Media Statement
Wednesday, 9 December

Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture

Dunne: Govt must put money where mouth is on elder abuse

UnitedFuture leader Peter Dunne today joined with Age Concern in calling for a Government rethink on its “lack of meaningful dollars and cents commitment” to combating violence against the elderly.

“There is rightfully a wholehearted Government commitment to stopping violence against children and women, but it seems very lukewarm on dealing with elder abuse,” Mr Dunne.

He was responding to a letter this week from Senior Citizens Minister John Carter to Age Concern refusing to seek Budget funding for elder abuse and neglect prevention services.

“It’s paying lip-service to the issue when there is a refusal to fund the kind of work that would help tackle elder abuse.

“It’s even more inexplicable when the Minister actually concedes that Age Concern’s proposals make sense – but they’re still not going to do anything about them.

“Yes, times are tough economically, but this is an important issue and elderly New Zealanders deserve more than kind words, platitudes and short shrift.

“They deserve to feel and be safe, and the Government can do a lot more than it currently is,” Mr Dunne said.

“The slogan ‘it’s not ok’ must apply to violence against elderly New Zealanders as much as it does violence against women and children," he said.

ENDS

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