Labour's immigration policy discriminates against Pacific Islanders.

Arthur Anae

Opposition Pacific Island Affairs Spokesman

13 June 2000

Labour's immigration policy discriminates against Pacific Islanders.

"The Government's rolled out the welcome mat for young international visitors, but Pacific Islanders have been left out in the cold," says National MP Arthur Anae.

"Labour's doubling the number of Working Holiday Visas to 20,000 places a year. The scheme gives young people from overseas a fantastic opportunity to work here for a year.

"But it seems people from the Pacific Islands need not apply.

"In Parliament today Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel reeled off a list of the countries which would be eligible for these visas: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay Italy, Germany, Hong Kong and nine others.

"Not one of our Pacific neighbours will be included in the scheme.

"That's a slap in the face for Pacific peoples, whose votes helped Labour get into office in the first place.

"It seems Labour's willing to take the support of Pacific Islanders, but isn't willing to give anything back in return," Mr Anae says.

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