Promise of Improved Treatment for Veterans Welcome

Wednesday 4th Apr 2001 Rodney Hide Media Release -- Other

ACT Finance spokesman Rodney Hide today congratulated Prime Minister Helen Clark for her pledge of proper treatment for Vietnam war veterans and also their children affected by Agent Orange.

“The Prime Minister is right to be ‘not satisfied with the progress being made on this issue’. I am pleased that she is overriding the Minister of Veteran Affairs and taking on the issue herself. The Vets and their families deserve action, not procrastination.

“The issues are these: * The Vets should be able to keep their Veteran’s Pension while working part-time – that work plays a big part of their rehabilitation * The children of Vietnam Vets suffering ill-health because of Agent Orange need to come under the care of Veteran Affairs – they are as much a casualty of the War as their parents * The Vets need to be welcomed home from the War officially by the government and to be finally given a medal for their service.

“I look forward to working with the Prime Minister and her team to get a better deal for the Vets and their families,” Rodney Hide said.

ENDS

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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