Key sees tripled quota of “three to four thousand” refugees as the right level

Interviewed by Paul Henry on RadioLive this morning the Prime Minister said the right level for refugees, once family reunification is considered, was the present level of ‘three or four thousand’ per year.

“Though Key is quite plainly wrong on the numbers it is positive to hear that he thinks the right level for New Zealand is three to four thousand refugees per annum”, said Doing Our Bit spokesperson Murdoch Stephens.

In reality, New Zealand welcome 750 quota refugees per year and have 300 potential places for family reunification. If asylum seekers are also included the total is 1170.

“I’m pleased to hear that Key thinks we can accept three times the present quota and do a good job with it. We’ve been advocating a more conservative doubling of the quota.”

“But I believe that if implemented with the right funding and care given to local infrastructures, we could triple the quota, as Key suggests.”

Doing Our Bit was established in 2013 with the aim of raising the refugee quota from the present 750 to 1500 places. The quota has not grown since it was established in 1987. The government is set to review the quota in early 2016.

Links:

Key on RadioLive: http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-Prime-Minister-John-Key-on-the-refugee-quota-and-Colin-Craig/tabid/506/articleID/88438/Default.aspx

Stephens on Morning Report: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/top/276808/advocate-questions-pm%27s-refugee-claim

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