6. Refugees—QuotaHon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of ImmigrationRefugees—Quota6. Hon MICHAEL WOODHOUSE (National) to the Minister of Immigration: Does he stand by all of his statements and actions?Hon Iain Lees-Galloway: Mr Speaker? [Minister sitting in wheelchair]SPEAKER: Oh—the member was going to put his hand up. The Hon Iain Lees-Galloway.Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY (Minister of Immigration): On any other day I would happily stand by all my statements and actions. For today the member will have to accept that I sit by them in the context in which they were made and taken.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Is it the Government's policy to increase the refugee quota to 1500 in this term of Parliament; if not why not?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I personally remain committed to increasing the refugee quota during this term of Parliament but there has been no Cabinet decision made at this time.Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. With all due respect the member Mr Iain Lees-Galloway was not asked for his personal opinion. The Hon Iain Lees-Galloway Minister of Immigration was asked a question about Government policy. Shouldn't he give an answer about Government policy rather than expressing his own view?SPEAKER: Well did the member listen to the answer?Hon Gerry Brownlee: I did. The answer was—SPEAKER: Well I distinctly heard the Minister say no Cabinet decision has been made.Hon Michael Woodhouse: If increasing the quota—Hon Gerry Brownlee: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. He should have elucidated whether or not as a Minister he supports that proposal—if he's taking it to Cabinet or not. He could talk about whatever he likes.SPEAKER: That's not the question that he was asked.Hon Gerry Brownlee: Well with all due respect I think you're ruling far too narrowly on how a question should be answered.SPEAKER: I can accept that the member thinks that.Hon Michael Woodhouse: If increasing the refugee quota is not presently Government policy why did Budget 2018 provide $7.7 million of new capital to expand the Māngere Refugee Resettlement Centre to help us meet future commitments"?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Because that expansion is required whether or not there is an increase to the refugee quota. That expansion is required to support good maintenance of that facility.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Not true. Does he agree with—Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. Is it in order for a member to suggest that I have misled the House in that fashion?SPEAKER: I think he—it's not polite but it doesn't breach the Standing Orders unless the member indicates that it was a deliberate misleading and I don't think he went that far.Hon Michael Woodhouse: Does he agree with Acting Prime Minister Kevin Davis' comments that "It is our policy that we wanted to double the quota to 1500 but it hasn't gone through Cabinet yet so it's not Government policy." and if so what reliance can be placed on ministerial commitments made prior to matters being considered by Cabinet?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: In answer to the first part of the question yes.Hon Michael Woodhouse: When he said "We are very firm in our commitment to increase that quota and our commitment before the election was to do that during the first term in Government and that is still my plan." was he speaking in his ministerial capacity?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Yes and I have made it very clear on a number of occasions that it is a policy that I am pursuing as Minister but that there is a Cabinet process that has to be gone through and that I am yet to take that Cabinet paper to Cabinet and there is yet to be a Cabinet decision.Hon James Shaw: Given that the Opposition has asked three questions about this today if legislation was introduced into the House to increase the refugee quota would he anticipate that the Opposition would put their money where their mouth is and vote for it?SPEAKER: I think everyone knows that the Minister has no responsibility for that including the member who asked the question and who's getting pretty close to being disorderly.Hon Michael Woodhouse: What confidence can this House or the wider public have that any commitment that he makes as immigration Minister can be relied on before Winston Peters says it can?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: I committed to introduce KiwiBuild settings; we've done that. I committed to make changes to post-study work rights; we have done that. And I have committed to making a number of other changes and the member can be absolutely certain that this Government is committed to introducing an immigration system that actually works for New Zealand that works for migrants that works for employers unlike what we inherited from the previous Minister.Greg O'Connor: What benefits do former refugees bring to New Zealand?Hon IAIN LEES-GALLOWAY: Refugees are often highly skilled have a strong work ethic and are very happy to be here. They contribute to New Zealand's growth and prosperity. I'm aware of research that shows a $2 return for every dollar invested in former refugees."