New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern criticises Australia for stripping dual national terror suspect’s citizenship

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has slammed Australia for stripping citizenship from a 26-year-old woman who allegedly joined the Islamic State terrorist group.

Turkish authorities say the New Zealand woman was caught trying to enter Turkey illegally from Syria. She was accompanied by two small children.

Turkey’s Government called the woman “S.A” and said she “identified as a DAESH (Islamic State) terrorist”, but provided no further details.

Jacinda Ardern said the woman was an Australia-New Zealand dual national, but that Australia’s Government recently stripped her of citizenship under national security laws.

A visibly angry Ms Ardern repeatedly lashed Australia for that decision in a press conference this afternoon.

She said the woman had lived in Australia since she was six years old before departing for Syria on an Australian passport.

Ms Ardern accused Prime Minister Scott Morrison of “abdicating responsibility”.

“That is where their family reside, that is where their links reside, and that is the place they departed for Syria.”

Ms Ardern said she raised the issue with Mr Morrison last year, but that New Zealand’s concerns had been brushed aside.

“I was then informed [this] year that Australia had unilaterally revoked the citizenship of the individual involved,” she said.

“You can imagine my response.”

Ms Ardern accused Australia of “exporting its problems” to New Zealand and said “if the shoe were on the other foot we would take responsibility”.

“I never believed that the right response was simply a race to revoke citizenship, that is not the right thing to do. Australia did not act in good faith.”

Ms Ardern said the woman was now detained in Turkey with the two young children and said New Zealand was now trying to offer consular support and “resolve the situation”.

In response to Ms Ardern’s comments, Mr Morrison said: “It’s my job as the Australian Prime Minister to put Australia’s national security interests first. I think all Australians would agree with that.”

“The legislation that was passed through our Parliament automatically cancels the citizenship of a dual citizen where they’ve been engaged in terrorist activities of this nature.

“Now, I understand that the New Zealand Government has some issues with that.

“Australia’s interest here is that we do not want to see terrorists who fought with terrorism organisations enjoying privileges of citizenship, which I think they forfeit the second they engage as an enemy of our country.”

Mr Morrison said he would speak to Ms Ardern later in the day.

ABC