Post by nighthawknz on Jul 19, 2019 19:38:08 GMT 12
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stuck in Australia after plane breaks down
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has been left high and dry in Australia after the air force jet which was going to fly her home broke down, leaving her stuck in Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
Efforts were underway to sort the technical issue - a break down of the jet's air data computer - but it was understood the fix would take some time. As a result, it's been confirmed the PM is now flying back to New Zealand on Friday night on a commercial flight.
"During pre-flight checks the aircraft suffered a failure of its air data computer, which is an essential part of its flight management system," the New Zealand Defence Force said in a statement.
"A replacement part is being flown to Australia and it is expected the repair will be made tomorrow."
The couple did not bring baby Neve on the trip, leaving her with family in New Zealand.
Earlier this week there were doubts the plane would be able to take Ardern on her overnight trip to Melbourne.
It's not the first time planes have stranded politicians. In 2016 John Key was stranded in Townsville on his way to India, while a second plane had to be sent to pick up Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters from Vanuatu last month.
Ms Ardern met with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, the first meeting between the two leaders since the Coalition government was re-elected in May.
On Thursday, she met with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Solutions to address homelessness, family violence and mental heath were among the topics the two leaders were keen to discuss.
She also met with the governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AC, as well as business leaders, as part of a bid to bring more investment to New Zealand.
In a speech on Thursday night, Ms Ardern said Australia's deportation laws were having a “corrosive effect” on the relationship between Australia and New Zealand.
Ms Ardern said she would raise with Mr Morrison the deportation of New Zealand citizens when they commit crimes that attract more than 12 months jail.
In some cases, she told the New Zealand media, cancelling the visas was justified but in others it wasn't.
"We have seen cases where there is also almost no connection of an individual to New Zealand who have been deported," she said.
"I consider that to be a corrosive part of that policy. And it's having a corrosive effect on our relationship."
Efforts were underway to sort the technical issue - a break down of the jet's air data computer - but it was understood the fix would take some time. As a result, it's been confirmed the PM is now flying back to New Zealand on Friday night on a commercial flight.
"During pre-flight checks the aircraft suffered a failure of its air data computer, which is an essential part of its flight management system," the New Zealand Defence Force said in a statement.
"A replacement part is being flown to Australia and it is expected the repair will be made tomorrow."
The couple did not bring baby Neve on the trip, leaving her with family in New Zealand.
Earlier this week there were doubts the plane would be able to take Ardern on her overnight trip to Melbourne.
It's not the first time planes have stranded politicians. In 2016 John Key was stranded in Townsville on his way to India, while a second plane had to be sent to pick up Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters from Vanuatu last month.
Ms Ardern met with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday, the first meeting between the two leaders since the Coalition government was re-elected in May.
On Thursday, she met with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Solutions to address homelessness, family violence and mental heath were among the topics the two leaders were keen to discuss.
She also met with the governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AC, as well as business leaders, as part of a bid to bring more investment to New Zealand.
In a speech on Thursday night, Ms Ardern said Australia's deportation laws were having a “corrosive effect” on the relationship between Australia and New Zealand.
Ms Ardern said she would raise with Mr Morrison the deportation of New Zealand citizens when they commit crimes that attract more than 12 months jail.
In some cases, she told the New Zealand media, cancelling the visas was justified but in others it wasn't.
"We have seen cases where there is also almost no connection of an individual to New Zealand who have been deported," she said.
"I consider that to be a corrosive part of that policy. And it's having a corrosive effect on our relationship."
