The
Labour Party would double the time it takes to get permanent
residence, under new immigration policies announced on
Friday.
It would also offer children born to
undocumented parents a citizenship pathway if they have
lived here continuously for 10 years, and review financial
criteria for parent visas.
Immigration spokesperson
Phil Twyford wants to introduce an orientation and civic
education programme and a Government Policy Statement on
immigration, setting out long-term needs.
He said New
Zealand was not good at retaining its talent, pointing to
figures showing 14,400 migrants went
across the Tasman last year.
“New Zealand cannot
afford to operate as a training ground and transit lounge
for Australia. We should be careful about what that figure
tells us.
“It does not mean that those people came to
New Zealand simply to secure a passport, or that they were
all recent migrants. But it does demonstrate that attracting
skilled people is only half the job. A successful
immigration policy must also give them compelling reasons to
build their lives and careers here.”
Immigration had
become a “dumpster fire” of right-wing populists demonising
migrants and refugees, he told the New
Zealand Association for Migration and Investment immigration
conference in Auckland.
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“We cannot follow Europe
and the United States down the path of division and
scapegoating. We must ensure that the political centre
holds. That requires the two largest parties in particular
to maintain a sensible, pro-immigration approach-while
maintaining public confidence in the system.
“It is
not only wrong, it is irrational. Almost every advanced
economy faces the same demographic and workforce pressures
as New Zealand. Those challenges cannot realistically be met
without immigration.
“But once toxic anti-immigration
politics takes root, sound and practical policymaking
becomes much harder-and democracy itself is
corroded.”
If elected, Labour would extend the Recognised
Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme over time and invest in
vocational training.
Another priority was cracking
down on migrant
exploitation, and making it easier for affected workers
to move to other employer.
Migrants would have
automatic membership of approved independent immigration
support, advocacy and welfare organisations. Labour also
wants to review health and English
requirements.
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