National's probation plan for immigrants

Don Brash

Immigrants will be put on probation for four years and have to meet good-conduct requirements to gain residency if National leads the next government.

Leader Don Brash will unveil the party's immigration policy in Wanganui tomorrow but the Herald understands it includes giving new migrants only provisional residency.

Instead of immediately having the right to live here permanently, new immigrants would be on probation for a period believed to be four years.

It is understood those who broke the law would be swiftly returned to their home country.

National has also been expressing concern about how easy it is for immigrants to qualify for welfare benefits and it is understood the party's policy will toughen this up.

The policy will be based on the premise that immigration must be of benefit to this country.

This echoes the fundamental principle of New Zealand First's hardline immigration policy.

Immigration has traditionally been the domain of NZ First, but National believes it is an area where it can capitalise on what it terms Labour's "softness".

National will position itself as more moderate than NZ First but willing to be tougher than Labour.

Labour has been embarrassed by recent immigration scandals, including allowing a former minister in Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime to live here.

Dr Brash will promote National's policy as "managed immigration" as opposed to Labour's "free-for-all".

While immigration does not rank with health, education or tax as an election issue it is still contentious and has the power to polarise voters.

Immigration issues are regularly in the headlines, most recently over NZ First leader Winston Peters' claims that moderate Muslim groups are sheltering fundamentalists who may be plotting terror attacks on New Zealand soil.

In the latest Herald-DigiPoll survey 2.4 per cent of voters said immigration was the most important issue, the same percentage as for Treaty/Maori issues and higher than superannuation, student loans and environmental issues.

In tomorrow's speech it is understood that Dr Brash will also concentrate on stemming the brain drain.

He has previously spoken about National's concern that the loss of people overseas, and their replacement with immigrants, is changing the nature of society faster than people are comfortable with or want.

Under National's policy, immigrants would be more carefully selected, and the emphasis would be on attracting skilled workers.

The probation period would be used to make sure immigrants were not abusing the system and costing taxpayers money.

Last week, the party's immigration spokesman, Tony Ryall, told the Herald a number of employers had told him of hiring overseas workers who had taken off once they gained permanent residency.

"Some people are being granted permanent residence and then absconding from jobs, going on benefits and committing crime."

He said permanent residency gave migrants virtually all the advantages and rights of citizenship. "That privilege should be earned."