2 May 2007
Pansy Wong, MP National Associate Immigration Spokeswoman
The immigration advisers industry is holding its breath to see if Labour will stick to its pledge that their fees for registration will be significantly less than the indicative $1,000-$2,000 suggested during the passage of the bill, says National’s Associate Immigration spokeswoman, Pansy Wong.
“The Immigration Advisers Licensing Bill was passed into law last night and means that advisers will have to register to practice.
“At the last minute, after consultation with the industry, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe, introduced levies in addition to the fees set down in the bill.
“The New Zealand Association for Migration and Investment has the largest membership of immigration advisers in New Zealand, and they were rightly devastated by the underhand way this extra levy was introduced.
“I have sought assurances from the Minister, and he assured Parliament those fees and levies together will not go over the $2,000 mark. He also stated that he had been advised they will be likely to be set significantly below that level.
“National intends to make sure the Minister and the Labour Government keeps that promise.”
