Care for the carers

“Paying rest home carers far below what they are worth can no longer be tolerated” says Democrats for Social Credit Advocate for Seniors, Heather Marion Smith.

"The Aged Care Association estimates that $120 million from Vote Health would raise the hourly rate of the majority of carers to at least $17 - not enough but a good start." she added.

"Dependence on largesse from District Health Boards means useless bureaucracy and financial juggling" says Miss Smith "when the Crown spends well over $100 million a year on DHB debt-servicing!

“Not only does the Government condone this shocking waste, but there is no condemnation from the main Opposition parties. Labour/Green MPs have for years shed crocodile tears over the gender pay-gap but still refuse to promote legal and ethical alternatives for funding our essential services and infrastructures. Their doctrine is that private investors have the right to first call on the health and education dollars - dollars raised on the capital markets - when our sovereign central bank (the RBNZ) is equipped to fund our social and environmental needs free of interest."

"Rest home proprietors I have met would love to pay their staff more, instead of relying on so much on good-natured carers performing beyond their call of duty.

“Our senior citizens deserve the best, but even the most dedicated staff need a decent living wage".

ENDS

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