.

She says she would be happy for talented and skilled Australians to move to New Zealand.

The Prime Ministers have also discussed defence capabilities and the situations in Bougainville, Fiji and East Timor.

Both hope Indonesia's President Wahid will visit New Zealand and Australia for talks in the near future.

- IRN