Prime Minister Undermined By Tariana Turia Again - Peters

The Rt Hon Winston Peters MP, Leader of New Zealand First, today said that assurances by the Prime Minister and Minister of Health that there will be no preferential health treatment given to Maori have been seriously undermined by the Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia.

“In an interview on Morning Report (26.10.00) Ms Turia again highlighted that, as Associate Minister, she is more concerned about the Treaty of Waitangi, and political correctness, than she is in ensuring that health treatment is provided fairly and according to need – not race,” said Mr Peters.

Mr Peters said that whilst the health system must be culturally sensitive we have reached the unacceptable situation where political correctness is put before health standards and helping patients to get well.

“We have all heard the stories of patients being visited by family, children running wild and loud family gatherings disturbing other patients. While cultural sensitivities should be taken into account they should come second to providing top health treatment and ensuring that patients get the peace and quiet that they require.

“Meanwhile there are numerous culturally sensitive research programmes in operation which have never delivered one paper of any research standing at any time. They were set up under the previous National Government and continue under this one and they have never been held accountable. Anyone who has sat in on the Health Committee Hearings on the current Bill will know that Helen Clark’s assurances of equal treatment are not worth the air they pass on.

“While the Government continues to give issues of political correctness more priority than the more relevant and important health issues, New Zealand will continue to lag behind the health standards of many other western countries,” said Mr Peters.

ENDS

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