Asylum Seekers Detention Bill To Be Debated

MPs will today debate proposals to allow the mass detention of asylum seekers at the border.

After Question Time MPs are scheduled to return to the interrupted debate on the performance and current operations of Crown entities, public organisations and State Enterprises with 31 minutes remaining.

The Government intends to then complete the committee stage of the Immigration Amendment Bill. The bill was put on hold last August while Ministers negotiated with Peter Dunne for his support.

During the recent second reading debate Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman indicated the bill would be amended to make an arrival of 30 or more asylum seekers with Dunne’s support. Previously it had proposed that 10 people would be the trigger, but Dunne thought this was too low.

It completed its second reading by 71 to 50 with National, NZ First, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in favour.

NZ First Leader Winston Peters indicated his party would withdraw support unless the Government included in legislation that it would create a secure detention centre for refugees.

After this will MPs will debate the committee stage of the Legal Assistance Amendment Bill.

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