Law review will stop bogus refugee appeals, says Peters

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he is confident a review of immigration laws will stop bogus refugee appeals.

Mr Peters' comments followed news that Amer Al-Khashali, a former minister in the government of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, would appeal the decision denying him refugee status in New Zealand.

His lawyer said part of his appeal argument, that publicity around the case, caused by Mr Peters naming his client in Parliament, had reached Iraq and made his client a target.

Mr Peters, who is now Foreign Minister but does not speak for the Government on immigration issues, has said the argument is "legalistic nonsense" and that Mr Al-Khashali will "waste taxpayers' money and waste tribunal time" before being told to leave.

Today he said he was confident that a review of immigration laws -- part of NZ First's support agreement with Labour -- would stop unworthy asylum seekers delaying their removal for years through endless appeals.

"The processes we have are now subject to a substantial review ... and this is one of the reasons we need to have a review and get this issue sorted out properly," he said on Radio Live.

"What I would say to some lawyers is that the days of carrying on with all sorts of legal processes at the cost of the New Zealand taxpayer without any merit to your case, those days are soon to be over."

Mr Al-Khashali, a 69-year-old former Iraqi agriculture minister, is awaiting the result of the Refugee Status Appeals Authority's October hearing into his claim, the Sunday Star Times reported yesterday.

He is also appealing for the reinstatement of his visitor's permit, revoked after Mr Peters named him in Parliament last year.

A discussion document on the review of immigration laws will be released in March.

- NZPA