The Labour Department's forecast that an extra 7000 people will be unemployed by September, due mainly to immigration, is yet another proof of my claim that the government has lost control of immigration, ACT leader Richard Prebble says.

"The government's decision to increase immigration quotas and not to review them following the return home of many New Zealanders after September 11, was reckless.

"Increased immigration has caused a boom in Auckland house prices, which in turn has caused interest rates to rise.

"In February, 6000 children turned up at schools around New Zealand to find there were no classrooms and teachers for them. Now, we learn that unemployment is projected to rise by another 7000, directly attributable to the increase in immigration.

"Not only has the quantity of immigrants increased but the quality of immigrants is also the lowest it's ever been since the points system was introduced.

"There will be serious long-term consequences from the government's lack of monitoring of immigration," Mr Prebble said.

ENDS

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