Media Statement For immediate release Tuesday, 1 July, 2003

Adams: UF backs 'smarter' immigration approach

United Future's Paul Adams today said the party would support key immigration legislation, which he said showed the Government was getting "smarter" about immigration.

"These are good bills because it is not some knee-jerk response and it's not some mindless cutting of the number of immigrants," Mr Adams said of the Immigration Amendment Bill and the Immigration Amendment Bill (No2), which were both introduced in Parliament today.

The legislation would set up a filtering system allowing immigrants with job offers relevant to their skills to be given priority.

The Government's policy is also realistic in matching potential immigrants' skills to those needed by New Zealand, and even particular regions, he said.

"This is crucial. Letting people come here without either the skills or a reasonable prospect of work simply increases the odds of them ending up on the dole. And that is no good for them or the country.

He said the bills were a good first step, but needed to be fleshed out with substantial immigration policy.

"United Future supports the common sense approach of moving from a system of 'first come, first served' to one that puts the candidates most likely to integrate into New Zealand society at the head of the queue," he said.

Ends.

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