22 June 2015

Greens challenge John Key to prove refugee intake numbers

The Green Party is challenging John Key to produce a breakdown of numbers for his claim that New Zealand accepts 3000 to 4000 refugees a year, despite Ministry of Immigration numbers showing otherwise.

Earlier this month, Green Party MP, Denise Roche, tabled a document in Parliament showing that since National came to power, less than 5000 refugees have been accepted from all categories.

“We want to know where John Key is getting his refugee intake numbers from? John Key’s numbers seem to be 3 to 4 times greater than the actual number of refugees settled each year recorded in annual Immigration New Zealand figures,” said Green party immigration spokesperson Denise Roche.

“John Key appears to be grossly over estimating the number of refugees that New Zealand settles each year. Maybe that’s why he thinks New Zealand is doing its fair share. But in reality, we’ve slipped to 90th in the world on a per capita ranking.

“Even if you take into account asylum seekers and family reunification, on top of the quota refugees, the number works out to less than 1,000 refugees a year, between 2009 and 2014.

“John Key has tried a million and one ways to get out of increasing our quota numbers, including fudging the figures as he did this morning.

“And unless John Key can front with the breakdown of numbers, it would seem he is willing to be convenient with the truth to support his line.

“The Green Party has a practical solution to fix our low intake numbers, and we are urging the Government to take on my Member’s Bill to increase the refugee quota,” said Ms Roche.

Source: Immigration New Zealand

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