Kelston candidates discuss immigration
One politician standing in Kelston supports current immigration rates, others want to put the brakes on.
National Party candidate Bala Beeram said his party valued multicultural communities.
He said his views on immigration aligned with the National Party’s in that it was crucial employers could use skilled migrants when there were labour and skill shortages.
Ma¯ ori Party candidate Cinnamon Whitlock said there has been a notable increase in migrants settling in Kelston. Her party wanted new restrictions on immigration, in a way that was responsive to humanitarian needs and would also aid domestic infrastructure and regional economies.
‘‘I personally think due to the vast inequality across the electorate, focus needs to be placed on better addressing the income gap, teaching shortages, homelessness and critical health problems that plague our community before we lift new migrant levels.’’
Conservative Party candidate Warren Knott said more support was needed for immigrant families. His party planned to replace GST with a Low Electronic Transaction Tax to ease administration in small businesses and to provide low income families with more money. His party had a net zero immigration policy.
Other candidates respond for this article. did not