21 December 2004
NZ No Place For Australian Rejects
New Zealand First associate immigration spokesperson Dail Jones is urging the Government to end the practice of
accepting refugees and asylum seekers who are turned away by Australia.
This follows news of an application being lodged for asylum by a family who has not been able to prove they are genuine
refugees to the Australian authorities despite lodging 20 legal applications disputing their case.
“These people have been given every legal recourse and have been granted legal aid throughout their time in Australia. I
don’t see how the New Zealand authorities could view their case any differently,” said Mr Jones.
“As we found out with the Tampa refugees, taking a soft stance on these matters carries a high cost to the nation and we
do not want to continue being seen as a dumping ground for Australian outcasts.
“It is time this Government took a stand and started putting the interests of New Zealand and New Zealanders first,”
concluded Mr Jones.
ENDS