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Priceless NZ Citizenship Undermined by Minister

Rt Hon Winston Peters

New Zealand First Leader

Member of Parliament for Northland
12 AUGUST 2015

Priceless NZ Citizenship Undermined by Minister

Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne has completely undermined New Zealand’s valued citizenship system.

“Fraud committed by 27 ‘refugees’ to obtain citizenship was discovered under his watch, but he has brushed it aside,” says New Zealand First Leader and Member of Parliament for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“As Minister it was his duty to use his powers under the Citizenship Act to revoke citizenship. Instead, he did nothing, grasping at anything to stave off responsibility saying it was an operational issue, these were historical cases and there were humanitarian issues.

“He even had the audacity in Parliament today to blame the Minister who approved the original applications. None of these stand the test of ministerial responsibility. When a fraud is revealed it is the Minister who must act.

“He even claimed that these fraudulent refugees lived as model citizens. Mr Dunne was giving a simplistic answer to what is a serious issue. Anyone sneaking into New Zealand under false pretences will live quietly and well, so they are not discovered.

“By allowing them to retain citizenship Mr Dunne is telling the world that we are an easy touch to anyone willing to make up a good story.

“The Minister does not understand his portfolio. It is a privilege to be granted citizenship and he should come down hard, as the law allows, on anyone who abuses this.”

ENDS


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