Urgent Inquiry needed into immigration

Michael Woodhouse should immediately establish an inquiry into the cash for residency scandal, said Dr Rajen Prasad Labour’s spokesperson for Immigration.

“He should make sure people have appropriate immunity when they come forward to any inquiry. At the moment the Minister believes it is a simple matter of a victim picking up a phone and complaining to the Immigration authorities.

“I have spoken to a number of leading immigration professionals who believe the system is so rife with job selling that only a powerful inquiry will expose the abuse.

“What a whistle-blower exposed this week is typical. The Minister has his head in the sand and refuses to examine the issues fully.

“Our immigration system serves an important purpose for businesses, communities, and families.  New Zealand needs a corruption free system to attract the best people for the various roles we want them to play in our society.

“I am at pains to understand why the Minister of Immigration fails to understand why his ministry will never uncover these rorts under the present approach of sitting and waiting for a complaint, said Dr Prasad.

“Who will complain when they will be compromised by any such investigation? The Minister needs a bold approach to eliminate job selling and I urge him to think again.”

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