Matt Keogh (Burt, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

As I was trying to get to, the policy that we announced this week, which is very important, about expanding our Defence Force, looking at how we can use permanent residents and making sure that they're suitably vetted goes to New Zealanders from July this year and goes to permanent residents in Australia from Five Eyes nations from 1 January. As I said on Tuesday, as did the Deputy Prime Minister, we have spoken about then looking at our Pacific island neighbours—those that are in our region—and we'll look in that direction after we've moved through New Zealanders in July and then other Five Eyes nations from 1 January. That's what I've spoken about and that's what I've advocated for, and I thank the member for his interest in this, as much as I also thank the member for Canning for his support for the same policy approach as well.

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