Dalziel Lianne: Prostitution Reform Bill — In Committee 
Dalziel Lianne: Prostitution Reform Bill — In Committee 
[Volume:608;Page:5747] 
Hon LIANNE DALZIEL (Minister of Commerce) 
: 
 I want to speak only very briefly in this debate and on the Supplementary Order Paper in my name. It relates to amendments in respect of the Immigration Act to ensure that our obligation under the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime and its protocols on the smuggling of migrants and trafficking of persons can be fully engaged in respect of prostitution and commercial sexual services. That is to ensure that in decriminalising the laws on prostitution we do not unwittingly allow people to be brought into the country for the purposes of prostitution. That matter was brought to my attention by the office of the Minister of Justice and also by United Future which brought it to my attention through a question in the House. I undertook to do some work on the provisions of the Immigration Act to see whether the concerns that had been raised could be addressed. 
The provisions set out on the Supplementary Order Paper include in new clause 8B: “(1) No permit may be granted under the Immigration Act 1987 to a person on the basis that the person—(a) has provided or intends to provide commercial sexual services”. Concern has been expressed that the expression “has provided” would prevent people who have reformed from a previous life in prostitution and are wanting to settle in New Zealand. That is not the case. The basis of the application is that they have provided commercial sexual services so it is not intended to cover somebody simply because he or she has in the past provided commercial sexual services. 
I quote further from the provision: “(b) has acted or intends to act as an operator of a business of prostitution; or (c) has invested or intends to invest in a business of prostitution.” That basically covers temporary entry to New Zealand under a student permit work permit visitor’s permit limited purpose permit and the long-term business visa provisions which are work permits as well. That measure will ensure for example that the provision of commercial sexual services and the operation of a business of prostitution will be out of the question in respect of people who come here as students and get a permit to allow them to undertake work while they are studying. Indeed if people undertake that form of work their permits will be revoked. I know that members opposite take a different view on the substance of this bill and that is why they are making somewhat unnecessary interjections but I remind them that the whole purpose of work permit policy relates to skills shortages in New Zealand and that the long-term business visa policy is aimed at developing New Zealand’s economic position. Therefore in neither case does this particular area apply. 
The last thing I want to say is simply that I was asked by a United Future member whether this measure would pick up the middlemen—and they are almost always men—and the answer to that question is yes. Somebody who brought somebody into New Zealand with the intention of breaching this provision—and indeed any other provision of the Immigration Act—would be guilty of a very serious offence under the Immigration Act and would face those consequences.