Asset testing or not Labour?

Dr Lynda Scott - National Senior Citizens Spokesperson

Labour’s about face on the removal of asset testing for the elderly shows how shallow their campaign promises are, Dr Lynda Scott said today.

“This week Labour will vote to reinstate income and asset testing for those in long-term geriatric care. In 1999 Labour promised to remove asset testing for those people and since it has promised legislation to remove asset testing.

“Last week in a complete u-turn it tried to slip through a law change to reverse the removal of income and asset testing in the Health and Disability Services (Safety) Act. They could have just removed the income testing mistake, hence asset testing would have gone.

“Until the Government tried to change the legislation it was clearly accidentally keeping a promise that it is not honouring.

“Ruth Dyson is totally confused about what Labour’s stand on asset testing is. Older New Zealanders cannot be expected to have faith in any of Labour’s promises,” Dr Scott said.

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