Choudhary Ashraf: Immigration Advisers Licensing Bill — In Committee 
Choudhary Ashraf: Immigration Advisers Licensing Bill — In Committee 
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Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY (Labour) 
: 
 I rise to support this bill and I particularly want to pay tribute first of all to the previous Minister of Immigration Paul Swain who brought this bill forward. I also congratulate the current Minister of Immigration my good friend David Cunliffe— 
Darren Hughes 
: The Hon David Cunliffe. 
Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY 
:—the Hon David Cunliffe who has done a great job in promoting this bill. I know personally how many meetings and discussions he has had with many many ethnic communities around the country. In many places I myself was with him to explain the purposes of this bill and why we had to bring it forward. 
The ethnic communities—the migrant communities—have a lot of horror stories. Over the years particularly the last 5 years that I have been in Parliament we have heard a lot of horror stories from many immigrants who had to deal with some of the fly-by-night consultants and advisers on immigration. 
I must tell members this story. I was in Tauranga last weekend and I heard some comments about the local MP from some of my friends who for whatever reason actually voted for the member opposite Bob Clarkson. They did so by mistake obviously though they did not realise it at the time. Now they tell me that the member for Tauranga is hardly ever available to listen to their plight. 
Some of those people have a lot of horror stories to tell about consultants. We have heard horror stories about consultants taking immigrants’ passports and money and then going off overseas leaving the immigrants high and dry and in a lot of difficulty. So I am delighted that the Government has brought this bill forward to make sure that our people—the immigrants and ethnic communities—are protected from some of these sharks who have been out to rip off these people. 
More important this bill is about managing our immigration. It is important to remember that this country depends in many ways on people who come from overseas whether they are skilled people or whether they are their families joining migrant communities here. These people have major issues. This bill will rectify some of the shortcomings that a lot of those people feel are in the system particularly in relation to some of the so-called advisers. 
I have another story. The other day somebody wanted to get permanent residence for his spouse. The so-called consultant after the first application was made advised this poor fella to go straight to the Minister rather than go through the proper procedures. This guy took all the couple’s money then sent the application over to the Minister for special directions. 
Dr the Hon Lockwood Smith 
: Ashraf you were once a respected agricultural scientist; look what you’re reduced to—filibustering to save a dying Government. 
Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY 
: The member is an agricultural scientist as well so there are no worries there. 
Bob Clarkson 
: Which way are you going to vote this time? We’re never sure. 
Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY 
: As I said— 
Darren Hughes 
: Put your burka back on Bob. 
Dr ASHRAF CHOUDHARY 
: He wants a burka; he should have a burka on him! I say to the member that he should be going out and looking after his constituents. He never takes the opportunity to see those ethnic communities and migrants. In his own area some of those ethnic people actually voted for him and they have never seen him again. It is very sad.