Minister lashes 'gutless' advisers

By NICK PERRY
health reporter

Immigration Minister Tuariki Delamere is lashing out at his own advisers and other critics of the Government's new HIV-Aids policy for immigrants.

This week, Mr Delamere announced that from next July, anyone wanting to enter the country for more than two years would have to pass a mandatory HIV test overseas.

The policy is expected to affect mainly the 750 to 850 refugees New Zealand takes each year under a quota system, who are not now required to undergo any medical tests before arriving in Auckland.

Yesterday, Mr Delamere described those critical of the policy as "PCs and greenies" and criticised Government advisers for not sticking to their initial staunch opposition.

"All departments involved in this proposal initially opposed it, but they have since backed off from that position. I find the whole stance from them quite gutless, really.

"I have no problem receiving advice from them when they think I am wrong. But I do object to them obstructing the process on the basis they think they know what's best."

Mr Delamere said he had talked to 200 to 300 people on the policy and everyone agreed with it.

"There are millions of refugees in the world, and we will take our 800. But I would prefer to take 800 who don't have HIV-Aids."

The Aids Foundation said it was flabbergasted the decision could be made in the face of opposition from all the Government departments involved. Executive director Kevin Hague said people such as the Australian girl Eve van Grafhorst would now be turned away.

Public health medicine specialist Dr Lester Calder said the $1 million to $2 million a year spent on refugees with Aids was a tiny portion of the health budget, and testing would only stigmatise the disease.

Health Minister Wyatt Creech said that while his ministry had initially opposed the changes, it had supported the final package. The policy change would bring New Zealand into line with Australia.

Labour's immigration spokeswoman, Lianne Dalziel, said that while her party accepted that the issue of HIV-Aids testing needed to be addressed, it was not satisfied the appropriate policy work had been carried out.