Green Party calls on Govt to support introduction of refugee quota Bill

The Green Party is calling on the Government to honour New Zealanders’ outpouring of goodwill for refugees, and not block the introduction of the Green Party’s Bill today, that would give Parliament a say in setting a better, long-term refugee quota.

Every political party except for National have said that they’ll agree to let Green MP Denise Roche’s Bill – to increase the annual quota from 750 to 1000 refugees – be introduced today.

“While the Government’s move to agree to an emergency intake of 600 refugees over two and a half years is welcome, this doesn’t solve the long term problem of New Zealand’s shamefully lowrefugee quota,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

“We’re worried that by the time National gets around to reviewing the annual quota next year, public sentiment would have died down and National will revert to its record of doing as little as it possibly can.

“By allowing our Bill to be introduced, Parliament would ensure MPs and the public get to hear from the experts about what New Zealand is really capable of doing to do our bit for refugees. This decision shouldn’t be made by National behind closed doors.

“The National Government supported the Act Party’s request for a Bill allowing longer pub opening hours to be debated by Parliament. We think it owes it to the people of New Zealand, who have shown they want a generous and compassionate response to the refugee crisis, to give Parliament the opportunity to debate this Bill,” said Mr Shaw.

ENDS

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