No More CYF WhitewashesNo More CYF Whitewashes

Thursday 22 Apr 2004 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Social Welfare

ACT New Zealand Social Welfare Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today asked what point there was in holding an internal investigation into Child, Youth and Family when the report will be nothing more than a whitewash.

"Time and again we have seen investigations and inquiries which say that CYF could do better - but nothing more ever happens," Dr Newman said.

"If the Minister were serious about getting to the bottom of the riot at Palmerston North's Mohaka Place CYF home, she would order an independent inquiry. Asking the department to investigate itself will not give her an objective report into the events that unfolded.

"The Minister must not forget that she has a responsibility to taxpayers - to ensure that her Government department delivers services efficiently and effectively, and that taxpayers' money is spent wisely.

"This isn't the first time the Mohaka Place home has been in the news, and it has a history of trouble. I urge Ms Dyson to implement a full, in-depth, independent inquiry - not just into this latest incident, but the entire Mohaka Place home - and that the findings of this investigation be made public, so that New Zealanders can be assured that this sort of situation will not happen again," Dr Newman 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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