Nats on Immigration: "Don't come to NZ, criminal scum!"

So the Nats have released their immigration policy, and at the centre of it (well, all over it, given how thin it is) is the use of language most-often used in the criminal justice system to deal with immigrants. They are to be placed on "probation" without some of the ordinary rights one usually grants to migrants. Another dog whistle, folks!

As a migrant myself, I find this sort of pandering to xenophobia deeply distasteful. I don't have as much concern about further restricting social security benefits (though I disagree with that too), but basically saying "one slip and you're out" is pretty harsh stuff. There are already rules which restrict what permanment migrants can do, but this goes further.

Delicious irony, too, that the same day we get reports that immigration has plunged. National says it wants more migrants, but is becoming more derogatory in its proposed treatment of migrants.

Way to welcome new Kiwis, National. Trying to out-winston Winston, as Paul Swain said, doesn't exactly look pleasant. Another nail in the coffin of the good old liberal National Party we had in the past.

Comments

[RWDB]

Jordan, "probation" can simply mean a test period or process (ie no criminality implied), and that's clearly the sense that is being used here. Look it up in the dictionary.

I know you love to blame Don Brash for everything, but it really isn't his fault that you are ignorant of the English language.

Or perhaps you are just feigning ignorance for the sake of engaging in juvenile partisan attacks. It's difficult to tell with you.

[Jordan]

The purpose of Doctor Brash's comments is to dog whistle, again. I have clarified that in the post as above.

[RWDB]

You have no evidence of that apart from the fact that you don't like the guy.

Not long ago you were bemoaning the politics of personal destruction, and now you are engaging in it yourself.

[dogsbody]

- 'saying "one slip and you're out" is pretty harsh stuff'

Where "one slip" means "commit a criminal act."

[Mark Ellis]

I agree that some probation period is required from new immigrants about the expected behaviour when the come into this country.

I think there have been enough examples of a few immigrants (and I do mean only a few ratbags) that commit serious offences that give other immigrants a bad name.

I don't expect this policy to see more than a few people a year returned home, and only for serious offences.

[Idiot/Savant]

Oh, it gets worse. National's proposal to restrict access to benefits (explicitly targetted at refugees) would violate the Refugee Convention, and the proposed limits on family reuinification would likely violate the ICCPR and Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as various UN statements on the matter - not to mention common human decency. Brash would drag our good name through the mud and ruin our excellent international reputation for human rights. But I guess to them it's just the price of slashing taxes for the rich...

[Jim D]

"But I guess to them it's just the price of slashing taxes for the rich..."

What on earth is wrong with being rich?

[Insolent Prick]

So, Jordan, when National gets the majority of votes this election, and Don Brash becomes Prime Minister, will you fuck off back home to where you came from?

Or is the true problem that you're a whingeing, whining little turd who's got nothing better to do than protest the fact that in a democracy, the people can choose their own laws?

As for Idiot/Savant, you may want to live in a society where we open our borders to every cocksucker scum who wants to get the most out of New Zealand they can, rather than actually contribute to society. But don't expect New Zealanders to vote for a party that welcomes the scum of the world at the expense of those who can actually make a significant contribution to our way of life.

[Peter Wilson]

That last post contains some particularly insulting language, insulting to both myself and probably Jordan as well. I personally wouldn't be tolerating ad-hominem attacks such as that.

[tim barclay]

National had to come up with a policy like this to get support from NZF and hopefully cream off some votes. The National Party has traditionally taken a fairly stern approach to immigration. I remember those wonderful ads in 1975 with pacific islanders bashing up kiwis. The Labour Party hated them but they did the trick. And good old Allan McCready as Minister of Immigration and the dawn raids. I get quite misty eyed for those good old days. Well they are back and a good thing too.

[Max Soy]

The word "probation" to me obviously carries a negative vibe, a kind of stigma, to it. You're on probation. Which means you're not trusted. In Victoria, P-platers are on "probationary licenses" while in NSW they are called "provisional licenses". I much prefer the latter term.

Unfortunately, trying to out-winston Winston and pander to inherent xenophobia may have obvious electoral benefits for the National Party. It could be potentially dangerous, for it could leech votes off not just NZF but from disaffected, socially-conservative, blue collar Labour voters as well. This is partly why there are so many "Howard's Battlers" in Oz - they vote for the regressive social agenda. It would not be morally right for Labour to play the same card - they must judiciously and pragmatically refute the National stance.

[Idiot/Savant]

IP: I'd like to live in a society where I can look at myself in the mirror. One where we both fulfil our moral obligation to help those in need and keep the promises we have made to other countries about how we are going to behave. What Brash is suggesting is exactly the opposite: abandoning those in need (just as we did domestically during the 90's) and destroying the mana we depend upon to make our way on the world stage.

[Craig Hall]

If you're not a citizen and you break the law, deportation is an option anyway. Why do we need to say that again in a different, more offensive way?

What's the general difference between "If a non-citizen breaks the law, they can be deported" and "New non-citizens are considered to be on probation, which means they can be deported if they break the law"?

[Idiot/Savant]

Craig: National's policy is _will_ be deported, regardless of the severity of the offence. But there's also just the level of distrust it shows - it paints all immigrants as potential criminals to be evicted, rather than as potential neighbours to be welcomed.

[tim barclay]

It is not unusual for immigrants to commit offences, mostly traffic offences but sometimers more serious ones. Looks like National will bundle up immigrants and send them home even if they commit a minor traffic offence. I would go further and send home any cleric that uses the Koran to incite hatred against NZ and its Western values.

[dim]

I'm not sure this is such a good direction for the Nats to be heading . . . Sure, they may pinch a few votes off NZFirst, but they risk alienating asian voters, who are (a) mostly a natural National constituency and (b) an increasingly large, wealthy and vocal minority in this country.

Seems like a bad move for the long term future of the party.

[Paul]

Tim,

I'd go further and deport any arrogant bugger who uses the bible to insight prejudice and hatred against memebers of our society.

How does one get Mr Tamaki on a plane these days?

[Old Cougher]

Im all for cleaning up immigration, but Key and his bunch of incompetent fools wont be able to do it, thay will just pick on kiwis who are sick or injured, stopping benefits, and social services as usual,,,,see site http://oldmuso.com/