This whole issue is a legacy of our (in Australia's view at least) lax Immigration laws, which allowed people into New Zealand, afforded them Citizenship in NZ and as a result, allowed them, as of right, entry into Australia.
The so called clamping down, started back in the days of the Clark Labour government when the Little Aussie Battle, Johnnie Howard implemented a range of changes which the saw as a way of stemming the tide.
True jeff. I have a South African friend who was a qualified accountant but 20 years ago Aussie did not need him and so he was accepted into NZ. and was given citizenship. 15 years ago he moved to Australia and is now a citizen of Oz.