Thursday 7 Mar 2002
Latest migration figures back up ACT's comments that the reduction in the brain drain after September 11 was just a
blip, ACT Immigration Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.
"The tragic events of September 11 temporarily reversed the brain drain. But now the blip is over.
"Tourism numbers may be recovering, but the fact is we are again losing our best and brightest.
"In January, 2,035 skilled Kiwis left. That's more than any month since May 2001.
"Labour's policy of opening our doors to unskilled refugees will not help the country. Our brightest graduates are
leaving for good, and uneducated refugees are no replacement," Mrs Webster said.
Ends