Before reading the below personal comments relating to the announcement of the Government yesterday confirming sweeping changes to Immigration Laws, I wish to refer you to an article published on this website on Thursday, 10 August 2006, "The Immigration Service got it wrong in about a third of cases where people appealed against being denied residency".

 I have great concerns to the changes in the Immigration Law which will be introduced in the form of a Bill in April 2007. A multitude of concerns have been raised however the proposed changes confirm that only a few of those raised issues have been addressed.

The government will now be able to play politics with human rights through the extension of the use of classified information in immigration decision making. Under the current act classified information  can only be used for security risks, while the new act has been extended to include national or international security, criminal conduct or significant international reputation issues for New Zealand may be an issue. 

What does significant mean in this context, and, what does reputation mean in this context? Pretty damned vague, isn't it?!

Decision making requires you know the full story and not half truth! And what about people with a personal gripe against you? They may provide false information to the INZ making it impossible for you to fight or defend yourself. In other words, you may not be able to defend yourself because you do not know the case against you!! Is that correct????

Some of the proposed changes include the streamlining of the appeals process preventing attempts to dragging out staying in the country. Yes, I agree with that in principle, however some points need to be raised;

How many more people have been declined who however did not appeal? How many more possible immigrants may we have lost to other countries?  

Would it not be better for the Government / Minister of Immigration to properly train Immigration staff to ensure that correct decisions are made in the first instance? Would it not be better for the Government / Minister of Immigration to work together with the Immigration Industry?

It appears that this Government is very good in so-called consultations and then decide to continue on their already planned and chosen route. The question may be asked if this is democracy?