2 May 2000

MORE ACTION, LESS TALK NEEDED ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES

United New Zealand leader, Hon Peter Dunne, says more action and less talk is needed on immigration issues.

He was responding to comments from Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton that New Zealand needs a more dynamic immigration policy.

“Last week, the Immigration Minister was bemoaning our poor immigration performance – now it seems it is Mr Anderton’s turn.”

“There is only one way to improve our immigration performance and that is to stop just talking about it, and actually do something positive to improve things,” he says.

Mr Dunne says there is no need for either Mr Anderton, Ms Dalziel or Ethnic Affairs Minister George Hawkins to re-invent the wheel on population and immigration policy.

“United New Zealand produced the most detailed population and immigration policy of any Party at last year’s election, which was widely supported by migrant and ethnic groups.”

“If this package was implemented in full, New Zealand would quickly become an attractive and stable destination for migrants, and would gain positively from their presence and participation in our society.”

“If we followed a steady policy of around 50,000 new migrant approvals per year, we could add 0.5.% annually to our economic growth rate,” he says.

“United New Zealand would be happy to work with Ministers to achieve these policy objectives,” he says.

Mr Dunne welcomes comments and inquiries on this matter at peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz

ENDS

New Zealand’s Liberal Party

MEDIA STATEMENT
HON PETER DUNNE, MP
LEADER UNITED NEW ZEALAND
Parliament Buildings, Wellington 1.
Ph(04)471 9410 or (025) 469 808. Fax (04)499 7266.
e-mail: peter.dunne@parliament.govt.nz. Internet Address: http://www.united.org.nz

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