Adams Paul: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Third Reading 
Adams Paul: Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2) — Second Reading Instruction to CommitteeCWH In Committee Third Reading 
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PAUL ADAMS (United Future) 
: United Future is pleased to support the Immigration Amendment Bill (No 2). I take issue with Pansy Wong’s comments that United Future would support things that lead to corruption. That would be totally incorrect. 
Dear old Winston has his three policies to fix but now he is going to have to have— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: Order! The member will be referred to by his full name. 
PAUL ADAMS 
: I apologise. The Rt Hon Winston Peters with his three things to fix will have to place a bandage on one of his fingers because he obviously hit the finger instead of using this opportunity to bring his policy in and achieve what he had stated. 
This bill that we have been dealing with covers two groups of migrants. To start with the bill aims to prioritise those general skills category applications currently in the system of which we have heard there are 20000 representing 46000 people. As soon as this bill is passed which will be very shortly—thanks to United Future—those with a job offer relevant to their skills or with high points will be prioritised in the immigration queue. The Hon Richard Prebble tried to say that this legislation was introduced because the points system does not work. This bill is not saying the points system does not work and in fact the new policy will make better use of the points system by providing bonus points for applicants with relevant job offers particularly in regions with skills shortages. 
United Future is free to choose which legislation it supports in this House and we chose to support this legislation because it is good legislation because it is good for New Zealand and because it has been welcomed by New Zealand business which United Future will always support. Yes applications currently in the system from those who do not have a relevant job offer or sufficient points will lapse and their fees will be refunded. This will not affect those who already have a job-search visa or those whose residency decision is imminent although the Immigration Service will no longer invite people to apply for a job-search visa in order to get a relevant offer of employment in New Zealand. 
The current backlog represents almost 2 years of potential approvals under the general skills category and although many of these applicants meet the minimum points requirement only 57 percent in the last year had relevant job offers. Many of those who have applied are already in New Zealand on work permits or came here to look before they applied. I want again to underline the point that these people will still be free to do this. In fact their experience in New Zealand would count in their favour should they subsequently receive a job offer and apply for residency. Of the principal applicants approved for residence in 2002-03 62 percent had previously had a student work or visitor permit at some stage. 
From 1 July principal applicants must have a job offer relevant to their skills or qualifications. This is entirely consistent with the intent of the Immigration Amendment Bill debated earlier and ensures that everyone will be treated in the same way. It is also the reason that this bill must go through all stages today—to stop one group of applicants from using the window of opportunity presented by the normal legislative process to get their applications in under the old rules. 
Many speakers have already argued about the rapid nature of this change and the introduction of these bills under urgency. But it must be remembered that the Immigration Amendment Bill has had only its first reading. It will go through the normal select committee process and there will be further opportunities to debate it in this House. As for the interim bill we are currently debating given its alignment with the primary bill United Future believes that the experience over the next few months will greatly inform the select committee about how this shift in policy will work in practice. For example the committee may want to look at whether the idea of lapsing unsuccessful applicants after 3 months is workable and fair. 
Another point to reiterate is that there will be no significant change in the number of people who gain residence here. There is essentially a new filter in the application process because the Government is inviting people to apply but only the number of applications provided for in the New Zealand immigration programme will be considered. The number remains at 45000 with 60 percent set aside for skilled immigrants and this will continue for the next 3 years. If anything the approvals process will be much faster than it is now but the total number will remain stable and predictable. This is totally consistent with United Future’s immigration policy. 
To conclude this bill prioritises those currently on the list who already have job offers rather than those who do not have a job and could end up on the dole. United Future is very pleased to support this legislation.