8. Immigration Policy—Skilled Migrant CategoryBARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country) to the Minister of ImmigrationImmigration Policy—Skilled Migrant Category8. BARBARA KURIGER (National—Taranaki - King Country) to the Minister of Immigration: What recent announcements has he made in relation to immigration settings?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (Minister of Immigration): Today I confirmed changes to essential skills work visa conditions which will be introduced on 28 August. These changes were first proposed in April following which there was extensive and valuable consultation. The policies consulted on have been largely confirmed with broad support for the Government's goals of clarity for temporary visa holders ensuring only higher-skilled and higher-paid migrants can stay longer and ensuring Kiwis are at the front of the queue for those jobs.Barbara Kuriger: What changes have been confirmed that differ from the initial proposal?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: We have amended the remuneration threshold for the mid-skilled migrant category which will now be set at 85 percent of the median income. That figure will be $41538 instead of the $48859 that was proposed in consultation. The new threshold recognises the fact that migrant workers in this band are filling genuine shortages and are more likely to progress with further skills acquisition work experience and consequent pay increases. It provides more certainty for employers in planning and training their workforce.Barbara Kuriger: What was some of the key feedback he heard during the consultation period?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Some of the feedback revealed a misunderstanding—that roles paying less than the minimum wage would no longer be filled by overseas workers. That was not correct and may have been influenced by regressive policies being announced by other parties at that time. Overseas workers can still be recruited when there is a genuine need. I would like every single one of the more than 10000 jobs being created each month to be filled by Kiwis and the Government will work with businesses to that end but it will not throw business under a political bus with regressive immigration policies.Iain Lees-Galloway: Why on earth did he not consult on these policy changes before he announced them rather than putting himself through this embarrassing back-down?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: This policy has been the culmination of 2½ years of consultation with business and ethnic groups. There has been a plethora of briefings and about a dozen Cabinet papers—that member has got a copy of each one so he knows that that question is just not true.Iain Lees-Galloway: Why has he not adopted Labour's policy of regionalising the skill shortage lists—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The member has a right to ask his question. He can start his question again.Iain Lees-Galloway: Why has he not adopted Labour's policy of regionalising the skill shortage lists given that—[Interruption]Mr SPEAKER: Order! The Hon Gerry Brownlee I ask you to cease your interjections. If I need to take stronger action I will do so. The member can start his question again and I do not want any interjection whatsoever from my right-hand side.Iain Lees-Galloway: All right—third time lucky. Why has he not adopted Labour's policy of regionalising the skill shortage lists given that Federated Farmers was heartened" by the Labour Party's proposal to create regional skill shortage lists that place emphasis on the settlement of skilled workers in the provinces?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: That member needs to do a great deal more work than he clearly has because the immediate skill shortage list is regionalised.Iain Lees-Galloway: Oh no it's not—one region.Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: Every occupation is targeted—that member needs to do more work. The Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme is regionalised. The skilled migrant points are focused on the regions. Here is what we will not do: cut tens of thousands of visas just for a political imperative which is Labour's policy.Darroch Ball: When there are almost 91000 youth who are not in employment education or training how will these changes ensure that the Government is adopting a New Zealanders - first policy given the increase of 17000 in the number of work visa approvals in 2016-17 to 226000?Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE: I think the Minister for Social Development has very eloquently destroyed that "neets" number as being simply incorrect when it is portrayed as 90000 young people ready willing and able to do jobs that they cannot get. That is simply not right. I would also point out to the member that the category of visa that we have just made changes to had about 38000 visas issued in the last year. When that member's leader was the Minister of Foreign Affairs it was 57000 and in a much smaller economy. This Government does more than any to make sure New Zealanders are put at the front of the queue."