John Key once again wrong on refugee numbers

Denise Roche MP on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 - 11:37

John Key has once again been caught overstating how many refugees New Zealand has accepted under his Government.

“John Key yesterday, during Post Cabinet, said that we have consistently taken 750 refugees a year under our quota system, but that is just plain wrong,” said Green Party immigration spokesperson Denise Roche.

“Since National has come to power, the refugee quota has only been filled three out of the six years, so John Key’s claim we consistently fill our 750 quota is blatantly incorrect.

“John Key knows that New Zealanders are generous and instinctively want to help people in desperate need, so is making out like New Zealand is doing more than it actually is.

“Yesterday, he implied that refugee service providers weren’t able to accept more refugees, but we challenge him to point out one provider who is against increasing the quota.

“Service providers, NGOs, most political parties, and the public all want a quota increase, yet National refuses to help ease the humanitarian crisis.

“Life could be transformed for another 250 desperate people if John Key mustered the compassion to help them.

“If John Key doesn’t immediately increase the quota, he will be on the wrong side of history on this issue,” said Ms Roche.

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