Source: Workers First Union
The Union Network of Migrants (UNEMIG) is calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to sack Winston Peters as Foreign Minister after his racist “go back to your own country” attack on Green MP Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan in Parliament this week, and to confront the wider pattern inside coalition partner New Zealand First that produced it.
Peters made the comment in the House on Wednesday, also telling Xu-Nan to “go back to where you’ve come from” and accusing China of lying “like a flatfish.” NZ First Deputy Leader Shane Jones backed him immediately, saying Xu-Nan “should know his place,” on top of Jones’ earlier description of Indian migration as a “butter chicken tsunami” and his call to “put them on the first plane and send them home.” China’s embassy has lodged a formal complaint with MFAT. Labour, the Greens and National’s own campaign spokesperson have all called the remarks racist or called for Peters to go. Prime Minister Luxon has so far called it “attention-seeking” and attempted to move on.
“For migrant communities, those words are not political banter. They are racist, harmful and deeply hurtful,” said Mikee Santos, UNEMIG coordinator.
“’Go back to your own country’ is one of the oldest racist insults there is, and it tells you that no matter how long you’ve lived here or what you’ve contributed, you’ll still be treated as an outsider.”
“Belonging in Aotearoa doesn’t come with an expiry date or a birthplace test, or a requirement to agree with those in power. Mr Xu-Nan has lived here for three decades and makes a valuable contribution to our Parliament and our politics.”
Mr Santos said the comments come from a political party that is increasingly visible as “the racist party”.
“This isn’t two ministers losing their tempers days apart, it’s New Zealand First’s playbook, and it’s rotten to the core. When language like this comes from the floor of our own Parliament, it gives cover for the same language in workplaces, schools and on the street,” said Mr Santos.
“New Zealand relies on migrant labour to run its hospitals, its building sites and its orchards, then has its Foreign Minister tell migrants to go home the moment they speak up.”
“Frankly, it’s very worrying that a petulant man with no impulse control and declining instincts is the same man negotiating trade behind closed doors with the countries he’s just insulted. That should worry every New Zealander, not only migrant communities.”
“There’s a real irony here too. China’s ambassador has felt the need to comment on how a New Zealand MP was treated by our own Foreign Minister. It’s a terrible look on the world stage.”
“Silence is complicity. If Chris Luxon lets this slide, he must wear it too. New Zealanders didn’t ask for imported Trump-era politics and we don’t want it here.”
“Aotearoa is already a great country. It doesn’t need migrant communities frightened and divided by textbook racism to remain that way.”
UNEMIG calls on the Prime Minister to sack Winston Peters as Foreign Minister, rule out going into coalition with a racist political party, and reaffirm its support and appreciation for what migrant workers bring to Aotearoa New Zealand.
Background information
UNEMIG is a migrant led, non-profit and non-sectarian organisation of migrant workers across the union movement which aims to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers in New Zealand.