Loopholes In Anti-Terrorism Bill

New Zealand First has warned that the anti-terrorist legislation now before Parliament does not contain enough safeguards against terrorists entering New Zealand as immigrants.

During the committee stages of the Terrorism Bombings and Financing Suppression Bill, Deputy-leader Peter Brown last night unsuccessfully tried to include a new clause prohibiting immigration consultants making their services available to terrorist organisations.

Mr Brown said that although New Zealand First supported the general thrust of the legislation, it failed to address the possibility of terrorists coming here through the services of a disreputable consultant.

“Our immigration laws are loose, liberal and full of loopholes. Immigrants can bring in children as old as 25 years of age.

“Briefing papers to the Immigration Minister point out the immigration fraud going on. It would be very easy to get a terrorist into New Zealand posing as a member of an immigrant family.

“Immigration consultants must be accountable for the services they provide and we are disappointed that Labour and National as well as some of the smaller parties cannot see this,” said Mr Brown.

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