Labour will set up Aged Care Commissioner

A Labour government will establish an Aged Care Commissioner to investigate claims of elder abuse, neglect and financial mismanagement, Labour Leader David Cunliffe today told Grey Power’s AGM in Invercargill.

“The elderly are some of the most vulnerable in our society and they need a dedicated Commissioner who has their very best interests at heart.

“We hear time and time again horrific stories about our elderly being neglected and maltreated.

“These are our mums, dads and grandparents. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

“Labour has been listening to the needs of the sector and an Aged Care Commissioner is something Grey Power and the Aged Care Association has been asking for.

“We would investigate funding the Commissioner out of the $5.7 million annual budget of the Retirement Commissioner.

“Labour is also committed to eventual pay parity for nurses and caregivers working in the aged care sector.

“Poorly paid aged care workers will also benefit from Labour’s plan to raise the minimum wage in our first 100 days in office and a further increase in April next year.

“A Labour government will create a fairer, kinder New Zealand. That’s the kind of New Zealand all Kiwis can look forward to growing old in,” David Cunliffe says.

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