New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minster, Scott Morrison, speak to media at a press conference in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minster, Scott Morrison, speak to media at a press conference in Sydney. Photo / Getty Images
Jacinda Ardern's blunt message to Scott Morrison about Australia's deportation policy - as the pair stood side by side - has drawn admiration, ire and headlines across both countries.
Ardern did not mince her words in Sydney, directly criticising Morrison over his Government's policies.
"New Zealand and Australia's relationship is being tested," Ardern said at a joint press conference with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.
Ardern and Australian Prime Minster, Scott Morrison speak to media. Photo / Getty Images
Ardern criticised the way Kiwis were treated by the Australian Government as well as Morrison's deportation policy.
In a controversial move, thousands of Kiwi migrants without Australian citizenship have been deported from the country after committing serious crimes, even though some have limited links to their country of birth.
"We have a simple request," Ardern said, "send back Kiwis, genuine Kiwis - do not deport your people and your problems."
She closed by saying: "We will own our people. We ask that Australia stop exporting theirs."
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and Australian Prime Minster, Scott Morrison, speak to media at a press conference. Photo / Getty Images
Australian media outlets were quick to highlight the confrontational quality of Ardern's comments.
The Guardian ran the headline: "Jacinda Ardern lashes Scott Morrison for 'testing' friendship over deportations to New Zealand". Business Insider Australia reported that the Kiwi PM had given Australia's deportation policy "a serve".
The Australian called the comments "a stunning attack" under the banner "Do not deport your people and your problems: Jacinda Ardern goes head-to-head with Scott Morrison".
News.com.au said Ardern had "slammed" her Australian counterpart reporting, "New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern issued a blunt message to Australia this afternoon – while Scott Morrison stood right next to her."
The press conference was even compared to a famous scene from the film Love Actually when Hugh Grant's British PM character blasts his American rival - played by Billy Bob Thornton - at a press conference.
"Jacinda Ardern" rapidly became a trending term on Twitter after the comments.
"Watching PM reax as someone roasts him [in] person let alone a woman is glorious you so rarely see it this video is hilarious," Samantha Maiden tweeted.
Watching PM reax as someone roasts him person let alone a woman is glorious you so rarely see it this video is hilarious https://t.co/BtlwitkESB
How embarrassing. She couldn't raise this in private? What a shocking big noter!!! I hope we keep deporting them. Maybe rev that up now. https://t.co/tjDxkjntYH
