Zaoui costs grow to over $1.2m

Taxpayers have spent more than $1.2 million on Algerian asylum seeker Ahmed Zaoui, and there is still no end in sight to his case, says New Zealand First associate immigration spokesman Dail Jones. Mr Jones yesterday released figures supplied by Immigration Minister Paul Swain showing costs related to Mr Zaoui's case were $1.22 million as at September 30.

Government organisations involved included the Crown Law Office, Legal Services Agency, Department of Corrections, Department of Labour, and Ministry of Justice. The figures did not include costs incurred by the Security Intelligence Service, as was long-standing practice, Mr Swain said.

Mr Jones, labelling Mr Zaoui a "parasite" who should be sent packing, said families struggling to make ends meet would be dismayed to learn so much money was being spent on the Algerian.

Mr Zaoui has been in custody since arriving in December 2002. He is being held on the basis of a Security Intelligence Service security risk certificate, despite a declaration by the Refugee Status Appeals Authority last year that he was a genuine refugee.

The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, Justice Paul Neazor, is reviewing the certificate, which if confirmed could lead to Mr Zaoui's expulsion.

Attorney-General Margaret Wilson announced yesterday that the Crown would appeal against the Appeal Court's recent decision on Mr Zaoui.

The court ruled on October 1 that Mr Zaoui's human rights should be taken into account when his security risk is assessed.

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