DESTINY NEW ZEALAND POLITICAL PARTY

NIGEL HESLOP - IMMIGRATION SPOKESMAN

www.destinynz.org.nz

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(8 August 2005)

Bring Balance to Immigration Debate

Destiny New Zealand has welcomed National's proposal for a probationary period for new migrants, but also called for balance to be injected into the current immigration debate.

Northcote candidate and immigration spokesman Nigel Heslop noted that making prospective migrants more accountable for crimes committed during their initial residency period is a key component of existing Destiny New Zealand policy, but also stressed the need to recognise the important role that quality immigration will continue to play in the future.

"Securing our borders in an increasingly uncertain world is crucial, and new migrants must understand that residence in New Zealand is a privilege that can and will be withdrawn should they fail to respect the law," says Mr Heslop. "However, we must not lose sight of the significant skills shortages that exist in the New Zealand workforce, particularly in the health and education sectors and in many trade occupations," he added.

A former immigration officer now employed as an immigration specialist by one of New Zealand's leading consultancies, Mr Heslop went on to note that "what the current immigration debate most needs is hard fact and informed opinion, rather than the current fashion for inflammatory rhetoric".

ENDS

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