The Australian government has declared it makes no apology for dramatically accelerating visa cancellations, as it faces an increasing backlash in New Zealand after the policy triggered the deportation of a 15-year-old boy.

Pressure is mounting within New Zealand for the government to condemn Australia as a “rogue nation” in breach of human rights following the minor’s deportation.

The teenager was sent to New Zealand under the controversial policy by which the Australian government has been deporting non-citizens determined to have a “substantial criminal record” under a character test within the Australian Migration Act.

Australia’s home affairs minister, Peter Dutton, who last week described the transfer of deportees as “taking the trash out” in order to “make Australia a safer place”, told parliament on Tuesday he was “proud of this government for the way in which we have kicked these people out of our country”.

Without detailing any specific cases, including the minor’s deportation, Dutton said the government had a policy of “cancelling visas of dangerous criminals, of people that have committed serious offences against Australian citizens”.