‘Racist’ requirement scrapped

WELLINGTON: A refugee policy that has been labelled as racist by migrant advocates is being scrapped by the Government.

Immigration Minister Iain LeesGalloway has announced as part of the Government’s threeyear refugee policy that it will get rid of the requirement for Middle Eastern and African refugees to have relatives already residing here.

The announcement has come just months before the refugee quota will jump from 1000 to 1500 for 2020.

Africa and Middle East regions will have their allocation increased from 14% to 15%.

The focus will remain on refugees from the AsiaPacific region, who will make up 50% of the allocation.

The number of places within the refugee quota for largescale refugee crisis situations will also rise from 100 to 200 places from July next year, meaning New Zealand will be able to maintain its ability to respond to a global refugee crisis.

A subcategory for women who are at risk will also receive more places, going from 75 to 100.

Mr LeesGalloway said the Government knew changes needed to be made and yesterday’s announcements reflected the priority given to people who needed refugee assistance.

A review of the policy was expected in July. However, Mr LeesGalloway said it was still being considered and a decision would be announced ‘‘soon’’.

Meanwhile, the twoyear pilot Welcoming Communities Programme is going to be extended to other parts of the country.

Ten councils across five regions and the Office of Ethnic Communities have been part of the pilot.

‘‘Helping newcomers feel welcome and included in the places they have chosen to live is what Welcoming Communities is all about,’’ Mr LeesGalloway said.

He said the programme was starting to deliver economic, social and cultural benefits to those communities involved.

The Government will allocate more than $6.6 million for the programme over the next four years.

Additional councils will be invited to submit expressions of interest in joining the expanded programme later this year. — RNZ