Media Release.
14 October 1999.

Immigration Minister does not know Immigration Law

New Zealand First Leader, Rt. Hon Winston Peters, wants to know why no Government action was taken on illegal immigration scams being perpetrated on Tongan nationals in South Auckland.

"It was only after my office made an official complaint to Police on Tuesday about a particular scam involving the sale of bogus passports to Tongans for $1000 each that the Immigration Minister made any comments at all.

"John Delamere says he has known for months that these scams have been going on and is quoted in the New Zealand Herald this morning as seeking legal advice. He is therefore guilty of condoning wanton law breaking. Mr Delamere appears to not even know the Immigration Act he is charged with enforcing.

"The law is very clear. Only the Minister of Immigration, the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Minister of Justice and the Prime Minister are allowed to issue passports and grant permanent residency.

"We do not allow the public to print banknotes, so why are we allowing these people to print fake passports?

"Hundreds are losing their savings in a futile attempt to gain residency, and nothing has been done by the Minister of Immigration and the three other Ministers mentioned, " concluded Mr Peters.

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