28 February 2016

People Need To Come Before Politics in Immigration Discussion - Dunne

Recent reported numbers on immigration into New Zealand should not be used by political parties to make policy on the fly, says UnitedFuture leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

"Over the past year we have seen increasing numbers of immigrants which has led some to embrace the politics of xenophobia and division.

“Every time a new immigration statistic is published, Labour in particular overreacts – invariably incorrectly identifying the problems, and never offering a positive solution.

“Immigration is an area where people need to be put at the heart of policy making, not inflammatory politicking,” said Mr Dunne.

“That means political parties need to come up with clear and considered policy and not treat immigration like a political piñata without regard for the people and families that are affected.

“We need to remember that the vast majority of people who come into this country are on temporary visas as students, holiday-makers or involved in short term work in key areas such as the Canterbury rebuild.

"Making the unsubstantiated link between low wages and immigration ignores the reality that there has been increased wage growth as a result of a strong economy with low inflation and low interest rates and with a higher participation rate than ever before.

"Immigration adds enormous value to New Zealand through the direct economic benefit we gain from it, by increasing our skills base and through the exchange of ideas and culture.

"When people ask what it is UnitedFuture stands for it is this - we stand for an open, tolerant and unified New Zealand, one where a person can come here, fill a skill gap, join a community and raise a family without the fear of them or their families being used as a political football when there a better and more obvious answers to the problems facing New Zealand,” Mr Dunne concluded.

ends

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