Brown Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Brown Peter: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:645;Page:14169] 
7.  
PETER BROWN (Deputy Leader—NZ First) 
 to the  
Minister of Immigration 
: What were the findings of the Immigration Service’s 2004 investigation into Somalian refugee Asha Ali Abdille? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE (Minister of Immigration) 
: 
 I preface the answer to this question by noting there is a case before the courts. I am sure that neither that member nor anyone else in the House would want to jeopardise that serious matter. I am advised that the Immigration Service’s 2004 investigation into Asha Ali Abdille found that Ms Abdille had acquired criminal convictions after she was selected to come to New Zealand in 1994 but that those convictions did not affect her residency or refugee status. The report further noted that she had sought to sponsor 14 family members to come to New Zealand and that their applications were still under consideration at the time of the report. For the member’s information 13 of those applications were subsequently declined. One sister was granted residency in 2005. 
Peter Brown 
: Is the Minister aware that relatively shortly after Madam Abdille’s arrival here she stated that she was not happy and wanted to return to Somalia—so much so that there was a collection by Wellington’s refugee support service which raised money for an air ticket home only for her to change her mind again; if the Minister is aware of that and if she is found to be guilty in relation to her recent antics in endeavouring to leave this country will he ensure that she does leave it permanently? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: I am aware of some speculative comment in relation to the first part of the member’s question. As to the issue of what may or may not happen to Ms Abdille it would not be appropriate given that the matter is before the court for me to make any comment at all on it. 
Ron Mark 
: Would the Immigration Service ignore in normal circumstances an immigrant’s amassing of a huge dossier of convictions—including at the time of the 2004 review those of threatening to kill and common assault two counts of assaulting a police officer and a charge of conspiracy to murder after allegedly hiring someone to kill another person in a case that did not go to trial because a police witness refused to testify—when determining his or her ongoing right to live in New Zealand? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: Bearing in mind again the legal proceedings I am advised that Ms Abdille was selected to enter New Zealand as a legitimate quota refugee in 1994 as I said. I am advised that Ms Abdille had no criminal convictions when she arrived in New Zealand. I also note that since 1999 quota refugees have received a full psychiatric evaluation on arrival in New Zealand. I am advised that in 1994 little if any psychiatric support or evaluation was provided to quota refugees. I would note that quota refugees by the very nature of their being refugees have been subject to trauma which is why they are in refuge from their countries. I repeat that in 1994 there was very little support; now since 1999 full psychiatric assessments have been done as refugees enter New Zealand. 
Barbara Stewart 
: Is the Minister concerned that despite being described by the chairman of the Wellington Somali Community Association as having “quite a history of mental instability” and as being “an alcoholic and very unstable” Abdille was declared by the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board to be of no threat to herself and others just days before she attacked and wounded two Air New Zealand pilots with a knife? 
Hon CLAYTON COSGROVE 
: I am aware of a number of those facts. As I have said since 1999 quota refugees have been supported with psychiatric assessments. It is worth noting though that if issues are identified full and ongoing treatment is offered. However I am advised that under the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act individuals cannot be compelled to accept treatment or be incarcerated except under certain circumstances. Compulsory treatment requires a court to determine that a person is mentally disordered within the meaning of the Act and to make a compulsory inpatient order or community treatment order for that person’s treatment. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I raise a point of order Madam Speaker. I am sure that this will have occurred to you and to others but I ask what credence can be applied to a police record obtained from the authorities in Somalia. I mean do we get it from a warlord or what? 
Madam SPEAKER 
: No that is not a point of order.