The use of New Zealand as a migration stepping stone to Australia is not of great concern to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott just yet.
Mr Abbott on Wednesday was asked by a New Zealand reporter whether he had any concerns about people using New Zealand as a staging post, with the ultimate aim of migrating to Australia.
A Trans-Tasman agreement between Australia and New Zealand allows citizens of each country to visit, travel, live and work without the need to apply for authority to enter the other country.
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Kiwis not counted in migration numbers
In 2008-09, 47,782 New Zealanders came to Australia as permanent and long-term arrivals.
New Zealand citizens are not counted as part of Australia's annual migration intake and instead are included in settler arrival and net overseas migration figures if they leave after less than a year.
Mr Abbott said he had no plans to specifically deal with the issue at the moment and any migration issues would be addressed after a white paper was produced.
"I think it is an issue but it's not an issue I have any plans to specifically deal with at this time," he said.
"My plan is to reduce net overseas migration to Australia to a maximum of 170,000 a year in the first term of a coalition government."
