GUEST BLOG: Andrew Little responds to accusations of racism
The way comments made by me have been reported are baffling. Of more concern, however, is that they may have offended anyone. I would never want for anyone in this country to feel they are being somehow targeted. That’s not what I stand for and it’s not what Labour stands for either.
I was asked last week by the Hutt News when I visited Lower Hutt about apparent concerns locals had with immigrant chefs. As I recall, I pointed out the China FTA specifically allows Chinese chefs to be recruited for Chinese restaurants and there was a case for other ethnic chefs to be recruited on the same basis.
I said at some point I would expect with larger ethnic communities that chefs would be able to be recruited within New Zealand. I said there was an issue with semi-skilled people being recruited under skills shortages categories but I doubt whether this related to chefs.
I was asked about Labour’s policy on immigration generally. I said our approach was that as the economy slows there is a case to “turn the tap down”. I also pointed out ours is a nation built on immigration and that people bringing skills here from all parts of the world is essential for us.
I was asked about the same issues today by other reporters. I again pointed out the right under the China FTA to have Chinese chefs recruited into New Zealand. I repeated my statement about the immigration tap being turned down as the economy slowed. I said how important immigration was to New Zealand.
So, to be clear, Labour’s policy on immigration hasn’t changed. We need to moderate our intake at times when we are struggling to find jobs and houses for newly arrived folks as well as locals.
I will always support a progressive immigration policy and welcome all people who want to make a future for themselves and their families to be part of our beautiful country.
Andrew, I’m a leftie so I’m on your side. Yet over and again I hear this crap in the media (your explanation above sounds very reasonable), which leaves me thinking, well I’m not voting for him. Seems like you are being set up, and not for the first time. Do you have people looking into this? It’s more dirty politics. I don’t want you or the Labour party to engage in dirty politics, but you need someone who knows how to investigate and counter it. Really mate, more of this and you’re on track to lose the next one too. Love and kisses 🙂
And, Key was fed that chop suey line – let’s face it, it was clever, so clearly not something he thought up. You were set up.
Maybe it’s just my sense of humour, but I didn’t find Key’s comment funny, clever, or witty .
To me it came across as a weak response and about a schoolboy level attempt at wit!
Agree with you Grant.
Yes, but you’re smarter than the average punter. I agree it was childish.
The migrants taking jobs are temporary migrants with no likelihood of being granted residency or citizenship. They are for the most part a slave labour force. This is not an “immigration” issue and certainly not a xenophobic one. Andrew, you need your researchers to take a closer look at that. You were quoted out of context but you also did not emphasize this truth as you should have. New Zealanders have been made to think that permanent migrant labour vs NZ born labour is the issue, when in the vast majority of cases it is not. Please address this.
Andrew, why do you and Labour fall into the rightwing view that immigration should be shaped by the market?
When we on the left have immigration policies shaped by market needs we end up strengthening neoliberalism. I’m one of those people who are highly educated with a life crippling student debt. There’s no way I’m staying in NZ when I’m finished with my study, unless the government offers me a debt write off. With people like me leaving you’ll need to import educated people and thus the cycle continues.
How about the left step away from letting the market dictate our decisions? Ban the wealthy buying their way into NZ and raise our refugee numbers – not by a few hundred. The issue of immigration on our employment landscape is the result of our market based tertiary education system. Your free tertiary education policy was a good step, but 30 years too late. We need a debt write off scheme for graduates if they stay in NZ. If you think I’m staying in NZ to work for low wages to (never?) pay off a debt, then you’re dreaming. The debt that the last two generations have should never have been possible. The last place I care about is a country that gave me two choices: live a life in poverty on minimum wage, or get into lifelong debt.
The ball’s in your court Andrew. My generation are happy to buy one way tickets out of this place if you don’t step up.
Confusing as to why you are having a go at Labour because the ball is still in National’s court, National is still the government, and is still calling the shots.
It is Labour’s policy to ban foreign non resident speculators, National and their sycophantic media friends and supporters ridiculed Labour over it, remember? And it also makes sense to turn down the level of immigrants coming into the country during bad times. Andrew Little is correct in that.
Under John key the immigrant level is unprecedented, it serves National’s private agenda and interests BECAUSE IT DRIVES DOWN WAGES and National haven’t put in place housing and infrastructure to cope either, which also serves the property speculators.
“Confusing as to why you are having a go at Labour because the ball is still in National’s court, National is still the government, and is still calling the shots.”
I don’t care what National does, they don’t represent me. But Labour claims to represent me, so I’m interested in what Labour does.
“It is Labour’s policy to ban foreign non resident speculators”
Yeah, and that seems to be their solution to our housing crisis? Lame. Wealthy Kiwis will just step in and do what (supposedly) overseas people are doing. Labour didn’t even have a policy to build more social housing at the last election – can you believe that! And I’m not sure Little is going to offer one of any substance.
Here’s a solution: a massive state housing scheme and make it impossible to create wealth from owning land.
Here’s another solution: Stop blaming foreigners for all the problems we have.
I’d prefer to see Labour not whistling at Winnie’s base
Agreed. Some of our fellow lefties need to step their international Marxism game up.
Just another day in MSM and attack politics….
National are clutching at straws because they are aware that Kiwis are becoming tenants in our own country under their policies.
And the Natz are getting in 65,000 mostly National voting migrants while refusing to allow more than 750 refugees in who actually need somewhere to go!
Exactly SaveNZ.
That’s what National is doing.
Importing votes as fast as they can!!