What Does Peter Dunne Know About Passport Security That the US And Australia Don’t?

The Taxpayers' Union is frustrated that Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne appears to be sitting on his hands with comments to the media yesterday that he will seek more advice from officials about security considerations regarding a return to ten year passports. Mr Dunne is also raising the possibility of increasing the validity of passports to five years and nine months.

“Mr Dunne’s comments about a five year and nine month passport validity are unbelievable,” says Jordan Williams, Executive Director of the Taxpayers' Union. "The US, Canada, the UK and Australia all have ten year passports. What does Mr Dunne know about passport security that those countries don’t?”

“Despite the Select Committee unanimously backing a petition to return ten year passports to New Zealanders, the Government appears to be stalling a decision. There is no reason for further delay or for waiting until after the election."

"The Government should stop short changing New Zealanders, cut passport costs and reintroduce ten year passports,” concludes Williams.
NOTES:
In February, the Taxpayers’ Union published a report Sky High by Jordan McCluskey, which considered the costs and validity of the following country’s passports:

Countries with ten year passports:
• Argentina
• Australia
• Canada
• China
• Fiji
• France
• Germany
• Norway
• Ireland
• Russia
• Samoa
• South Africa
• Switzerland
• The Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• USA

Countries with five year passports:
• New Zealand
• Sweden

ENDS

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