<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>330563</docID> <postdate>2024-10-09 14:24:51</postdate> <headline>Australia waives immunity of diplomat’s partner in NZ</headline> <body><p><img class="wp-image-330140" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/20230425001790639061-original-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="600" /></p> <caption>Australia has waived immunity over an incident in NZ involving the partner of an Australian diplomat (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Ben McKay</b> in Wellington</span></p> <p><strong>An Australian diplomat's partner at the centre of a post-Bledisloe Cup street-fight could face charges after Australia removed his immunity from prosecution.</strong></p> <p>In late September, New Zealand police arrested and detained a man in the hours after the Wallabies' 33-13 loss to the All Blacks, only to release him later due to the quirk of the law.</p> <p>Video has since emerged of the incident, published by NZ outlet Stuff, where a man yells "You f<strong><em>ing stupid f</em></strong>ot. I've got diplomatic immunity!" as he is arrested.</p> <p>The man's identity has not been released, and police are yet to detail the charges they seek to press.</p> <p>Diplomatic immunity is a right commonly afforded to overseas-based representatives giving them freedom to conduct diplomatic business without being arrested or detained.</p> <p>Diplomats' families also given the same privilege during overseas postings.</p> <p>Given the seriousness of the incident, NZ police initiated a request to have immunity stripped from the man so he could face justice.</p> <p>On Wednesday, a week after the incident was first reported, a spokesperson from NZ's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) confirmed Australia had granted the request.</p> <p>"The Australian government has provided waivers of immunity, enabling next steps to be taken by police," the spokesperson said.</p> <p>"The matter is now with NZ Police. MFAT won't be commenting further."</p> <p>NZ Police and Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have been contacted for comment.</p> </body>