4 July 2004

Government seeks to turn the tide in Greymouth

Senior Citizens’ Minister Ruth Dyson will have her opportunity to resell the Government’s position to representatives of all three West Coast Grey Power Associations in a public meeting in Greymouth’s St John Hall on July 19 at 2pm.

The high-profile Labour minister will meet and mingle with hosts from Greymouth, Buller and Hokitika Grey Power Associations.

A Grey Power spokesperson for Greymouth says the three associations “represent more than a thousand active Grey Power members, but are also recognised and respected as major support organizations for many retired families throughout the greater West Coast area.”

This is one of a series of meetings with Grey Power Associations throughout the country designed to remind older citizens of their historic allegiance to a Labour Government. Parliamentary sources suggest Labour is more concerned about the hold Winston Peters seems to have on the retired sector than the recent rise in polls by National.

Minister Dyson has agreed to discuss the issues seen to affect older people in the area including transportation, elder care in family homes and better funding for rest homes. Ms Dyson was specifically asked for “plain talk.” She will open the meeting to questions after her talk.

Greymouth Association president Peter Frankpitt announced a special candidate’s meeting in Greymouth on 16 August which will include representatives from Labour, National, Act, Greens, United Future and Christian Heritage. NZ First has not responded to the invitation.

ENDS

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