Alliance Party immigration spokesperson Hon. Matt Robson says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and leader of the New Zealand First party seems determined to prove Samuel Johnson’s dictum that “patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel”.
Matt Robson says New Zealand First’s recent attacks on migrants are cynical electioneering that wraps the anti-democratic politics of bigotry in the flag.
“It is an old and ugly trick for politicians to seek votes through migrant-bashing policies.
“Mr Peters is introducing Trumpian, MAGA-style politics into the election campaign as he tries to distance himself from his role in the failed policies of the coalition government.
“Equal legal rights are a New Zealand value. Policies that strip fundamental appeal rights from migrants and refugees do not uphold that principle.”
Matt Robson says it is not a New Zealand value to deny citizenship to children of New Zealand residents.
“What comes next for New Zealand First – identity badges for migrants and refugees to be worn at all times?
“Why should taxpaying permanent residents have to wait ten years before being able to apply for citizenship? What evidence is there that this group of New Zealand residents is somehow disloyal?”
Matt Robson says former Prime Minister Michael Joseph Savage was a permanent resident without New Zealand citizenship.
“Was he disloyal to New Zealand?
“These MAGA-inspired, anti-migrant rants are the product of divisive and cruel politics that should be swept out of Parliament at the coming election.”
Matt Robson says the Alliance will campaign for positive not divisive immigration policies.
Note – About Hon. Matt Robson
Mr Robson is a former MP for the Alliance and Progressive parties, and was a Cabinet minister in the 1999–2002 Labour–Alliance coalition government. He is co-producer of the recent documentary Last Man Standing, on the life and times of Jim Anderton. Matt works as an immigration lawyer in Auckland and is actively supporting the relaunched Alliance Party.