John Key overreacts to Pike River question

The Prime Minister has overreacted to a simple question about whether the Government will support the Pike River families’ proposal to re-enter the mine, says West Coast/Tasman MP Damien O’Connor.

“I asked John Key whether he would abide by his commitment that the recovery of the miners’ bodies would remain an ‘absolute priority’ and that the money for recovery was ‘no object’. He chose to respond very angrily.

“But I am pleased that at least he did confirm that he will write to the Pike River families who have put an independent plan to the Government to begin the recovery of the 29 bodies still trapped in the mine.

“Discussion has been going around in circles since the proposal to safely re-enter the mine, developed by three independent underground mining experts, was put to mine owners Solid Energy last month.

“The Prime Minister has previously reassured families that money was not an issue and if it was safe to re-enter then the Government would fund the operation.

“It is time for the Prime Minister to deliver and I hope his letter will enable some progress in what is an on-going agony for families,” said Damien O’Connor.
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Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>