National party contradicts itself (again)

“Tony Ryall wants less bureaucrats; Jo Goodhew wants a few more. What I want is to listen to the aged-care sector rather than National’s silly self-contradictions,” Minister of Health David Cunliffe said.

“Jo Goodhew’s calls for more staff to measure health status within the aged-care sector, is just another demonstration of an opposition spokesperson tripping over themselves looking for a headline.

“Labour-led governments have been paying attention to our ageing population. In the last Budget we invested an unprecedented amount into services for older New Zealanders - $150 million over four years in residential care and another $81.2 million to support older people them stay in their own homes if they wish.”

The 65 years and older age group was one of the first age groups to get their GP fees lowered and pay $3 for most of their prescriptions, in July 2004.

“I can count those savings for Mrs Goodhew if she likes – in dollar terms and in quality of life as older Kiwis seek advice for health issues earlier. This is in stark contrast to National’s policy of letting market forces determine doctors’ fees, a policy which is in the public arena only because National was pushed by the media and got caught out.

“If I had any time to waste I would run a sweepstake for their next inter-colleague stumble in the opposition health camp. But I am busy with more constructive matters.” David Cunliffe said.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The Skewed Media Coverage Of Gaza

Now that he’s back as Foreign Minister, maybe Winston Peters should start reading the MFAT website which is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of how Kiwis alerted the rest of the world to the genocide in Rwanda. How times have changed ...

In 2023, the government is clutching its pearls because senior Labour MP Damien O’Connor has dared suggest that Gaza’s civilian population - already living under apartheid and subjected to sixteen years of an illegal embargo, and now being herded together and slaughtered indiscriminately amid the destruction of their homes, schools, mosques, and hospitals - are also victims of what amounts to genocide. More