Time For A Reality Check
19 November 1999
MEDIA STATEMENT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK
"This election campaign has become clouded with smoke screens. The real issues are being lost in confusing statements being made by interest groups, political parties and media representatives who either do not understand the core issues for the country or are intentionally trying to divert attention away from these issues. These core issues are the economy, health, education, and government management," said National's Ikaroa Rawhiti candidate Dale Stephens.
Fact:
given the
external influences on our economy, it is hard to imagine a
brighter picture than the one the Reserve Bank painted this
week. Exports are up, wages are up, unemployment is down
and government debt is falling. If this is an "unfortunate
experiment" as Labour's Michael Cullen claims, then long may
the experiment continue.
Fact:
more is spent on health
now than ever before. 30% more than in 1991 and still
climbing. Nearly 30,000 more New Zealanders per year are
getting surgery than ever before. More and more health
provision is being handed over to community groups to ensure
optimal delivery of services. Health restructuring has been
a long and difficult process. We don't need to re-do the
whole process again.
Fact:
Tertiary student numbers
have risen 40% since 1990. In the same period funding for
early childhood education has gone up 124%. More kids are
entering school education, staying longer, and going on to
tertiary study. Kohanga Reo numbers are up as are Maori
graduates.
Fact:
Government management is being
devolved so that experts and not bureaucrats have more say
in their particular fields of endeavour. Parents have
input to the curricula and management of their children's
schools. More health care now comes from Community health
providers. Similarly welfare services are being
co-ordinated at community level. The government is steadily
dismantling its hierarchical model of management.
"This election should not be decided on issues such as digitally altered billboards, blatant deception, or billboard destruction. Likewise voters who either don't care or have "always voted this way" should not determine it. If the public want open and honest government they should at least take the time to understand what is good for the future of this country. Only when we can all put our hand up and say that this is how we voted, will we get the government we deserve. Anything else would be a smokescreen," said Dale
For further information contact: Chris Hornsby on
04-4980538 or Dale Stephens