New Zealand First has accused the government of wasting $82,888 searching for, and legislating against, a ship of boat people that never existed.

“The so-called Chinese Boat People are a myth. The Minister of Immigration, Turariki Delamere, cited photos as evidence. Nowhere in the photos does the name of this supposed vessel – the Alexandra II – appear”, said Gilbert Myles.

Australian and New Zealand immigration and military officials went into panic mode searching for these ghosts to deny them entry. Despite powerful dual-nation technology, they were never found.

“The Minister spent $3,468 per hour on the search and plunged the House into urgency over this nonsense. Heated debate suggested we were about to be over-run by refugees who were to be held in prison upon their arrival.

“Now I have heard from contacts in the Pacific region that the whole story started after tourists sank a few beers on a beach in Honoria, and started a rumour about these boat people.

“The Minister has jumped to an expensive and time-wasting conclusion”, said Mr Myles.

“I challenge him to produce either the ship or the people”.

ENDS

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