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Politics | Andrew Little

Labour supports plan to assist in refugee crisis

Labour leader, Andrew Little says if John Key’s plan to assist in the refugee crisis is meaningful that his party will pull its Emergency Humanitarian Response Bill.

Little says if the Prime Minister’s plan addresses the urgent nature of recent events it is a move in the right direction.

He says Labour welcomes the Government’s indications that it will allow hundreds of Syrian refugees into New Zealand.

“This issue is not about politics. It is about doing our best by some of the world’s most vulnerable people and acting as the good global citizen we have always been,” says Little

Prior to the Prime Ministers indication on the refugee crisis, Labour was planning  to introduce a bill to Parliament which would allow an additional 750 refugees into the country over the next year.

“If John Key’s announcement this afternoon offers similar relief to these people then there will be no need for the bill, which has significant cross party support. New Zealanders have made it very clear we are a welcoming people, keen to stand up and do our bit. Now is our chance to do that,” says Little.

“This is an urgent situation and our response must be urgent too. While Labour supports a long-term rise in the refugee quota to at least 1000 per year, the crisis in Europe requires greater action now.”