Editorial: Labour's sellout on migrants

The Government strenuously denies that its sudden immigration crackdown has anything to do with the agitation of Winston Peters. Yeah, as they say, right. Just as a whisper of public resentment of the "closing the gaps" programme for Maori had nothing to do with the disappearance of that phrase in its first term.

If the Government had intended to stem the flow of non-English-speaking immigrants before Mr Peters began sounding off, its decision to do so now is abysmal. Not so much because it hands him another small political triumph but because it confirms the worst impression he creates of this country in the world outside.

The Prime Minister is right that Mr Peters' regular eruptions on immigration do untold harm to this country's reputation in Asia. Why, then, would she turn around two weeks later and hand him more credibility? It becomes very hard to assure Asian opinion that Mr Peters is a politician of little account in this country when they see the Government bending to his pressure.

And it took so little pressure. A couple of speeches, one opinion poll and a television programme and the Government appears to have panicked. In reaching for a language test to stem the flow it is resorting to a thoroughly disreputable tool of racial discrimination down through time. It is reminiscent of the segregationist electoral qualifications of America's southern states where language tests were easily manipulated for racist purposes.

The Government has raised the bar to the point that applicants in the general skills category will need to speak and read English to university standard rather than the secondary school level that was sufficient previously. It seems an unduly high standard to demand and the real purpose, sadly, is all too plain. It is a triumph of political fear over economic courage.

Immigration is good for the economy of a country with plenty of room for more people. And this country has plenty. Its population has barely grown by natural means over the past 25 years or so. We need immigration more than most and immigration is a delicate flower, easily discouraged when a country seems unwelcoming.

The Government knows the country's need of a far-sighted population policy but seems no closer to developing one. In fact it seems not to be doing much at all since the election.

Labour could be forgiven a certain reactive, risk-averse character in its first term. Its overwhelming ambition was to win a second. That it did, handsomely, by rescinding some of the unpopular reforms of the recent past and acting quickly against any of its side who caused embarrassment. But otherwise, it dared do very little. Duly re-elected, it is in a stronger position than before, having allies to its right and left, a position allowing Labour to do virtually what it likes.

It is now four months since the election, time enough to discern some sense of direction. But Labour seems still to be a reactive, safety-first party of political opinion poll readers rather than a Government that has the vision to lead. The immigration decision is just the latest reactive step in the months since the election.

Even its political defences seem to have failed it over the rotting homes saga and the Ross Armstrong embarrassment. An uninspired National Party has made hay in the House with both issues. Now National is turning its attack on Maori privileges in local government legislation. How long before the Government caves in on them? About two weeks, on the evidence of the immigration sell-out.

Further reading
Feature: Immigration