Judith Collins MP National Party Welfare Spokeswoman
18 May 2005
Near quadrupling in CYF legal bills under Labour
There has been a near quadrupling of legal bills at CYF since the Labour Party took office, says National Party Welfare
spokeswoman Judith Collins.
"Nearly $1 million has been spent on legal bills in the past year, up from less than quarter of a million dollars in
1999.
"If that money is being spent making sure our most vulnerable kids get the protection and care they deserve then that's
great, but if it is being spent on costly personal grievance cases, then clearly the culture at CYF needs to be
addressed.
"If that money is being spent by the department defending itself from claims of negligence or torture, then that would
also be a very serious issue indeed.
"Labour has lost interest in the needs of our children. Recently I revealed that Labour's much-heralded 'Agenda For
Children' hasn't been discussed for nearly a year and a half.
"And its flagship Families Commission is shelling out more than $670,000 in advertising and promotion. With thousands
more being spent on travel, accommodation and golden handshakes.
"Labour might have the biggest surplus on record which allows it to throw vast amounts of taxpayer dollars at any
problem. But as the figures keep rolling in, it's clear Labour has no ability to set sensible spending priorities," says
Ms Collins.
ENDS