WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Hours after calling an early parliamentary election, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on Tuesday vowed to push through legislation aimed at cracking down on people smuggling.
Prompted by reports from New Zealand officials that a boat carrying 35 Vietnamese asylum seekers could be heading for New Zealand, Clark said her government “is determined to protect New Zealand’s borders.”
She told Parliament that asylum seekers who are “not genuine refugees will be removed from New Zealand.”
Her tough stance mirrors the hardline policy adopted by the Australian government last year, which the public widely supported despite criticism from human rights advocates. Months after taking a tough stance on asylum seekers, Australian Prime Minister John Howard won a third term in office in national elections.
The proposed legislation in New Zealand, which has broad public support, is expected to be passed by Parliament this week before lawmakers hit the campaign trail.
Clark earlier announced a July 27 election, more than three months ahead of the expected date for the parliamentary poll.
Under the legislation, people convicted of the new crime of organized people smuggling would face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and fines of up to 500,000 New Zealand dollars ($220,000).
Authorities would also be able to detain and then deport asylum seekers who are not deemed eligible for refugee status.
Separately, New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said the Vietnamese asylum seekers were likely heading to Australia though his Australian counterpart, Alexander Downer, said he believed a small fishing boat from Vietnam was headed for New Zealand.
