The Indian Weekender, Friday 03 July 2020

The Indian Weekender Friday, July 3, 2020
NEW ZEALAND 3
IGNS – Govt
the 'playbook'
poses could lose their visa status and the entire
in the country as the government continues to
der closed can easily cause chills down the spines
inister’s when being queried about how
ely the Immigration New Zealand was applying
n giving exceptions to partners and families - even
ns and residents who were stranded overseas - along
isa holders who have been working diligently in
for years to enter back into the country, have been
o - playbook” card conveniently to deflect the line
ng.
e of temporary migrant workers stranded overseas,
ot been one single empathetic response from
e government - apart from the usual “appreciation
tration” slog, - which could assure the temporary
stuck overseas that they will not lose
tatus, for contributing in collective
eping NZ safe against the spread of
rus.
ny playbook for govt’s response
stranded temp migrant worker
t the government has returned
playbook mode, after accepting
ion of one of the Ministers in the
as per the core principles of Westminster
rliamentary democracy, is there any hope that
ide behind this annotation anymore?
ard, while the government might be right in terms
ical challenge that the current public health crisis
den border closure had brought upon it in terms
on the fate of the temporary visa holders stuck
However,
there is always
a playbook for the
government to look
compassionately on the
situation of individuals and
a large number of groups
who have been falling
between the
cracks.
outside the borders.
The question of our public health safety and keeping
everyone safe in New Zealand is indeed paramount and
non-negotiable, and mostly dependent on the government’s
ability to shore up quarantine facilities to house the
incoming travellers.
However, there is always a playbook for the government
to look compassionately on the situation of individuals and
a large number of groups who have been falling between the
cracks.
At the end, it is a question of political will, and not
capabilities, for any government to do what it wants to do
genuinely. No matter how the government chooses to present
the matter in public.
To make it clear, most of the temporary migrant workers
who are caught on the wrong side of the border, are willing
to bear a share of the burden of the quarantine cost, or
wait patiently outside borders for as long it takes –
as long as the government can come out and give
them a clear timeframe of the waiting period
and an assurance they will be getting a fair
chance as per their respective visas at the time
of the border closure.
Like all New Zealanders, temporary
migrant workers ordinarily resident in NZ have
already paid and are willing to continue to pay an
exorbitant price of keeping our country Covid-19 free
- all they are expecting is fairness and compassion from the
government.
And there is always a “playbook” for giving a little bit of
compassion to those in need for any government to follow.
Can this newly re-focused government play by playbook
now in the case of temporary migrant workers?
SIMON BRIDGES makes a
comeback in National caucus
as Foreign Affairs spokesperson
SANDEEP SINGH
The former National Party
Leader Simon Bridges has
returned to the caucus as the
spokesperson of Foreign Affairs - a
position that he asked for and got in the
latest reshuffle announced by the Leader
Todd Muller.
Mr Bridges will have a new ranking of
number 17 under the Todd Muller caucus.
“Simon Bridges will be picking up
the Foreign Affairs portfolio and will be
ranked at number 17.
"Simon has been leader and a minister
for a number of years in the last National
Government. He expressed a desire for
this portfolio and his experience will
be valuable in this important role,” a
press release from Leader Tod Muller’s
office said.
Fixing ethnic diversity issue at the
top, Dr Shane Reiti elevated to
No 13
In a move that clearly sought to fix the
issue of dearth of ethnic diversity (read
Maori-representation) in the National
Party’s front benches under the new
Leader Todd Muller Dr Shane Reiti
has been elevated to No 13 rank with
additional responsibility of Associate
Drug Reform.
“Dr Shane Reti will be ranked number
13 and will take on Associate Drug
Reform. Shane has demonstrated a huge
intellect and capacity for work, supporting
Michael Woodhouse in our Covid-19
response, as well as achieving much in
the Tertiary Education portfolio,” Mr
Muller said.
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