Changes to the immigration law and other unfriendly policies of the National Government came under focus at a meeting of the members and supporters of the Labour Party in Auckland recently.
The meeting held at Botany electorate in South Auckland demonstrated the frustration of community leaders, present and former members of Parliament and residents.
They raised many about the current government’s policies on immigration, change to school class sizes, and funding cuts to Early Childhood Centres.
Among them were Labour MPs Darien Fenton, Su’a William Sio, Louisa Wall, former Labour MPs Dr Ashraf Choudhary and Carol Beaumont.
Ms Fenton, who is also the Party’s Spokesperson on Immigration, said that Labour had strongly advocated ‘Family Reunification Policy,’ while in Government.
“But National is tightening the law by making it harder for low income earners to bring their parents into the country. Parents wanting to live with their children in New Zealand will also find it tougher to gain residency under a new tiered immigration system which favours high income earners,” she said.
Dr Choudhary said that parents with higher incomes will go straight to the front of the queue in ‘Tier One’ category and face less stringent eligibility tests.
“But those less well-off will be ranked ‘Tier Two’ and will face tougher conditions and longer waiting times,” he said.
A number of people present at the meeting expressed their dismay and disappointment at the changes made without proper consultation and notice.
As well as understanding their concerns, the meeting stressed the need to motivate South East Asian Communities to play an active role in politics by taking part in decision making process and governing roles.
Dr Choudhary and others said that while politics play an important role in lives, very few people from minority communities evince active interest.
“The reasons are numerous, but we need to ensure greater community involvement and encourage our youth in the local and federal governments, boards and other sectors,” they said.
As a result of less interest, our communities are disproportionately represented. The doors will not open until we knock them multiple times. It is an uphill battle but not unachievable.
Neelam Choudary is a Policy Representative on the ‘Ethnic Sector Council’ of the Labour Party. The above is an edited version of a report sent by her. The meeting was organised by her and Harjit Singh.
The picture appearing here shows (front row from left) Carol Beaumont, Louisa Wall, Darien Fenton, Su’a William Sio, Neelam Choudary and Jeet Suchdev (Back row from left) Robert Gallagher, Paul Chalmers, Harjit Singh and Dr Ashraf Choudhary
