Media Release

5 October 1999

LABOUR MENTAL HEALTH DENIAL REFUTED BY NEW ZEALAND FIRST

Mental Health past policies introduced by Labour leader Rt Hon Helen Clark are coming back to haunt her.

Dr Michael Cullen stated in the House that New Zealand First’s question today regarding care for the mentally ill should be ruled out because Labour had not introduced community care for mental patients.

“The harsh reality is that this flawed policy was introduced by Labour - as Hansard speeches and newspaper clippings from 1989 clearly show”, said New Zealand First MP Gilbert Myles.

“Are Labour now trying to forget what has become an increasingly unworkable policy?

“Or are they simply trying to bow out of the responsibility for the many patients that have been released into the community with tragic results for either them, their families, or complete strangers?” said Mr Myles.

ENDS

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