Judith Collins - National Party Health Spokeswoman

23 November 2004

Collins asks SFO to investigate retirement village

National MP Judith Collins has today asked the Serious Fraud Office to investigate the actions of the Culverden Retirement Village.

Ms Collins took the case to the SFO after concerns were raised with her over the treatment of residents in the South Auckland retirement village. The SFO has asked Ms Collins for additional information before it will make a decision on whether to investigate.

Ms Collins is also asking why the Government has washed its hands of these vulnerable elderly people’s concerns.

“I am surprised the Government, given its teams of lawyers dedicated to these sorts of problems, did not fully investigate all the options available to the residents and advise them of the avenues that were open to them.”

Cabinet papers show the Minister of Senior Citizens, Ruth Dyson, was warned by officials that the owner of the Culverden Retirement Village had allegedly misrepresented the Retirement Villages Act.

ENDS

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