New Zealanders living on the Gold Coast could unite to mount a political challenge in the north of the city

KIWIS fed up with paying taxes yet being denied access to Australia’s social security net could mount a political challenge for one of the Gold Coast’s northern state parliament seats.

Nerang Neighbourhood Centre co-ordinator Vicky Rose.

CRANKY Kiwis fed up with paying their fair share of taxes yet being denied access to Australia’s social security net could mount a challenge for one of the Gold Coast’s northern state parliament seats.

And with the Coast top of the queue for a new State seat in the region at least one expert believes they could be a chance of an upset win.

It comes on the back of moves by the Federal Government to open a backdoor for Kiwis who are long-term Australian residents.

According to the Gold coast City Council website 14.8 per cent of people living in Upper Coomera were born in New Zealand and perhaps as much as 45 per cent of residents in the area could claim New Zealand heritage.

Community worker Vicky Rose, who ran for a seat in the New Zealand Parliament in the last election, said while there would absolutely be someone willing to have a run, she saw several speed bumps for any campaign to get a naturalised Kiwi into the Queensland Parliament.

“Even if the proposed Federal changes go through 60 per cent of Kiwis who came after 2001 will never have a pathway to become citizens,” she said.

“You need to earn more than $53,000 a year for the past five years and have $6000 in order to lodge your citizenship application.

“You have to pass medical and good character tests, and there are extra costs for your partner and kids.

“In the end it could be that any changes will only make 40,000 Kiwis eligible to become Australian citizens.”

However, according to Griffith University political scientist Dr Paul Williams if naturalised New Zealanders were to unite behind a single issue or cause they could create more than a few ripples in political circles.

Griffith University political scientist Dr Paul Williams.

“If you have 30-40 per cent of voters in an area getting behind a single issue then it becomes a salient issue and could rise to the top of the political agenda,” he said.

“If they are of a single mind then you could expect a real change.”

Dr Williams said even if New Zealanders didn’t unite behind a candidate, if they could get a critical mass and lobby politicians they could have an effect.

“Nothing spurs politicians like the fear of electoral rebuff.”