Media statement
For immediate release
Wednesday, 8 November 2006

Petition proves people prefer Plunketline

United Future deputy leader Judy Turner has expressed her full support for the 53,000 strong petition calling for the Government to again fund Plunketline.

“Plunketline has proven and continues to prove that it is trusted by families, which is something money can’t buy, and it remains a hugely popular and highly utilised service.

“The original decision to stop funding Plunketline was poorly considered, but now the Government has the opportunity and one could say a democratic obligation to reconsider this position, and provide funding to Plunket once again.

“The fact that Kiwi families ring Plunketline about 1200 times every week shows how valuable a service this is to New Zealand.

“Compare this to the $500 000 given to fund the 211 Helpline in my home of Bay of Plenty. This service was averaging only 36 calls a day, and effectively duplicated the Citizens Advice Bureau helpline.

“When the Government was funding Plunketline, they were actually exceeding the maximum level of service that they were funded for. The Government’s solution to their under-funding of the service was to withdraw funding altogether.

“This Petition provides a chance to put things right - and help Plunket, and young Kiwi families by providing funding to this popular and worthy service.

ENDS

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