Govt to sign UN compact

WELLINGTON: New Zealand will sign up to a United Nations migration compact, despite countries such as Australia and the United States pulling out.

National said it would pull New Zealand out if it got back into power.

National foreign affairs spokesman Todd McClay said at the time it could affect New Zealand’s ability to set its own migration policy.

‘‘The Government should not sign this agreement,’’ he said.

‘‘[It] treats legal and illegal migration the same and calls for restrictions on freedom of speech and the media. It is likely to have a detrimental effect on New Zealand’s ability to set independent policy today and in the future.’’

However, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said yesterday it did not, and there was now legal advice to back that up.

He said the agreement was not legally binding and did not create legal obligations or establish customary international law.

‘‘The Government would not support the UN compact if it compromised New Zealand’s sovereignty or could in any way take precedence over our immigration or domestic laws. But the compact does not do that,’’ Mr Peters said.

‘‘The Crown Law Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have provided legal advice, which confirms this UN cooperation framework is neither legally binding nor constraining on this country setting its own migration policies.’’ — RNZ