Green Party MP Sue Kedgley has been selected as Chairperson of Parliament's Health Select committee.

Ms Kedgley says she is looking forward to chairing this important Parliamentary committee in a fair and impartial way.

"In select committees it's important that all members are able to contribute fairly and equally to the work of the committee," she says.

"There are huge health issues that need to be addressed in New Zealand, and I am heartened by the fact that committee members are interested in tackling issues such as the epidemics of type 2 diabetes and obesity, especially amongst children, breast cancer prevention, and the crisis in the aged care sector.

"I hope our committee will be able to explore solutions to these and other serious health problems that confront our nation.

"I hope too that we will focus on preventative health, and ways of keeping us all well, rather than just on treating people once they have become sick.

"We are spending an extraordinary $10 billion dollars of government funding each year treating four million New Zealanders. If our health budget is not to overwhelm and ultimately bankrupt our nation, we must consider innovative ways of improving the health and well-being of New Zealanders, and especially our children." Ms Kedgley says.

ENDS

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