Dr Jackie Blue MP
National Party Women's Affairs Spokeswoman

1 December 2006

Blue looks forward to tackling Women's Affairs role

National Party MP Jackie Blue says she's looking forward to tackling the Government's "failed record on women's issues" now she has been made Women's Affairs spokeswoman in National's reshuffled caucus.

"National recognises that in order to hold Labour to account for its failures in this area, we need a spokeswoman to hold the Government Minister to account. I am delighted to take on that role."

Dr Blue, a former breast physician, has been heavily involved in the campaign to get the Government to fund Herceptin, and has been a champion of women's issues in the National caucus.

"There are very real and present issues facing Kiwi women. I'm not just talking in terms of healthcare, but also domestic violence and of course, Labour has trapped far too many women in poverty.

"Without any doubt, National will be putting together policies that benefit all New Zealanders, but we will want to make sure that women are not disadvantaged in the process."

Dr Blue says she wants to spend some time "swotting up" on the work being done by Women's Affairs, but looks forward to the challenge.

"Labour always talks as if it has a monopoly on women's issues. Their record shows something quite different," she says.

ENDS

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