Don Brash MP National Party Leader
10 April 2006
Plunket Line set up to fail - Brash
National Party Leader Don Brash says Helen Clark has failed to understand that it is Plunket that Kiwi mums and dads
want advice from.
"It's truly appalling that Helen Clark has betrayed Plunket with her Government's decision to axe funding for its
24-hour hotline service," says Dr Brash.
"The fact is that Plunket Line has been underfunded by this Labour Government, who categorically promised to protect the
service. Helen Clark has effectively set it up to fail.
"This iconic service was contracted to take between 60,000 and 70,000 calls a year, but has been receiving more than
130,000 - they have done their best with what they have.
"Mums and dads prefer Plunket Line because they get advice from trusted Plunket nurses. They don't want to end up on the
line with a health line worker who does not specialise in child health.
"I am urging Helen Clark to review this decision and do the right thing.
"Helen Clark told at least two separate Plunket meetings that her Government would protect Plunket Line, no ifs, no
buts, no maybes.
"She left absolutely no room for doubt.
"Yet today, her Government prioritises things like the tax-funded pledge cards ahead of the Plunket service. These
priorities are all wrong.
"This is nothing short of an embarrassing disgrace. The least Helen Clark should do is meet Plunket to explain why she's
had a change of heart," says Dr Brash.
Ends For fax copies of Helen Clark speeches to Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, 1995 and 1999, contact Kim Juergens
021 402 025.
In her 1999 speech from the throne, Helen Clark said her Government would 'fund the Plunket Line service on a 24 hour a
day, seven days a week basis'.
ENDS