Hon Tariana Turia Speech Notes

Cervical Screening Inquiry Report

Tena koutou katoa

I would like to support the sentiments of the Hon Annette King, and offer my apologies on behalf of the Government, for the events of the last decade that led to the Gisborne Ministerial Inquiry.

You and your families have endured this traumatic experience. I am humbled by your courage, and inspired by your commitment, that by being involved in the inquiry, you are ensuring that this situation never ever happens again, in this country.

The protection of the whare tangata and the whakapapa of future generations, must be protected, at all costs.

It is our responsibility, as a government we must accept this responsibility alongside of you. We must ensure that the integrity of the National Cervical Screening Programme is not comppromised. Many lives have been saved through cervical screening, and we must ensure that this programme continues.

It is important that we restore your confidence, so that future generations of our women will participate.

The report acknowledges the wrongs and puts in place recommendations that we are committed to implementing.

It is the intention of this government and the Ministry of Health to put in place a system that has quality monitoring and audit procedures.

Ma atua me o tupuna hoki, hei manaaki, hei tiaki koutou me o whanau katoa.

Ends

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