Public Needs to Be Reassured on Funds Allocation
Thursday 1 Aug 2002 Dr Muriel Newman Press Releases -- Social Welfare
ACT Northland-based MP Dr Muriel Newman is writing to both CYFS and the Health Ministry questioning how they make
decisions to fund health and social services agencies and what ongoing monitoring they do to prevent mass wastage of
taxpayers money.
Dr Newman's action follows the allegations of poor management and wastage of funds at Northland agency Te Hau Ora O Te
Tai Tokerau (THOTT).
"The problems at THOTT obviously didn't occur overnight. Why was the situation allowed to continue for so long?
"The public needs to have confidence that Government departments and ministries are, firstly checking into the
credentials of organisations and people seeking funding, and secondly, that proper ongoing monitoring of the
organisations and their use of taxpayers' money is carried out.
"There needs to be accountability. Without that, millions of dollars of hard earned taxpayers' money could be flushed
down the drain.
"If the processes at CYFS and the Health Ministry are inadequate, then the problems with THOTT could just be the tip of
the iceberg.
"I look forward to a full response from the two government agencies outlining their systems and processes. It is vital
that public confidence can be restored," Dr Newman said.
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.