We’ve seen NZ PM Jacinda Ardern publicly say “nope” to our PM Scott Morrison before when she sent him to voicemail mid-press conference and boy was it glorious. However, that pales in comparison to the absolute roasting she unleashed on him during their first face-to-face meeting of 2020.
Speaking of public burns, the GOAT team dissect the ridiculous Gigi Hadid vs Jake Paul feud on ‘It’s Been A Big Day For…’ below:
Jacinda Ardern had arrived in Sydney for her annual chat with Scott Morrison about the important issues Australia and NZ are facing, such as the coronavirus, deportation of New Zealanders from Australia, and climate change.
However, it was clear that Jacinda was having none of Scotty’s trademark word vomit and sought to underhandedly roast him at nearly every opportunity, so much so one has to wonder if it was all delibrate.
Case in point, this is her opening statement following Scotty’s big, blustering intro:
“It’s fair to say that since we last met as [Scott Morrison] mentioned tragedy and disaster had befallen our two countries. They say that in moments of that nature, the true character of an individual comes to the fore and I believe the same can be said of nations too.”
Oof.
That subtle burn basically set the tone for the media conference as it was less of a cordial exchange between world leaders and more like Jacinda Ardern slowly tearing Scott Morrison apart limb by limb.
After politely listing a lot of collaborations and issues that Australia and NZ have worked on and are working on, Jacinda wasted no time in saying how despite tragedy bringing Australia and NZ together, the relationship between the two countries have been tested due to politics.
On the topic of deporting Kiwis back to New Zealand, Jacinda says:
“Australia is well within its rights to deport individuals who break your laws. New Zealand does the same. But we have a simple request – send back Kiwis. Genuine Kiwis. Do not deport your people and your problems.”
Citing a case of a woman who was deported to New Zealand despite having lived in Australia since she was one, Jacinda stated that she has “heard from those who work in our judiciary that they are seeing cases before our courts of individuals who are failing attempts to reintegrate and rehabilitate because the success of these programs is reliant on at least some network. These deportees have none.”
Just to twist the knife in further, Jacinda stated that despite New Zealanders living in Australia are “more likely to be employed” and “pay more tax” than those born in Australia, the rights of Kiwis were still “being eroded” regardless. When pressed on the matter, Jacinda responded:
“We are not arguing that Australia should not have a deportation policy, they should and [NZ] does too. What we’re asking for is a reciprocal arrangement. NZ does not deport those who we consider, for all intents and purposes, to have established themselves as New Zealanders we only ask Australia does the same.”
As for what Scott Morrison response was, he tried to justify Australia’s stance on the matter, stating “Our government is well-known for our clear views when it comes to issues of immigration and border security – if you have committed a crime and you’re not a citizen of Australia, then you have no right to stay,” and “The Australian government’s policy is very clear. We deport non-citizens who have committed crimes in Australia against our community.”
When the topic of climate change came up, Scott Morrison humbly boasted how Australia and NZ have obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement, how there’s a “plan” to achieve it and how Australia is doing well on that front (even if the numbers don’t back that up).
As for how Jacinda responded on this topic, well here it is:
“We each know each other’s policies. New Zealand has taken its position and Australia have taken theirs, and we discuss the expectations on both of us that the Pacific rightfully has of both of us.”
That was just one of a number of exchanges where Jacinda gave Scotty a piece of rope and he proceeded to dangle himself from it. The whole media conference is about 26 minutes but the part you’re all waiting for starts at the 3:47 mark.
Another week, another example of why Jacinda Ardern is the PM we all deserve. Just hand her the crown now because Scott Morrison ain’t getting back up from that brutal live TV murder.
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