McDowall JamesDr JAMES McDOWALL (ACT): Thank you Mr Speaker. This bill extends the extraordinary powers granted to the Minister for pretty much the remainder of this parliamentary term. ACT has been consistent in our messaging from the start: the Minister is asking for too much and even if he was asking for one year as opposed to two years we are simply not satisfied with the performance and the execution of these powers over the last year to support it in any way. It is also good and refreshing to hear that the National Party has changed its mind and has come over to our side of this debate.The questions I've had aside from the term length are (1) will the powers be used for good and with agility; and (2) will they be used in conjunction with significant and transparent work on immigration policy and crucially fixing the worst performing and most dysfunctional Government agency in this country? That is the big picture.I do wonder if the Minister will have to ask for additional powers during the rest of this parliamentary term in order to deal with the wide range of self-inflicted challenges because these extraordinary powers are a band-aid for failed policy and a lack of vision or even a vague attempt at efficiency. Policy needs to recognise the long-term and generational benefits of migration and the economic and cultural benefits that come from the networks that new migrants have in their home countries.What we need is an immigration system that is fit for purpose simple in its pathways transparent and one that rewards and encourages hard work and enterprise. What do I mean by transparency? Well for one it's about getting rid of these last-minute announcements which to be fair to the Minister has been a feature of our immigration system for many years even before he became Minister. It is also about engagement with stakeholders which has been totally absent from this legislation.We also need to deal with the dual purpose of visas. They've got to be fit for purpose. Delays will resolve themselves by simplifying and streamlining policy because visa processing delays are a symptom of policy failure. In many cases policies are designed for one purpose but they're being used for other purposes. This encourages fraud is confusing to applicants it creates enormous processing delays and frankly in my experience Immigration New Zealand (INZ) staff are often incapable of applying complicated policy.As I've stated in previous calls we currently have a mass of backlogged applications and onshore migrants stranded on their pathway towards residency. INZ processing is absolutely at breaking point. I personally think that they should consider wiping the slate clean and allowing applicants to enter a transitional pathway to residency with clear and simplified criteria. There should be a focus on directing the current onshore migrant community to qualifications industries and regions that need them while new policy is drafted and debated.We also need to acknowledge the realities of the immigration space in New Zealand. We must compete internationally for investment and skills. There is a need for migrant labour at all skill levels and sectors and that policy can be a driver of fraud and exploitation. Honesty and a fit-for-purpose immigration system will provide clarity for migrants will reduce abuse and simplicity will enable operational efficiency. And the criteria can be adjusted to meet the needs of regions and businesses including recognised seasonal employers who have been totally abandoned over the last 12 months.The Minister should also be using his extraordinary powers to bring in more international students and simultaneously focus on improving student visa policy to reward and incentivise international students. There should be a list of qualifications that are in demand and a simple and clear pathway to residency upon graduation. Student hardship should also be alleviated with broader and larger working rights which will reduce immigration fraud.As we've said ACT supported the original legislation given the uncertainty around the novel coronavirus at the time. The world will look very different in 2023 and we feel that it would be irresponsible for us to support this bill. We put our trust in the Minister to use these extraordinary powers wisely and for good to reunite split families which is well overdue and to address the longstanding issues at Immigration New Zealand. But alas all we've heard is excuse after excuse and a border exemption process that fails to meet our expectations.I wish the Minister well in sorting out his department and for developing policies that create real positive change for New Zealand. It would be great to be debating and supporting a new immigration bill that achieves everything I'm talking about but instead all we've had from the Minister in the immigration space is this bill—a disgraceful power grab that is full of excuses. But that's all from us—we've said our piece and we once again oppose this bill. Thank you.