Helen Clark Has Changed Her Tune

Wednesday 3 Mar 2004 Heather Roy Press Releases -- Health

Today's revelations that Taranaki District Health Board has paid around $370,000 in costs, and a settlement package to its former CEO, makes a farce of Prime Minister Helen Clark's 1999 election rhetoric, ACT New Zealand Health Spokesman Heather Roy said today.

"In 1999, Helen Clark said:

· `I've had a gutsful. I don't intend if I'm Prime Minister to have to sit there and suffer one humiliation after another because of a culture of extravagance which has been allowed to grow in the public sector'

"She also trumpeted:

· `Whatever's in there, I want out!'

"And then:

· `We want to be able to look the ordinary hardworking taxpayer in the eye and say their money is being well spent'.

"Fast forward to 2004, and it is amazing to see how times have changed.

"I am calling on the Prime Minister to front up and explain why the departure of former Taranaki Health Board CEO was shrouded in secrecy from day one, and why Health Minister Annette King has tried to wash her hands of any responsibility or involvement.

"At the end of the day, taxpayers have a right to know that their money is being well spent," Mrs Roy 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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