Costello CaseyIMMIGRATION (MASS ARRIVALS) AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingDebate resumed from 1 May.Hon CASEY COSTELLO (Associate Minister of Immigration): I rise to speak in support of the Immigration (Mass Arrivals) Amendment Bill. To be clear this bill's amendments are focused on excluding members of mass arrival groups from provisions deeming certain passengers to hold visa and entry permission. It will: allow members of mass arrival groups to apply for temporary visas require members of mass arrival groups without visas to apply for entry permission on arrival adjust the period of detention for members of mass arrival groups extend the time of for detention of members of mass arrival groups until a mass arrival warrant application is determined and set time frames for the determination of mass arrival warrant applications.Listening to the debate last night it is apparent that many groups have made their concerns known through the select committee process that led the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee to be unable to reach a unanimous agreement on whether to recommend the bill.I feel privileged to speak on this bill because I have skin in this game. Having worked with victims of exploitation and now as the Associate Minister of Immigration responsible for refugee services I feel I have a good understanding of both what this bill is seeking to achieve and the reality for those who would likely be arriving as part of a mass arrival. I have worked to protect exploited migrants. I have interviewed them and seen the consequences of the manipulation and the force that is placed upon them both in this country and on their families in their homes. It is sad to see that there are individuals who would choose to manipulate people that are so vulnerable but it is a reality. I believe that this bill is necessary to ensure there are sufficient protections in place.Sadly we are fully aware of the millions of people that are displaced living in conditions that most of us could not even imagine. The level of desperation that must exist to flee those environments is something that gives you pause to think. We can witness that desperation every day in the attempts we see to find safe haven in countries where they hope there will be a better life—the risks they take these circumstances they will enter into to flee into an unknown in sometimes horrific conditions of transport to try and reach safe haven.It has been repeatedly noted in this House that the risk of a mass arrival reaching our shores is low. We live with a sense of security that we are beyond reach. We are a three-hour flight from any major departure point. We live in a sense of security that it is someone else's problem and it won't happen here. But as has also been said in the House this risk is low but it is not zero risk. The reality is that we have been rocked too many times in recent years by events that we thought would never happen here. The fact is that we have to be prepared and the introduction of this bill shows that New Zealand is recognising the importance of being prepared. We can no longer live with the comfort of hiding under the covers and believing that nothing bad can happen. This bill is a practical and logical step towards being prepared—to provide the foundation from which we can further develop plans create relevant procedures train people put in guidelines and perhaps even run a few exercises to test our capability. That practical step should be applauded. Having a legislative commitment is essential in this space. It sends a clear message that we know what we are doing and we are prepared for it.It is time that we behave like the grown-ups in the room and be realistic and balanced in our discussions. Much focus last night was placed on the human rights of those arriving and our responsibility towards those who had found themselves as part of a mass arrival. That is the very point of this bill. Just for a moment I ask those here to consider the circumstances of someone who has placed themselves in such a vulnerable position to travel to the end of the world. Think about what they have likely escaped. Think about their mental and physical condition from the circumstances they have fled and think about their mental and physical condition that will have been impacted by the reality of the journey they have taken to get here. But also think about the level of distrust and fear of authority that these individuals will likely have. I would then ask those here to think about those who have not voluntarily taken this journey or who have been deceived in the reason they took this journey those who may be at their time of travel under the influence of others and in fear not only of their own lives but for the lives of those that they have left behind. This is the reality of a mass arrival. These are the circumstances we need to have the legislative authority to deal with.There has been alarm created by the term detention". There has in this House last night been fearmongering about the type of venues that would be used for this detention: "What about our children?" was the cry. New Zealand rallies. If the last few years have taught us nothing New Zealand rallies. We created capacity and resource when needed we will do it again and this legislation makes sure there is the appetite capability and capacity to create it. It is a serious matter—not one for jibes and for conflict; it's one where we need to come together so we are prepared.Just for a moment let's have a sensible conversation. This bill is about protection—protection for those arriving and protection for New Zealanders from those that have arrived. I have spoken recently to those working and living in the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre. The mental health service providers explained the level of trauma that some who arrive here have to work through—and that is from those who have gone through a settlement process who have been interviewed assessed provided support health checks and given clear understanding of what lies ahead.What preparation and what intervention is available for those on a mass arrival? Detention is essential for those who likely have a very justifiable distrust of officials and will look to quickly flee purely because that is all they have known. These arrivals will have need as has been said before for healthcare immediate support and a safe haven. They need to be given time to build trust they need translators and they need legal representation. This legislation provides the time to understand each individual's circumstances and ensure that what is needed for them is in place so we don't make decisions at haste. We are ensuring that they are protected. We also need to know whether they are in need of other protections—from those whom they travelled with or from those who sent them here. There is so much that needs to be known and it is not a quick process.From across the House last night we heard impassioned words about the high needs and trauma of those arriving about how detention is the worst thing that could happen while offering no commentary on what the alternative is. Those who are trafficked or are being exploited need immediate and effective protection they need time to understand where they are and what is available. That is what this bill is going to provide. This is not a time for emotive rhetoric; this is our opportunity to be calm sensible and rational. This is our time to plan. This is our time to demonstrate that we will be prepared and that we have actually understood the reality of what a mass arrival means. I take great privilege in commending this bill to the House."