3 May 2012

Immigration changes a waste of time - Peters

8:34 pm on 3 May 2012

New Zealand First says proposed amendments to the Immigration Act are a waste of time.

Legislation that would help authorities respond to a mass arrival of asylum seekers by boat has passed its first reading in Parliament, with the Labour, New Zealand First, Mana and Green parties opposed.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told Parliament there has been no planning behind the bill, as it is meaningless without dedicated detention centres.

He says the legislation will also not deal with the 20,000 overstayers currently living in New Zealand.

The bill will now be considered by Parliament's transport and industrial relations committee.