Australian Immigration Minister Doing Govt A Favour

Sunday 3rd Dec 2000 Richard Prebble Media Release -- Other

The Australian Minster of Immigration, Phillip Ruddock’s suggestion that “New Zealand has to focus on what it is that has led to a very significant movement of their own people. New Zealand has seen a very significant exodus of its population” should not be dismissed by the government, said Hon Richard Prebble.

“Immigration Minister Ruddock is doing the government a favour by pointing out that there is obviously something very wrong when so many New Zealanders, and new New Zealanders, are migrating to Australia.

“The ACT party has repeatedly called on the government to undertake proper research as to why so many New Zealanders are leaving. There is a considerable cost to the country of having new permanent residents pack up and leave the moment they are eligible.

“There has never been research undertaken as to why people are leaving and what polices are needed to turn the emigration tide. Conversely, no research has been undertaken as to what policies will attract skilled immigrants to New Zealand. “

“It is highly probable that they are both very similar.

“One is left with the belief that the coalition government doesn’t care about the loss of skilled New Zealanders to Australia, or alternatively, doesn’t want to learn that policies like the 39 cent tax rate are causing the migration.

“It appears very unlikely that New Zealand will turn this skills shortage around until we have a government that is at least prepared to find out the real reasons for our emigration exodus,” said Hon Richard Prebble.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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