More Kiwis in Australia than ever before set to vote in federal election

As Australia ramps up for a federal election on May 3, it’s not just Aussies preparing to head to the polls. For the first time, thousands of New Zealanders living across the ditch – now citizens – will be able to vote.

Among them are Peter and Sandra van Bruken, a Christchurch couple who moved to Brisbane seeking a sunnier, more affordable life.

“It feels like every day is a Sunday,” they told 1News. “We can finally vote, we have to vote. It’s compulsory here.”

Their story reflects a growing number of Kiwis who’ve crossed the Tasman and taken up Australian citizenship.

“We're only semi earning here, but what we do earn is, is good. So the incomes are good," said Sandra.

New pathways introduced under the Albanese government mean many more New Zealanders are now eligible to have their say just as cost of living, migration, and trans-Tasman relations take centre stage in the campaign.

While Peter and Sandra say they’re better off day-to-day, the economy remains a major flash point nationally dominating this week’s first Australian leaders’ debate.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pointed to his government’s energy rebates and tax cuts for low and middle-income earners as key relief measures.

“We've implemented measures to ease the burden,” he said during the Sky News People's Forum. “Including energy rebates and tax cuts for low- and middle-income earners.”

"In 40 years there has not been a higher spending government than your government is that correct?" Opposition leader Peter Dutton questioned Albanese, who was quick to respond with, "Well that's not true except for the one that you're part of."

Dutton went on to propose significant migration cuts, arguing housing, healthcare and infrastructure were under pressure as a result.

“When you bring in a million people over the course of two years, that is going to have an impact on health services, on infrastructure, on education” Dutton said. "I'm not in favour of what the Prime Minister has done by flooding the market and a person is coming every 44 seconds to our country and we don't have the housing to accommodate that."

Australia is now home to more than 350,000 New Zealanders and recent changes mean permanent residents who’ve lived in the country for four years can apply for citizenship and vote.

“As soon as you've notched up four years as a permanent resident, you're qualified to do that,” Peter said.

With polling suggesting a slight swing back toward Labor, both major parties are working to shore up support in key battleground states like Victoria and New South Wales where many Kiwis have settled.

And for voters like Peter and Sandra, the decision won’t come down to party lines, but policy.

“I can feel there will be a change of government. Whether it’s better for us or not, I don’t know,” Peter said. "I guess we're in the kind of minority, basically semi-retired before we left NZ anyways so whoever has the best policy for retirees may have some weight."