NZ scraps ‘racist’ refugee policy
WELLINGTON - A refugee policy that’s been labelled as racist by migrant advocates is being scrapped by the government.
Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway has announced as part of the government’s three-year 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 per cent to 15 per cent.
The focus will remain on refugees from the Asia-Pacific who will make up 50 per cent of the allocation.
The number of places within the refugee quota for large-scale 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 sub-category for women who are at risk will also receive more places going from 75 to 100.
Mr Lees-Galloway said the government knew changes needed to be made and today’s announcements reflected the priority given to people who need refugee assistance.
A review of the policy was expected in July, however, Mr Lees-Galloway said it was still being considered and a decision would be announced “soon”.
In August, World Vision presented a petition to the Education and Workforce Select Committee calling for the refugee policy to be fairer.