INDEPENDENT NEWS

Labour’s hypocrisy on refugees

Published: Wed 10 Aug 2005 02:13 PM
Hon. Tony Ryall MP
National Party Immigration Spokesman
10 August 2005
Labour’s hypocrisy on refugees
National’s Immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall, says it is hypocritical to encourage refugees to come to New Zealand and then let them rot on a benefit.
He is responding to what he calls “predictable bleating from Labour and its left-wing apologists”.
"Helen Clark is a hypocrite. She says she is caring because she wants lots of refugees in New Zealand, but she is happy to let them rot on welfare when they get here.
"Her own official report, Refugee Voices, makes stark reading: 90% of refugees are on welfare after one year, and 80% are still on a benefit after five years.
What sort of future is that?
"The report also concludes that poor English is the major impediment to independence.
"New Zealand is one of only 10 countries that actually have an agreement with the United Nations to take refugees. We're a small country with limited resources and urgent priorities here at home.
"National will cut the number of refugees, and spread the same amount of money across the smaller number. We will focus on helping them get their English right and getting them into work.
"We will stop the use of refugee quotas for bringing in grandparents, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews. It will be immediate family members only.
"One refugee has brought in three brothers, his fiancee and two of her siblings, and another married brother and his family of four, each of whom in turn will be able to sponsor other family members.
"It's time for Labour to cut the hypocrisy,” says Mr Ryall.
ENDS

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