National would pull NZ out of UN migration pact
Simon Bridges - National Party Leader
4 December 2018
National would pull New Zealand out of the UN’s
Global Compact on Migration because of its potential to
restrict New Zealand’s ability to set its own migration
and foreign policy, National Leader Simon Bridges
says.
"National is supportive of global action on major issues and of migration into New Zealand because it brings skills, capital and connections and makes New Zealand a better, more diverse place. And we support the ability for New Zealanders to travel and live and work overseas should they choose.
“But immigration policy is solely a
matter for individual countries and must take account of
their individual circumstances – and New Zealand’s
policies are already held up as international best practice.
There is no automatic right to migrate to another country
without that country’s full agreement, a view which the
United Nation’s Global Compact on Migration, set to be
signed next week, seeks to counter.
“While not binding, the Compact could restrict the ability of future governments to set immigration and foreign policy, and to decide on which migrants are welcome and which aren’t. While National is the party most open to immigration, we cannot accept this.
“This Government’s own immigration
policy is weak and confused, including its unfulfilled
campaign promises to slash immigration. Signing up to this
only clouds things further – like its working groups the
Government appears to be relying on the UN to set its
migration policy rather than making its own
decisions.
“While a number of countries are pulling
out of the agreement as the extent of its potential impact
on the decision-making of individual countries is realised,
our Government is refusing to outline its own position.
“For these reasons, National will not be supporting this agreement and we will reverse the decision if this Government signs up to it.”
ends