The Dumbing Down Of New Zealand Continues…

Friday 20th Oct 2000 Penny Webster Media Release -- Other

The Labour/Alliance government are continuing their dumbing down of New Zealand, said ACT immigration spokesman Penny Webster.

Migration statistics released today by show that for the year ended September 2000, 19,355 skilled people left New Zealand (the highest year ended September ever), 13,863 skilled migrants arrived. In contrast 5,729 more unskilled immigrants arrived in New Zealand than for the year ended September 1999.

“On current rates for every three skilled New Zealanders we lose we are replacing them with just over two skilled immigrants. The long-term implications could be disastrous. Government policies are not only driving skilled New Zealanders away, they are repelling skilled immigrants too.

“No country can suffer the loss of skill we are losing without noticing that something is deeply wrong. If we were replacing like with like the problem would not be as serious, but that is clearly not the case.

“The New Zealand government is importing a third world workforce. The old cliché of judging by actions and not words proves that the Labour/Alliance coalition are talking political spin when they refer to growing a knowledge economy.

“Immigration policy must reflect the needs of this country. New Zealand needs talented, innovative, and technologically skilled immigrants who are ready to contribute to society. The problem is that these type of people are not attracted to countries hell-bent on implementing global worst practice economic policies.

“In an increasingly competitive global labour market we must adapt our immigration policies or miss out. New Zealand is long overdue for a debate on the type and quantity of immigrants we allow into our great country. The limits that we use currently have been arbitrarily pulled out of the air.

“A multi party consensus on immigration policy is vital to the future prosperity of New Zealand,” said Penny Webster.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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