The Immigration Service's naivete in dealing with refugees resulted in the brawl at the temporary refugee camp in Whangaparaoa, ACT Immigration Spokesman MP Penny Webster said today.

"The Government cannot put refugees from different ethnic groups together in one camp, when the refugees' own countries have been at war for many years.

"This naivete is also displayed in Immigration Service references to 16- and 17- year-olds as 'boys', when we see news footage of even younger men involved in conflict.

"The Government's naivete and extreme foolishness caused this fight. We will see even worse clashes, if politically-correct and naïve bureaucrats remain in charge.

"Iraq and Iran have been at war for many years.

"The tension in the refugee camp should never have been allowed to escalate to the point of violence.

"The Immigration Minister must act this morning to ensure that the refugees and their neighbours are safe," Penny Webster said.

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