Peters rejects Aussie refugee legislation
Banning refugees who come from Nauru to New Zealand from entering Australia would create ‘‘second class citizens’’, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says.
Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday he would support refugees being moved from Nauru to New Zealand if legislation were passed to stop them from then going across the ditch.
That would mean those refugees here would not have the same rights as other Kiwis.
Australia is considering a legislation change but when Peters was asked yesterday what his response to Morrison’s offer was, he said: ‘‘Well, you know, we’re going to have to consider whether or not, as a result of our 2013 commitment, we end up with people who are second-class citizens in New Zealand.’’
Peters was asked if he would consider a law change in New Zealand to ban the refugees transferred here from going to Australia. ‘‘No, I’m considering talking to all of my Cabinet colleagues and all those that are involved and the prime minister as well because that is a serious consideration that may have been overlooked here,’’ Peters said.
‘‘We don’t believe in secondclass citizenship.’’
When it was put to him that refugees had said the ban wouldn’t concern them and they’d be happier in New Zealand than Nauru, Peters said: ‘‘Look, I appreciate that but, in the end, it’s about the standards about this country.’’
Morrison said on Tuesday there was a bill still sitting in the Australian Parliament from 2016 that would close the back door from New Zealand to Australia.
That legislation would prevent anyone transferred to New Zealand from Nauru from travelling to Australia.
The bill was opposed by the Labor Party and the Greens; and the cross-bench senators prevented that protection being put in place, he said.
‘‘I would urge them to reconsider their position on that.’’
Sky News understood the
The legislation would prevent asylumseekers who arrived by boat after mid2013 from applying for an Australian visa.
Australian Government planned to call for a vote this week on the legislation. It would prevent asylum-seekers who arrived by boat after mid-2013 from applying for an Australian visa.