ACT Agrees with Anderton
“It is the wasted skill scandals and placement problems of
current immigrants that the Government must address before
embarking on well meaning, yet impotent policy reviews,”
said ACT immigration spokesman Penny Webster.
Mrs Webster
was commenting on Jim Anderton's call for a review of the
New Zealand immigration service. Mr Anderton believes a long
term, consistent strategy on population growth needs to be
developed along with new immigration policies
“Jim
Anderton is absolutely right that a review needs to be
undertaken, but changing the rules solely to increase foot
traffic through Immigration Service doors is madness.
“We
currently have highly skilled immigrants coming into New
Zealand whose hard earned qualifications are not recognised
by local professional bodies. This problem is so prevalent
that it is an accepted urban joke that most foreign taxi
drivers were probably a lawyer or surgeon in their home
country.
“This situation is aggravated by the Immigration
Services appalling customer ignorance. Answers to my
Parliamentary questions reveal that basic statistics like
under which category an immigrant gained residence, what
city an immigrant settles in, or even the number of recent
immigrants who appear before a New Zealand court, are not
collected
“How officials can be expected to devise a
meaningful and effective immigration policy when even basic
information is not collected seems a mystery to
me.
“Immigration has net positive benefits for New
Zealand, as it expands business and employment
opportunities, strengthens linkages with other economies and
increases the tax base.
“Before Jim Anderton initiates
xenophobic population debates around the country, he should
ensure the Government has the affairs of its own department
sorted,” said Penny
Webster.
ENDS